Pensacola Brain Injury Lawyer

A traumatic brain injury could completely change the way you live. Understanding the impact of a TBI and what your options are can help you determine your next steps. At Stevenson Klotz Injury Lawyers, we will advocate for you. Your Pensacola brain injury lawyer will oversee your Florida case and push for compensation on your behalf.

Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries

Brain injuries range from mild to severe. Factors that determine your condition might include age, underlying health issues, injury type and how quickly you received medical aid. Some brain conditions, such as mild concussions, take a few days or weeks to recover from. Other, more severe injuries could take months or years to overcome.

Intracranial hematoma

Sometimes, you might not know you have a head injury until a few days pass. Most intracranial hematomas do not develop right away. You may not notice symptoms until a few days or weeks after you experience a head injury. Hematomas form when blood collects outside of blood vessels. If left untreated, you could experience a fatal outcome.

Penetrating injury

A penetrating injury impacts the skull and brain. Sometimes, pieces of the object that caused the injury stay lodged in place. Considered an “open injury,” this type of injury usually fractures your skull. Most other TBIs fall under the “closed injury” category.

Coup-contrecoup injury

The terms “coup” and “contrecoup” mean “blow” and “counterblow” in French. A coup-contrecoup brain injury essentially refers to two different injuries. A violent impact on your head could cause your brain to move and strike one side of your skull before rebounding and hitting the other side. “Coup” refers to an injury right below the point of impact, and “contrecoup” refers to an injury on the opposite side of your brain from where the impact occurred.

Diffuse axonal injury

A diffuse axonal injury is the most severe TBI. If your brain shakes or twists, it could result in axon shearing which is when your axons tear. Disruptions in neuron response can cause your brain to lose function. A higher number of damaged axons means a more severe loss of function.

Other types of brain injuries include concussions, contusions and hemorrhages. Recurrent TBI, or second impact syndrome, is another type of brain injury. The degree of severity is something your Pensacola brain injury lawyer will assess when building your case.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that over 69,000 people died from a TBI in 2021. There are legal avenues we can explore to file a wrongful death case as a result.

Symptoms of a Brain Injury

The symptoms you experience can range widely depending on the circumstances that caused your injury. Some examples of symptoms you might have include the following:

• Sensitivity to light or sound
• Seizures
• Neurologic deficits
• Decreased consciousness
• Disorientation and confusion
• Combativeness or mood changes

Symptoms of a brain injury could begin as soon as you experience an impact or develop in the days or weeks afterward. Immediate medical attention could mitigate the seriousness of your symptoms.

Recovery Timeline for a Brain Injury

The time it takes for you to recover from a TBI will depend on the severity of your injury. Most TBIs require extensive treatment, and in dire circumstances, you might need long-term care. A traumatic brain injury lawyer will evaluate your recovery timeline to determine the impact of your injury on your life.

Rehabilitative treatment

After you receive life-saving medical aid, you will reach a point in your recovery where you can transition to a rehabilitation facility. Even when you return home, you may still need to go to various rehab appointments to optimize your recovery. There are many types of rehabs such as:

• Physical therapy
• Psychological care
• Occupational therapy
• Speech and language therapy

Your health care team should periodically reevaluate your condition and progress. This will enable them to maintain a well-rounded treatment plan that will optimize your recovery.

Long-term care

If your injuries reach maximum severity, you may require a caretaker to help you with day-to-day living. Sometimes, a family member or friend might provide this care, or your family might look for a reputable, long-term care facility to oversee your care.

How Much Is a Brain Injury Settlement Worth?

To accurately calculate the value of damages in your case, your Pensacola brain injury lawyer will thoroughly assess your situation. We will also account for your age and the severity of your injury to identify a fair settlement that will yield the highest benefit.

Economic damages

These types of damages relate to the money you need to pay for medical bills and rehabilitation. It can also include lost wages and benefits, as well as account for your injury’s impact on your career.

Non-economic damages

Factors that are not as easily calculated from a monetary perspective include emotional trauma, diminished quality of life and loss of companionship.

Punitive damages

If gross negligence caused your injury, a judge might also award punitive damages. This costly amount serves to deter others from committing similar acts and aims to punish the perpetrator.

Damage caps

Depending on your situation, the judge may impose damage caps to prevent excessive awards. Our team will exhaust our resources to maximize the value of your settlement.

How a Pensacola Brain Injury Lawyer Can Help You

Your Pensacola brain injury attorney at Stevenson Klotz Injury Lawyers will investigate every angle of your case. Our team will assess the impact your injury has had on your life and your ability to live comfortably. Contact us today by phone or use our online form to request your free case review.

FAQs About Traumatic Brain Injury Lawsuits