The Long-Term Costs of a Traumatic Brain Injury in Oklahoma City
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the most devastating medical conditions a person can suffer. It may affect the victim’s ability to work, care for themselves, and maintain emotional and financial stability for the rest of their lives.
If you or your loved one has suffered a brain injury in Oklahoma City due to another party’s negligence or wrongdoing, you have the right to pursue compensation to cover the cost of your medical bills and other expenses.
Ray Maples is an Oklahoma City brain injury lawyer at Maples Injury Law, and we believe that the party responsible for your traumatic brain injury should be held accountable.
What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury?
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can permanently impair memory, speech, motor skills, mood, intellectual ability, and other important functions. It occurs when the brain sustains damage due to an external force. This may include:
- A direct blow to the head
- Whiplash or violent shaking
- Penetrating injuries
- Oxygen deprivation (often in birth injuries or surgical errors)
Common Types of Brain Injury Accidents
Brain injuries can occur in many settings, but when they result from someone else’s negligence, they are grounds for a personal injury claim. Below are some of the most common types of brain injury accidents we handle at Maples Injury Law.
Semi-Truck Collisions
Semi-truck accidents are among the most devastating on Oklahoma’s highways. When a passenger vehicle collides with a fully loaded 18-wheeler, the brain is often subjected to extreme forces. Victims may be ejected, hit their heads inside the vehicle, or suffer trauma from debris. A personal injury attorney in OKC can help identify multiple liable parties, such as the trucking company, maintenance contractors, or drivers who violated federal safety regulations.
Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice occurs when medical professionals and hospitals fail to meet the accepted standard of care and a patient is injured as a result. Serious medical errors like failing to monitor oxygen levels during surgery, delaying a stroke diagnosis, or mishandling anesthesia can lead to brain injury and other issues.
Birth Injuries
Birth injuries can also be caused by medical malpractice. Before, during, and after childbirth, acts of negligence such as failure to perform a timely C-section, failure to monitor fetal distress, and other types of substandard care can result in permanent brain damage, which may require lifelong care.
Nursing Home Neglect
Elderly residents are especially vulnerable to TBIs due to increased fall risk and fragile health. Brain injuries in these settings may result from inadequate supervision, medication errors, or insufficient staffing. When nursing homes cut corners to maximize profit, it’s often the residents who pay the price.
The Long-Term Costs of a Brain Injury
Many families are unprepared for the astronomical expenses caused by a brain injury, which could add up to millions of dollars. At Maples Injury Law, we work with economic experts to calculate the full scope of financial losses, not just what’s already accrued, but what will continue to impact your household for years to come.
Medical Expenses
TBIs may require ongoing appointments with specialists for years, and in many cases, the medical needs never stop. This may include:
- Emergency treatment and surgery
- ICU stays and hospital bills
- Long-term physical, occupational, and speech therapy
- Psychiatric or neurological care
- Prescription medications
- Future surgeries or shunt placements
- In-home care or assisted living
Lost Earnings
Many brain injury victims are never able to return to work, or they might only be able to return in a limited capacity. That loss of income can be devastating for victims and their families. In addition to past wages, Oklahoma law allows injured victims to seek compensation for:
- Future earning potential
- Lost promotions or advancement
- Retirement and pension losses
- Loss of employer-provided benefits
Assistive Devices and Home Modifications
Living with a catastrophic brain injury may require:
- Wheelchairs, motorized scooters, or walkers
- Communication devices for speech or cognitive impairments
- Ramps, handrails, or widened doorways in the home
- Hospital beds, lifts, or therapy equipment
- Custom vehicles with adaptive driving features
- Voice-activated smart home systems, environmental controls, and home automation tools
- Specialized lighting, adjustable countertops, and accessible bathroom modifications to increase independence and safety
- Regular maintenance or replacement of assistive devices due to wear or evolving medical needs
Non-Economic Damages
Some of the most painful costs aren’t reflected on a receipt. Brain injuries can cause permanent emotional and cognitive changes that impact both the victim and their family. These non-economic damages may include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of companionship or intimacy
- Mental anguish
- Anxiety, depression, or personality changes
We Help Brain Injury Victims in Oklahoma City
Ray Maples has spent over 25 years advocating for individuals harmed by the negligence of others. As a member of the exclusive Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, he understands the gravity of brain injury cases and the aggressive legal approach these cases require.
Ray’s personal injury experience includes complex litigation involving insurance companies, trucking corporations, hospitals, and long-term care facilities, and he’s built a solid reputation for achieving positive results for our clients.
Here’s how we support our clients:
- Comprehensive case review: We work with medical and economic experts to calculate total damages.
- Access to care: We help connect clients with appropriate specialists, including neurologists and rehabilitation providers.
- Trial preparation: Every case is built for trial from day one, giving us leverage during negotiations.
- Personalized service: We treat our clients like family, because we know how deeply these injuries affect real people and their loved ones.
Speak With a Trusted OKC Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer Today
Ray Maples is rated Superb by Avvo, and he also has an AV Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, which is their highest distinction for legal ability and ethics. Let our legal team fight for the full compensation you deserve.
Call (405) 705-5050 to schedule your free consultation.
You won’t owe us anything unless we win.