What affects the value of a traumatic brain injury (tbi) claim
- Diagnosis and imaging (CT/MRI), neuropsychological testing
- Cognitive, emotional and behavioral changes
- Future care, therapy and loss of earning capacity (often calculated by experts)
- Policy limits of the at-fault party and available underinsured coverage
Worked example
A driver in Missouri suffers a concussion with post-concussion symptoms lasting nine months and misses three months of work. Treatment costs are $31,000 so far with $6,000 expected, and lost wages are $15,000. Using the "severe" severity (4× to 5×) and Missouri's pure comparative negligence rule:
| Economic damages | $52,000 |
| Pain and suffering | $208,000 to $260,000 |
| Estimated settlement range | $260,000 to $312,000 |
| After a 33% attorney fee | $174,000 to $209,000 |
Hypothetical case calculated with the estimator above. It illustrates the method; it is not the average of real settlements.
Typical recovery and claim timeline
- Immediately: emergency assessment, often with a CT scan.
- Weeks: symptoms such as headaches, memory problems or mood changes become clearer.
- Months: neuropsychological testing measures cognitive effects.
- Long term: moderate and severe injuries can require lifelong care and support.
Evidence that supports your claim
- Emergency and hospital records, including Glasgow Coma Scale scores
- CT or MRI findings and neurologist reports
- Neuropsychological test results
- Statements from family or colleagues about changes in behaviour or ability
- Expert reports on future care and earning capacity
Common treatments
- Emergency care
- Cognitive rehabilitation
- Speech and occupational therapy
- Long-term care
When to get professional help
Any brain injury with lasting symptoms should be reviewed by an experienced attorney: future care and lost earning capacity usually need expert evidence that no online estimate can replace.
The estimator above starts with the most common severity for this injury. Change it if your treatment or recovery was different. See the methodology for how each number is calculated, or use the full personal injury settlement calculator.