Summary
- Traumatic brain injuries can be devastating, often leading to long-term or permanent effects.
- Mild traumatic brain injuries may not cause permanent damage on their own but leave victims at greater risk for further damage.
- Victims of traumatic brain injuries often develop severe physical, emotional, or cognitive symptoms years after the initial injury.
- Working with an experienced traumatic brain injury lawyer can help victims recover the compensation they need to rebuild their lives.
With many types of injury, a full recovery is possible with the proper care and treatment. Some injuries, however, may have more permanent consequences. Few types of injury have greater potential to affect your long-term quality of life than traumatic brain injuries.
Victims of traumatic brain injuries may face lingering symptoms or permanent disabilities. Aside from the physical consequences, expensive treatments and time away from work threaten to bury them under a mountain of medical bills and lost wages.
If you or a loved one has suffered from a traumatic brain injury, the physical, emotional, and financial impacts can be devastating. You deserve to be compensated for your damages, and the traumatic brain injury lawyers at Werner, Hoffman, Greig & Garcia are ready to help. You can contact us online or call us at (800) 320-4357.
What are Traumatic Brain Injuries?
Traumatic brain injuries, or TBIs, are injuries to the brain caused by external force striking the head. The brain is the most important organ in the human body, and any disruption to its normal function can have serious consequences. TBIs can be fatal, and survivors may suffer from symptoms for the rest of their lives.
Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injuries Impact Quality of Life
Due to the role the brain plays in keeping the rest of the body functioning, traumatic brain injuries can cause a variety of symptoms across the body. These symptoms can appear right away or emerge months after the initial trauma.
Symptoms of TBIs can include:
- Headaches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Confusion
- Drowsiness
- Loss of consciousness
- Blurred vision
- Trouble breathing
- Dizziness
- Slurred speech
- Ringing in the ears
- Emotional outbursts
- Cognitive difficulties
If you experience any of these symptoms after a blow to the head, you may be suffering from a traumatic brain injury and should seek medical attention right away.
In fact, even if you feel completely fine, it’s always a good idea to get checked out by a doctor after receiving any head trauma. You may have injuries you’re not aware of, and early treatment is key to preventing serious long-term effects.
Types of TBI
Traumatic brain injuries are often divided into two broad categories: mild TBIs and moderate to severe TBIs.
Mild TBIs, more commonly known as concussions, are an immediate and temporary disruption of normal brain function. Most concussions do not cause permanent damage, as long as repeated concussions are avoided. However, they are still serious injuries that should be handled with care.
Moderate to severe TBIs result in unconsciousness or bleeding in the brain, and often require hospitalization and long-term management. These types of brain injuries are likely to cause permanent damage, with many victims facing shortened lifespans and a decline in their day-to-day quality of life.
Common Causes of Traumatic Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries can happen in many different scenarios, with the most common causes varying amongst genders and age groups.
- Motor vehicle accidents are the primary cause of fatal TBIs in the U.S., according to the CDC. This is particularly true among younger Americans.
- Slips and falls are the number one cause of TBIs amongst the older population due to reduced coordination and other age-related factors.
- Workplace accidents frequently result in TBIs, particularly in construction workers and other high-risk jobs.
Traumatic Brain Injuries Impact Quality of Life For Survivors
A mild to severe TBI, or repeated mild TBIs, can lead to a lifetime of consequences for TBI survivors. According to the CDC, among survivors of traumatic brain injuries 5 years after injury:
- 57% are moderately or severely disabled
- 55% have lost their jobs since their injury
- 50% have returned to the hospital at least once
- 33% rely on others for help with daily activities
The life expectancy of TBI survivors is reduced by an average of 9 years. Survivors often grapple with depression, anxiety, memory problems, or chronic pain, among many other possible effects. Overall, many survivors agree that Traumatic Brain Injuries impact quality of life in a negative way.
Recovering Compensation for Traumatic Brain Injuries
Victims of traumatic brain injuries face significant physical, emotional, and financial challenges. TBIs can be complicated and expensive to treat and are among the injuries most likely to cause permanent effects.
Damages commonly suffered by TBI victims include:
- Medical expenses: The costs associated with the treatment of your traumatic brain injury, such as hospitalization, surgery, or physical therapy.
- Lost wages: The income lost if you are unable to work after your TBI.
- Pain and suffering: The physical and emotional pain you suffer as a result of your TBI
- Emotional damages: The long-term impact that a TBI can have on your mental health
- Loss of enjoyment: The inability to do things that are important to you, like a career or hobbies
- And more
TBIs are known for causing permanent damage and severe disruptions to day-to-day life, and the settlements for TBI cases can be significant.
Contact Werner, Hoffman, Greig & Garcia to Speak With an Experienced TBI Lawyer
Traumatic brain injuries are devastating. Even mild TBIs can cause permanent damage, with serious implications for your long-term quality of life, and victims deserve the compensation they need to recover and adjust.
In the aftermath of a life-altering injury like a TBI, you have a lot on your plate. The last thing you want to focus on is the complicated legal procedures often necessary to defend your right to compensation. This is a job for a personal injury lawyer who has the resources and capacity to commit to your case.
The team of experienced traumatic brain injury lawyers at Werner, Hoffman, Greig & Garcia is ready to help. We have a proven track record of winning compensation for our clients, and our compassionate approach gives TBI victims a supportive ally in their fight.
Get in touch with WHG to schedule a free consultation. We encourage you to contact us online or call us at (800) 320-4357. Our team has seen how Traumatic Brain Injuries impact quality of life, a family’s financial future, and survivor’s overall health, and we are equipped to help you secure fair compensation for these damages.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a claim for my traumatic brain injury?
The statute of limitations for claims regarding negligence, like cases involving accidental traumatic brain injury, varies by state. In Florida, you have two years from the date of your injury to pursue a claim. This time limit also applies to wrongful death claims involving TBIs.
However, every case is different, and there may be exceptions. Get in touch with an experienced TBI lawyer for a personalized assessment of your case.
Can I sue my employer for a traumatic brain injury at work?
Workers’ compensation laws, while beneficial for injured workers seeking treatment, tend to protect employers from lawsuits. However, you may be able to sue your employer in some circumstances, such as if they intentionally caused your injury, ignored a dangerous workplace condition, or violated safety regulations.
At WHG, our personal injury lawyers can help you determine if you have grounds for a traumatic brain injury lawsuit beyond your worker’s compensation claim.
What is negligence and how do I prove that the other party was negligent in a traumatic brain injury lawsuit?
Negligence, in the legal sense, is a failure to act with the level of care that a reasonable person would under the circumstances. There are four main criteria for assessing if your injury was caused by another party’s negligence:
- They had a duty to act with a certain level of care
- They failed to uphold that duty
- You suffered harm
- That harm was caused by their actions
What is the average settlement for traumatic brain injury in Florida?
Pinning down the exact dollar figure for a standard brain injury settlement is a bit like trying to hit a moving target—it’s challenging, to say the least. We’re talking about a wide range here, from around $25,000 on the lower end to well over $1 million on the higher end.
If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury, and you believe someone else’s negligence played a role, you may be entitled to significant financial compensation.
