As the most complex organ in the human body, the brain is critical for all aspects of functioning. Any injury to the brain can have a devastating effect on victims and their families. If you or a loved one suffered a brain injury due to someone else’s negligence in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, Gross & Schuster Injury Lawyers wants to help.
For more than four decades, our personal injury lawyers have fought zealously to protect the rights of accident victims. Our relentless legal advocacy has secured more than $200 million in life-changing compensation for deserving clients across Florida—funds that have helped cover medical expenses, replace lost income, and support their recovery after suffering serious injuries caused by others’ negligence.
Our Fort Walton Beach brain injury lawyers are prepared to bring their more than 75 years of combined experience to fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation to learn more about how we can help. You can reach us at (850) 604-3844.
How a Fort Walton Beach Brain Injury Lawyer Can Help You Fight for Damages
Brain injuries in Fort Walton Beach, FL, can have a profound impact on victims and their families. These injuries can lead to permanent disabilities, loss of mobility, cognitive challenges, and other complications. It can be more than any one person can handle to go through these sudden changes. At the same time, insurance companies may be trying to exploit your fragile state.
During this time, you need a strong legal advocate who will push for the fair treatment you deserve. When you hire a Fort Walton Beach brain injury attorney from Gross & Schuster Injury Lawyers, we:
- Thoroughly investigate the accident and identify how the accident happened and all potential paths for recovery
- Accurately assess the short- and long-term impact your injuries have on your life
- Convincingly present a demand for maximum compensation that outlines the details of your case and your right to recovery
- Aggressively demand the compensation you deserve through negotiations or in court
We handle your case’s administrative workload, file your legal claims, and manage communications with insurance companies. We want you to focus on healing so we handle the rest. Call us today to take advantage of a free case review to discuss your legal rights and options.
What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury?
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke defines a traumatic brain injury (TBI) as a brain injury caused by an outside force, such as a forceful bump, blow, or jolt to the head or from an object penetrating the brain. TBIs can range from mild to severe brain injuries.
Traumatic Brain Injury Statistics
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that over 69,000 people die on average from TBIs every year. On average, 586 people are hospitalized, and 190 people die due to TBIs every day in the United States. Over 214,000 people are hospitalized every year due to TBIs, and many more are treated in other medical settings.
Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries can present with different types of symptoms, including physical symptoms like:
Physical Symptoms
Physical symptoms include:
- Convulsions or seizures
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Vertigo
- Fatigue
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Clear fluids draining from the nose or ears
- Loss of balance
- Weakness of arms, legs, or face
These physical indicators often appear immediately after a TBI and can signal the need for urgent medical evaluation.
Cognitive Symptoms
Cognitive symptoms may include:
- Loss of consciousness
- Confusion
- Disorientation
- Problems remembering, concentrating, or making decisions
- Slurred speech
- Difficulty falling asleep or waking up
Cognitive changes following a TBI can significantly impact daily functioning and may worsen without prompt treatment.
Emotional Symptoms
TBIs can also present with emotional symptoms, such as:
- Frustration
- Irritability
- Agitation
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Lack of energy or motivation
- Combativeness
- Mood swings
Emotional symptoms may develop gradually and often interfere with relationships, work, and overall quality of life.
Sensory Symptoms
Additional symptoms of a TBI may include:
- Blurred vision
- Double vision
- Dilated pupils
- Hearing problems
- Ringing in the ears
- Sensitivity to light or sound
- A bad taste in the mouth
Sensory disturbances are common after a TBI and can make everyday activities overwhelming or uncomfortable.
TBI Symptoms in Children
It can be difficult for young children to communicate their symptoms to caregivers. Some signs that a child may have suffered a TBI include:
- Changes in eating or nursing habits
- Lack of interest in favorite toys or activities
- Persistent crying
- Inability to be consoled
- Irritability
- Loss of balance or unsteady walking
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Regressive behavior, such as having toileting accidents
- Vomiting
- Seizures
Because children may not be able to articulate how they feel, these behavioral changes can be critical clues that a serious brain injury has occurred.
