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How will you be compensated for the future medical costs that are caused by your brain injury? My name is Kenneth Berger. I practice law here in Columbia, South Carolina, and help brain injury victims across the state. Now, after a brain injury, you might have costs that include things like medication, counseling, and follow-up visits with neurologists and other specialists. All of those costs that are related to the brain injury and that the accident caused you to incur are supposed to be paid by the insurance company. A lot of times, what's known as a life care plan, we'll put the cost of your medication, counseling, and future visits into one clear document and give us a projected cost of what's gonna take over your entire lifetime. So let's say someone 30 years old has a life expectancy of 80. For the next 50 years, they may require certain medications, be it for sleeplessness, headaches, or mood swings. Well, the life care plan related to that brain injury is gonna account for all those costs. Similarly, a lot of time, brain injuries can create the need for psychological treatment and counseling, and that could be due to the effects of the trauma itself or just the effects it has on things like work and marriage. The cost for those items is supposed to be part of the settlement the insurance company pays. So the life care plan, which includes again all this cost, can range from thousands up to millions depending on the severity of the brain injury. We handle these kinds of cases every day. We're familiar with different Life Care planners and things that need to be included in that life care plan to make sure the insurance company fairly compensates you for your brain injury and its impact on your entire life. You can call me for a free consultation, or you can request free copies of my books right here on the website. More than anything, just know that you're not alone, and you don't have to take on any insurance company by yourself. We're here to help you, and I very much look forward to speaking with you.
Costs of a Traumatic Brain Injury
As a Columbia, South Carolina TBI lawyer handling cases across the state, I've seen how difficult the road to recovery from a closed head injury can be. Aside from the severe and life-threatening effects a TBI can have on your health, it can also put tremendous strain on your finances. Whether it be an auto accident, fall, sports-related incident, or some other cause, brain injuries can lead to astronomical expenses. The costs often include extended stays in the hospital, surgical procedures, long-term medical care, and intensive rehabilitation.
According to the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, traumatic brain injuries cost a total of $76.3 billion in the United States in 2010. While most insurers and federally-funded programs such as Medicare and Medicaid cover the costs associated with saving a TBI victim's life, i.e., brain surgery and intensive medical care, benefits fall short in the way of rehabilitation programs that help the victim relearn skills and abilities he or she lost as a result of the brain trauma. The unfortunate result is thousands of brain trauma patients are forced to go without rehabilitative treatment.
Proper rehabilitation and medical treatment does not have to mean financial ruin. If a person or business’ negligence caused you to sustain a TBI, an injury attorney can help you hold them legally and financially responsible for their actions and the expenses you incurred.
TBI Damages Go Beyond Medical Bills
The cost of a closed head injury cannot be measured by hospital bills alone. People with even mild TBIs often require medication, therapy, vocational training, and adaptive strategies. All of these items come at a cost for individuals and families living in South Carolina. In addition, if a TBI victim cannot return to their former job, they may be faced with the loss of thousands or even millions of dollars over their lifetime.
The damages in a South Carolina TBI case can include:
- initial medical care, including emergency room care, ambulance transportation and hospitalization;
- brain injury recovery, which could include physical and cognitive rehabilitation, if the initial injury is severe; and
- lost income and wages, if the injury has rendered your loved one unable to make as much money as before the accident.
If you or someone you love suffered a traumatic brain injury, whether in a car accident, bike or motorcycle accident, on the job, or as a result of a fall, you may be able to recover initial and future expenses associated with the injury from the negligent party or insurance company.
Contact South Carolina TBI Lawyer Kenneth Berger
Whether it be an auto accident, fall, sports-related incident, or some other cause, brain injuries can lead to astronomical expenses. The cost of a closed head injury cannot be measured by hospital bills alone. People with even Mild TBIs often require medication, therapy, vocational training, and adaptive strategies. All of these items come at a cost for individuals and families living in South Carolina. In addition, if a TBI victim cannot return to their former job, they may be faced with the loss of thousands or even millions of dollars over their lifetime.
The law cannot heal anyone medically, but it can compensate people for the harm caused by another party's negligence or recklessness. More than 60,000 South Carolinians are currently facing disability due to brain injury. If you or a loved one is one of those people, please know that you are not alone. There are a number of organizations dedicated to helping you. Likewise, the law, as well as my firm, are on your side.
We are here to guide people with TBIs toward justice while ensuring that all costs - past, present, and future - associated with the head injury are covered by the at-fault party's insurance company. Let us help with the legal issues so that you may focus on recovery. For free copies of my books and a free consultation, call my Columbia office today at (803) 790-2800.