Accidents can lead to severe consequences, including brain injury, which can create significant financial burdens throughout a person’s lifetime.
Understanding the long-term expenses associated with a brain injury is important for both individuals and their families.
Ongoing medical expenses
The journey to recovery after a brain injury often involves extensive medical care. Hospital stays, surgeries, medications and follow-up appointments can accumulate substantial costs. In addition, victims frequently need diagnostic tests, such as MRIs and CT scans, to monitor the injury’s progress. These medical expenses can persist for years, putting strain on finances.
Additional rehabilitation and therapy
Rehabilitation and therapy remain integral to brain injury recovery. Physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy help individuals regain lost skills and relearn everyday activities. These sessions can be long-term and expensive, impacting the individual’s financial stability over time.
Career disruption and loss of income
A brain injury can lead to a significant disruption in one’s career. Individuals might face extended periods of absence from work, reduced productivity or even a complete inability to return to their previous job. This loss of income can have profound effects on long-term financial planning.
Emotional and psychological costs
The financial toll of a brain injury goes beyond the visible expenses. Emotional and psychological costs, including stress, anxiety and depression, create an added burden. Seeking mental health support is often necessary, but it adds to the overall lifetime cost of the injury.
In 2021, California traffic accidents resulted in 17,920 serious injuries. Even a seemingly small accident can result in long-term medical concerns. That makes it important to consider those lifetime costs before taking a settlement.
