Experiencing a brain injury is overwhelming, affecting not just your health but every aspect of your life. If you have suffered a traumatic brain injury in Tampa, FL, you may be entitled to money to support your recovery and future needs.
The path to recovery is challenging enough. You shouldn’t face the insurance company alone. The experienced Tampa brain injury attorneys at Apex Law Firm, PLLC are here to help you. We strive to secure the compensation you need to move forward in Tampa, Florida.
Contact us at (813) 444-5212 for a free consultation with a Tampa brain injury lawyer
How Apex Law Firm, PLLC Can Help You After a Brain Injury In Tampa, FL
After a brain injury, your life can change in an instant. You may be facing months or even years of recovery. At Apex Law Firm, PLLC, we know how overwhelming this time can be, and we’re here to help you every step of the way. Our experienced Tampa personal injury lawyers will work to protect your rights and pursue the compensation you need to move forward.
Here’s what our Tampa personal injury attorneys will do to help you after a brain injury:
- Investigate the cause of your accident and who may be held liable
- Collect important evidence to prove your case
- Work with medical experts to understand and document your injuries
- Calculate the full value of your losses with the help of vocational and economic experts
- Handle paperwork and monitor crucial deadlines
- Negotiate a settlement agreement with the insurance company
- Represent you in court if a fair settlement cannot be reached
- Provide compassionate support and legal advice
You don’t have to face this alone in Tampa, FL. Schedule a free case evaluation with a Tampa brain injury attorney who will fight for a fair outcome while you focus on healing.
Traumatic Brain Injury Overview
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) happens when the brain is damaged by a sudden force or impact. These injuries can range from mild, like a concussion, to severe and life-threatening. Even a mild TBI can cause serious problems that last for weeks, months, or longer.
Brain injuries affect how the brain works. This can change the way a person thinks, feels, moves, or remembers things. Some people recover fully, while others live with long-term disabilities.
Traumatic brain injuries can happen at any age, but children under four, teenagers, and seniors are most at risk. Men are also more likely than women to suffer a TBI, and they experience higher rates of hospitalization and death.
Nationwide, 11% of TBIs occur in seniors. Older adults account for over 20% of traumatic brain injuries in Florida.
What Are the Most Common Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries?
There are many types of traumatic brain injuries, and each one can affect the brain in different ways.
Here are the most common kinds:
- Concussion. The most common type of TBI is caused by a blow or sudden movement of the head. Concussions are usually mild but can have lasting effects.
- Contusion. This is a bruise on the brain tissue, often caused by a direct impact on the head.
- Hematoma. This is a collection of blood outside blood vessels. These injuries can increase pressure on the brain and become life-threatening.
- Coup-contrecoup injury. This is damage at the site of an impact and on the opposite side of the brain.
- Diffuse Axonal Injury (DAI). This is widespread damage to the brain’s nerve fibers due to rapid shaking or rotational force. This is one of the most dangerous types of TBI.
- Penetrating injury. This happens when an object like a bullet or shrapnel pierces the skull.
- Anoxic or hypoxic brain injury. This occurs when the brain is deprived of oxygen, either fully (anoxic) or partially (hypoxic).
A TBI may be categorized as mild, moderate, or severe based on the diagnostic Glasgow Coma Scale. About three-quarters of traumatic brain injuries are mild.
What Are Possible Long-Term Consequences of a Brain Injury?
A brain injury can affect nearly every part of your life, sometimes for years or even permanently. The long-term impact depends on how severe the injury is, the region affected, and how quickly you receive treatment.
Here are some of the most common long-term consequences of a traumatic brain injury:
- Cognitive issues
- Physical disabilities
- Emotional changes: Depression, anxiety, mood swings, and personality shifts.
- Speech and language problems
- Behavioral issues
- Social and relationship problems
- Work and financial struggles
- Reduced quality of life
Some people recover from a TBI with time and therapy. Others are left with lasting disabilities that make daily life a struggle. There are about 260,000 people in Florida living with a TBI-related disability. About 8,000 suffer a disabling TBI every year.
