St. Petersburg Brain Injury Lawyer

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A brain injury can be caused by any type of blow to the head–regardless of whether the skull and brain are penetrated. It’s also possible to sustain a brain injury without trauma. Some types of brain damage are caused by exposure to toxic substances or even poisoning.

The brain is the organ responsible for sending signals throughout the body. Therefore, the impact of a brain injury can manifest in different parts of the body.

If you have been injured by a bus accident, catastrophic injury, St. Petersburg commercial vehicle incident, electric scooter case, or any other type, contact our law office today or call Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers at (727) 349-1728 for a free case consultation.

What Are The Different Types of Brain Injury?

As an initial matter, brain injuries are classified as “open-head injuries” or “closed-head injuries.”

What is an Open-Head Injury?

Open-head injuries occur when the skull is penetrated and the brain tissue itself is wounded. Typically, these injuries happen when a foreign object connects with the head using extreme force.

Some examples of open-head injury cases include:

Linear skull fractures
Diastatic skull fractures, which are most common in babies
Depressed skull fractures
Basilar skull fractures

It can be extremely difficult to judge the severity of an open-wound head injury without medical help. Some of these injuries cause extreme bleeding with little damage to the brain. In other cases, pieces of the skull or a foreign object may be embedded in the brain tissue.

Regardless of the circumstances, it’s always critical to seek medical attention immediately if you or a loved one have suffered an open-head injury.

What is a Closed-Head Injury?

With a closed head injury, the brain is damaged without any penetration of the skull or brain tissue. Some accidents are forceful enough that the brain moves violently back and forth within the skull. That contact with the skull can be sufficient to cause serious brain damage.

Some of the most common types of closed-head injury include:

Concussions
Contusions
Coup-Contrecoup Brain Injuries
Diffuse axonal injury
Epidural hematoma
Subdural hematoma
Subarachnoid hemorrhage
Intraparenchymal hemorrhage

Many of these injuries can cause bleeding in the vessels surrounding the brain tissue. Even without a penetrating injury, closed-head injuries can lead to serious brain damage.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Brain Injuries?

Even though traumatic brain injuries are extremely common, they aren’t always easy to diagnose. Some symptoms might not appear for a few hours or even days after an accident.

Some of the signs and symptoms to watch for include:

Loss of consciousness (even for a moment)
Dizziness or vision problems
Hearing problems or a ringing in the ears
Nausea and vomiting
Memory loss or confusion
Personality changes
Tingling or numbness in the hands, feet, or limbs
Difficulty walking or speaking
Extreme fatigue
Unexplained headaches
Agitation or irritability
Loss of appetite
Seizures

Many brain injury victims can make a full recovery. However, others may experience life-changing consequences. Regardless of how you were hurt, it’s always important to have a qualified doctor examine you after an accident to increase your chances of recovering.

What are the Long-Term Consequences of Brain Injuries?

The long-term consequences of any brain injury can depend on a number of factors, including the severity of the injury and the part of the brain that was damaged.

Some of the most common long-term consequences of a serious brain injury include:

Problems with motor function
Loss of mobility and paralysis
Memory loss
Loss of speech
Difficulty understanding others
Problems with spatial perception
Changes in mood
Cognitive problems, including problems thinking and reasoning
Loss of inhibitions
Coma
Stroke

Some types of brain damage are so serious that the victim never recovers.

What Causes Most Brain Injuries?

Any type of head trauma can cause a brain injury. The following accidents are common sources of brain damage:

Car accidents
Slip and fall accidents
Motorcycle accidents
Pedestrian accidents
Bicycle accidents
Truck accidents
Bus accidents
Uber or Lyft accidents
Boating accidents
Construction accidents
Workplace accidents
Dog bites
Defective products
Medical malpractice
Nursing home abuse and neglect
Assault and violence

If you were involved in one of the accidents listed above, you should seek medical attention immediately.

What Compensation Can I Recover for My Brain Injuries

Even if your brain injury was relatively “mild,” it’s possible that you could suffer permanent damage. Over the course of a lifetime, the financial and personal costs can add up. If someone else caused your brain injury, you could be entitled to damages.

Your economic losses include your financial expenses, such as:

Past and future medical expenses
Lost wages
Lost future earning capacity
Rehabilitation
Long-term care
In-home assistance
And more

Your non-economic damages may include:

Pain and suffering
Mental anguish
Diminished quality of life
Loss of your independence
Anxiety or depression
Loss of consortium

Shared fault can also impact how much your case is worth. If an at-fault party or their insurance company succeeds in blaming you for the accident, you will only receive a portion of your settlement under Florida contributory fault laws.

Treating a serious TBI can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. The best way to make sure you’re getting a fair settlement is to work with an experienced attorney.

How Long Do I Have to File a Brain Injury Lawsuit in Florida?

Florida law gives most accident victims four years to file a personal injury lawsuit. If your brain injury was caused by medical malpractice, you’d have only two years to take legal action after you discover the injury.

There are serious consequences to missing the deadline. You could lose your right to seek compensation entirely.

Contact a St. Petersburg Personal Injury Lawyer for a Free Consultation

Do you have questions about your legal rights after sustaining a brain injury? Call an experienced St. Petersburg personal injury lawyer at Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation today.

We’ve been advocating for injured clients across Pinellas County since 1955–making us the oldest personal injury firm in Tampa Bay. We’ve recovered more than $675 million in compensation over the years.

To get the legal help you need, just call our law offices in St. Petersburg, Florida, to schedule a free consultation today.

Visit Our Personal Injury Law Office in St. Petersburg, Fl

Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers
2560 1st Ave S, St. Petersburg, FL 33712
(727) 349-1728

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