The Financial Impact of a Brain Injury

• February 12, 2025
• Attorney David Mann
• Personal Injury

Brain injuries can be debilitating to those who suffer from them.  The recovery process can be long and arduous and sometimes lead to permanent damage.  Those suffering from brain injuries could have financial setbacks as well, if they are unable to return to work full-time or in any capacity.  In this blog post, we will be discussing the financial impact of a brain injury.

Immediate Costs of a Brain Injury

You could start to see financial strain days or weeks after suffering from a brain injury, especially if the damage is severe.  Some of the immediate costs of a brain injury are:

• Hospital Visits – The cost of emergency room visits is not insignificant, even if you have high-quality health insurance. As your stay in the hospital lengthens, so does the cost of your medical care rise.  Brain injuries, especially severe ones like traumatic brain injuries (TBI) could result in long stays at the hospital, with multiple surgeries and treatments.
• Lost Wages – You and your family could feel the financial impact right away because of your inability to work and bring home a paycheck.  Many families live paycheck to paycheck, and there could be immediate financial issues once the paychecks stop.

Long-Term Costs of a Brain Injury

The long-term costs of a brain injury can be more devastating than the immediate costs, especially if the injuries are severe.  Recovery from brain injuries can last a long time, and there are numerous financial costs for this care.  Some examples are:

• Rehabilitation – Physical and occupational therapy are an important aspect to recovering from brain injuries.  Even if you have good health insurance, there will be costs involved for ongoing therapy.
• Prescription costs – As with every severe injury, you will probably have to take medication throughout your recovery.  Many prescriptions are not cheap, and you may have to pay for them out of pocket.
• Adjustments to the Home – Once you return home from the hospital, your home may need modifications to fit your physical needs. You may not be able to climb stairs, so a chair lift may be necessary, or a hospital-type bed may need to be installed in your home.
• Transportation Services – Many people who suffer from brain injuries need special transportation services, which could cost additional money, even if they are partially covered by insurance.
• Future Wages – You may not be able to work in the same capacity as before, even if you recover from your brain injuries.  Many people never get to 100% even after long-term therapies.  Your earning potential could lessen, affecting your financial situation for an extended time.

Hidden Costs of a Brain Injury

In addition to the costs described above, there are a few hidden costs that sometimes are not obvious when thinking about brain injuries.  Two of those hidden costs are:

• Pain and Suffering – Brain injury victims sometimes suffer from ongoing psychological and physical pain that can affect their quality of life after an accident.  It is important to understand the signs of emotional and physical distress in brain injury victims.
• Effect on Immediate Family Members – When the focus of our attention is on the injured, we forget the toll the accident can have on the immediate family members.  Spouses and children may become depressed or anxious about the recovery prospects of their loved one.

Legal Avenues for Financial Compensation

You may be entitled to compensation if your brain injury was caused by the negligence of another person or entity.  There are different types of damages to pursue, depending on the extent of your brain injury.  You should consult with an experienced brain injury lawyer in Georgia for advice, but, generally, you may be able to recover damages for:

• Medical costs, at the time of the accident and afterward
• Lost wages
• Future lost wages
• Prescriptions
• Pain and suffering
• Transportation to and from medical appointments.

One piece of advice we provide to our clients is to keep neat and accurate records of all expenses having to do with your accident and subsequent injuries.  Your attorney will be able to file a claim easier and with more efficiency if these records are readily handy.

Resources for Financial Assistance

Even if you filed a claim for damages with your attorney, there other avenues you can look into for financial assistance in Georgia and on the federal level:

• Georgia Brain and Spinal Injury Trust Fund Commission – This state-sponsored commission provides grants to those who have brain injuries in Georgia. The grants can be used for many needs such as transportation, assistive technology, medical and rehabilitative care, home access modifications, personal support services, and other needs.
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) – These are federal government programs that provide income to those suffering from various injuries, including brain injuries.

We hope that this blog post has helped you with the financial impact of a brain injury. You should speak with a qualified and experienced spinal injury attorney to learn more about damages you may be entitled to due to your injuries.

Contact The Mann Law Firm Today To Discuss Your Brain Injury Claim

The brain injury attorneys at the Mann Law Firm are here to help you file a claim for damages as a result of a brain injury.  Depending on your specific situation, your claim will most likely be handled by an insurance company.  David Mann has worked as in-house defense counsel for a large insurance company, so he understands the tactics they use to pay out claims for as little as possible.  Our firm has collected high settlements, many in the seven figures, for our clients, and we want to help you out as well.  We work on a contingency basis, which means we don’t get paid unless you get compensation.  So, give us a call today at (478) 742-3381 for a free consultation.  At the Mann Law Firm, you always come first.