Have you or a loved one suffered a traumatic brain injury TBI in Fort Lauderdale, FL? These life-changing injuries can leave victims struggling with medical bills, lost income, and long-term health challenges. If someone else’s negligence caused your accident in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, you could be entitled to compensation.
At Workman Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers, our compassionate Fort Lauderdale brain injury lawyers are here to help. Do not face the insurance company alone. Call us today to schedule a free initial consultation with a Fort Lauderdale brain injury attorney at (954) 361-3997.
How Workman Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After A Brain Injury In Fort Lauderdale, FL
Workman Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers was founded three years ago to protect the rights of injury victims. We have 22 years of combined experience handling brain injury cases, and we have recovered more than $30 million for injury victims and their families. Our founding attorney, Devon K. Workman, has been recognized by The National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
When you hire our law firm in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, you will benefit from:
- A thorough investigation of your accident as we gather evidence, identify liable parties, and build a strong case
- Access to experts we work with to document your losses, calculate damages, and testify on your behalf
- Experience negotiating with insurance companies to reach a settlement agreement that fairly compensates you
- Representation in the courtroom if a fair offer isn’t made and we need to take your case to court
- Personalized legal advice and guidance through every step of your case
- A client-first approach with a lawyer who takes the time to get to know you, answers your calls and keeps you updated
Let our personal injury attorneys fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact us for a free case evaluation to learn how our Fort Lauderdale brain injury attorneys can help you recover the money you need after your brain injury.
Traumatic Brain Injury Overview
A traumatic brain injury or TBI is a type of brain damage caused by an external force, whether it is a blow or rapid back-and-forth movement of the head. It differs from acquired brain injuries (ABIs), which are caused by internal forces like a stroke or infection.
An estimated 2.5 million Americans suffer a brain injury every year. About 85,000 of these injuries are disabling, and approximately 50,000 are fatal. TBI is the leading cause of disability among people under 45, with more than 2% of the U.S. population currently living with a disability caused by a brain injury.
In Florida alone, there were 3,700 fatal brain injuries and 19,000 hospitalizations for nonfatal TBIs in 2013. Infants, teenagers, and young adults had the highest hospitalization rates.
What Are The Most Common Types Of Traumatic Brain Injuries?
Traumatic brain injuries happen in many ways. Common types include:
- Concussion
- Coup lesion
- Contrecoup lesion
- Coup-contrecoup injury
- Diffuse axonal injury
- Anoxic or hypoxic injury
After an injury, victims are assessed to determine the severity of the injury. A TBI can be categorized as mild, moderate, or severe based on the Glasgow Coma Scale. Nearly 75% of TBIs are mild.
What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of A Traumatic Brain Injury?
TBI symptoms vary depending on the injury’s severity and the brain area affected. Common symptoms include:
- Headache
- Dizziness or balance problems
- Blurry vision or light sensitivity
- Memory problems or confusion
- Nausea or vomiting
- Difficulty speaking or understanding speech
Moderate to severe injuries may cause loss of consciousness, seizures, or coma. While symptoms may appear right away, delayed symptoms of a head injury are also common. Any suspected brain injury should be taken seriously and treated as soon as possible.
What Are The Possible Long-Term Consequences Of A TBI?
The effects of a TBI can last for months or even a lifetime.
Potential complications and long-term effects include:
- Cognitive impairments such as memory problems, difficulty concentrating, and poor problem-solving
- Emotional changes like depression, anxiety, and mood swings
- Physical challenges, including motor function issues and chronic pain, which affect up to 60% of TBI survivors
- Social difficulties like strained relationships and isolation
- Post-concussion syndrome, which can last a year or longer
- Symptoms that worsen over time
- Loss of independence
- Increased risk of neurocognitive conditions like dementia
- Reduced life expectancy with moderate to severe TBI survivors having a 9-year shorter life expectancy on average
A traumatic brain injury isn’t just an acute injury; for many, it’s a life-long condition that comes with many challenges. A Fort Lauderdale brain injury lawyer can help you pursue compensation to cover long-term care and preserve your quality of life.
