Traumatic brain injuries, or TBIs, affect more than 1.5 million Americans per year, according to the Centers for Disease Control. However, what these statistics do not show is how many other people are affected–people such as family, friends, and coworkers. This number is far greater than the actual number of victims and increases the already astronomical cost of traumatic brain injury exponentially.
How TBIs Impact Families
TBIs affect those other than the actual victim in several ways.
- Loss of income. One of the most direct impacts for the family of a victim with a traumatic brain injury is loss of income. TBI victims are far more likely to lose their jobs or be unable to provide for their families after their injuries than other people. Even when these victims do manage to keep their jobs, they are likely to experience reduced efficiency and loss of hours, be passed over for promotion and suffer generally lower-income prospects than others. Ultimately, the victim of a TBI may be unable to provide for his or her family.
- Change in physical abilities. Many victims of TBIs also suffer losses of physical ability, such as the ability to walk or lift objects. Because of this loss of physical ability, the victim may be unable to participate in family activities or take care of household tasks. In extreme cases, victims may be unable to care for themselves, requiring another family member to take on additional roles in this regard.
- Change in mental abilities. One of the most insidious problems related to traumatic brain injuries is the mental and emotional changes experienced by victims. This can be anything from a slight personality change to a full-blown issue such as suicidal depression or uncontrolled anger. Often, it is the mental or emotional factor that weighs most heavily on families. It is also one of the hardest things to successfully treat after a traumatic brain injury.
- Pain and suffering. The pain that a TBI victim suffers is not experienced in isolation. The entire family, as well as friends and others, may feel impotent to alleviate the loved one’s suffering. Additionally, friends and family may experience their own level of post-traumatic anxiety, stress, and depression after an accident that involves a TBI, particularly if the prognosis is negative.
If you or your loved one has experienced a traumatic brain injury, it is important to take all possible steps to protect yourself and those you love from the long-term effects of TBI. In many cases, that means taking steps to recover compensation for job loss or reduction in income, medical bills, and pain and suffering experienced by the victim and family. At Barber & Associates, we have been helping the victims of TBI trauma for many years. We can help you recover compensation to pay for your expenses as well as compensate you for your pain and suffering. Give us a call today to learn more about how we can help.