Average Settlements for Traumatic Brain Injury Cases in 2025

We conducted an analysis of traumatic brain injury settlements to provide insight into compensation patterns for these life-changing injuries across the United States.

Traumatic brain injury settlements typically range from $50,000 to over $10 million, with the most influential factors being the severity of the brain injury, the degree of permanent impairment, and the documented impact on daily functioning and quality of life. Settlement amounts vary widely based on individual circumstances and the long-term care needs of each victim.

 

This report examines settlement ranges based on:

• Average Traumatic Brain Injury Settlement by Injury Severity
• Average Traumatic Brain Injury Settlement by Type of Impairment
• Average Traumatic Brain Injury Settlement by Age and Life Impact

 

Disclosure: The settlement ranges and case outcome information provided on this website are for general informational purposes only. All data has been compiled from publicly available sources, industry research, and third-party reporting. This information is not based on the outcomes of cases handled by our firm and should not be interpreted as a promise or guarantee of any specific result in your case.

The severity of a traumatic brain injury is the most significant factor affecting settlement amounts. The table below breaks down typical settlement ranges based on the Glasgow Coma Scale classification and overall injury severity:

Key Research Findings:

• Even mild traumatic brain injuries can result in post-concussion syndrome lasting months or years, significantly impacting work performance and daily activities.
• Moderate to severe TBIs often involve secondary injuries such as brain swelling and oxygen deprivation, which can worsen outcomes and increase settlement values.
• Cases involving catastrophic brain injuries with lifelong care requirements consistently result in the highest settlement amounts due to extensive medical costs and total loss of independence.

Different types of impairments resulting from traumatic brain injuries affect settlement values in distinct ways. The table below illustrates how various forms of impairment impact compensation:

Key Research Findings:

• Neuropsychological testing is essential for documenting cognitive impairments that may not be visible on standard imaging but significantly affect earning capacity and quality of life.
• Cases involving both physical and cognitive impairments typically result in higher settlements because victims face challenges in multiple areas of functioning.
• Emotional and behavioral changes from TBI can be difficult to prove but are increasingly recognized by courts as deserving substantial compensation.

The victim’s age and the resulting impact on their life trajectory play crucial roles in determining settlement amounts. Younger victims typically face longer periods of disability and greater lifetime financial losses:

Key Research Findings:

• Younger victims generally receive higher settlements due to longer life expectancies with their injuries and greater loss of future earning potential over their lifetime.
• Life care planners often project costs exceeding several million dollars for young TBI victims requiring decades of medical care, rehabilitation, and personal assistance.
• Vocational experts assess how TBI affects career prospects, with settlements for professionals in high-earning fields typically exceeding those in lower-wage occupations due to greater lost income projections.