TBI Lawyer in Florida

The Basics of a Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injuries,1 or TBIs, are brain injuries caused by trauma (either internally or externally) to the victim’s head. The trauma associated with closed-head TBIs causes the brain to move around inside the head and make direct contact with the front and/or the back of the victim’s skull. This movement causes damage to the brain’s neurons and axons (i.e. the brain’s “internal wiring”) and can prevent them from functioning properly. These injuries can be caused by direct contact to the head or when the head jerks forward and backward with sufficient force, as often occurs in rear-end motor vehicle accidents.

Current medical statistics2 consistently show that approximately 1.5 million Americans suffer from traumatic brain injuries in a given year.  This loosely translates into one traumatic brain injury per 21 seconds.  Traumatic brain injuries manifest themselves through a variety of symptoms, ranging from mild to severe, and invariably result in long-term impacts on the sufferer’s health and well-being.

Common Symptoms of a Traumatic Brain Injury

Symptoms associated with traumatic brain injuries sometimes manifest themselves immediately or, at other times, the symptoms may not be recognizable for weeks or months after the person sustains the injury. For this reason, no matter whether you notice immediate symptoms or not, you should always seek medical attention after any type of head trauma.

Common symptoms associated with mild traumatic brain injuries include the following:

  • Feelings of confusion or disorientation;
  • Lightheadedness;
  • Blurred vision;
  • Difficulty sleeping;
  • Headaches; and
  • Difficulty concentrating.

A TBI victim may not even know how badly he or she was truly hurt until well after the accident happened, due to a late onset of these symptoms.  

Symptoms commonly associated with more severe traumatic brain injuries include the following:

  • Long-term memory loss;
  • Seizures;
  • Slurred speech;
  • Loss of consciousness;
  • Extreme mood swings;
  • Difficulty with communication;
  • Cognitive processing impairments;
  • Loss of smell or taste;
  • Physical impairments;
  • Coma.

Importantly, people who sustain severe TBIs often develop cognitive or physical disabilities that can last for the rest of their lives. In fact, in the most serious cases, victims may be unable to care for themselves and may need around-the-clock medical care.

The medical expenses lost income, and pain and suffering associated with traumatic brain injuries can be substantial. As a result, it is extremely important for anyone that has sustained a TBI to make sure their legal rights are fully protected.

What to Do after a Traumatic Brain Injury

The first thing you should do after sustaining a serious injury (including a traumatic brain injury) in an accident case is to seek immediate treatment for your injuries.  Once your injuries are stabilized, you should retain an attorney to represent you. A lawyer will evaluate your case and determine whether any evidence of negligence exists. If it does, you may be able to obtain compensation for your losses, like your medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and loss of quality of life.

Call Dolman Law Today to Schedule a Free Consultation

If you or someone you care about has been injured in an accident and sustained a serious injury, our experienced lawyers have the legal and medical knowledge and expertise to assist you with your case.  The Clearwater brain injury lawyers of the Dolman Law Group are committed to helping TBI victims recover for their losses and have the legal skill and knowledge required to get you the compensation you deserve.

To schedule a free consultation with a Clearwater brain injury attorney, call us today at 727-451-6900 or contact us online through our online contact form.

Dolman Law Group
800 North Belcher Road
Clearwater, FL 33765
727-451-6900

https://www.dolmanlaw.com/legal-services/brain-injury-attorneys/

1https://medlineplus.gov/traumaticbraininjury.html

2https://www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/pubs/tbi_report_to_congress.html

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