Living with a Catastrophic Brain Injury Can Be Costly

Living with a traumatic brain injury can be extremely expensive. A recent article in USA Today tells the story of Scott Hamilton, who suffered a traumatic brain injury after he was thrown off his motor scooter while riding to work. In Hamilton’s case, the cost of his brain surgery and intensive care necessary to save his life were covered. But, according to the article, the expenses for critical rehabilitation care, which is needed to improve a victim’s quality of life and help him or her relearn skills and abilities destroyed by the brain trauma, are typically not covered. These programs could cost anywhere between $600 and $8,000 a day depending on the type of services provided to the patient.
Thousands of patients who suffer traumatic brain injuries as a result of car accidents, slip-and-fall accidents, construction site accidents and assaults are discharged from hospitals to nursing homes, or are allowed to be bedridden in the critical early months when their brains should be healing with rehabilitation.
At least 1.7 million people in the United States suffer traumatic brain injuries each year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Each year, 50,000 brain-injured patients die, 230,000 are hospitalized and 90,000 survive, but are disabled for life. CDC reports that at least 3 million people in this country live with lifelong disabilities caused by traumatic brain injuries. The cost of taking care of brain-injured patients in the United States is about $60 billion a year for medical care and lost productivity.
Many patients and their families do not know there is rehabilitative care available for those with traumatic brain injuries. Even those who know about it don’t realize how critical it may be to start rehabilitation right away. Others may simply not have access to these services because their insurance may not cover rehabilitative services.
If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury as a result of someone else’s negligence, please remember that you have rights. Our New York catastrophic injury lawyers will provide you with information and help you understand your legal rights and options. Call us today at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU if you have suffered a traumatic brain injury.
Source: USA Today