Most concussions settle for $20,000–$80,000 — but a traumatic brain injury with lasting cognitive damage can reach seven figures. Here's the honest breakdown by severity, and why the "average TBI settlement" you see quoted is badly misleading for a typical concussion case.
Pick the description that best fits the injury. We'll show the typical range and where most cases land.
Brain-injury settlements span an enormous range — from about $20,000 for a concussion that heals to well over $1,000,000 for a severe TBI with permanent impairment — and severity is by far the biggest factor. A concussion or mild TBI commonly settles for $20,000–$150,000 (most $20,000–$80,000), rising when post-concussion syndrome lingers past three months. A moderate TBI — one involving hospitalization, rehabilitation, and lasting cognitive effects — typically runs $85,000–$500,000, and a severe TBI with permanent disability commonly reaches $500,000 to $5,000,000 or more. Because mild TBI often doesn't show on a standard CT scan, the two things that move your number most are objective evidence (MRI, neuropsychological testing, or documented cognitive deficits) and the injury's effect on your ability to work. Settlement Comps' severity-by-value breakdown is below.
Typical ranges for an auto-accident or premises brain-injury claim. Severity — and its effect on work and daily function — drives the number.
| Severity | Typical range | What it looks like |
|---|---|---|
| Concussion / mild TBI | $20k–$150k | Most $20k–$80k; symptoms resolve over weeks to months |
| Post-concussion syndrome | $30k–$150k+ | Headaches, memory/concentration issues lasting 3+ months |
| Moderate TBI | $85k–$500k | Hospitalization, rehab, lasting cognitive effects, work disruption |
| Severe TBI | $500k–$5M+ | Permanent impairment, lifelong care, lost earning capacity |
A "typical range" is where most cases land — not a promise about yours. Objective findings and lasting functional impact push toward the top; thin documentation pulls toward the bottom.
Once severity sets the ballpark, these decide where you land.
Mild TBI frequently doesn't appear on a standard CT scan, so insurers call it "just a bump on the head." An MRI, neuropsychological testing, or a specialist documenting cognitive deficits converts "unprovable" into "documented" — often the difference between a $25k and an $80k offer.
What drives the big numbers is functional impact: lost earning capacity, need for supervision or care, and permanent cognitive or personality changes. A concussion that ends a career is worth far more than the injury alone suggests.
Insurers point to prior concussions, ADHD, migraines, or age to argue your symptoms aren't from this crash. But under the "eggshell plaintiff" rule, the at-fault party is responsible for a new brain injury or the aggravation of an existing vulnerability — they take you as they find you. Consistent treatment with the right specialists (neurology, neuropsychology) and records connecting the crash to your cognitive changes are what hold the value. Two factors then cap what you actually collect: the at-fault party's insurance limits and your share of fault. Check your state's fault rule →
Insurers routinely undervalue TBI because it doesn't show on a basic scan. A free, no-obligation review compares your offer against real brain-injury cases with your severity and documentation, and flags whether it's being lowballed. It costs nothing to find out.
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Most concussion and mild-TBI cases settle for $20,000 to $80,000, though the broader range runs $20,000 to $150,000 and post-concussion syndrome can push higher. Be wary of "average TBI settlement" figures near half a million dollars — those are inflated by rare, catastrophic brain injuries and don't reflect a typical concussion.
Because mild TBI often doesn't show on a standard CT scan, insurers treat it as minor or exaggerated and open low. Objective evidence — an MRI, neuropsychological testing, or a specialist documenting cognitive deficits — and a clear record of how the injury affects your work and daily life are what justify a higher value. An offer far below these ranges is a signal to push back.
Severe TBI with permanent impairment commonly settles for $500,000 to $5,000,000 or more, driven by the cost of lifelong care, lost earning capacity, and permanent disability. These cases are frequently limited less by the injury's "value" than by the insurance coverage available to pay — which is why identifying every source of coverage matters.
Yes. Under the eggshell plaintiff rule, the at-fault party is responsible for aggravating a pre-existing vulnerability, not just for a brand-new injury. Insurers point to prior head injuries or conditions like migraines, but treatment with the right specialists and records tying the crash to your cognitive changes are what preserve the claim's value.
Ranges reflect published TBI and concussion settlement data organized by clinical severity (mild/concussion, post-concussion syndrome, moderate, severe). The "most concussions $20k–$80k" figure is the widely reported typical band; higher tiers reflect hospitalization, permanent cognitive impairment, and lifelong care. Note that quoted TBI "averages" (often ~$500,000+) are heavily skewed by catastrophic cases and overstate a typical concussion — we lead with the by-severity ranges instead. All figures are general information, not a valuation of any specific claim. Reviewed July 5, 2026.
$20k–$150k (most $20k–$80k)$30k–$150k+ — symptoms lasting 3+ months$85k–$500k — hospitalization, rehab, work disruption$500k–$5M+ — permanent impairment, lifelong care$20k–$80k, not the ~$500k+ "average" inflated by catastrophic cases
References: published TBI/concussion settlement data by severity · clinical TBI severity classifications · cross-referenced with Settlement Comps' documented injury-value observations. These are general ranges; confirm your case's value with a licensed attorney who can review your medical and neuropsychological records, the liability evidence, and available coverage.