Does a TBI decrease life expectancy?

How long do you hope to live? Life expectancy in the United States is just over 78 years. It’s notably lower than other developed countries but still lines up with what most people assume. The reason we say someone is “over the hill” at 40 years old is that we’re expecting them to live for about 80 years, and they’re halfway there.

But where you live is not the only factor you need to consider. There are a lot of things to take into account. If you’re living with a traumatic brain injury, you may be wondering if it has an impact on how long you’ll live.

Half of all people see a decline

Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), roughly half of all individuals who experience a traumatic brain injury will either pass away in the next five years or see a “further decline in their daily lives.” The severity of the injury and the location in the brain that it impacts most can have a big impact on how this plays out.

What’s clear, though, is that suffering a TBI can take your life, even if you survive the initial incident and get medical treatment as soon as possible. Brain injuries are complex and serious. You never really know when you’ve moved far enough past the incident that life can go back to normal — or if it ever will.

What are your rights?

If a medical mistake left you with a TBI due to a doctor’s error, you may be wondering what it’s done for your life expectancy and what that means for your family. Take the time to carefully consider your legal options.