The lasting trauma of a workplace brain injury

One of the most difficult things you may do in your life is to watch your spouse recover from a brain injury suffered on the job. Doctors may be telling you that this once thriving and productive person may now struggle completing the most basic tasks. You may have read about celebrities or athletes who have suffered traumatic brain injuries and who made triumphant returns to the public eye. However, your spouse’s struggle promises to be much more personal and, without the financial resources of a famous person, much more difficult.

Your loved one’s recovery

The repercussions of a brain injury can vary depending on many factors. The severity of the injury as well as the age and general health of your spouse will certainly be contributing factors in his or her recovery. These and other variables will determine how well your spouse will improve in these areas:

• Social interaction
• Behavioral control
• Ability to reason, understand and communicate
• Emotional stability
• Occupational aptitude

Therapists know that many patients are able to regain skills lost in an accident, such as language and movement, and return to their lives and their jobs. However, in the United States, 5.3 million people of all ages have physical and mental disabilities for the rest of their lives because of brain injuries.

The financial struggles of long-term injury

If your spouse’s work-related brain injury means he or she may not be able to return to work, you may be concerned about your financial future. On the other hand, perhaps you are trying not to think about it. Statistics show that 60 percent of those adults who suffer a brain injury remain unemployed after two years. Adding to the frustration of losing your spouse’s income may be the unavoidable fact that if your spouse requires treatment and rehabilitative services for the rest of his or her life, you may be facing expenses ranging from $85,000 to $3 million. You certainly want your spouse to get the highest quality care to ensure the most complete recovery possible, but how will you ever be able to afford such treatment without the benefit of your spouse’s salary?

Making sure your spouse gets every chance for recovery

If your spouse suffered a brain injury due to a workplace accident, workers’ compensation insurance will pay for medical expenses and lost wages. In addition, should the injury prohibit your spouse from returning to work, he or she may qualify for permanent disability benefits. Correctly filing the claim for these benefits is essential. If your spouse is hospitalized or incapacitated, you may benefit from professional assistance. To ensure your spouse receives the maximum benefits for his or her injury, an attorney can help with every facet of a workers’ compensation claim. Communication is not a difficulty if your attorney speaks languages common in India and the Middle East.