Fort Lauderdale Brain Injury Lawyer
The long-term effects of neurological damage (whether brain or spine) can be devastating to the injured individual as well as the family members. Injuries of this magnitude either result in death or a lifetime of medical needs and financial support. The attorneys at LCTR are highly proficient at investigating and analyzing neurologic injury damages and the long-term medical care and expenses associated with these cases. We examine the circumstances of your case and determine how best to maximize compensation for neurologic brain injury or for death that resulted from negligence or malpractice. The state of Florida mandates a limited amount of time for victims to file a lawsuit, which is why it’s imperative that you contact the attorneys at LCTR or seek legal counsel as soon as possible. If traveling is difficult for you or your loved one, we will come to you and discuss your options.
Signs of Traumatic Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries (or “TBIs”) are the result of trauma to the brain that results in damage to the brain tissue and nerves. TBIs will often result in chemical changes in the brain that affect how the brain functions. The most obvious sign that you have suffered a TBI is if you suffered a loss of consciousness:
- A loss of consciousness of 30 minutes or less is considered a mild brain injury
- A loss of consciousness of 30 minutes to 24 hours is considered a moderate brain injury
- A loss of consciousness of 24 hours or more is considered a severe brain injury
Aside from losing consciousness, however, there are other indicators that you have suffered a brain injury:
- Confusion or clouded thinking
- Difficulty concentrating or inability to focus
- Memory loss
- Persistent or severe headaches
- Seizures
- Dizziness and loss of balance
- Blurred vision or other vision issues
- Hearing loss
- Sleep disturbances
- Slurred speech
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sensitivity to light or noise
- Unexplained mood swings
- Depression
- Anxiety
Brain injuries are not always easily diagnosed as many of the symptoms are subjective. Many brain injury victims are unaware that they have suffered a brain injury until days or weeks following their accident. If you don’t feel right or something feels off following an accident, the best thing to do is to seek immediate medical attention. If you are diagnosed with a brain injury, you may want to contact a Fort Lauderdale brain injury lawyer to discuss your options.
Neurologic Injuries Can Result in Muscular Dysfunction
Brain injuries can also disrupt the brain’s control of muscle function. As a result, muscle dysfunction is another indicator that you have suffered a brain injury. These symptoms can include the following:
- Spasticity (muscle tightness)
- Muscle spasms
- Muscle weakness
- Loss of muscle one or atrophy
- Loss of muscle control
- Loss of mobility such as difficulty walking
- Difficulty swallowing
- Difficulty breathing
- Partial or total paralysis
Any of these issues can have a profound effect on our daily lives, making it difficult to work or take care of your family. They can also lead to permanent disability if left untreated. As a result, it is paramount that you get the compensation you need so that you can get the treatment you need and rebuild your life.
You Can Suffer a Brain Injury Without Direct Impact to Your Head
Brain injuries can be caused by any force exerted on the brain causing it to move or twist within the skull, even if there was no direct blow to the head. Injuries such as whiplash, for example, often result in brain injuries caused by the rapid back-and-forth whipping of the head.
Diffuse axonal injuries are common brain injuries that are caused without direct impact to the head. This is where the connective fibers of the brain are stretched or torn. In severe cases, they can result in brain damage or comas, and can sometimes be fatal. Intracranial hematoma, where blood pools inside the skull, or swelling of the brain are also common injuries that can occur without direct impact to the head.
Even Minor Brain Injuries Can Have Serious Consequences
The most common type of brain injury that people suffer is a concussion. Medical research over the last couple of decades has indicated that even minor concussions can have long-term effects. As a result, you should seek medical treatment even if you are unsure you have suffered a brain injury.
You May Be Facing a Long Road Ahead
Brain injuries are some of the most difficult injuries to recover from. You may require extensive, ongoing medical treatment as well as long-term rehabilitative care. Many brain injuries result in long-term or even permanent disabilities. Some eventually result in death.
One of the biggest consequences of serious brain injuries is the impact on the victim’s ability to work. In many cases, they are unable to work at all – part-time work or light duty simply isn’t an option. Even comparatively minor symptoms such as severe headaches or dizziness can make it impossible to do your job. Many people who suffer brain injuries may be facing long-term or even permanent unemployment, resulting in a catastrophic loss of income.
In addition, a brain injury can impact your ability to maintain relationships. The victim may not be able to be present to their spouse, assist in raising their children, participate in social activities, or get together with friends. In turn, a brain injury can have a devastating effect on the emotional well-being of the victim as well as their friends and family.
In short, a brain injury can result in significant economic and emotional losses on top of the physical harm you suffer. To get the compensation you deserve, you should contact a Fort Lauderdale brain injury lawyer before it is too late.
How a Fort Lauderdale Brain Injury Lawyer Can Help
If you have suffered a serious brain injury, you have to put everything you have into your recovery. Unfortunately, this leaves little time to pursue your legal right to compensation. A trusted brain injury lawyer can help in the following ways:
- Your lawyer can investigate the accident that caused your injury to determine the cause and who should be held accountable.
- Your lawyer can compile all of the evidence and documentation you will need to pursue your claim.
- Your lawyer can handle all of the communication with the insurance companies involved in presenting your claim.
- Your lawyer can negotiate a fair settlement.
- Your lawyer can interview witnesses and obtain their statements.
- Your lawyer can advise you of your legal options and recommend what option may be best for you.
- Your lawyer can file a lawsuit on your behalf and litigate your case all the way through trial.
At LCTR, we work with our clients every step of the way, doing the heavy lifting so that our clients can make a full recovery.
A Fort Lauderdale Brain Injury Lawyer Getting You the Compensation You Deserve
If you have suffered a brain injury, getting legal help is your best option for getting the compensation you need to rebuild your life. Most non-lawyers settle their cases for far less than they are worth, leaving them with bills they can’t pay and income they will never recover. At LCTR, we know what it takes to get the results our clients deserve. We can help you recover compensation for the following:
- Your current and future medical expenses
- Your current and future lost income including loss of earning capacity, lost retirement income, lost investment income, and lost benefits
- Your pain and suffering
Your case could be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars or more. A Fort Lauderdale brain injury lawyer from our firm can provide you with an estimate of what your claim may be worth so that you can make an informed decision as to whether you should pursue legal action.
Take Action Before It’s Too Late
Florida law requires that any lawsuit seeking compensation for a brain injury be filed within two years from the date you suffered the injury. This is referred to as the statute of limitations in legal terminology. If you fail to file suit within this time period, you will lose all of your rights to compensation. Your case will not be allowed to proceed regardless of how severe your brain injury is or how obviously the other party is at fault.
This deadline applies even if you don’t plan to file a lawsuit – insurance companies will not even consider your claim if the statute of limitations has already passed. In fact, some insurance companies may delay processing your claim in the hope that the deadline will expire before they have to make payment.
Two years may seem like a long time, but it passes by faster than you think. Evidence can be difficult to obtain, witnesses may leave the area, and memories can fade. The sooner you contact a Fort Lauderdale brain injury lawyer, the sooner they can begin gathering the evidence you need to build the strongest case possible.
Talk to a Fort Lauderdale Brain Injury Lawyer at LCTR Today
Brain injury cases are among the most complex personal injury cases that lawyers handle. It is therefore vital that you hire a lawyer who has extensive experience and a proven track record when it comes to getting brain injury victims fair compensation. If you have suffered a brain injury, get the help you need today – contact us today by phone or email to schedule a free consultation.