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Tampa Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyers
Honest legal advocacy when you’ve suffered a brain injury in Florida
A traumatic brain injury can seriously disrupt your life, especially when the accident in question was not your fault. Traumatic brain injuries, or TBIs, can lead to massive medical expenses and pain and suffering. At MattLaw in Tampa, our personal injury attorneys work to secure the compensation to which you’re entitled after an accident causes a traumatic brain injury. We have been helping people just like you for over 35 years.
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- What is a traumatic brain injury?
- What are the different types of traumatic brain injury?
- What causes Tampa traumatic brain injuries?
- What are the symptoms of traumatic brain injury?
- Who is liable for my Tampa traumatic brain injury?
- What are the complications of Tampa traumatic brain injuries?
- Do you have a Tampa traumatic brain injury lawyer near me?
What is a traumatic brain injury?
The Mayo Clinic notes the following concerning TBIs:
Traumatic brain injury usually results from a violent blow or jolt to the head or body. An object that goes through brain tissue, such as a bullet or shattered piece of skull, also can cause traumatic brain injury.
Mild traumatic brain injury may affect your brain cells temporarily. More serious traumatic brain injury can result in bruising, torn tissues, bleeding and other physical damage to the brain. These injuries can result in long-term complications or death.
The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) report that there were over 69,000 TBI-related deaths in the United States in 2021. That comes out to about 190 TBI-related deaths every day.
What are the different types of traumatic brain injury?
John Hopkins Medicine explains that brain injury may happen in one of two ways:
- Closed brain injury. Closed brain injuries happen when there is a non-penetrating injury to the brain. There is also no break in the skull. A closed brain injury is “caused by a rapid forward or backward movement and shaking of the brain inside the bony skull that results in bruising and tearing of brain tissue and blood vessels.” Often closed brain injuries are caused by things like car accidents, falls, and sports. Shaking a baby can also result in this type of injury.
- Penetrating brain injury. Penetrating – also called open head injuries – happen when there is a break in the skull. An example of this type of injury is when a bullet pierces the brain.
What causes Tampa traumatic brain injuries?
As stated, traumatic brain injuries can result from a variety of causes, often relating to incidents where a person sustains a forceful blow or jolt to the head. Common causes of TBIs include:
- Car accidents. High-speed collisions and crashes are one of the leading causes of TBIs. The impact of a car accident can cause the brain to hit the inside of the skull, resulting in injury.
- Slip and fall accidents. Tampa has a variety of public areas and attractions, and people may slip and fall due to wet surfaces, uneven floors, or poor maintenance, leading to head injuries.
- Sports-related injuries. Athletes involved in contact sports like football, soccer, and boxing – or even recreational activities like skating or bicycle riding – are at risk of sustaining TBIs.
- Violence and assault. Physical assaults, domestic violence incidents, or gunshot wounds can cause severe traumatic brain injuries – especially if blunt force trauma or sharp objects are involved.
- Motorcycle and bicycle accidents. Tampa’s congested roadways can be dangerous for motorcyclists and bicyclists. Crashes can lead to serious traumatic brain injuries.
- Workplace accidents. Falls, being struck by objects, or industrial accidents at construction sites and factory settings can result in serious head injuries.
- Boating accidents. Tampa’s proximity to water increases the risk of boating or jet ski accidents. A fall or collision while in the water can cause a significant TBI.
- Pedestrian accidents. Pedestrians struck by vehicles are often thrown to the ground, increasing the likelihood of traumatic brain injuries.
These injuries can all vary in severity – from concussions to life-altering brain damage – depending on the force and circumstances of your accident. The attorneys at MattLaw can help.
What are the symptoms of a traumatic brain injury?
The Mayo Clinic notes that “Traumatic brain injury can have wide-ranging physical and psychological effects. Some signs or symptoms may appear immediately after the traumatic event, while others may appear days or weeks later.”
