When a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is sustained, it can be difficult or impossible for the victim to fully recover. The function of the brain can be permanently affected and victims can be left cognitively impaired, suffering from memory loss or mood swings, and coping with a whole host of other serious health issues. Unfortunately, in the event that the brain injury victim is a child, the long-term effects could be even worse because the developing brain is hurt.
A child who sustains a traumatic brain injury needs extensive medical intervention. Unfortunately, a recent study showed that money affects the likelihood of a child getting appropriate care. Children are much less likely to receive the necessary rehabilitation if they come from poor families and/or if they come from families where English is not spoken as a first language.
In the event that a child was hurt by someone else through negligence or intentional wrongdoing, money should never be a barrier to a child getting appropriate care. An Atlanta traumatic brain injury lawyer should be consulted to provide help to the family when a child has sustained a brain injury so the family may pursue a claim for full compensation.
Don’t Let Money Affect Atlanta Brain Injury Recovery
Tucson.com reported on the troubling inequalities when it comes to brain injury care among children of rich and poor families. Children who sustain a brain injury need mental health treatment, physical therapy, and other medical services- often for years after the incident happens.
Unfortunately, of 300 health care providers who were surveyed in the local area where the research took place, very few specialists with brain injury experience accepted Medicaid or provided language interpretation. The specialists who were included in the study were physical therapists; occupational therapists; speech therapists; language therapists; mental healthcare providers; and providers of cognitive therapy.
Only 46 percent of all providers surveyed accepted Medicaid as a method of payment for rehabilitative services. Just eight percent of providers offered mental health services to children who had a TBI. Children paying with Medicaid thus had access to far fewer rehabilitative services as compared with children whose parents had private insurance.
The fact that most providers who offer services to TBI victims won’t accept Medicaid means that children who suffer TBIs and who come from families with less money may not be able to get necessary care if they don’t make a successful personal injury claim to get medical bills paid.
Failure to get prompt access to a full array of rehab services can have a devastating affect on long-term outcomes. The lead researcher who conducted the study warned: “Rehabilitation after a brain injury is incredibly important, especially for kids with moderate to severe brain injuries. Ultimately, that limited availability is going to impact children’s outcomes.
Parents need to make sure they do everything possible to get their kids’ medical bills covered through a personal injury claim when a child suffers traumatic brain injury. If parents are successfully able to receive a monetary award through a negotiated settlement or through a successful civil claim, the money from the injury claim can be used to provide necessary rehabilitative care for the injured child.
Have You Been The Victim Of Medical Malpractice?
If you or a loved one has been injured due to a medical error you need to speak with a medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible. Please contact us online or call our office directly at (800) 234-9556 to schedule your free consultation.
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