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St. Petersburg Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer
Experienced attorneys helping brain injury victims protect their futures
A traumatic brain injury can completely change a person’s life. When this type of severe injury occurs because of another person’s negligence, the law allows the victim to pursue a claim. A successful legal claim holds the responsible person accountable for their negligence and provides compensation that can cover medical costs, accommodations, and other expenses that stem from the injury. At MattLaw, our experienced team of St. Petersburg traumatic brain injury lawyers is ready to answer your questions and fight to get you the support that you need.
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Why choose MattLaw
When choosing a personal injury attorney, you want someone with dedication, experience, and a track record of success. MattLaw has been advocating for injury victims for over 35 years. Founder Matt Powell is Board Certified in Civil Trial Law and Civil Practice Advocacy by the National Board of Trial Advocacy and Board Certified by the Florida Bar as a specialist in Civil Trial Law.
Board certification is a rigorous process, serving as a reliable benchmark for those seeking an attorney. To qualify for certification in Civil Trial Law, attorneys must:
- Practice law for at least five years
- Dedicate 50% or more of their practice to civil trial law in the last three years
- Act as lead counsel in 15 or more contested cases
- Complete 50+ hours of continuing education in civil trial law within three years of applying
- Pass a peer review by other attorneys
- Succeed in a written examination
For more details on MattLaw’s qualifications, contact us and schedule a consultation.
Frequently asked questions about TBIs and injury claims
What is a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)?
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) occur when an external force causes an injury to a person’s brain. TBIs are one of the leading causes of death and disability in adults. The severity of these injuries can range from milder concussions to permanent damage and fatal results.
There are two main categories of TBIs. The first is a closed brain injury, which does not involve any break to the skull. Closed brain injuries may result from rapid movement that causes bruising or tears. The second category is penetrating brain injuries, which involve an object breaking through the skull and damaging the brain.
How can I tell if I have a TBI?
Some traumatic brain injuries lead to obvious symptoms like the loss of consciousness. However, severe injuries may be present even in less obvious ways. Some symptoms to look out for include persistent headaches, nausea, memory loss, confusion, difficulty speaking, and dizziness. These symptoms may present immediately after the injury or days later.
What should I do after experiencing a TBI?
Even if you believe the injury is relatively minor, you should immediately seek medical attention. Some of the symptoms might not appear immediately, and waiting to get treatment can negatively impact your recovery or put you at risk of more serious consequences. Additionally, if you pursue a legal claim, you will need to show that you received medical treatment promptly and followed the advice of your doctors. Once you can, contact a lawyer to discuss your legal options. Your attorney can help you negotiate with insurers and determine whether you should file a claim.
Can I file a lawsuit if I suffered a TBI?
Yes, as long as someone else’s negligence caused the injury. For example, if you suffered a TBI in a car accident that another driver caused, you could file a lawsuit against that driver. Remember, you only have two years to file that claim under Florida’s statute of limitations, so do not wait to contact an attorney.
Frequency and common causes of TBIs
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), TBI-related hospitalizations occur more than 586 times a day, leading to an average of about 190 deaths daily. Many other people suffer TBIs and concussions and visit primary care doctors and urgent care facilities or go without treatment, indicating the true rate of brain injuries is higher.
There are several common causes of TBIs, including:
- Falls: The most common cause of TBIs, especially in older adults and young children. Incidents like falling from beds, ladders, stairs, or in the bath are common, as are slip and fall-related injuries.
- Vehicle collisions: Crashes involving cars, motorcycles, bicycles, or pedestrians are another frequent cause of TBI.
- Violence: Gunshot wounds, domestic violence, child abuse, and other assaults can lead to TBI, including shaken baby syndrome in infants.
- Sports injuries: Sports like soccer, boxing, football, baseball, skateboarding, and other high-impact activities often lead to concussions and more serious TBIs.
- Combat injuries: Explosive blasts and other combat-related incidents are a significant source of TBI in military personnel.
Overall, children and older adults tend to be more at risk of serious TBIs as they have more fragile skulls.
Long-term effects of TBIs
Short-term TBI symptoms can have a negative impact on a person’s life and lead to expensive medical costs. However, for many people, the long-term impacts of TBIs are the greater concern. Some of the possible physical consequences include:
- Seizures
- Memory loss
- Early-onset dementia
TBIs have more than just physical impacts, however. The emotional changes and consequences can also be devastating to a victim and their family. Those symptoms may include:
- Mood swings
- Personality changes
- Depression
The ongoing symptoms can strain relationships and make it more difficult for a person to work or even carry out normal daily activities.
Taking legal action for a TBI in St. Petersburg
If someone else caused the TBI, there can be legal recourse that can help families and the injured person move on. For instance, you might have a claim if the injury happened in a car crash or a fall on another person or business’s property.
Victims of TBIs who have valid claims can pursue damages to cover expenses related to their injuries and some non-economic damages. For instance, the economic damages could include your medical costs, rehabilitation expenses, and lost income. In severe cases, you and your attorney will need to calculate estimates of your future expenses in addition to the losses you already suffered.
Your non-economic damages cover things like your pain and suffering and emotional distress. In some rare cases where the party responsible for your injury behaved egregiously or maliciously, you may also collect punitive damages. It’s important to speak to an attorney about your options and the possible value of your claim because each case is different. By working with a knowledgeable St. Petersburg TBI lawyer, you can focus on recovery while we fight for your rights.
Do you have a TBI attorney near me?
Yes, MattLaw has an office in St. Petersburg, Florida and a location in Tampa. Let us know if you can’t make it to our offices, and we will work out alternative arrangements.
Contact our St. Petersburg TBI lawyers for a free consultation
TBIs can lead to life-long complications. If another person is at fault for your injuries, they should be helping cover the related costs. Contact the dedicated and experienced attorneys at MattLaw for a free consultation and discuss your options for recovering compensation for your injuries. Our team is ready to answer your questions and start the legal process to fight to recover the compensation you and your family need.