Documenting the Costs of a Concussion After an Accident in Florida

Concussions are serious brain injuries that can have long-term effects. As a result, while adequate rest and recovery are essential, it is also essential for concussion victims to assert their legal rights. If the effects of a concussion linger or reemerge years down the line, having the financial resources necessary to cope with these effects will help ensure that the physical, psychological and financial consequences are no greater than necessary. Asserting your legal rights starts with hiring an experienced Florida injury attorney who can help you document the past, present and future costs you are entitled to recover.

Understanding the Costs of a Concussion from a Traumatic Accident

Broadly speaking, the costs associated with a concussion fall into two categories: financial and non-financial. If you have a personal injury claim for the accident that caused your concussion, you are entitled to compensation for all of the costs you incur as a result of your diagnosis.

Financial costs are those that directly impact your bank account. In a typical case, a concussion victim who has a personal injury claim will be entitled to compensation for their:

• Medical expenses for treatment of their concussion as well as post-concussive syndrome and other diagnoses linked to their brain trauma;
• Medical expenses for treatment of anxiety, depression and other psychological impacts of their concussions;
• Out-of-pocket costs such as pain medications, medical transportation and other expenses necessitated by their concussions;
• Loss of income and benefits while recovering and undergoing treatment; and,
• Loss of income and benefits due to lingering or long-term effects that impair their ability to work (or, in some cases, that prevent them from working entirely).

Again, this includes past, present and future losses. Due to the potential long-term effects of concussions, it is imperative for concussion victims to ensure that they have a clear understanding of the medical bills, lost earnings and other financial costs they are likely to incur in the future.

It is imperative for concussion victims to have a clear understanding of the potential long-term non-financial costs of their brain injuries as well. Typical non-financial costs associated with concussions from traumatic accidents include:

• Physical pain and suffering;
• Emotional trauma and post-traumatic stress;
• Loss of companionship and society;
• Loss of consortium, services and support; and,
• Loss of enjoyment of life.

Just like your financial losses, the non-financial consequences of your concussion are (and will be) unique to you. While the potential long-term effects of concussions are well-known, it is also well-known that concussions impact different people in different ways. Once you hire an experienced Florida injury attorney to represent you, your attorney will be able to assist with gathering the documentation you need to prove the damages you are entitled to recover based on your individual circumstances.  

Documenting the Costs of a Concussion

Due to the wide-ranging effects that concussions can have, documenting the costs associated with a concussion is not a simple process. With that said, it is an extremely important process, as concussion victims will be entitled to significant financial compensation in many cases. While every case is unique, documenting the short-term and long-term costs of a concussion generally involves gathering records such as:

Medical Records

Your medical records will be key evidence in your personal injury case. Not only will your medical records confirm your concussion diagnosis and the costs you have incurred to date, but they will also provide insight into the long-term consequences you could be facing.

Medical Bills

Your medical bills will be key evidence as well. Whether you paid these bills yourself, your insurance company paid or they remain unpaid, you are entitled to just compensation for the costs you have already incurred as a result of your traumatic accident.

Receipts and Account Statements

This applies to any other costs you have already incurred as well. For example, if you have paid for transportation to attend your doctor’s appointments or purchased pain medications, these are additional costs that you can—and should—seek to recover.

Employment Records

If you have missed work as a result of your concussion, your employment records will serve as documentation of your lost income and benefits. If you are likely to miss time from work in the future, your employment records will be important for projecting your lost future earnings as well.

Medical Expert Reports and Testimony

When warranted, our attorneys work with trusted medical experts to obtain reports that detail the anticipated long-term effects of our clients’ brain injuries. These “expert reports” can be essential for convincing the insurance companies to pay for our clients’ future losses. When necessary, our attorneys can also rely on these medical experts to provide testimony in depositions or at trial.

Testimony from Friends and Family

Testimony from friends and family can be helpful for documenting the non-financial consequences of a concussion. If your loved ones can explain how they have witnessed your life change since the accident, this testimony can be valuable evidence both in settlement negotiations and in court.

Notes, Videos and Other Forms of Documentation

Likewise, if you can document the effects of your concussion with written notes, videos, photos, voice memos or through any other means, these can all be valuable evidence as well. While it can be hard to document how your life has changed, the more records you can keep, the better. Once you hire a Florida injury attorney to represent you, your attorney will be able to explain the specific types of records you should keep to help maximize your chances of recovering just compensation.

Get the Help You Need from an Experienced Florida Injury Attorney at Searcy Denney

If you have been diagnosed with a concussion after a serious accident in Florida, we encourage you to contact us promptly for more information. Our attorneys handle personal injury cases involving auto accidents, falls and all other types of traumatic accidents statewide. For a free, no-obligation consultation, call 800-780-8607 or contact us online today.