In 2013, about 2.5 million traumatic brain injury (TBI) related emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and deaths occurred in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control. While each person’s story varies, the fact remains that traumatic brain injuries can drastically change lifestyles and cause people to incur extremely high medical bills.
Traumatic brain injuries can happen to anyone at any stage in life for a variety of different reasons. Sometimes, these brain injuries, unfortunately, occur due to the actions of another person.
To assist in the recovery from a traumatic brain injury caused by someone else, many victims hire a seasoned St. Petersburg traumatic brain injury lawyer to help them seek compensation for their damages. If you recently suffered serious head or brain trauma, a personal injury attorney could determine whether you may have grounds for a civil lawsuit.
Symptoms of a Brain Injury
Although the brain is protected by the skull, it is still susceptible to injury. The brain is a delicate organ, and even minor damages to certain areas can make a significant impact on the long-term health of a victim.
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when there is a bump, blow, or jolt to the head that disrupts the brain’s normal functioning. Brain injuries can result from playing sports, car crashes, physical violence, or even from tripping and falling.
Initially, there may be few or no symptoms of a TBI, and even symptoms that do appear can take weeks to develop. Signs of traumatic brain injury can also vary depending on which part of the brain is affected. However, these injuries can still be life-altering no matter how immediately apparent they are.
Common symptoms of traumatic brain injuries include:
- Headache
- Nausea
- Confusion or other cognitive problems
- Change in personality
- Depression
- Irritability
- Severe vision problems
- Other emotional and behavioral problems
According to the National Institutes of Health, a moderate to severe brain injury may include additional serious symptoms such as convulsions or seizures, numbness or tingling of the arms and legs, enlargement of the pupil of one or both eyes, and loss of consciousness.
Sometimes these symptoms are temporary and will resolve with time and treatment. Other times the effects of a traumatic brain injury can be long-lasting or even permanent. Anyone who experiences any of these symptoms after any form of head trauma should seek medical attention first and then contact a St. Petersburg traumatic brain injury attorney to see what their legal options might be.
St. Petersburg’s Pure Comparative Negligence Law
Plaintiffs in brain injury cases should understand that sometimes the amount of their settlement or award can be affected by their own actions. Unfortunately, there are some such cases in which the defendant may redirect blame towards the plaintiff and suggest that they are at least partially at fault for their own injuries.
Under Florida Statutes §768.81(2), the amount of compensation a plaintiff receives can be reduced by their percentage of fault assigned by a jury. Plaintiffs should consult with a traumatic brain injury lawyer in St. Petersburg to find out if this law might impact the outcome of their case.
Talk to a St. Petersburg Brain Injury Lawyer Today
Traumatic brain injuries often have symptoms and consequences that are not obvious to other people, which can make it difficult to show the defendant or a jury your damages. A seasoned St. Petersburg traumatic brain injury lawyer could work hard to portray the physical, financial, and emotional damages you have suffered.
If another person, company, or entity can be held responsible for your injuries, your attorney may be able to build a strong case to recover your damages. While they cannot turn back time and undo your traumatic brain injury, a qualified lawyer may be successful in obtaining a settlement or positive verdict on your benefit to help ease the monetary burdens you may be facing. Call today to get started on your case.
