Some of the most devastating outcomes of accidents involve injuries to the brain or spinal cord. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and spinal cord injuries (SCIs) are often called “catastrophic” because they affect not just your immediate health but also your ability to work, maintain relationships, and live independently. Even after the initial emergency care, the challenges may continue for years or indefinitely.
If you or a loved one has experienced a life-changing brain or spine injury, it’s important to understand the long-term costs and effects you may face. This knowledge helps you prepare for what’s ahead, and may be important when protecting your legal rights.
Understanding Brain Injuries
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) happens when a blow, jolt, or penetrating trauma damages the brain. They can also be caused by a lack of oxygen or blood flow reaching the brain. TBIs range from concussions to severe cases involving permanent cognitive impairment. While some symptoms appear immediately, many effects take weeks or months to become clear.
Long-term effects of a TBI can include:
- Cognitive difficulties such as memory loss, reduced concentration, and impaired problem-solving.
- Emotional and behavioral changes, including mood swings, irritability, depression, or anxiety.
- Physical complications like chronic headaches, dizziness, balance problems, and sensitivity to light or sound.
- Increased medical vulnerability, as those with TBIs are at greater risk for seizures, infections, and future neurological disorders.
For many people, a brain injury changes not only how they think but also how they relate to others, altering their personal and professional lives in profound ways.
Understanding Spinal Cord Injuries
The spinal cord acts as the body’s communication system, transmitting signals between the brain and the rest of the body. When the spinal cord is injured, the results can be intense. SCIs are often categorized as “complete” (total loss of function below the injury site) or “incomplete” (partial loss).
Long-term effects of a spinal cord injury can include:
- Partial or complete paralysis, affecting mobility and independence.
- Chronic pain, often due to nerve damage.
- Loss of bladder and bowel control, which may require lifelong management.
- Secondary health issues such as respiratory complications, cardiovascular problems, and pressure sores.
- Emotional struggles, including depression and anxiety linked to lifestyle changes and physical limitations.
Financial Burden of Catastrophic Injuries
The costs associated with brain and spinal cord injuries are staggering. They often extend far beyond hospital bills, and many families are unprepared for the financial strain.
Financial costs associated with TBIs and spinal cord injuries usually include:
- Medical and rehabilitation expenses: Treatment often involves emergency surgery, intensive care, hospital stays, and ongoing rehabilitation. Many patients need physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and mental health support for years.
- Assistive technology and home modifications: Wheelchairs, adaptive vehicles, home lifts, ramps, and accessible bathrooms may be required to support independence.
- Lost income and earning capacity: A brain or spinal cord injury can permanently alter your ability to work in your previous career or to work at all. Even if you return to the workforce, reduced hours and limited opportunities may cause significant financial loss.
- Lifetime care costs: Some patients require in-home nursing, long-term assisted living, or specialized equipment. Over a lifetime, these expenses can total millions of dollars.
- Non-economic losses: Pain, suffering, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life can’t be measured in dollars, but they are real and lasting costs of catastrophic injury.
Planning for the Future After a Serious Injury
Because the consequences of brain and spinal cord injuries extend so far into the future, your legal claim must take into account not just today’s bills but also tomorrow’s. Future costs could include projected medical expenses, anticipated wage loss, and the costs of maintaining independence and dignity over a lifetime.
A catastrophic injury case often requires testimony from medical experts, life-care planners, and vocational specialists to ensure the full impact of the injury is recognized.
How Our Catastrophic Injury Attorneys Can Help
At the Law Offices of Larry S. Buckley, we know how overwhelming life feels when you or someone you love has suffered a brain or spinal cord injury. With decades of combined experience and a sole focus on personal injury law, we can help you try to get everything under control again. We represent plaintiffs throughout Northern California and are dedicated to making the legal process as convenient and stress-free as possible. That’s why we are available 24/7 to answer your questions and provide guidance.
Talk to our personal injury team today. Call (530) 413-0245 and get a free case consultation.