TBI damages calculations are complex because brain injuries often cause permanent impairments requiring lifetime care and affecting earning capacity for decades. Properly calculating these damages requires expert analysis across multiple categories.

Economic Damages

Medical Expenses

Past Medical Expenses:

  • Emergency care and hospitalization
  • Surgery and procedures
  • Rehabilitation (inpatient and outpatient)
  • Medications
  • Therapy (physical, occupational, speech, cognitive)
  • Medical equipment

Future Medical Expenses:

  • Ongoing therapy and rehabilitation
  • Future surgeries or procedures
  • Lifetime medication costs
  • Physician visits and monitoring
  • Neuropsychological follow-up
  • Equipment replacement

Lost Income

Past lost wages from time missed during treatment and recovery.

Future lost earning capacity when TBI prevents return to previous work or any work. Economists project:

  • Expected lifetime earnings without injury
  • Reduced earning capacity with injury
  • Present value of the difference

Other Economic Damages

  • Home modifications – Accessibility changes for disabled victims
  • Attendant care – Help with daily activities
  • Transportation – If unable to drive
  • Household services – Tasks victim can no longer perform

Non-Economic Damages

  • Pain and suffering – Physical discomfort from headaches, symptoms
  • Mental anguish – Emotional distress from living with TBI
  • Loss of enjoyment of life – Inability to participate in previous activities
  • Cognitive impairment – The loss of mental abilities
  • Personality changes – Losing aspects of who you were
  • Loss of consortium – Impact on spousal relationship

Expert Witnesses

Life Care Planner

Projects all future medical and care needs with costs.

Economist

Calculates lost earning capacity and present value of future damages.

Vocational Expert

Assesses work capacity and earning potential with the TBI.

Present Value Calculations

Future damages must be reduced to present value—what amount invested today would fund future needs. This involves discount rates and economic projections that significantly affect total damages figures.

Conclusion

TBI damages calculations require comprehensive analysis of lifetime needs. Undervaluing future care or earning capacity can leave victims without resources for needs that will last decades. Experienced TBI attorneys work with qualified experts to ensure damages are fully calculated.