Signs and symptoms of TBI include the following:
- Headaches
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness or balance issues
- Blurred vision
- Sensitivity to light or sound
- Confusion or disorientation
- Memory problems or difficulty concentrating
- Mood swings or personality changes
- Slurred speech
- Fatigue or drowsiness
- Loss of consciousness
- Seizures
- Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
- Numbness or tingling in extremities
- Loss of coordination or difficulty walking
They further note that children and infants may not be able to verbally express their symptoms. If your child suffers a blow to the head, look for the following signs and symptoms:
- “Change in eating or nursing habits
- Unusual or easy irritability
- Persistent crying and inability to be consoled
- Change in ability to pay attention
- Change in sleep habits
- Seizures
- Sad or depressed mood
- Drowsiness
- Loss of interest in favorite toys or activities”
Who is liable for my Tampa traumatic brain injury?
Liability – meaning which party or parties will be held accountable – for your traumatic brain injury depends on the circumstances of your accident and who is responsible for causing your injury. For TBIs, several parties could be held liable, including:
- Negligent drivers. If your TBI resulted from a car, truck, motorcycle, or bicycle accident caused by another driver’s negligence – like speeding, distracted driving, or drunk driving – that driver could be held liable for your injuries.
- Property owners. If you suffered a TBI from a slip and fall on someone else’s property, the owner or manager of that property may be held liable. Failing to maintain safe conditions on the property can result in legal consequences because of premises liability law.
- If your traumatic brain injury happened at work – especially in dangerous environments like construction or industrial jobs – your employer may be held liable if they failed to follow safety regulations. In some cases, workers’ compensation may be applied, but a third-party lawsuit could be pursued when negligence is involved.
- Sports organizations. If your or your loved one’s TBI happened during a sporting event or recreational activity, the organization may be found liable if they failed to provide adequate safety measures, equipment, or medical care.
- Manufacturers. If a defective product – like a faulty helmet or defective machine – caused your brain injury, the manufacturer or distributor of that product may be held liable under product liability law.
- Boat operators. If a negligent boating operator caused your TBI by speeding, operating the boat under the influence, or violating safety regulations, they could be held accountable for your injuries.
- Assailants. If your TBI occurred due to an act of violence or assault, the perpetrator can be held liable for the injuries they caused you to sustain.
At MattLaw, our Tampa traumatic brain injury lawyers understand that determining liability requires a thorough investigation. This can include reviewing police reports, witness statements, and even expert testimony. We can help evaluate your case and determine who should be held responsible for your traumatic brain injury.
What are the complications of Tampa traumatic brain injuries?
TBIs can lead to a wide range of complications, depending on the severity of your injury and the area of the brain affected. Common complications of traumatic brain injuries include:
- Cognitive impairments, which include memory problems, concentration issues, impaired problem-solving, and language difficulties.
- Emotional and behavioral changes, including mood swings, personality changes, depression and anxiety, or aggression.
- Physical complications, like seizures, motor deficits, headaches, and sensory problems like blurred vision or ringing in the ears.
- Sleep disorders, including both insomnia and fatigue.
- Degenerative brain diseases, including chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative condition that causes memory loss, confusion, and personality changes. TBIs are also linked to a higher likelihood of developing diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
- Blood clots and stroke, including bleeding in the brain or blood clot formation (which increases the risk of a stroke).
- Infections are possible, especially if the TBI involves a skull fracture. Penetrating TBIs have a higher risk of infection, particularly if the brain tissue or membranes are exposed.
- Coma, resulting in prolonged unconsciousness or a persistent vegetative state where a person is unresponsive to their environment.
The long-term effects of traumatic brain injuries vary greatly between individuals, and some may require lifelong medical care and rehabilitation.
Do you have a Tampa traumatic brain injury lawyer near me?
MattLaw is located at 304 S Plant Avenue in Tampa, Florida. Contact us for a free consultation. If you are too injured to come to us, we can come to you. Videoconferences are also options.
Experienced Tampa traumatic brain injury lawyers fighting for your rights
If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury due to an accident, it's crucial to seek legal guidance right away. TBIs can lead to life-altering complications, from cognitive impairments to long-term medical conditions, and you deserve compensation for the challenges ahead. Our personal injury attorneys understand the complexities of brain injury cases and will fight to get you the support and compensation you need. Simply call our offices or fill out our contact form to schedule a meeting with an experienced lawyer today.