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What You Need To Know About TBIs

A Traumatic Brain Injury is a disruption in the normal function of the brain that can be caused by a blow, bump, or jolt to the head. A TBI can also occur when an object pierces the skull and enters the brain tissue. This is known as a Penetrating Injury. These types of injuries are often serious, sometimes deadly depending on what areas of the brain are injured. The recovery time from a TBI can vary greatly due to a number of factors, including the severity of the injury and the area of the brain that is affected by the injury. 

What Are The Symptoms Of a TBI?

What You Need To Know About a TBIA person’s symptoms determine the severity of the injury. These symptoms can be either cognitive, physical, or emotional. Cognitive symptoms include problems with attention span, memory, and problem-solving. Examples of physical symptoms are diminished motor skills, nausea, and loss of coordination. Emotional symptoms can include depression, anxiety, mood swings, aggression, and more. Based on these factors, it could take months, sometimes years to fully recover from a Traumatic Brain Injury.

One of the most famous and fascinating cases of a Traumatic Brain Injury is the case of Phineas Gage. Phineas Gage suffered a penetrating injury in 1848 when a tamping iron, a tool used to set explosive charges, accidentally set off an explosion. The tamping iron rocketed from the explosion, entering through Gage’s left cheek and exiting just above his forehead. Gage survived the accident but died several years later. One of Gage’s symptoms of the TBI was a change in personality, which is an emotional symptom, from all around hard-working and responsible, to a point where his friends and acquaintances realized that he was “no longer Gage.” In 1860, about 12 years after the accident, he started having serious seizures and ultimately died due to those seizures.

In any case of an accident where a Traumatic Brain Injury may be a factor, medical attention should be sought immediately. Emergency services should be called for anyone who has been unconscious for more than a minute or two, or experiences seizures, repeated vomiting, or symptoms that seem to worsen as time passes. Seek emergency care for anyone whose head was injured during ejection from a vehicle, who was struck by a vehicle while on foot or who fell from a height of more than three feet. Even if the victim doesn’t appear to be injured, medical scans can be used to detect even a minor TBI. If left alone for too long, a TBI can become deadly.

Major Causes Of Traumatic Brain Injuries in Florida

We know that TBIs can be either closed head injuries from a serious bump or blow to the head, or penetrating injuries where an object penetrates the skull and enters the brain tissue. These injuries can have several serious causes from slip and fall accidents to car wrecks. Some of the leading causes of TBIs include:

  • Slip And Fall Accidents- When property owners are negligent of keeping their places a safe place to visit, people can slip and hit their head on the floor or a hard surface.
  • Sports-Related Injuries- It’s possible for anybody who plays any contact sport such as soccer, or basketball to suffer any kind of injury. Anyone involved in these contact sports can either fall and hit their head on the floor or ground or be hit in the head with a flying ball. 
  • Work-Related Accidents- Construction accidents are the most likely case to cause traumatic brain injuries, although it’s possible for this to happen in any industry and any time.  Running heavy equipment can be dangerous and if workers aren’t careful, accidents can occur.
  • Car, Truck, Or Motorcycle Accidents- Serious vehicle accidents can cause victims to bump their heads on several surfaces, including the dashboard of a car or even the road in cases of motorcycle accidents. Research has shown that even with a DOT approved helmet, motorcyclists and motorcycle passengers are most at risk of a TBI in an accident than those driving passenger cars.
  • WhiplashWhile it is true that most cases of TBIs are caused by damage to the head itself, it has been shown that in some cases, this is not necessary. Whiplash, which is a common neck injury caused by a sudden and forceful back and forth motion of the head, can also cause TBIs. This back and forth motion can cause the brain to impact the opposite side of the skull or cause the bottom of the brain to protrude through the skull.

Seeking Compensation For a TBI In Florida

Sustaining a Traumatic Brain Injury in a Florida accident can be life-changing or life-threatening. Through hospitalization and rehabilitation, it can take months to years to recover, forcing victims to take time off work, causing medical bills to pile up. Some victims never fully recover and can lose a significant amount of independence, having to rely on others for care.  Victims of a TBI can demand compensation for:

  • Medical Costs
  • Lost Wages
  • Others Depending On Your Circumstances
  • Diminished Quality Of Life
  • Pain And Suffering. 

Talking With a Personal Injury Attorney In Florida

Suffering from a Traumatic Brain Injury due to an accident is life-changing to all of its victims. Lost wages from having to take time off work and the cost of recovery are added stress that you don’t deserve to endure alone. At Sheftall Law, our dedicated personal injury lawyers understand how stressful and scary it is to be involved in any personal injury accident. With decades of combined experience, we have the legal knowledge necessary to take care of your needs and rights in these trying times and we will stand by your side until you receive the maximum compensation you deserve. If you or a loved one has been injured in a personal injury accident in Florida, please contact a personal injury attorney at Sheftall Law at (904) 569-6025 today to discuss your case and explore the legal options that are available to you.