Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and spinal cord injuries are considered to be types of catastrophic injuries. A catastrophic injury is any injury that has permanent consequences. Those consequences don’t necessarily have to be a disability, although that’s what the permanent consequence is in most cases of traumatic head or spine injuries.

For example, if you were involved in a car crash and suffered severe third-degree burns, your permanent scarring will count as a catastrophic injury. It is something you’ll be forced to cope with for the rest of your life, even though it’s not strictly a disability.

Data, experience and input from medical professionals are vital when calculating appropriate damages in cases of TBI or spine injuries. Calculating your current medical costs up to the point your claim is filed is important, including any life-saving surgeries, hospital stays, lost wages and other expenses you’ve incurred. The other vital calculation is an estimation of your future medical costs. The claim payment, verdict or settlement you receive from your case will need to support you and your family for the duration of your life if you’ve suffered a permanent disability due to a traumatic brain or spine injury. The costs can easily run into seven figures, which is why these cases can get particularly contentious.

Various types of doctors and medical professionals can testify to the standard of care for conditions like yours and what that will cost. Other ancillary costs should also be added, like home modifications (adding a stair lift or widening doorways) or purchasing specialized vehicles.

There is a huge array of expenses that may become necessary in the future years, and it’s important to think of them while you’re still negotiating your claim. Florida lawyers who have represented many traumatic brain injury and spine injury victims in the past understand what those costs are and can help ensure nothing gets missed in your case.

Some symptoms of comparatively minor brain injuries can be extremely worrisome. You should always seek medical care if you or a family member suffers a head injury and experiences:

• Unconsciousness
• Dizziness
• Headaches
• Memory issues
• Blurred vision
• Ringing ears
• Unusual changes in mood

The good news is those are the symptoms of a fairly mild brain injury. Potentially severe brain injury symptoms include things like:

• Long-term, persistent headaches
• Seizures
• Continuous vomiting
• Dilation of the pupils (one or both)
• Slurred speech
• Inability to wake up after falling asleep
• Extreme agitation
• Weakness or loss of coordination

Any person who is exhibiting those symptoms after experiencing a head injury needs to receive emergency medical treatment. Fast intervention may be the difference between a temporary injury and permanent damage.

In some cases, yes, there may be effective treatments for spinal cord or brain injuries that allow you or your loved one to recover fully or partially. Treatments for TBI and spine injuries can be invasive, painful and costly. Patients may require multiple surgeries, all of which could have lengthy recovery periods. You may not be able to work during this time, and your loved ones may need to take time away from work in order to help you, compounding the loss of household income.

The medical care required to treat spine or brain injuries is almost never affordable. That’s why seeking full and fair compensation from the at fault party is so vital to the future livelihood of you and your family.