If you’ve been injured, it is important to seek compensation for short-term costs and immediate bills. Say that you suffered a traumatic brain injury in a car accident. You were probably rushed to the hospital for treatment, which could cost tens of thousands of dollars. If the injury kept you out of work, you may also deserve compensation for lost wages.
But with a serious injury like a TBI, it may never fully heal. You could be left with a disability or persistent symptoms. You may need physical therapy or other types of medical treatment moving forward. With a severe TBI, you may even need in-home care for life. In addition to your immediate medical costs, you want to think about future expenses so that you can pursue compensation on all of these fronts.
Lost future wages
The same basic principle also applies to your wages. You may start with immediate lost wages, such as if you had to spend a week in the hospital. But you also have to think about the big picture.
For example, say that the TBI leaves you with symptoms that mean you can’t return to your career. As a result, you’re losing a significant amount in future wages, as you may have expected to earn years or even decades of income. If you return to work but have to take a lower-paying job, you may also be able to seek compensation to make up the difference between your lower salary and the salary you had before the accident.
Every case is unique, but it can help to work with an experienced legal team to explore all of the costs you’re facing and the compensation you deserve.