What Causes Most Brain Injuries in Tampa, Florida?
Brain injuries can happen in many ways, but certain types of accidents and events are more likely to cause them.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Car crashes are one of the top causes of brain injuries, especially for teens and adults under 75. In fact, they’re responsible for nearly one in four nonfatal hospitalizations related to TBIs.
Motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, and pedestrian accidents often lead to more serious injuries than car accidents.
Falls
Falls are the leading cause of brain injuries overall. They’re especially common among young children and older adults. Seniors are at the highest risk: about 81% of TBI-related hospital visits in people over 65 are due to falls.
Whether it’s a fall from a ladder, a slip and fall on wet floors, or a tumble down stairs, the impact can be serious, especially for those who are frail or unsteady.
Workplace Accidents
Work injuries also play a big role. About 25% of concussions are work-related. People who work in construction, transportation, agriculture, or public safety face higher risks. TBIs at work can be caused by falls from heights, being struck by objects, or accidents involving machinery or vehicles.
Violence
Sadly, violence is a leading cause of fatal brain injuries. Gunshots, assaults, and domestic violence can all cause severe head trauma. Men are more likely to suffer a TBI from violent acts, but women, especially those experiencing domestic abuse, are also at risk.
Sports and Recreation
Playing sports is another common way people, especially children and teens, suffer brain injuries. Sports cause about 10% of TBIs overall, but that number jumps to more than 20% for kids. Contact sports like football, soccer, and hockey are leading causes of concussions.
What Is My Tampa Brain Injury Case Worth?
Every brain injury claim is different. To estimate your case value, a Tampa brain injury attorney will look closely at the unique facts of your situation.
The seriousness of your brain injury is one of the biggest factors. If your life has changed in a major way, such as losing your ability to work or live independently, that will likely increase the value of your case.
Other factors that can affect what your case is worth include:
- Whether you can return to your old job or perform any type of work
- How the injury affects your relationships, hobbies, and independence
- Whether there’s enough insurance to cover your losses
- Whether there is strong evidence available
At Apex Law Firm, PLLC, we carefully evaluate all these details to help you pursue the maximum compensation possible.
What Compensation Can I Recover After a Brain Injury in Tampa, FL?
There are two main types of compensation available: economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages cover losses with a dollar value, like medical bills and lost income. Non-economic damages cover personal and subjective losses.
Here are some examples of damages you may be able to recover:
- Current and future medical costs
- Rehabilitation and therapy
- Lost earnings
- Reduced earning potential
- Out-of-pocket costs related to your injury or treatment
- Physical, emotional, and psychological pain and suffering
- Reduced quality of life
- Disfigurement
In rare cases, punitive damages may be awarded in court if the other party acted with extreme recklessness or intentional misconduct.
Am I Still Entitled To Damages If I Share Blame For My Accident In Tampa, Florida?
You may still be entitled to compensation even if you were partly at fault. In Florida, injured plaintiffs can recover money if their share of blame for the accident is 50% or less. Under the state’s comparative negligence statute, you are barred from recovering anything if you are found 51% or more at fault.
What Is the Deadline To File a Brain Injury Lawsuit In Tampa?
In most brain injury cases, Florida law gives you two years to file a lawsuit. This is known as the statute of limitations. The clock typically starts on the date of the accident or injury.
Because deadlines vary based on how the injury happened, it’s important to speak with a Tampa personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.
Contact Our Tampa Brain Injury Lawyers For a Free Consultation
Have you or a loved one suffered a brain injury in an accident in Tampa, FL? You may be entitled to compensation, and a Tampa brain injury lawyer at Apex Law Firm, PLLC is here to help.
Our legal team has the experience and dedication to fight for the full recovery you deserve. We understand how life-changing a brain injury can be, and we’re ready to stand by your side every step of the way.
Call us today to schedule your free consultation.