Tampa Brain Injury Lawyer
Even a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) can take upwards of six months for a patient to feel normal again. According to the Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center, 30 percent of people with a TBI require assistance from another person two years after their initial injury. Best case scenario? You may need to take some time off of work as the result of a TBI, worst case is that you may require additional care, which is an expense, and not be capable of returning to work. If you or a loved one has suffered from a brain injury at work, it is important you find a knowledgeable Tampa brain injury lawyer to help you through the legal process while you recover.
How do Brain Injuries Occur at Work
Brain injuries are the result of a violent jolt or a blow to the head. While they can occur at any time, people who work jobs around heavy machinery or who work at precarious heights and could fall are at a higher risk of injuries involving head trauma. Employers are required to create a safe work environment and proper protective equipment such as hard hats, but sometimes the trauma is so severe that even those measures do not adequately protect the injured party from a head trauma. Even those who do not work a manual labor job can be at risk of injury at work. According to the Well Florida Council, the leading cause of TBIs within the state and also within the country is motor vehicle accidents. Some jobs require an employee to be driving a company car and thus a workers’ compensation claim would be filed.
Symptoms of a Brain Injury
Symptoms of a brain injury vary, affecting people’s physical well-being, emotional stability, sensory input, and cognitive functioning. For instance, a person may initially lose consciousness as a result of the trauma. However, even after it seems they have fully recovered to a stranger, a person with a brain injury may still struggle with mood swings or reactivity. Other symptoms include:
- Swelling in the brain;
- Memory loss;
- Confusion;
- Nausea;
- Severe headaches, seizures or vertigo;
- Trouble with speech or loss of coordination;
- Difficulty sleeping or sleeping more often;
- Depression or anxiety; and
- More.
The Cost of a Brain Injury
The medical bills alone from a severe brain injury can be financially crippling, but the costs extend well beyond the hospital. Patients with brain injuries may need to see an occupational therapist, speech therapist, psychologist, or other specialist before returning to employment. Since it can take months or years to recover, the lost wages add up. During this time it is critical to get the financial support from a workers’ compensation claim so that you can get the best care possible.
Trust a Tampa Brain Injury Lawyer
If you are suffering from a head trauma, you need to be focusing on resting and allowing your brain time to heal. Let the Tampa brain injury attorneys at Barbas, Nuñez, Sanders, Butler & Hovsepian handle your insurance claim so that you get the best possible outcome for your future. Contact us at 813-279-2686 today for a free consultation.