Your brain is arguably the most important organ in your body. It controls virtually all aspects of your life, including your personality and everything that makes you who you are. Unfortunately, many events throughout Tampa can cause traumatic brain injuries, and even a relatively minor bump or blow to the head can result in brain injuries and complications with far-reaching effects on your life and future.
If you sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI) because of someone else’s negligence, carelessness, or wrongdoing, you could hold the responsible parties accountable and get the compensation you need. However, you will need an attorney for help with the tedious, complex claims process.
The Tampa traumatic brain injury attorneys at Apex Law have helped hundreds of clients in Tampa, throughout Hillsborough County, and across Florida. We can review your case at no cost and help you understand your rights and options. If you have a valid claim, we can fight hard to help you get the maximum compensation possible. Contact us today at (813) 444-5212 for your free consultation.
Apex Law Offers Personalized, Award-Winning Representation
Experienced Tampa personal injury attorneys Jeff Constantinos and Chris Castillo founded Apex Law with a mission to deliver unmatched client service and zealous representation to injured clients in Tampa. Since then, we have recovered millions of dollars in compensation for our clients, including several multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements.
We strive for excellence in all we do, and you can count on us for:
- Personalized attention. Our practice and can devote more of our time to your case. We have extensive resources and experience to draw upon to handle your claim efficiently.
- Compassion. We understand your stress and anxiety, and we want to set your mind at ease. We are always here for you when you need us, and we promise to treat you with the same care and respect we would a member of our own family.
- Top-ranked representation. Our attorneys have received superb client ratings on Avvo along with dozens of five-star reviews from our clients on Google, Yelp, and other online sources. Our lawyers have also received consistent recognition from legal organizations and awards and honors for our professionalism and service.
We are fierce legal advocates who fight hard for our clients both inside and outside the courtroom. We are undaunted by the opposing side and will work diligently to get the full and fair compensation you deserve.
Our lawyers offer free consultations, and since we work on a contingency fee basis, you won’t have to pay us anything upfront to represent you. Contact Apex Law today to request your free case evaluation.
What Are Traumatic Brain Injuries?
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) occur when an external force damages the brain. They can result from bicycle accidents, falls, sports injuries, car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, or assaults. TBIs can have significant short-term and long-term effects on an individual's physical, cognitive, and emotional functioning.
TBIs can result from a closed-head injury following a sudden blow or jolt to the head. They can also result from an open-head injury, where a foreign object penetrates the skull and damages the brain. Either of these events can cause brain cells to die, bleeding or swelling of the brain, or create a change in the brain’s chemical composition.
Other types of traumatic brain injuries include:
- Concussion. A TBI typically caused by a blow to the head or violent shaking of the head and body.
- Contusion. A bruise on the brain's surface, which usually results from a direct impact on the head.
- Penetrating injury. Caused by an object penetrating the skull and entering the brain tissue.
- Diffuse axonal injury. Caused by a rotational or shaking force that shears the brain's nerve fibers, leading to widespread damage.
In many cases, your doctor will need to order special imaging tests, such as X-rays, CT scans, or PET scans, to look for signs of TBI and make an accurate diagnosis. TBIs are also among the injuries that may cause delayed symptoms because of the complex ways the brain operates.
What Are the Symptoms of TBI?
A traumatic brain injury’s symptoms can vary depending on the severity and location of the injury.
Common symptoms include:
- Headache
- Dizziness or loss of balance
- Nausea or vomiting
- Fatigue or drowsiness
- Confusion or disorientation
- Memory problems
- Difficulty concentrating or paying attention
- Mood changes or irritability
- Sensory changes (for example, blurred vision or ringing in the ears)
TBIs can cause many other symptoms, so if you feel anything out of the ordinary, get a prompt medical evaluation.
Long-term Effects of TBI
Depending on the severity of the TBI, individuals may experience long-term or permanent effects, such as:
- Cognitive impairments, such as memory loss, difficulty with attention and concentration, reduced problem-solving abilities, and impaired judgment.
- Physical disabilities, including motor coordination problems, difficulty with balance or walking, weakness or paralysis in specific body parts, or sensory impairments.
- Emotional and behavioral changes, such as mood swings, depression, anxiety, increased aggression, irritability, or social withdrawal.
TBIs can also lead to paralysis or quadriplegia/paraplegia if the damage affects areas of the brain responsible for movement. In worst-case scenarios, TBIs can result in comas or death.
Treatment and Rehabilitation for TBIs
Treatment and rehabilitation for traumatic brain injuries typically involve a multi-disciplinary approach to address the physical, cognitive, emotional, and functional impairments resulting from the injury. The specific treatment and rehabilitation plan will vary depending on the severity of the TBI and the individual's unique needs.
Consult healthcare professionals specializing in brain injuries to develop a personalized treatment plan.
Some common components of TBI treatment and rehabilitation include:
- Acute medical care. Immediately after a TBI, medical care focuses on stabilizing the patient, managing any life-threatening conditions, and preventing further damage. This may include surgery, medications, and monitoring vital signs.
- Rehabilitation evaluation. After the acute phase, doctors may conduct a thorough assessment to evaluate the individual's physical, cognitive, and emotional functioning. This evaluation helps determine the appropriate rehabilitation goals and interventions.
- Physical therapy. Physical therapy may improve mobility, strength, balance, and coordination. It may involve exercises, stretching, assistive devices, and functional training to enhance physical abilities and regain independence.
- Occupational therapy. Occupational therapy focuses on improving the ability to perform daily activities and tasks. It may involve relearning self-care skills, cognitive training, and adaptations or assistive devices to promote independence and productivity.
