If you suspect that you or a loved one has suffered a serious brain injury after an accident or medical procedure, the first thing to do is get proper medical treatment and advice. A medical evaluation is vital if bringing a lawsuit for brain injury becomes necessary. The extent of the damage must be determined, treatment must begin, and a prognosis must be established. Then, call 954-767-6500 to request a free consultation with an experienced brain injury lawyer in Fort Lauderdale at the Montero Law Center who can effectively investigate the circumstances surrounding the injury.
Brain Injury Facts
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as many as 1.7 million Americans suffer a serious brain injury every year. More than 275,000 are hospitalized, and 52,000 die from injuries.
Terms like “head injury,” “brain injury,” “head trauma” and most commonly, “traumatic brain injury” (TBI) all can disrupt the normal functioning of your brain. Brain injuries can be minor and initially, barely detectable. Or they can be obvious, catastrophic and even fatal. A variety of accidents can cause a serious brain injury. The most common causes of TBI involve:
- Car and truck accidents — the leading cause of TBI-related deaths, according to the CDC;
- Construction and workplace accidents;
- Bicycle and motorcycle wrecks;
- Slip/trip-and-fall accidents — the CDC also reports that falls are the leading cause of TBI;
- Sports (such as football and soccer, but any sport can produce one); and
- Assaults or other acts of criminal violence.
Many traumatic brain injuries initially present themselves as concussions. They are often caused by violent shaking of the head and brain, usually by a jolt or blow. Even “shaken child syndrome” can cause a concussion in children, juveniles, and even some adults. If not quickly and properly treated, many concussions can result in TBI; leading to permanent brain damage and even death.
Symptoms and Types of Serious Brain Injury
A number of symptoms can indicate a serious brain injury after an accident. The more serious the harm, the more of the following symptoms likely will be present:
- Dizziness;
- Constant headaches;
- Blurred vision;
- Memory loss;
- Nausea and vomiting;
- Difficulty sleeping;
- Overly sensitive to bright light;
- Impaired or serious loss of coordination;
- Significantly altered mood or behavior;
- Reduced cognitive function (trouble reading, thinking or speaking); and
- Seizures.
When a child suffers a serious brain injury, symptoms are more difficult to detect. You should immediately contact a doctor if your child suffers a blow to the head and displays even one of the following symptoms:
- Is listless, tired or sleeps much more than normal;
- Is irritable;
- changes in eating, sleep or play patterns or performance at school;
- sudden loss of interest in favorite toys or normal child activities;
- Sudden loss of newly acquired skills;
- Unsteady when walking or difficulty keeping their balance; and
- Vomiting.
“Closed” head injuries are often less obvious, but they can be just as sinister. With a closed-head injury (like whiplash or any head injury that doesn’t have an obvious wound), there is little noticeable damage and no external bleeding. But damage to the brain – usually caused by slow bleeding into the cranium, which places increasing pressure on the brain – can still be significant; and ultimately catastrophic. One problem with closed-head injuries can be misdiagnosis in early stages because there are few outward symptoms. In this case, medical neglect or malpractice might be an underlying cause of a serious brain injury.
Next Steps – An Experienced Brain Injury Lawyer in Fort Lauderdale is Your Ally
In most brain injury cases, the recovery process is long and costly, even when you have health insurance. If someone else’s negligent or reckless actions caused the injury, justice must be served in order to receive proper financial compensation to cover lost wages and medical bills. We understand the impact a serious brain injury will have on your future. Our firm wants to ensure that your rights are protected and that you are treated fairly throughout the process.