An Essential Guide to Traumatic Brain Injuries and Why You Need a TBI Lawyer

The brain is a vital organ, and thus traumatic brain injuries (TBI) may severely affect the health and life of the victim. Unfortunately, many people fall victim to brain damage after accidents. Florida, in particular, has around 19,000 TBI hospitalizations and about 4000 TBI deaths in a year. 

Whether you have mild or severe traumatic brain injuries after an accident, it is important to seek legal help. Navigating through the legal aspect of TBI claims can be complex, especially when experiencing severe symptoms of brain damage. A Florida traumatic brain injury lawyer can help you get the best medical care and fight for your legal rights to get compensation.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Meaning

A traumatic brain injury occurs when your brain is injured due to an external force hitting your head. A TBI causes cognitive dysfunction. Common causes of TBI include car accidents and slip-and-fall accidents.

Typically, the brain floats in a jelly-like substance inside the skull. Despite having the protection of the hard skull, the brain is vulnerable to injuries, especially when an external force strikes the head. A hard blow may cause the brain to hit the skull's interior and start bleeding or even destroy its nerve cells. 

Types of TBI

Traumatic brain injuries fall into two categories - primary and secondary injuries. Primary TBI types occur during the initial trauma and include:

• Skull fractures – this happens when the rigid skull bone cracks. 

• Contusions – a contusion is typically a bruise to your brain that occurs when the brain hits the skull's inner surface. 

• Concussions –are the most common brain injuries that result from the brain moving back and forth against the hard skull. 

Secondary TBI types occur after the initial trauma and include:

• Hypoxia – Occurs due to low oxygen levels in the brain tissues, which primarily makes the victim experience confusion.

• Anoxia – unlike Hypoxia, this occurs when there is entirely no oxygen supply in the brain.

• Ischemia – occurs due to inadequate blood flow to the brain.

• Cerebral Edema – the swelling of the brain.

TBI Signs and Symptoms

Don't assume everything is okay because you didn't lose consciousness after an accident. The evidence of brain injury can vary from one person to the other. While some symptoms may appear immediately after the accident, others may take time to show up. 

The general indications of an injured brain include the following:

• Dizziness 

• Nausea

• Chronic headaches

• Blurred vision or hallucinations

• Confusion

• Memory loss

• Losing concentration

• Incoherent speech or inability to talk

The intensity and occurrence of the symptoms will depend on the injuries. See a doctor if you experience these signs after an accident.

Why You Need a TBI Lawyer

A TBI can be drastic and thus should not be taken lightly, even when the victim does not show immediate signs of this condition. There are cases where the brain damage signs and symptoms can take even months to surface. In severe cases, the victim may end up in a vegetative state, require long-term medical care, or even die. 

As such, you need a professional well-versed in TBI claims to help you navigate the legal process and get fair compensation. Your traumatic brain injury lawyer will help you:

Collect Evidence 

To win your traumatic brain injury lawsuit, you need a lawyer to gather the necessary evidence to build a solid case. Indisputable evidence helps support your compensation claims. On top of that, your lawyer will demonstrate how significantly the injury has affected your life, career, relationship, finances, and peace of mind. 

Determine Damages

Traumatic brain injuries are unique and complex. As such, you need an expert to help you determine the value of your injuries. Without the help of a brain injury lawyer, translating damages like pain and suffering or loss of companionship into concrete monetary value can be pretty challenging.

Negotiate With the Insurance Companies and Represent You in Court if Necessary

Dealing with insurers without a lawyer is like entering a battlefield without weapons. These insurance adjusters will fight to protect their company's bottom line by offering TBI victims or their families the least possible compensation. 

Because of this, you need an experienced attorney to advocate for you so that you can get a fair settlement. 

Access the Best Medical Care for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Your TB

Traumatic brain injuries require proper diagnosis, medical care, and professional treatment to heal. Early diagnosis is crucial in the brain injury recovery process. A traumatic brain injury lawyer will help you get the best medical care and sort your medical bills by winning you the maximum payout for your damages. The attorney can even refer you to TBI specialists.

Conclusion

Unlike most other personal injury cases, TBI claims are more complex because the compensation may even involve a lifetime cost of treatment of thousands, or even millions, of dollars. Due to the high compensation costs, insurance companies will most likely put in more effort to reject the claims or reduce the payout.

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