Our Virginia Traumatic Brain Injury Attorneys Hold Liable Parties Accountable For Costs Like Assistive Technology
A major challenge for many people who suffer traumatic brain injuries (TBI) is learning how to perform daily activities they may have once taken for granted. Assistive technology solutions can help bridge that gap, compensating for impairments in mobility, cognition, sensory perception, speech, and more.
The skilled Virginia brain injury lawyers at The Mottley Law Firm have strategies for possible options to pay for the assistive technology devices TBI victims rely on every day for long-term recovery. Here, we explain why you may be eligible to receive compensation if other parties are found liable for damages.
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Types of Assistive Technology After a Brain Injury
What assistive technology devices may be useful after a brain injury depends on how your TBI impacts your life. Your brain is connected to every other part of your body, so impairments arising from brain injuries can be equally diverse. Some patients may experience sleep disorders or have trouble concentrating. Others may suffer permanent disabilities affecting gross or fine motor control.
Assistive devices can be relatively low-tech, such as canes and walkers for getting around. They can also be highly individualized and technically sophisticated, like specific hardware and software adaptations for speech and communication. Categories of assistive technology solutions are equally expansive:
- Cognition-related technologies help individuals whose injuries affect their ability to think, learn, or remember effectively. Medication reminders with audible alerts are a common example.
- Vision aids allow people to better see or understand the world around them, sometimes enlarging details or translating visual cues into custom audio messages.
- Hearing aids can be effective for amplifying or clarifying environmental sounds, whether the hearing loss is due to physical or neurological damage. They may also replace sound with tactile or visual cues.
- Speech-generating devices compensate for communication difficulties after a TBI, offering access to pre-recorded speech output.
- Assistive technologies such as spoken dictation and predictive text help people with reduced fine motor skills.
- Mobility devices are any form of assistive technology that assists individuals in movement, including wheelchairs, walkers, and motorized stairlifts.
- Modified input and output devices help brain injury patients interact with computers and access information more easily.
- Care-based assistive technology devices facilitate activities of daily living such as toileting, bathing, feeding, and grooming.
With the right assistance, people with brain injuries are empowered to overcome limitations and improve daily function. Combined with rehabilitation plans and ongoing medical care, they can work toward returning to independent living.
TBI Assistive Technology Can Be Prohibitively Expensive
The road to recovery after suffering a traumatic brain injury can be long and arduous. While assistive technologies can aid in this journey, they also represent a major financial burden for many families. Some adaptations may be relatively affordable, such as large-print calendars and written reminders. Others may require advanced technology and specialized training.
Even while you recognize the value of these devices, affording them often feels out of reach. These are similar to the concerns over paying for physical therapy after a brain injury. Advanced devices often need to be custom-tailored to the individual, further driving up these costs.
Filing a Brain Injury Case With a Virginia TBI Attorney
If someone else’s negligence or intentional actions caused your injury, you may be able to file a brain injury case to seek damages. Other parties may have owed you a duty of care and they violated that duty of care. If so, a Virginia brain injury lawyer will investigate your case and determine if it’s possible to seek a fair settlement for damages.
Consult with an attorney at The Mottley Law Firm right away to explore your legal options. In Virginia, the statute of limitations is two years for most personal injury cases. If you do not file your brain injury claim within that limit, you may forfeit your ability to seek damages from the parties responsible for your injury.
Understanding the Short- and Long-Term Costs of Traumatic Brain Injuries
When exploring the possibility of filing a civil lawsuit, it’s crucial to be comprehensive when estimating all current and future damages. Covering the initial cost of purchasing assistive technology devices may seem pressing, but there are long-term consequences related to a traumatic brain injury. TBI victims may need ongoing medical care, therapy, and rehabilitation. They may also require future modifications to their home to improve accessibility. Brain injuries can affect a person’s ability to earn an income. These are all reasonable expenses and losses in a brain injury case.
Co-counseling with MartinWren, The Mottley Law Firm represented a pedestrian who was struck by a vehicle driven by a Charlottesville City employee. His body was thrown 30 feet. Expert witnesses concluded future medical costs would be upwards of $3 million. After mediation, the client secured a $5 million settlement from the City of Charlottesville.
You don’t have to struggle alone to build an independent life. Trust us to evaluate your needs and advocate for a fair settlement.
