Traumatic brain injury is responsible for over 30 percent of all injury-related deaths in the US. Nearly 1.7 million Americans are currently living with the long-term effects of a traumatic brain injury (TBI). After an accident, the costs of treating a moderate to severe traumatic brain injury can be substantial. In cases of auto accidents, assaults, or defective products, civil lawsuits are often the only means of paying for the costs of treatment as well as potential lost income caused by the injury victim’s inability to return to work.
In addition to the monetary costs, a traumatic brain injury can result in losses of motor skills, cognitive abilities, and emotional stability. It can impact relationships with family and friends. The true impact of any severe traumatic brain injury often involve quality of life issues that go well beyond the financial burdens of medical treatment and rehabilitation.
Traumatic Brain Injury Average Costs of Treatment
Each year, nearly 300,000 of those who sustain a traumatic brain injury require hospitalization. Of those requiring hospitalization, almost one third are left with a lasting disability. The average lifetime cost of care for a traumatic brain injury patient can range from $85,000 to $3 million depending upon the severity of the injury. These figures do not account for the loss of productivity or social service costs.
The majority of the financial costs are from immediate care and any necessary rehabilitation in the first 12 months following a traumatic brain injury. While the actual costs can vary, some average costs to consider are:
- A traumatic brain injury patient requiring rehabilitation will incur an average of $196,460 in first year expenses while a TBI patient not requiring rehabilitation faces an average cost of $17,893.
- Average medical and non-medical costs, following hospitalization, such as home modifications, insurance, vocational rehabilitation, are $151,587 per patient.
- Minor to moderate traumatic brain injury patients who do not require rehabilitation may still incur up to $15,000 in bills as a result of initial hospital visits, clinical testing, medication, and follow-up doctor’s visits.
- The lifetime costs to survivors of severe traumatic brain injuries can total as much as $4 million.
Types of Expenses that Can Occur when Coping with a Traumatic Brain Injury
Recovery from any serious traumatic brain injury involves more costs than you might initially think. If you or a loved one has a traumatic brain injury, it is important to be aware of all of the financial issues you will face in the short and long term.
- Hospital medical bills, including post-injury scans, surgery, and acute care.
- Fees for neurologists, clinicians, and technicians involved in your care — physicians, nurses, rehabilitative therapists.
- Prescription medication costs.
- Fees for psychological evaluations and psychiatric therapy to cope with emotional and behavioral changes.
- Neurological rehabilitation, experimental therapies and procedures.
- Durable medical equipment costs such as specialized wheelchairs, braces, and other devices.
- Temporary absence from work
- Difficulty with standard duties necessitating having to work in a different capacity, sometimes at reduced wages, or only being able to work part-time.
- Severe permanent disability and an inability to work.
References: Brain Injury Association of America
