Why Should I Hire a Tampa Brain Injury Attorney?

Tampa Brain Injury FAQs

Brain injuries are rightfully known as traumatic and life changing—surely they must be caused by an equally traumatic or serious accident, right?

It surprises many people to learn that even a seemingly minor accident like a minor motor vehicle collision or a slip and fall on a wet floor can result in a very serious brain injury.

Nearly two million people suffer traumatic brain injuries across the U.S. each year, and Tampa is home to thousands of our neighbors that wake up every day only to grapple with the long-term, life altering effects of a brain injury.

Often referred to by the acronym TBI, these injuries can occur without the victim even realizing it, resulting in serious and lifelong consequences. If you or a loved one in Tampa has suffered a traumatic brain injury or TBI, you may be entitled to compensation for your loss, injury and any resulting damages. Speak with dedicated Tampa brain injury attorneys Frank and Jennifer Fernandez at the Fernandez Firm Accident Injury Attorneys today to find out your next steps.

What is a traumatic brain injury?

A traumatic brain injury typically occurs from a bump, blow or jolt to the head or body that disrupts an injury victim’s brain’s function. The severity of symptoms usually depends on the type of accident you were involved in and how badly your brain was injured as  a result of the trauma.

Most people know about and are familiar with concussions. Football players and athletes suffer concussions all the time.  A concussion is the most common form of TBI. Over half of all concussions annually are caused by falling. Most of these falls involve elderly individuals but age is not always the determinative factor for a traumatic brain injury.

I didn’t hit my head. How can I have a TBI?

The most common misunderstanding of brain injuries is that victims have to hit their head on something to suffer a TBI. That’s simply not the case.

When an external force jolts your body and your head moves rapidly, your brain can lag behind your body’s movement. Think of a rear-end car accident where your head snaps back in the direction of the impact.

Your head may not hit anything at all, but the force which snaps your head back can cause your brain to strike the inside of your skull. This rapid movement can result in a TBI even though your head did not come into contact with any other object. Initially, these injuries may be overlooked by victims and very difficult to detect in those with minor symptoms.

That is why it is very important to see a doctor immediately if you are involved in an accident, even a minor one, which may have caused a brain injury. The best way to prevent a lifetime of brain damage is to seek medical care right away.

What are common TBI causes in Tampa?

The cause of a TBI can vary greatly. The injury can be caused by a violent blow to the head or by a jolt disrupting normal brain function even without any direct impact of an object to the head.

The six most common causes of brain injuries include:

1. Slip or trip and fall
2. Motor vehicle accident
3. Medical malpractice
4. Nursing home abuse
5. Sport injuries
6. Explosive blast
7. Violence

Regardless of the exact cause of your brain injury, you may face a mountain of medical expenses and an uncertain future.  To help you recover the maximum compensation for your injuries, please contact attorneys Frank and Jennifer Fernandez at the Fernandez Firm Accident Injury Attorneys today.  For over 25 years, Frank and Jennifer have represented thousands of personal injury victims and are very familiar with the challenges victims of brain injury face daily.  They understand that to recover full damages for a brain injury, victims will need to be evaluated by skilled medical professionals and vocational rehabilitation experts to determine and quantify these complex nature of these injuries.  The Fernandez Firm Accident Injury Attorneys is committed to fighting for Tampa TBI victims, and dedicated to help their clients recover every dollar they deserve for these devastating injuries.

What symptoms should I look out for?

If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident where a brain injury could have occurred, you should look for key signs and symptoms immediately.  Once again, if you suspect a TBI it is important you go to a hospital or see a doctor right away as some symptoms may not appear quickly.

The most common symptoms of a TBI include:

• Headache
• Vomiting
• Fatigue
• Speech problems
• Loss of balance
• Sensitivity to light
• Memory problems
• Difficulty sleeping
• Sudden change in mood
• Weakness in fingers and toes
• Sudden change in appetite
• Agitation
• Loss of consciousness

Any of these symptoms could represent a much larger problem. If you notice any of these symptoms after an accident, seek immediate medical attention.  As with any health issue, the key to getting better is quick medical care.

How much is my Tampa traumatic brain injury case worth?

This is one of the most frequently asked questions we receive from our Tampa personal injury clients and accident victims. It is also one of the most difficult questions to answer.   The medical care needed to recover from a brain injury can cost as much as $85,000 and up well into the millions. Not many people can afford this expensive care.  However, to recover from your brain injury and lead a normal life, most accident victims need significant medical care and therapy treatment.

As with any personal injury case, obtaining evidence and performing a complete and thorough investigation is critical to the success of your brain injury claim.   that you speak with a trusted Tampa brain injury lawyer courtesy of The Fernandez Firm Accident Injury Attorneys as soon as possible after your accident. Your brain injury medical expenses could bankrupt you. Do not let this happen to you or your family. By speaking with Frank and Jennifer Fernandez at the Fernandez Firm Accident Injury Attorneys, you can get a better idea of how you move forward and focus on your physical health and well-being while your legal representative works to maximize your financial recovery.

