In some cases, those who suffer traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are going to have long-term symptoms. Damage to the brain does not always heal, as the brain cannot always create the new neurons and brain cells that are necessary for that healing. New neural pathways may be discovered, leading to partial healing, but some of the symptoms will stay for life.
Certainly, there are immediate medical costs when someone suffers a traumatic brain injury. Maybe they were involved in a fall, a car accident, a workplace accident or something else of this nature. They do need to get immediate medical treatment and may deserve compensation if someone else’s negligence caused that injury. But they also need to consider the long-term costs and the way that this may impact their career.
A reduction in skills and abilities
The issue is often that a TBI that won’t heal can lead to a reduction in specific abilities or skills that the person used to have.
For example, say that someone is a highly skilled medical surgeon. Fine motor skills are very important to them. But if a TBI reduces these abilities, even though they still fully understand how to be an effective surgeon, they may find that their body just does not cooperate and they can no longer continue in this career.
Or, say that someone works in the tech industry. It’s very important for them to be on the cutting edge of modern technology and to have a high-level grasp of complex computer programs and other technological developments. But if someone’s cognitive abilities and mental processing are reduced because of a TBI, they may no longer be able to have the success in this field that they once did.
In this way, a TBI can lead to lost earnings or a diminished earning capacity. Those who have been injured need to know how to seek compensation for all related costs.