Common Causes of Traumatic Brain Injuries
Because TBIs can happen after an external force, they are commonly the result of motor vehicle accidents, including:
- Car accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Truck accidents
- Bus accidents
- Bicycle accidents
These serious injuries can also occur when someone slips and falls or is attacked.
Diagnosing a Traumatic Brain Injury
Immediate medical attention is necessary to minimize the extent of a TBI as much as possible. Doctors can perform neurological exams to evaluate motor and sensory skills, test hearing and speech, analyze coordination and balance, and detect changes in mood or behavior. Medical professionals can also use brain imaging to evaluate the extent of a brain injury and determine a recommended course of action.
This can include CT scans that can reveal brain bruising, bleeding, or swelling and MRIs, which may show brain changes that CT scans do not pick up. More advanced technologies allow medical providers to identify white matter and more subtle injuries or brain changes.
How Much Is My Brain Injury Case Worth?
Every brain injury case is different, just as every brain injury victim is different. The potential value of your claim depends on various factors, such as:
- The type of brain injury you suffered
- The brain injury’s severity (i.e., whether it’s mild, moderate, or severe)
- The type and expense of medical treatment you required
- Your anticipated future medical expenses and needs
- How the brain injury affected your ability to work
- Whether the brain injury caused permanent disabilities, impairments, or complications
- The party or parties responsible for your injuries and their insurance coverage
- How the injury has affected you, your quality of life, and your relationship with others
- The circumstances surrounding your injury
Only after a thorough evaluation can a brain injury attorney accurately estimate the value of your claim.
What Damages Can I Recover After a Brain Injury?
In Florida personal injury cases, you generally have two types of damages you can recover: economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages represent your direct financial losses. These can be sizeable in a brain injury case and may include:
- Medical bills
- Emergency medical treatment
- Ambulance charges
- Follow-up appointments
- Rehabilitation
- Mobility aids
- Medication
- Diagnostic testing
- Surgeries
- Hospital stays
- Replacement services
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Property damage
Brain injuries can also have a profound impact on your quality of life and your relationships with loved ones. You can seek compensation for your non-economic losses, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distress
- Reduced quality of life
- Loss of enjoyment of life
An experienced personal injury lawyer can work closely with you to determine all the ways the brain injury has impacted you and identify the damages you can seek.
How Is My Case Affected If I Contributed to the Accident?
Florida uses a modified comparative negligence system when the accident victim contributed to the events leading to their injuries. Under this system, if you are found to be 50% or more at fault for the accident, you cannot recover any damages. If you are found to be less than this degree of fault responsible for the accident, you can still seek compensation for your injuries. However, your compensation is reduced by your degree of fault.
Suppose you were in a car accident. You were driving slightly above the speed limit when another motorist ran a red light. The jury finds you 10% at fault for the accidents and awards $1,000,000 for your damages. Your award would be reduced by $100,000 or 10% of the portion representing your fault.
Insurance companies know these rules and may try to assign you a greater degree of fault than what is fair under the circumstances. They may even take advantage of the fact that you don’t remember exactly what happened to try to minimize their payout. An experienced lawyer can conduct an in-depth investigation into your case to prove fault and prevent you from being assigned more fault than is reasonable under the circumstances.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for a Personal Injury Claim in Florida?
Most personal injury cases in Florida are subject to a two-year statute of limitations. This means that, in most cases, you only have until the second anniversary of the accident to file a lawsuit. If you fail to file your case within the applicable deadline, you can lose your right to recover compensation through the courts. You can take the first step in protecting your legal rights by contacting an experienced lawyer today.
Contact Our Fort Walton Beach Brain Injury Lawyers for Immediate Legal Assistance
If you suffered a brain injury, a Fort Walton Beach brain injury lawyer from our personal injury law firm can fight for you. Gross & Schuster Injury Lawyers stands beside victims and survivors in Fort Walton Beach, FL. We stand up for your rights and fight to improve your quality of life. Contact us today to take advantage of a free, no-obligation consultation.