Brain Damage
Experienced Brain Damage Attorneys in Tampa Bay area and west central Florida counties
Chadwick & Chadwick serves Brain Damage claims in Tampa Bay, including Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando, Polk, Hillsborough, Manatee and west central Florida counties.
Brain Damage – a National Epidemic
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) traumatic brain injury is a leading cause of disability and death in the U.S. each year.
- 52,000 people will die as a result of a traumatic brain injury this year.
- 1.7 million traumatic brain injuries occur in the U.S. annually, though many do not seek medical help.
- 1.4 million individuals will visit an emergency room as a result of a traumatic brain injury this year.
- 275,000 people will be hospitalized this year as a result of a traumatic brain injury.
- 5.3 million Americans currently live with disabilities resulting from traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Very simply, most brain injuries are a result of a blow or jolt to the head, which disrupts the function of the brain. The severity of a TBI can range from a mild concussion to the extremes of coma, or even death.
While any serious accident may cause brain damage, a staggering number of brain injuries occur after motorcycle or car accidents, falls and sports accidents. If you or someone you love has experienced a brain injury, an experienced brain damage attorney may be able to help. A toll free call to Tampa Bay’s Chadwick & Chadwick will provide a no-obligation overview of your options.
Brain Trauma – a Serious Injury
Traumatic brain injury can cause a wide range of functional changes affecting thinking, sensation, language or emotions. I may also cause epilepsy and increase the risk for conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and other brain disorders that become more prevalent with age.
The impact of a traumatic brain injury on you and your family can be devastating.
Brain Damage Causes
The leading causes of brain injury, in descending order:
- Falls (35%)
- Motor vehicle accidents (18%)
- Other forms of head contact (17%)
- Assaults (10%)
- Birth injuries, medical malpractice, etc.
About half of the brain injuries among children, ages 0 to 14 years, are from falls, and 61% of brain injuries among adults, ages 65 and older.
Nationally and in the Tampa Bay area, motor vehicle crashes and traffic-related incidents are the second leading cause of traumatic brain injury.
Subtle Signs of Brain Damage
The symptoms of mild traumatic brain injury are subtle, and therefore are frequently overlooked by medical professionals in busy emergency departments. Additionally, family members may not immediately perceive the signs of brain damage. It may take hours or even days to become apparent.
As internal bleeding or swelling increases, victims may begin to exhibit one or several signs, including:
- Loss of language or difficulty with language
- Mood or personality changes
- Loss of coordination
- Changes in vision or hearing
- Confusion
- Severe headaches
- Dizziness
- Severe nausea or vomiting
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Stroke-like symptoms
- Paralysis
If you or someone you know begins to exhibit any of these signs following an accident, it is important to seek medical attention immediately to prevent permanent disabilities or advanced brain damage.
To speak with an experienced Tampa Bay traumatic brain injury lawyer about your concerns, please call the office of Chadwick & Chadwick, 813-264-1500 toll free. We charge no fee to discuss how we may help meet your legal needs.
