Traumatic Brain Injuries – Signs, Types, and Compensation
Posted on July 7, 2022
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) occur when a violent external force affects brain functions. They happen suddenly – in contrast to congenital or degenerative injuries – and can result in anything from mild concussion to death.
The chance of developing a TBI after a severe blow to the head is high. Car accidents, slip and fall accidents, and even bicycle accidents can cause traumatic brain injuries.
Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries can be classified into two main groups, depending on whether or not the impact fractures the skull. They are:
- Closed Injuries: Usually caused by sudden movements, such as whiplash in a car accident. Although they do not penetrate the skull, they can severely damage blood vessels and brain tissues. Mild closed brain injuries are hard to diagnose, as their symptoms may take hours, days, or weeks to manifest.
- Open/Penetrating Injuries: Occur when an object penetrates the skull and comes into contact with brain tissue. Depending on the type of contact, they can affect a specific area of the brain or its entire functioning. However, although they are easier to detect than closed injuries, they are difficult to treat and more likely to result in death.
How common are traumatic brain injuries?
Traumatic brain injuries are more common than you might think. In fact, according to the CDC, there were over 64,000 TBI-related deaths in the United States in 2020. The most common causes were:
- Falls
- Firearm injuries
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Assaults
Falls lead to nearly half of the TBI-related hospitalizations in the country. Children and older adults are especially vulnerable, as brain injuries can affect them differently. In children, they can seriously impact brain development, which can lead to problems in the future. In older adults, brain injuries can be harder to diagnose, which can significantly affect their quality of life.
Traumatic brain injury symptoms
Symptoms of a TBI vary depending on the type of injury and the force that caused it. In addition, many side effects of brain injuries are subtle and can be mistaken for other conditions, such as fatigue or stress. If you or a relative has been in an accident, keep an eye out for these signs:
- Disorientation
- Persistent headaches
- Excessive sleepiness
- Speech problems
- Clumsiness
- Loss of consciousness
- Seizures or convulsions
- Blurry vision
- Nausea
- Memory problems (forgetfulness and, in severe cases, amnesia)
- Personality changes
When do head injury symptoms appear?
Symptoms of a head injury may not appear immediately. In many cases, signs appear gradually over the following days or even weeks after the accident, and frequently persist for a long time. If you have suffered a head injury and have noticed any of these signs, seek professional medical help!
Can I receive compensation for a traumatic brain injury?
Yes! If you suffered a brain injury due to the negligence, recklessness, or intentional act of another party, Florida law is on your side. You can receive compensation to cover your medical expenses, such as treatment, rehabilitation, and more. Other compensation may include childcare expenses, lost wages, future earning capacity, pain and suffering, and property losses.
Why should I hire a brain injury lawyer?
Statistically, victims of head injuries represented by an attorney obtain higher settlements than those who choose to represent themselves. This is quite important since TBI cases can cause permanent or long-term disabilities which can carry very high medical expenses and result in high loss of wages.
Traumatic brain injury accidents can also be very complex. Due to the wide variety of symptoms and consequences of a brain injury, along with the time it takes for them to appear, establishing a relationship between an accident and a traumatic brain injury can be complicated. This can make liability unclear or difficult to prove. A team of experienced brain injury attorneys can help you prove that the other party is liable and receive the compensation you deserve. Jason Recksiedler has been certified as an expert in trial law by the Florida Bar and has handled many traumatic brain injury cases. Call us today! Hiring us has no cost to you if we do not win!
Do you suspect brain damage after an accident? We can help you with your claim!
Victims of traumatic brain injury see many aspects of their lives affected. In some cases, they never return to how they used to be before the accident, putting their family, employment, or financial situation at risk. That's why we at First Choice Law are especially committed to them.
Call us today at 321-999-1111 24 hours a day or fill out the online form located at the top of this page and we will contact you shortly.