from what you describe Warmbler mate, one69chev is correct - you’ll need a new screen (or continue to use the laptop hooked up to an external monitor).

I’ve no idea on US prices - but if you were here in the UK a new laptop screen (standard 15.4") would cost around £35-50 on ebay, and if you don’t want to fit it yourself^, expect to pay about £30-45 for labour to fit it by a computer engineer/repairman.

^ = it can be very fiddly to do - and you don’t want break the screen bezel (they are VERY flimsy) or snag any cables etc - and some laptops require the keyboard to be removed to get at the wiring to the laptop screen too.

There are usually 2 differing types of screen - both have different connections - so anyone needing to order a new screen will likely want to have a look at the laptop first to make sure they order the correct type.

It may be worth typing in your model of laptop into youtube to see how others have replaced their screens etc too.

Good luck with it mate