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Brain Injury Lawyer in Riverview & Tampa, Florida
The effects of a TBI can last for days, months, or even result in lifetime symptoms; and in very extreme cases, can result in death. However, the most common diagnosis regarding a TBI in Riverview, FL is a concussion. This is a very common and serious injury for people who have been in a car accident. More importantly, it is the type of car accident injury that often goes undiagnosed since the symptoms are difficult to pinpoint (unless you happen to be a trained medical professional).
Below are common statistics related to TBI cases in Florida (and elsewhere in the US):
- IThe leading causes of non-fatal TBI in Florida occur from falls, motor vehicle-related injuries, and assaults/blows to the head.
- IThe leading cause of TBI-related deaths in Florida is also car accidents.
- IThere are about 288,000 hospitalizations for TBI every year, which is 2o times as much as the average spinal injury hospital visit.
- IThe medical costs incurred by patients with traumatic brain injuries are estimated at $76.5 billion a year.
- ISince 2006, there has been a 53% increase in the total number of TBI-related ED visits, hospitalizations, and deaths.
- IThe mortality rate for TBI is an estimated 50,000 deaths in the U.S. annually.

If you’ve been in a car accident or experienced some other form of trauma that damaged the brain, it’s not uncommon to lose consciousness for a brief period of time (could be as little as a few seconds or a couple of minutes). However, many people may only experience a brief period of confusion or disorientation. This may leave them feeling like they’ve escaped that accident relatively unscathed. If any of the following symptoms are noted in the hours or days following a car accident, you should seek the appropriate medical attention:
- IHeadaches
- INausea/Vomiting
- IUnconsciousness for a few seconds or minutes
- IFatigue
- ITrouble sleeping/ sleeping more than usual
- IDizziness
- IBlurred vision
- ISensitivity to light or sound
- IMemory/Concentration problems
- IDepression/Anxiety
- IMood swings
- IPersistent/Worsening Headache
- IRepeated vomiting
- ISeizures
- IDilation
- ILoss of consciousness for minutes to hours
- ILoss of coordination
- IWeakness or numbness in the fingers and toes
- IInability to awaken from sleep
- ISlurred speech
- IComa or prolonged unconsciousness
TBI SYMPTOMS IN CHILDREN AFTER AN ACCIDENT
Traumatic brain injuries often occur in young children following an accident in Florida. The biggest problem with TBI’s in children is that they may not always be able to properly communicate their symptoms, so it is important that you look out for these tell-tale signs or red flags:
- IChanges in eating habits
- IUnusual instability
- IPersistent crying
- IChange in sleep habits
- ISeizures
- ISad or depressed mood
- IDrowsiness
Traumatic brain injuries can cause significant short term and long term complications for car accident victims. Following a severe TBI, severe complications can result in permanent brain damage and/or physical disabilities. A few examples include:
- Comas: To protect the brain and body, the victim enters a deep state of unconsciousness and left unaware of anything happening around them. Comas are extremely serious and can last for significantly long periods of time.
- Vegetative State: Widespread damage to the brain can leave victims in a vegetative state. This type of complication is different than a coma because someone in a vegetative state may be able to open their eyes and make sounds.
- Minimally Conscious State: Serious brain damage following an accident can leave some victims in a minimally conscious state where they still show some signs of self-awareness and acknowledgment of the environment around them.
- Brain Death: Severe brain injuries can leave victims without any measurable neurological activity. With no working brain function, there is sadly no other options available to medical professionals. Life support machines will eventually be turned off and the heart will stop beating shortly after.
Minor complications from brain injuries can include:
- Seizures
- Migraine headaches
- Increased risk of infections
- Vertigo
- Blood vessel damage
- Fluid buildup in the brain
With the wide range of possibilities of suffering from a traumatic brain injury, it is important that you take all safety measures to do your best to prevent the injury. As our personal injury experts will attest, motor vehicle accidents are one of the leading causes of brain injuries in Riverview. Here are a few necessary precautions to take to ensure that you are as safe as possible when in your car.
- Buckle Up: By wearing your seatbelt (it’s the law) you are able to cut your risk of injury substantially if you found yourself in a car wreck.
- Drive Sober: Never get behind the wheel while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, it is also important that you do not get into the car as a passenger if the driver is under the influence.
Other safety precautions:
- Wear a Helmet: If you are riding a bike or skateboarding it is extremely important that you wear a helmet in the case of a fall. If you play any contact sports such as football, you should also wear a helmet to prevent injury from direct hits or tackles while playing.
- Fall Prevention: If you are older and live on your old and need assistance, you should reach out to your doctor to find a proper solution to ensure your safety. If possible you can purchase a walker or other walking aids to keep your day to day activities progressing normally and safely.
CONTACT OUR BRAIN INJURY LAWYERS IN RIVERVIEW
If you were injured in a car accident or any other of the major TBI causes, and are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, you may want to consider filing a personal injury claim. At this time, it is important that you keep track of your medical records, files, and notes that may support your case.
If you choose to seek out a lawyer you will need to communicate your possible negligence and make sure that a personal injury claim is the right course of action. If so then you will want to hire an injury attorney to properly calculate the damages. In this situation, you can gain compensation for medical bills, therapy bills, and potentially even for lost wages.
When you file a traumatic brain injury-related personal injury claim, you should have a proper understanding of possible damages in this sort of case. These include “special damages” and “general damages”. Special damages include economic factors such as: lost wages, cost of medical treatment, cost of therapy, potentially to repair damages (vehicle or other related objects), and funeral costs. General damages are non-economic losses such as loss of enjoyment in life, mental difficulties (anxiety/depression), emotional distress (irritable/mood swings). These damages are a lot harder to tag with a dollar amount because the value of each of these is not the same for everyone, however, if you’re looking for a more secure settlement, special damages are easier to give an exact numerical value.
At Calandro Law, we will work with you to secure the settlement you deserve. Contact us at (813) 563-6463 or use our online form to request a free legal consultation today!
