California Injury Blog
First of all, know that you are not alone. According to the Utah Department of Health, there are 37 people who are treated and released from an emergency room due to a traumatic brain injury (TBI) every day. An additional 7 people are hospitalized or die each day from a TBI.
Nationally, more than 230,000 people are hospitalized annually and survive, and 50,000 people die each year from TBI-related injuries (Brain Injury Recovery Network).
Second, know that you can in fact get the help you need. There are a great many resources and services dedicated specifically to head trauma and TBI-related injury recovery. Resources and services will vary for each state, but each State’s Health Department should be of great help.
For Utah, the following sources could be utilized:
• Brain Injury Alliance of Utah • Utah Brain Injury Council • Utah Department of Health • University of Utah Health Care: Rehabilitation Center
Third and lastly, never underestimate the value of a personal injury attorney. Specifically, a Salt Lake City brain injury attorney would be able to aid you in getting the requisite compensation in order to pay the mounting medical bills associated with a TBI.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated that, “Direct medical costs and indirect costs such as lost productivity of TBI totaled an estimated $76.5 billion in the United States in 2000.”
According to the Family Caregiver Alliance, “The lifetime costs for one person surviving a severe TBI can reach $4 million. An estimate of medical and non-medical (e.g., home modifications, vocational rehabilitation, health insurance) per TBI survivor averages $151,587.” These numbers are staggering!
How can anyone expect to pay for all that? Most individuals don’t make that kind of money in their lifetimes. A brain injury attorney can help.
It must be understood at this juncture that in order for a victim of a TBI to be eligible for the services of an attorney, it must be clear that the TBI was directly caused by another person, and that that person’s actions were negligent or careless, causing the injury. If this is the case with you, then you should call an attorney as soon as possible. If you have waited too long, the Statute of Limitations may deny you legal aid.
It is imperative that you speak with an attorney about your accident if it was caused by someone else. Either the at-fault party’s insurance or your own will be available as sources of compensation. Statistics show that a victim will receive 3 and a half times more compensation with an experienced attorney than without.
Don’t make the mistake of trying to care for yourself alone; it simply doesn’t add up.