A traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when a person suffers significant distress to their head that affects their brain. Often, TBI are caused by accidents such as car collisions and falls, where victims hit their heads and suffer impact injuries from their involvement in incidents. Other TBI are caused by penetration accidents that occur when foreign objects like bullets or nails enter the brain.
The severity and long-term consequences of suffering TBI can vary greatly from victim to victim. Some Oklahoma residents may have had TBI without even knowing it as mild concussions can be classified as this type of harm. However, serious TBI can manifest many different complications and symptoms that can cause victims to suffer financial, emotional, and personal pain in addition to the physical suffering of their injuries.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that lifetime economic TBI costs reached over $76 billion in 2010 for Americans, a figure that includes both direct and indirect medical expenses. Many TBI victims cannot work after their injuries and require long-term support to provide them with financial and day-to-day help.
Not many families can absorb the costs of TBI, especially when the affected individual is the person who works to provide for themselves and their loved ones. A TBI may result in incapacitation, disability, and a host of other permanent or long-term problems. Options may exist for TBI victims to seek support and benefits from the Social Security Administration.
Social Security disability benefits for injuries are an option for men, women, and children who are unable to secure financial support due to their disabling conditions. This post offers information to those who have been affect by TBI, but its contents should not be interpreted as legal or medical advice. Counsel on disability benefits may be sought from legal professionals who work in this particular field of law.