A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the most common types of accidental injury in the United States. A TBI may result from a motor vehicle crash, slip and fall, bicycle accident, pedestrian accident, physical assault, or other incidents. The CDC reports that about 61,000 people in the U.S. died from traumatic brain injuries in a single year alone.
You could be entitled to significant compensation if you suffered a traumatic brain injury due to someone else’s recklessness. Let a Florida TBI lawyer at Brooks Law Group determine your legal rights and seek the money you deserve. Contact us today to learn more.
What is a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)?
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when an external force or object damages the brain and impacts its ability to function properly. The injury could result from an object striking the head or trauma penetrating the skull into the brain. No matter how the injury happens, a TBI can wreak havoc on a victim’s life.
Types of Brain Injuries
The most common types of TBIs include:
- Concussion — Concussions are bruises caused by the brain colliding with the skull’s interior after a sudden or sharp change in momentum, such as from the impact of a car crash.
- Hemorrhages and hematomas — These two types of brain injuries result from internal bleeding in the brain, which causes blood to collect in the brain’s empty space or seep into brain tissues. Hematomas are usually caused by clots that burst a blood vessel, while a hard blow to the head generally causes hemorrhages.
- Penetration injuries — When an external object breaks through the skull and penetrates the brain, it frequently destroys brain tissue and can cause massive blood loss. Bullet wounds are a common type of penetration injury.
- Diffuse-axonal injuries — Also known as a shear injury, a diffuse-axonal injury occurs when the brain is shaken or experiences a sharp, severe rotation. These types of TBIs frequently occur in car wrecks.
- Coup-contrecoup injuries — A coup-contrecoup injury happens when a hard impact forces the brain to rattle from side to side within the skull, causing damage on both sides of the head.
Traumatic Brain Injury Symptoms
The symptoms of a traumatic brain injury vary based on the severity and cause of the damage.
Mild TBI
- Headaches
- Vomiting or nausea
- Unusual drowsiness or fatigue
- Speech problems
- Vertigo or dizziness
- Blurry vision
- Ringing in the ears
- Changing in the sense of smell or taste
- Sensitivity to sound or light
- Confusion or disorientation
- Difficulty focusing
- Memory problems
- Insomnia or sleeping more than usual
- Anxiety and depression
- Mood swings
Moderate to severe TBI
- Loss of consciousness for several minutes or longer
- Persistent, intense headaches
- Seizures
- Repeated vomiting or severe nausea
- Dilated pupils
- Clear fluid coming from the ears or nose
- Numbness or weakness in the toes and fingers
- Confusion
- Losing bodily coordination
- Slurred speech
- Feeling agitated or combative
- Mood or personality changes
- Coma
Contact a Florida Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer Today
Living with a TBI after an accident in Florida? Turn to Brooks Law Group for help. We provide knowledgeable representation to injured people throughout Central Florida. Call or contact us today for a free consultation.
