Receiving Disability For Your Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injuries range from mild to severe and can be caused by almost anything: sports, work, a car accident, or even just a bad trip. You deserve compensation for any traumatic brain injury that’s negatively affected your life, including:

Concussions
Anoxic brain injuries
Brain contusions
Penetrating brain injuries

You rightfully deserve compensation for your injuries whether it’s from workers comp or civil litigation. A traumatic brain injury attorney can get you a settlement for your pain and suffering. Know your rights and get the settlement you truly deserve with the help of a traumatic brain injury attorney.

Also Read: Dealing With A Traumatic Brain Injury At Work

Causes And Symptoms Of Traumatic Brain Injuries

Any kind of bump, blow, or jolt to the head can cause a traumatic brain injury. One of the most common traumatic brain injuries is concussions. Concussions are something many parents see in their kids, yet they rarely see this injury as “traumatic.”

What makes this injury traumatic is its disruption to all other normal functions in the brain. These injuries can cause both mental and physical damage, especially in children or older adults. Common symptoms of a traumatic brain injury include:

Loss of consciousness or disorientation
Memory loss or amnesia
Decreased cognitive abilities
Slow thinking or difficulty concentrating
Muscle weakness
Changes in vision and speech

Many traumatic brain injury victims will also experience changes in personality. Other victims find themselves suffering from mental illnesses like depression as a result of their injury. Even worse cases can result in a coma or even death.

Roughly 60% of traumatic brain injury victims will make a positive recovery. However, 25% of victims will develop a moderate disability that severely affects their everyday function.

Mild To Severe Traumatic Brain Injury Settlements

Traumatic brain injuries range from mild to severe depending on how long the victim lost consciousness. Even mild traumatic brain injuries can cause issues with speech and other basic functions. This is why even mild cases can receive over $100,000 for their injuries.

A traumatic brain injury attorney will argue for the victim’s current and future pain, suffering, and need for accommodations. Factors considered when reaching a settlement offer include:

Wages and income lost
Pain and suffering
Medical bills
Psychological and occupational therapy
Future losses
Funeral and burial expenses

Severe traumatic brain injuries wherein a victim has either died or becomes severely disabled can receive multi-million dollar settlements. The best way to assess how much you can receive for your traumatic brain injury is to call an attorney. A traumatic brain injury attorney will be on your side and fight for the settlement you truly deserve.

Also Read: Liability Lawsuits For Sport-Related Traumatic Brain Injuries

Traumatic Brain Injuries And Workers Comp Settlements

If your injuries were caused by your employer’s negligence, you deserve proper worker’s compensation. Workers can typically receive settlements from $75,000 to over $200,000.

Your employer or insurance company may attempt to belittle your injuries, which is why you should be legally prepared for any settlement offer thrown your way. You have the right to refuse any offer before you’ve spoken with a lawyer about your injuries.

A traumatic brain injury lawyer will help you calculate:

Present and future medical costs
Rehabilitation and therapy
Ability to return to work
Life expectancy
Wages lost and effects on future career opportunities

Also Read: What is Workers Compensation

Other Adjustments Victims Are Entitled To

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ensures that disabled individuals receive equal treatment in almost any public and government institution. Workplaces and educational institutions, whether they’re public or private, must also follow these guidelines.

Your traumatic brain injury can affect some of your most basic functions from walking to interacting with other people. You are legally protected from discrimination, and deserve the same opportunities as anyone else. Common adjustments that should be made to accommodate your traumatic brain injury include:

Using recordings to help with memory loss.
Computer programs to help with concentration or vision issues.
Reasonable accommodations to certain tasks.
Moving to another position to meet accommodations.
Lessing hours or decreasing workload.
Changing equipment and devices.
Providing interpreters or training in new languages.
Rest leaves and longer time for tasks or exams.
Rest breaks or quiet places to prevent fatigue and overstimulation.

If an employer or institution refuses to make these necessary adjustments or harasses you about these adjustments, call a lawyer. Your traumatic brain injury shouldn’t stop you from moving on with your life.