When you’re in a serious accident, the only thing on your mind is, “How bad is it?”
Once you get to the hospital, you anxiously wait for the doctor’s assessment, hoping for the best. For some, the result is merely some aspirin, a few stitches, and a bill for a few thousand dollars worth of treatment. For those who suffer catastrophic harm or serious permanent injuries, the result can be a lifetime of pain and costly treatments.
Depending on your injury, treatment can vary drastically in cost as well as duration. Some permanent injuries such as burns can be initially treated at a low cost. However, disfigurement is a common occurrence and may require plastic surgery, subsequently raising the cost dramatically. Other injuries, such as brain and spinal cord traumas, require continuous care and expensive treatments, sometimes for the rest of your life.
The average cost for the five main catastrophic injuries are as follows:
- Spinal cord injuries: $50,000 to $200,000 annually, depending on severity and treatment options
- Brain injuries: $10,000 to $200,000 annually, or approximately $4,000,000 in a lifetime
- Amputations: $40,000 to $550,000 lifetime, depending on prosthetic options
- Sexual assault injuries: Lifetime cost ranging from $5,000 to $500,000, in addition to an average lifetime income loss of $250,000, depending on emotional trauma
- Severe burns: Initial treatment ranges from $1,000 to $3,000 with additional plastic surgery options ranging from $100,000 to $20 million, depending on size and extent of scarring
These costs not only affect the quality of your treatment, but they cause unwanted and undeserved pain and stress. The lawyers at Shevlin Smith are extremely knowledgeable in helping victims of catastrophic injuries receive medical cost compensation. We can help you ease your financial burden; call us today at 703-721-4233 for a free consultation.