Coral Springs is one of Florida’s fastest-growing cities. People love the town for its family atmosphere, recreational facilities, and friendly neighbors. But that doesn’t keep accidents from injuring residents. Accidents can result in serious injuries, including traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).
A TBI is a devastating event that can shatter lives, leaving victims and their families grappling with physical, emotional, and financial challenges. In the face of such adversity, having the right legal representation is not just crucial — it’s a lifeline.
If you or a loved one suffered a TBI, contact a Coral Springs traumatic brain injury lawyer at Kaiser Romanello, P.A. Your story matters. Your rights matter. Let us be your voice in the pursuit of justice.
Why Choose Kaiser Romanello, P.A., for Your TBI Case?
At Kaiser Romanello, P.A., we understand that life can change in an instant. Our mission is simple yet profound: to provide unwavering support, unparalleled expertise, and compassionate advocacy to individuals and families whose lives have been forever altered by traumatic brain injuries. We are not just lawyers; we are advocates for hope, justice, and recovery.
As your dedicated TBI lawyers, we stand at the intersection of law and empathy, working tirelessly to secure the compensation and resources you need to rebuild your life.
With years of experience, a deep understanding of TBI cases, and a commitment to your well-being, Kaiser Romanello, P.A., is your beacon of hope in a challenging journey. Contact us today for your free consultation and to hear your legal options.
What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a condition caused by a sudden and severe jolt or blow to the head that disrupts normal brain function. Severe TBIs can cause extensive brain damage.
Symptoms may include loss of consciousness, memory problems, cognitive impairment, and a wide range of physical and emotional issues. TBIs can cause long-lasting or permanent effects, and treatment and recovery depend on the severity of the injury.
Common Causes of Traumatic Brain Injury
There are several circumstances in which someone may suffer a traumatic brain injury. When these injuries are due to the negligence or carelessness of another person or party, they become grounds for a personal injury claim.
Some common causes of traumatic brain injuries that can lead to a personal injury lawsuit include:
- Car accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Truck accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Amusement park accidents
- Boat accidents
TBI Symptoms
The symptoms of a traumatic brain injury can vary widely depending on the severity of the injury and the specific areas of the brain affected.
Symptoms may include:
- Temporary loss of consciousness (usually seconds to minutes)
- Confusion and disorientation
- Memory problems or amnesia regarding the event
- Headache
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Blurred vision or changes in vision
- Balance and coordination problems
- Loss of consciousness, which can range from minutes to hours or even days
- Profound confusion and disorientation
- Repeated vomiting or nausea
- Seizures or convulsions
- Clear fluid draining from the nose or ears
- Dilated pupils or unequal pupil size
- Loss of coordination
- Slurred speech or difficulty speaking
- Coma
Unidentified TBI and Old Head Injuries
Some symptoms of a TBI may not become apparent immediately after the injury. Delayed-onset symptoms, such as worsening headaches, confusion, or neurological deficits, can occur in the days or weeks following the initial injury.
When TBI symptoms don’t occur immediately after a blow to the head, the injured person may not connect their symptoms to the accident.
Medical experts refer to this delayed-onset of TBI symptoms as an unidentified brain injury from an accident for which the injured person never sought medical treatment. So, get checked out by a doctor even if you don’t exhibit symptoms immediately after an accident or your symptoms appear days or weeks later.
Closed vs. Open Brain Injuries
Closed and open brain injuries are two broad categories used to describe different types of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) based on the nature of the injury and whether there is penetration of the skull. Here’s an explanation of each:
Closed Brain Injuries
A closed brain injury occurs when there is no penetration or break in the skull. Instead, the injury is caused by a forceful impact to the head or a rapid deceleration or acceleration of the head without any external object penetrating the skull.
These brain injuries can result in various types of damage, including contusions (bruising of brain tissue), hematomas (collection of blood within the brain), diffuse axonal injury (damage to nerve fibers throughout the brain), and shearing of brain tissue.
Open Brain Injuries
An open brain injury occurs when an object or foreign body penetrates the skull and directly damages the brain tissue. This can include injuries caused by bullets, knives, shrapnel, or other objects. These brain injuries often result in more localized damage and may involve significant bleeding, as the object that caused the injury may remain lodged in the brain.
Primary vs. Secondary Brain Injuries
Primary brain injury and secondary brain injury are terms used to describe different phases and mechanisms of damage that occur in TBIs. These terms help medical professionals understand and manage the various aspects of brain injury. Here’s an explanation of each:
Primary Brain Injury
A primary brain injury refers to the initial physical damage to the brain that occurs at the moment of impact or trauma. It is the direct result of the force, acceleration, or deceleration applied to the brain tissue during the injury event.
Primary brain injuries can manifest as different types of damage, such as contusions (bruising), hematomas (bleeding within the brain), diffuse axonal injury (damage to nerve fibers), and skull fractures.
Secondary Brain Injury
A secondary brain injury is the ongoing and progressive damage that occurs after the initial injury. It is not a direct result of physical trauma but is caused by a series of processes triggered by the primary injury.
These secondary brain injury mechanisms can include cerebral edema (swelling of the brain), increased intracranial pressure (ICP), reduced blood flow to the brain, inflammation, and biochemical changes in brain tissue.
A secondary brain injury can develop over hours or even days following the primary injury and can worsen the patient’s condition. Managing secondary brain injury is a critical aspect of TBI care
How Traumatic Brain Injuries Affect Accident Victims
Traumatic brain injuries can have long-lasting effects on an accident victim’s physical, emotional, and financial health:
Physical Aftereffects of a TBI
The physical effects of a brain injury can vary widely depending on the severity and location of the injury. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can result in a range of physical symptoms and deficits.
