If you’ve been injured by someone else’s negligence and have suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI), you may be able to recover compensation that includes medical expenses, lost income, loss of future earning capacity, costs of rehabilitation and care, home and vehicle modifications, pain and suffering, emotional or psychological harm, loss of enjoyment of life, impact on family relationships, and property damage or other accident-related expenses.
Contact our St. Louis traumatic brain injury lawyer to schedule your free consultation and discuss your legal options today.
Medical Expenses
This includes all necessary treatment for the injury including emergency care, hospitalizations, surgeries, doctor’s visits to neurologists and other specialists, diagnostic testing, prescription drugs, physical and occupational therapy, speech therapy, mental health counseling, expected future care, and assistive devices or home medical equipment.
Lost Income
If your TBI prevents you from working or limits your schedule, you may be entitled to recover lost wages, overtime, bonuses, commissions, lost self-employment income, and compensation for time used from sick or vacation leave during your recovery.
Loss of Future Earning Capacity
You may also be able to collect compensation for your diminished capacity to work and earn money after a TBI. This can include the losses you experience for returning to work at reduced hours, changing careers, missing promotions, or permanent loss of a job. Economic and vocational experts can help you project what your future economic losses may be based on your limitations.
Rehabilitation and Long-Term Care Costs
Includes the cost of inpatient or outpatient rehab, cognitive therapy, ongoing therapy, home health aides, skilled nursing care, long-term residential facilities, personal attendants, and case management for long-term disability related to TBI.
Home and Vehicle Modifications
You can recover expenses for modifications you have to add or make, like wheelchair ramps, accessible bathrooms, widened doorways, specialized furniture or medical devices, vehicle modifications for accessibility, or moving to a different home if your injury requires these changes.
Pain and Suffering
This compensates for the pain that results from a TBI. This might include headaches, dizziness, fatigue, persistent discomfort, sleep disruption, or other physical symptoms.
Emotional and Psychological Harm
This category addresses mental suffering such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, mood swings, emotional distress, and the loss of confidence or feelings of personal independence caused by TBI.
Loss of Enjoyment of Life
If you have a diminished ability to pursue prior interests, hobbies, sports, recreational or social activities, daily independence, or ability to travel as before your injury, you can recover compensation for these losses.
Loss of Consortium and Impact on Family Relationships
A spouse or other qualifying family member may have a separate loss of consortium claim, which addresses changes in personal and family interactions, marital companionship, affection, intimacy, and increased burdens placed on family caregivers.
Property Damage and Other Accident-Related Expenses
This encompasses repairs to damaged vehicles or property, costs for medical transportation, added travel for ongoing care, replacement child or household care, and any additional direct expenses related to the injury.
Traumatic brain injuries can affect almost every part of your life, including earning a living and being involved in the relationships and activities that are most important to you. Knowing the full spectrum of compensation available is important so you don’t end up getting less than you deserve. Contact our office at Meyerkord & Kurth to speak directly with an attorney skilled in these cases if you have questions about your rights after suffering a TBI.