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Long-Term Risks of TBI | Mandell, Boisclair & Mandell, Ltd
August 2, 2021

Does TBI Get Worse Over Time?

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can lead to a lifetime of physical, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral changes. These changes can affect an individual’s ability to function in his or her daily life. 

Traumatic brain injury cases are incredibly complex and require the knowledge, skill, and resources of a law firm familiar with these specific types of injuries. At Mandell, Boisclair & Mandell, Ltd., our accomplished traumatic brain injury lawyers have extensive experience in these matters and we are committed to helping TBI victims pursue the full and fair compensation to which they may be entitled under the law.

What Are the Long-Term Negative Effects of TBI?

Traumatic brain injuries are acquired. That means they are not caused by genetics or birth defects; they are the result of an outside force. They are typically caused by sudden and violent trauma such as a severe car accident, fall, or other blunt force trauma.

The consequences of a TBI can affect a person’s physical, emotional, and financial health for the rest of his or her life.

Increased Risk of Death

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a person’s life expectancy can be reduced after surviving a moderate or severe TBI, even after receiving medical care and inpatient rehabilitation services.

Long-Term Health Problems

Severe TBI can inflict long-lasting and permanent challenges. Victims may experience personality changes, such as mood swings or emotional and behavioral changes such as depression, aggression, or anxiety. A traumatic brain injury can also affect an individual’s language skills and ability to think or reason. TBIs can also cause temporary or permanent memory loss. Someone suffering from TBI may notice changes to their basic senses, such as their ability to hear, smell, or taste.

Long-Term Financial Issues

In addition to a variety of physical and emotional health issues, many people struggle financially after suffering a traumatic brain injury. 

Medical expenses associated with traumatic brain injuries can often reach hundreds of thousands of dollars, even in cases where the injury proved to be fatal. For survivors of severe TBI, the costs incurred from a lifetime of specialized care can reach the millions. Medical expenses can include a variety of costs, such as:

  • General treatment
  • Therapy
  • Prescriptions
  • Professional assistance such as by a nurse
  • Living space modifications
  • Assistive devices

Potential Compensation in a Traumatic Brain Injury Claim

The degree of damage and personal challenges from a brain injury can vary greatly from person to person. Therefore, the amount of compensation can vary greatly as well. In cases of severe brain damage, involving high costs and devastating effects on a person’s quality of life, verdicts and settlements can range in the hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars.

Economic Damages

Economic damages cover expenses and monetary costs that result from an injury, including:

  • Medical and hospital bills
  • Rehabilitation costs
  • Continued care and institutionalization
  • Home and vehicle modifications
  • Lost wages
  • Diminished earning capacity
  • Funeral and burial costs in the event of death

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages reimburse brain injury victims for losses, such as:

  • Physical pain and suffering
  • Mental and emotional distress
  • Loss of companionship and consortium
  • Disfigurement and disability

Punitive Damages

In rare cases, punitive damages may be recoverable if exceedingly reckless or malicious actions led to the plaintiff’s brain injury.

Contact a Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer in Providence Today

Mandell, Boisclair & Mandell, Ltd. has been helping victims of traumatic brain injury for 45 years. We have seen firsthand the devastation these injuries inflict on accident victims and their families. If you or a loved one have suffered a brain injury due to someone else’s negligence, you deserve justice. We can help.

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Contact Mandell, Boisclair & Mandell, Ltd today online or at (401) 273-8330. We serve brain injury victims throughout Providence and other Rhode Island areas.