Accidents are a part of life, and they happen every day throughout the country, including in Michigan. In the vast majority of accidents, injuries are slight and can be treated easily. Most victims recover quickly. Some types of injuries, however, are more severe and can grievously injure or kill those involved. Among the worst are those that leave a victim with a traumatic brain injury.
Every year, hundreds of Michigan residents suffer TBIs. About one-third are the result of car accidents. In many cases, auto insurance policies will provide some compensation for treatment and lost income. But, sometimes that is not enough, so financial support is often required through the state and federal governments.
At the state level, some state funds are available if the TBI was the result of a crime committed against the claimant. The state’s Crime Victim Compensation Program can help pay medical bills and make up for lost income, as well as pay for counseling and some rehabilitation services. A claim must be made within one year of the crime that caused the TBI.
At the federal level, Social Security Disability Insurance benefits can help those who suffered TBIs, if they meet certain qualifications. However, many claims are denied, so in many of these cases it is important to prepare an appeal. In this way, many patients and their families are awarded Social Security Disability Insurance benefits. Actual payments, however, do not begin until six months after an initial claim or an appeal is successfully approved.
Source: Michigan.gov, “Michigan Resource Guide for Persons with Traumatic Brain Injury and Their Families,” accessed on April 7, 2015