- Speech and language therapy. Speech and language therapy helps individuals with TBI regain and improve communication skills. It may address speech difficulties, language impairments, swallowing problems, and cognitive-communication deficits.
- Cognitive rehabilitation. Cognitive rehabilitation targets cognitive impairments commonly associated with TBIs like memory loss, attention deficits, problem-solving difficulties, and executive function deficits. Techniques may include memory exercises, attention training, and compensatory strategies.
- Psychological and emotional support. TBI can significantly reduce an individual's emotional well-being. Counseling, psychotherapy, and support groups may help address emotional challenges, manage stress, and promote mental health.
- Medications. Depending on the specific symptoms and complications of the TBI, doctors may prescribe medication to manage pain, seizures, sleep disturbances, mood disorders, or other associated conditions.
- Assistive devices and accommodations. Individuals with more severe TBI may benefit from assistive devices, such as mobility aids or communication aids, to improve daily functioning. Accommodations at home, school, or work environments can also support the individual's needs.
- Long-term monitoring and follow-up. TBI recovery is a dynamic process, and individuals may require ongoing monitoring, follow-up assessments, and adjustments to their treatment plan as their condition evolves.
As you can see, you may have to deal with a lot to treat and recover from your TBI. All of this treatment comes at considerable financial and emotional cost, and you shouldn’t bear the costs of your injuries if someone else caused them.
Since a prompt diagnosis and treatment can improve outcomes, seek immediate medical attention if you suspect a traumatic brain injury. However, you deserve compensation for your medical expenses and other out-of-pocket costs, and an experienced TBI attorney in Tampa can obtain everything you deserve.
What TCompensation Can I Receive for a TBI?
If you suffered a TBI due to the negligence or wrongful actions of another party, you may pursue compensation for your damages and losses. The specific compensation you can receive and how much you can get will depend on your case, the extent of your injuries and resulting damages, and applicable laws.
Some common compensation you may receive for your TBI includes:
- Medical expenses. You may get compensation for past, current, and future medical expenses related to your TBI. This can include costs for hospitalization, surgeries, medications, rehabilitation, therapy, assistive devices, and ongoing medical care.
- Lost income and diminished earning capacity. If your TBI has caused you to miss work or has affected your ability to earn a living, you may recover compensation for lost earnings and benefits. In cases where the injury results in a permanent disability or reduced earning capacity, you may seek compensation for the future income you would have earned.
- Pain and suffering. You could receive compensation for ongoing physical pain, emotional distress, and mental anguish resulting from the TBI. This can include the physical and emotional suffering experienced during the injury and its aftermath.
- Rehabilitation and therapy costs. You may recover the cost of rehabilitative services, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, cognitive rehabilitation, and other necessary therapies to aid in your physical recovery.
- Assistive devices and accommodations. You could get compensation for the cost of assistive devices, such as wheelchairs, crutches, or communication aids, as well as any necessary home modifications or accommodations you may need.
- Loss of enjoyment of life. You could receive compensation for the loss of enjoyment of activities or hobbies you can no longer participate in due to your TBI.
Caregiver and support services. If you require assistance with daily activities or ongoing care due to the TBI, you may seek compensation for the costs of caregivers or support services.
In cases involving particularly reckless or malicious acts, the court may award you punitive damages to punish the responsible party and deter similar behavior. The court only awards punitive damages at its own discretion, and your lawyer can advise you on whether you should take your case to court to pursue damages.
How Do I Get Compensation for a TBI?
To obtain compensation for a traumatic brain injury (TBI), you need to show you suffered a TBI and the other party caused it. For your own health and safety, you first need to get prompt medical attention for your TBI. You will also need documentation of having suffered a TBI and receiving treatment to file an injury claim.
The next step is to contact our traumatic brain injury attorneys in Tampa. Our lawyers can provide guidance on the legal process, evaluate the strength of your case, and help you navigate the complexities of seeking compensation.
Your lawyer will need to gather a lot of evidence to support your claim, including:
- Your medical records and treatment plan
- Your medical bills, treatment costs, and other related medical expenses
- Accident and police reports
- Accident reconstruction reports
- Expert testimony
- Witness statements
- Photographs and videos of the accident scene
- Photographs of your injuries
- Proof of your lost income
Keep detailed records of your medical treatments, expenses, rehabilitation, therapy sessions, and any other losses or damages resulting from the TBI. This documentation will establish the extent of your damages when seeking compensation, and your attorney can use the information to calculate the compensation you need.
Your attorney will also use the evidence they gather to identify the party responsible for your TBI.
Your lawyer will then notify insurance companies and report the accident and your TBI to them. This may include your own insurance provider as well as the insurance provider of the at-fault party. If the insurance company contacts you to get information or a recorded statement, refer any communications to your lawyer. Insurance companies can use anything you say against you and may try to lead you into accepting blame for the accident and your injuries.
Your attorney may also negotiate with the insurance company to get them to pay more if they deny certain aspects of your claim or offer a low settlement. If you can’t reach a settlement or the insurance company acts in bad faith regarding your claim, your attorney can file a lawsuit against them in court.
Florida allows you only two years from the date of your TBI to file a lawsuit in civil court, so you must act quickly and consult an attorney right away to safeguard your chances of obtaining compensation.
Reach Out to an Experienced Tampa TBI Accident Attorney Today
The experienced Tampa TBI attorneys at Apex Law have more than 20 years of collective experience helping injured Floridians just like you. We can help you hold all responsible parties accountable for your TBI and ensure you get the maximum financial recovery possible.
Contact us today at (813) 444-5212 to request your free consultation.