A Fort Lauderdale TBI Attorney Helping You Get Fair Compensation

A traumatic brain injury or “TBI” can change your life forever. Unfortunately, they are more common than people realize. Car accidents, truck accidents, and slip-and-fall cases routinely result in serious brain injuries that can lead to long-term or even permanent disabilities. If you have suffered a TBI, you need to talk with someone who understands the challenges you are facing and can help you get the compensation you will need to recover. You need a Fort Lauderdale TBI attorney from Liberman Cabrera Thompson & Reitman, PLLC. 

Understanding and Recognizing TBIs

A TBI is defined by the Centers for Disease Control as an injury that affects how the brain functions. They typically result from any significant force to the head and brain including penetrating injuries, blows, bumps, or jolts. A TBI can be caused by the following: 

• Direct injury to the brain tissue itself;
• Shaking or twisting of the brain within the skull as a result of force to the head;
• Chemical changes in the brain as a result of head trauma;
• Damaged and stretched brain cells.

The symptoms of a TBI can range from subjective to obvious and apparent. If you have been involved in an incident, listen to your body and get a thorough medical exam if you suspect you have suffered a TBI even if you declined medical treatment at the scene. Symptoms to watch out for include the following: 

• Persistent or recurring headaches; 
• Nausea or vomiting;
• Sleep disturbances or feeling unusually fatigued;
• Unexplained or uncharacteristic mood swings;
• Sensitivity to light and/or noise;
• Impairment of the memory;
• Clouded thinking, confusion, or feelings of disorientation.

Whatever your symptoms, seek medical attention immediately and contact a Fort Lauderdale TBI attorney to discuss your rights if you are diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury. 

TBIs Can Range from Mild to Severe

Like almost any other catastrophic injury, brain injuries can be ranked on a spectrum: 

• Mild brain injuries where the victim experienced a loss of consciousness of 30 minutes or less. The victim may also experience nausea, dizziness, difficulty concentrating, sensitivity to light and noise, or persistent headaches. 
• Moderate brain injuries where the victim lost consciousness anywhere from 30 minutes up to 24 hours. Other symptoms can include seizures, memory loss, and slurred speech. Victims should seek immediate medical attention if they experience fluid draining from either their ears or nose. Moderate brain injuries typically require hospitalization and future care.
• Severe brain injuries where the victim is unconscious for 24 hours or more. Other symptoms include incontinence, loss of motor control, and inability to speak or difficulty speaking. Victims of severe TBIs typically require extensive medical treatment and may be facing long-term or permanent disabilities. 

Moderate and severe brain injuries require extensive medical treatment and long-term care. In some cases, victims face long-term or permanent disabilities. That said, we have learned that even mild TBIs can lead to long-term medical issues over the last couple of decades. If you believe that you have suffered a TBI, the best thing to do is contact a Fort Lauderdale TBI attorney to discuss your options. 

Open Head or Penetrating Brain Injuries

As the name suggests, these are brain injuries caused by a force or a foreign object that fractures or penetrates the skull and causes severe damage to the brain tissue. For example, this could include the skull being fractured by a concrete step in the event of a fall, or a metal rod penetrating the skull in a car accident. Open head injuries are typically obvious and require immediate medical attention. 

Closed Head Injuries

A closed head injury is one where the skull surrounding the brain remains intact. Unlike an open head injury, the TBI is caused by force exerted upon the brain that can cause it to shake or twist within the skull. Some of the most common closed-head injuries include the following: 

• Concussions, which are a mild brain injury where brain activities are temporarily; disrupted when the brain moves within the skull due to a sudden impact;
• Brain contusions or bruising of the brain tissues;
• Intracranial hematoma. This is when the blood pools inside the skull as a result of bleeding in the brain. There are two types of intracranial hematomas: (1) a subdural hematoma where the blood pools between the arachnoid membrane and the dura mater; and (2) an epidural hematoma where the blood pools between the brain and the skull. Intracranial hematomas cause pressure on the brain and can be potentially fatal;
• Diffuse axonal injury. These are injuries where the connective fibers of the brain are torn. These often result in comas and/or brain damage, and can be fatal. 

Whatever injuries you have suffered, you may be entitled to significant compensation. A Fort Lauderdale TBI attorney from LCTR can help you get the compensation you need to rebuild your life following your accident. 

Non-Traumatic Brain Injuries: Ischemia and Hypoxia

Not all brain injuries result from external trauma; some are caused by internal factors like ischemia and hypoxia, which can occur during medical care. These non-traumatic brain injuries are just as serious and can lead to long-lasting damage.

• Ischemic Brain Injuries – Ischemia happens when the brain doesn’t get enough blood flow, depriving it of oxygen. This can occur during a stroke or due to hypo perfusion, where blood supply to the brain is inadequate. Even brief periods of reduced oxygen can cause brain cell death and lasting impairment.
• Hypoxic Brain Injuries – Hypoxia occurs when the brain receives insufficient oxygen, even if blood flow is normal. This can result from surgical complications, respiratory failure, or near-drowning incidents, leading to widespread brain damage.

The impact of non-traumatic brain injuries can cause cognitive and motor impairments, personality changes, and other serious effects. At Liberman Cabrera Thompson & Reitman, PLLC, we understand these complex injuries and are dedicated to helping victims secure compensation for their medical costs, lost income, and suffering. If you or a loved one has experienced a brain injury due to medical care, our Fort Lauderdale attorneys are here to help you seek justice.

You May Be Facing Long-Term Consequences

Moderate to severe brain injuries often require extensive medical treatment over the course of months or even years. In addition, TBIs are one of the injuries that are most likely to impact your ability to earn a living and perform your activities of daily living. As a result, you may be facing tremendous medical expenses and devastating loss of income. At LCTR, we thoroughly assess every case we handle to identify all current and future losses to make sure we identify all areas where you have suffered loss in order to maximize the compensation we recover. Your compensation may include the following: 

• Your current and future medical expenses;
• The value of attendant care which may be needed;
• Your current and future lost income;
• Your pain and suffering;
• The loss of consortium of your loved ones which are able to recover under Florida law.

If you have suffered a TBI due to someone else’s negligence, you can rely on us to do everything we can to help you seek justice.

Speak with a Fort Lauderdale TBI Attorney from LCTR Today

At Liberman Cabrera Thompson & Reitman, PLLC, we know how hard it can be to face an uncertain future. That’s why we work with our clients every step of the way until they get the results they deserve. To discuss your case and your options, contact us today via phone or email to schedule a free consultation.