What Causes Most Fort Lauderdale Brain Injuries?
TBIs can happen in a variety of accidents. Below are the most common causes of traumatic brain injuries in Fort Lauderdale.
Falls
About 48% of brain injuries treated in emergency rooms are caused by falls. The leading cause of TBI overall, falls are most likely to cause brain injuries in seniors and young children. About 81% of brain injuries among older adults happen in a slip and fall.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Car accidents, truck accidents, and motorcycle accidents are the second-leading cause of traumatic brain injuries. However, motor vehicle accidents are the top cause of TBI in adolescents and adults under 75. About one in four nonfatal brain injuries that result in hospitalization happen in a crash.
Workplace Accidents
About 24% of TBIs are sustained in workplace accidents. The most common causes are falls, motor vehicle collisions, falling objects, and accidents involving machinery. Construction workers, warehouse workers, and truck drivers have among the highest rates of work-related brain injuries. About 120,000 people are treated for nonfatal work-related brain injuries in ERs every year.
Sports and Recreation
Recreation and sports are estimated to cause 10% of traumatic brain injuries in the U.S. Sports cause about 21% of TBIs in children. Football has one of the highest rates of concussions, but hockey, soccer, diving, horseback riding, and skateboarding also pose a high risk.
Violence
Unfortunately, not all brain injuries are the result of an accident. Victims of crime often sustain serious brain injuries in assaults, including domestic violence and shootings.
What Is My Fort Lauderdale Brain Injury Case Worth?
The value of your case depends on many factors, including:
- The severity of your brain injury
- Treatment you receive
- Your prognosis and the long-term impact of your injury
- The impact on your daily life
- Whether you can return to work
- Insurance coverage limits
- The circumstances of the accident
- Comparative fault, or whether you are assigned any fault for your accident
- The strength of evidence proving the other party’s liability
Our goal is to recover maximum compensation on your behalf to secure your financial future and ensure you receive the quality care you need.
What Compensation Is Available To Florida Brain Injury Victims?
If you are successful in proving the other party is at fault for your brain injury, Florida law allows you to recover two types of compensatory damages. Economic damages are the financial losses you have suffered or will suffer. Non-economic damages are losses with no intrinsic financial value, such as pain and suffering.
Common types of damages in a brain injury case include:
- Current medical bills
- Projected future medical expenses
- Rehabilitation and therapy costs
- Lost wages
- Diminished or lost earning capacity
- Reasonable out-of-pocket costs
- Property damage
- Physical pain, mental suffering, and emotional anguish
- Reduced quality of life
- Disfigurement or permanent scarring
The vast majority of personal injury cases settle out of court. If your case does go to trial, the jury may award punitive damages if the defendant’s behavior was intentional or grossly negligent, not simply careless. These damages are rarely awarded and capped by Florida law.
Am I Still Entitled To Damages If I Share Blame For My Accident In Fort Lauderdale, Florida?
Like many states, Florida uses a modified comparative fault rule to assign a percentage of fault to each party and a proportional share of liability for damages. You can still recover money if you are partially to blame for your accident, but your financial recovery will be reduced by your percentage of assigned fault.
To recover compensation, your share of liability cannot exceed 50%. If you are 51% or more at fault, you will be barred from any financial recovery.
How Long Do I Have To File A Brain Injury Lawsuit In Florida?
In most cases, Florida law gives you two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit. If your brain injury was the result of intentional misconduct or criminal behavior, you have up to four years. Missing this deadline will likely result in losing your right to compensation.
As soon as possible, contact a Fort Lauderdale brain injury lawyer to ensure your claim is filed on time.
Contact Our Fort Lauderdale Brain Injury Lawyers For A Free Consultation
Have you suffered a brain injury in Fort Lauderdale, FL? Workman Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers is here to help. With over 22 years of combined experience and $30 million recovered for clients, we have the knowledge and resources to fight for you.
Call our office for a free consultation with a Fort Lauderdale brain injury lawyer.