Who is at fault for my Tampa traumatic brain injury?

The answer here depends on the specific circumstances of your accident. If, for example, you suffered a TBI in a car accident caused by another driver, that driver might be responsible. If you slipped and fell on a slippery floor in a store, the store owner might be liable for your injuries.

No two cases are the same. That’s why it is so important to speak with an experienced Tampa TBI lawyer as soon as possible after your accident. Your lawyer can help you understand who is at fault for your accident and work to hold them accountable for all of your medical expenses and lost income.

The Fernandez Firm Accident Injury Attorneys has the experience you deserve and the resources available to investigate your accident. With the right legal team at your side, your accident can receive the attention it deserves to help you hold the negligent party liable for your injuries and medical bills.

What damages can I get after a Tampa traumatic brain injury?

Every accident is different. Each TBI victim may have different needs. But there are commonalities in attempting to collect damages.

Your lawyer may try to get you compensation for:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Lost wages
• Lost earning potential
• Loss of companionship
• Loss of life enjoyment
• Present and future medical expenses
• Rehabilitation costs

Your ability to recover maximum compensation for your injuries can depend on the lawyer you choose. Your Tampa brain injury attorney must have proven experience helping other TBI victims like you recover compensation for their injuries.

Brain injuries often require extensive and ongoing medical care. This is extremely expensive but should not be your burden to bear. This should be the sole responsibility of the at-fault party.

By partnering with The Fernandez Firm Accident Injury Attorneys in Tampa, you can focus all of your effort and energy on your physical recovery while Frank and Jennifer focus on your financial health. When you shift this burden to your attorney, you may recover faster, knowing that your case is in good hands.

The last thing you want is to end up paying out of pocket for your medical expenses and lost income. Your lawyer can help you avoid that tragic situation by working tirelessly to hold the negligent party liable for your accident and injuries.

Do I have to file a Tampa traumatic brain injury claim soon?

Yes, you have limited time to file a brain injury claim for damages. In Florida, you only have four years from the date of your injury to file a claim. 

This might seem like a long time but consider everything you might face in the months and years ahead:

• Multiple surgeries
• Extended time out of work
• Multiple hospital visits
• Doctor appointments
• Prescription medication costs
• Rehabilitation in a facility
• In-home care

Each of these items can cause extreme financial hardship. Medical care, especially for brain injuries, can be an ongoing expense for the rest of your life. If you do not file your claim in this time frame, you will miss out on your chance to recover compensation from the person or company who put you in this situation.

Do not let this happen to you. Make sure that you meet all of your filing deadlines and give yourself the best chance of making a complete financial recovery by working with a knowledgeable TBI lawyer in Tampa.

Should I take a settlement in my Tampa traumatic brain injury case?

Settling your brain injury claim is a reasonable goal. It can reduce the time it takes to get your money and it can relieve stress and worry, allowing you the chance to focus on your health.

But settling your case without the guidance of a skilled attorney can result in you settling for too little. An experienced TBI attorney can help you create an accurate estimate of your future medical and financial needs. They can rely on medical and financial experts to help reach this estimate.

This is an important step because you may vastly underestimate the amount of money you need to recover. You may see the medical bills currently sitting on your kitchen table and mistakenly think that is the amount you can recover for your injuries.

What’s worse, the insurance company representing the at-fault party may use this against you, prey on you, and try to get you to settle for much less than your case is worth. The insurance company wants nothing more than to make you go away for as little as possible.

If you take a settlement offer without speaking to a trusted brain injury attorney, you risk financial hardship. Months or years after you sign the settlement offer and you still have medical expenses to cover, you may realize the settlement funds have run dry. At that point, you cannot recover additional money and must cover your remaining medical bills and financial losses on your own.

To avoid this situation, work with an experienced Tampa brain injury attorney. You deserve a lawyer at your side who is not afraid to stand up to the big insurance companies and battle them to help you recover maximum compensation. At The Fernandez Firm Accident Injury Attorneys, our goal is to help you recover every dollar you deserve so you do not have to pay a penny out of your own pocket.

Speak With a Tampa Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer Today

Unlike many attorneys, Frank and Jennifer Fernandez prepare for trial from day one. While our goal is to settle your case quickly and for maximum compensation, by starting our trial preparations immediately, we can ensure the best odds of holding the liable party accountable should they refuse to negotiate fairly

You deserve a lawyer guiding you through the complex brain injury claims process—someone with proven experience helping TBI victims throughout Tampa. At the Fernandez Firm Accident Injury Attorneys, our success is no accident. We have helped many accident victims like you recover nearly $100 million in verdicts and settlements.

Contact the Fernandez Firm Accident Injury Attorneys in Tampa today to discuss your next steps.