Traumatic Brain Injuries

The Villages Traumatic Brain Injury Attorneys Will Fight for Your Compensation

Traumatic Brain Injuries are the result of a large amount of deaths and permanent disabilities every year across the United States. The good news is that the majority of TBIs that occur are mild – these are most commonly referred to as concussions. While TBIs can range in severity, the truth is that these injuries can vary in how they affect each individual. Some people may only experience impairments that last a few days, while others may suffer a lifetime of disabilities. A TBI can result in memory loss, impaired thinking, loss of sensation or movement, and emotional effects such as depression and changes to personality. Because these

What is Considered a Traumatic Brain Injury?

A Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a blow or bump to the head that prohibits the brain from functioning normally. Not all TBIs will be the result of a jolt, blow, or penetration to the head. A TBI can be classified as mild or severe. A mild TBI can be a brief loss of consciousness or a slight change in mental status. A severe TBI is one that results in a prolonged period of unconsciousness or amnesia, and ultimately may result in death.

TBI Statistics

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1.7 million TBIs happen every single year in the U.S. On that same note, an estimated 5.3 million people in the U.S. are living with the effects of a TBI. TBIs hospitalize 235,000 people every single year, with a majority of those affected being children under the age of 14 and seniors over the age of 60. Children under 14 account for 435,000 emergency room visits, 37,000 hospitalizations, and 2,685 deaths. Seniors over the age of 65 have the highest death rates from TBIs due to falls, which is a rising problem in the elderly age group.

Common Causes of TBI

A TBI is the result of an external force injuring the brain. This happens when a person’s head is hit, jolted, or bumped, as well as when an object penetrates the skull or when the body is shaken or hit hard enough causing the brain to slam into the skull. The most common causes of TBIs are:

• Falls
• Car accidents
• Assaults
• Bullet wounds
• Sports and recreational activities

Symptoms of a Mild TBI

A mild TBI can result in a loss of consciousness for a few seconds or even a few minutes. Other symptoms can include:

• Dizziness
• Blurry vision
• Confusion
• Lightheadedness
• Fatigue
• Ringing in the ears
• Headache
• Mood changes
• Disruptive sleep patterns
• Trouble concentration or paying attention
• Trouble recalling memories
• Symptoms of a Moderate or Severe TBI

A person that suffers a more severe TBI may have symptoms of a mild TBI as well as others, such as:

• Persistent headaches that do not go away
• Nausea or vomiting
• Not being able to be woken up from sleep
• Slurred speech
• Dilation of pupils
• Seizures or convulsions
• Increased confusion
• Restlessness
• Loss of coordination
• Loss of sensation in extremities

How to Prevent a TBI

Many traumatic brain injuries are caused by unavoidable accidents, as The Village TBI attorneys know all too well. That said, here are some tips to keep you safe.

• While some accidents that result in a TBI are unavoidable, there are some safety measures that we all can take to help reduce our risk of suffering a TBI. The following are just a few ways we can all place safety first:
• Always buckle up when in a car. Seatbelts can save lives and prevent TBIs.
• If you have children, make sure they are in a proper fitting car seat/seatbelt.
• Do not drink and drive. On that same note, do not get in a car with someone that has been drinking and driving.
• If your children are biking, skateboarding, or playing certain sports they will need to wear an appropriate helmet. For specific sports, you want to have a helmet that is approved by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).
• Install window guards on all windows to keep children from being able to fall out of them. You will also need to install safety gates around stairs to prevent young children from falling.

How The Villages Traumatic Brain Injury Attorneys Can Help

When you contact us to discuss your TBI, you can be confident in knowing that we will speak to you directly and answer any questions you have. We will also make sure we fully explain your rights so that you understand the best way to move forward with your potential case. Your consultation with us is always completely confidential and free. Once we decide to work together, we will immediately begin an investigation into your case and determine what caused your TBI and who is responsible for your suffering. This may include calling in accident reconstruction experts and medical professionals to work with us through the investigation phases.

If you suffered a TBI and another person’s negligence is to blame, then you have the right to pursue financial compensation on your behalf for past and future medical costs, loss of income, physical and mental pain and suffering, disability, and all other expenses that your TBI warrants via a personal injury lawsuit. Our TBI Attorneys at Whittel & Melton can help with all aspects of your TBI lawsuit. We are here to serve you in The Villages, Bushnell, Tavares, Ocala, or elsewhere in Marion, Sumter, or Lake County, so call us today at 352-369-5334 or contact us online to request a free consultation.