Here are some common physical effects associated with brain injuries:
- Weakness or paralysis
- Difficulty with coordination and balance
- Changes in muscle tone (spasticity, rigidity, or flaccidity)
- Tremors or involuntary muscle movements
- Changes in vision, including double vision, blurred vision, or difficulty focusing
- Loss of vision (blindness) in one or both eyes
- Changes in hearing, including tinnitus (ringing in the ears) or hearing loss
- Altered sense of taste or smell
- Numbness or tingling
- Swallowing difficulties (dysphagia)
- Seizures
- Persistent or recurrent headaches
- Physical and mental fatigue
- Impaired fine motor skills
- Mobility issues
- Increased sensitivity to light, noise, or touch (hyperesthesia).
- Problems with blood pressure regulation, heart rate, and temperature control.
Mental Aftereffects of a TBI
Traumatic brain injuries can have a wide range of mental and cognitive effects that can significantly affect a person’s cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning.
Here are some common mental effects associated with TBIs:
- Memory problems
- Impaired attention and concentration
- Executive dysfunction
- Impaired judgment and decision-making
- Difficulty understanding or expressing language
- Impaired ability to articulate speech
- Reduced vocabulary and word-finding difficulties
- Mood swings or increased irritability
- Depression and anxiety
- Increased impulsivity and reduced inhibitions
- Changes in self-awareness or insight
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Increased risk of developing other psychiatric conditions, such as bipolar disorder or substance abuse disorders
- Persistent mental fatigue
- Sleep disturbances
Financial Aftereffects of a TBI
Traumatic brain injuries can have a significant financial impact on individuals and their families. The substantial and multifaceted financial impact can encompass healthcare costs, lost income, and other related expenses:
Medical expenses
The initial treatment for a TBI can be extensive and may include emergency medical care, ambulance transportation, hospitalization, and surgical procedures. Doctors may order diagnostic testing, such as CT scans, MRIs, and X-rays.
Following the initial treatment, doctors may prescribe other services, such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and cognitive rehabilitation. Some patients may need long-term care, including stays in specialized rehabilitation facilities, nursing homes, or supervised living arrangements.
Assistive Devices and Home Modifications
Some TBI patients require assistive devices and medical equipment, such as wheelchairs, mobility aids, and communication devices. Home modifications may also be necessary to accommodate the injured person’s mobility and accessibility needs, such as ramps, widened doorways, and bathroom modifications.
Other adaptive technology and assistive devices may be needed to help the person with a TBI communicate, access information, or perform daily tasks.
Loss of Income
Many individuals with TBIs experience temporary or permanent disabilities that may prevent them from working or require them to reduce their work hours. Loss of income can result from the injured person’s inability to return to their previous job or career or the need for caregiving responsibilities that limit the earning capacity of family members.
Caregiving Costs
Family members or hired caregivers may need to provide ongoing care and support, including assistance with daily activities, transportation to medical appointments, and supervision. The cost of caregiving can be substantial, both in terms of financial expenses and the impact on caregivers’ employment and well-being.
Health Insurance Costs
Costs related to health insurance premiums, co-pays, and deductibles can add up, particularly if the injured person requires ongoing medical care.
What Compensation is Available in a TBI Claim?
Compensation for a TBI claim can vary widely depending on several factors, including the severity of the injury and the circumstances surrounding the injury.
Some common types of compensation that may be available in a TBI claim include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Loss of income earnings
- Decrease in earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Disability and impairment
- Rehabilitation and therapy
- Home modifications
- Caregiver expenses
- Loss of consortium
Do I Have a TBI Case?
TBI claims are based on personal injury law. These cases hinge on proving another person or party’s negligence caused the accident or incident that led to your injuries and resulted in you suffering damages.
To recover compensation in a TBI case, you must establish four elements of negligence:
- Duty of Care: You must demonstrate that the defendant (the party you are holding responsible for your TBI) owed you a duty of care. This means that the defendant had a legal obligation to act reasonably and prevent harm to others. The duty of care can vary depending on the circumstances. For example, in a car accident case, a driver has a duty to operate their vehicle safely and follow traffic laws.
- Breach of Duty: You must show that the defendant breached their duty of care. In other words, you must prove that the defendant’s actions or negligence fell short of the standard of care expected in the given situation. For instance, if your TBI resulted from a slip and fall in a store, you might need to demonstrate that the store failed to maintain safe premises.
- Causation: You need to establish a causal connection between the defendant’s breach of duty and your TBI. You must show that the defendant’s actions or negligence directly led to your injury. Medical evidence, expert testimony, and other forms of evidence may be used to prove causation in TBI cases.
- Damages: You must demonstrate that you suffered actual damages as a result of your TBI. Damages can include various types of losses, such as medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and any other losses directly related to your injury. It’s essential to provide evidence of these damages to support your claim.
These four elements collectively form the basis of a TBI claim. To establish a strong TBI claim, you’ll need to gather evidence and work with an experienced personal injury attorney who can help you build a compelling case. You must meet specific legal requirements and standards to prove these elements, so consult a legal professional familiar with your local laws.
Contact the Cool Springs Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyers at Kaiser Romanello, P.A., Today
Traumatic brain injuries can leave victims and families facing lifelong physical, emotional, and financial challenges.
At Kaiser Romanello, P.A., we understand the pain and hardships you’re going through. Our dedicated team of Coral Springs TBI lawyers is here to help you navigate the complex legal landscape.
If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury due to negligence or an accident, it’s crucial to act swiftly. Don’t let medical bills and emotional distress overwhelm you. Contact Kaiser Romanello, P.A., today at (844) 877-8679 or through our online form for your free and confidential consultation.