Have you suffered a brain injury after an accident in Miami, FL? You may be entitled to compensation for the physical, emotional, and financial losses you have endured. A Miami brain injury attorney can help you hold the responsible party accountable and seek the money you need to pay your bills and get the quality care you need.
At Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys, we have decades of experience representing brain injury victims and their families. We are ready to pursue maximum compensation on your behalf in Miami, Florida. Schedule a free case evaluation with a Miami brain injury lawyer to discuss what we can do to help you at (305) 916-6455.
How Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys Can Help You After a Brain Injury In Miami, FL
After a serious brain injury in Miami, Florida, you should be focused on your health and recovery. Unfortunately, many TBI survivors are instead forced to battle an uncaring insurance company and defend themselves against unfair attempts to shift blame. A Miami personal injury lawyer can take over the legal process to hold the at-fault party accountable and fight for maximum compensation on your behalf.
At Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys, we have decades of experience handling complex brain injury cases. We have recovered more than $100 million and earned numerous accolades, including Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers ratings.
Here is how we are prepared to help you:
- Provide a comprehensive evaluation of your case and give you personalized legal guidance
- Investigate your accident to identify parties who may be liable and determine causation
- Collect and evaluate evidence to prove liability and build the strongest case possible
- Work closely with experts who can quantify your damages, explain your injuries, and strengthen your case
- Negotiate with the insurance company to seek a settlement agreement that compensates you fairly
- File a lawsuit and take your case before a jury if needed to recover the compensation you deserve
We are ready to advocate for your rights and pursue the compensation you need to move forward. Contact us today for a free consultation with a Miami brain injury attorney to discuss your case. We work on a contingency fee, so you pay no attorneys’ fees out of pocket for quality legal representation.
Overview of Traumatic Brain Injuries
Unlike brain injuries caused by internal factors, like stroke or infection, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are caused by external factors. TBIs can be caused by any type of trauma, whether it happens in an accident or due to assault.
Brain damage from a TBI is the result of swelling, bleeding, and damage to nerve fibers in the brain. When neurons are damaged, the brain’s ability to send and receive messages is impaired. This also causes changes to the delicate biochemical balance of the brain. Many victims experience secondary brain damage due to bleeding, inflammation, and swelling which increase pressure and impair blood flow.
It’s estimated that there are 1.7 to 3.8 million traumatic brain injuries every year, including nearly 85,000 disabling TBIs.
What Are Common Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries?
Brain injuries can happen in many ways. They can be categorized as primary, which refers to damage at the time of the injury, or secondary, which refers to damage that occurs in the hours or days to follow. A brain injury can also be focal, or localized to one area of the brain, or diffuse, which is widespread, microscopic damage.
Common types of traumatic brain injuries include:
- Concussion, or mild TBI. This is a common diffuse injury usually caused by a sudden jolt or blow.
- Contusion, or bruising of the brain tissue. This focal injury is caused by the brain hitting the inside of the skull.
- A hematoma, a localized collection of clotted blood from a damaged vessel. Hematomas can form inside the brain, between the dura mater and brain, or between the dura mater and skull.
- Traumatic cerebral vascular injury (TCVI) or stroke. This is a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) that is a common secondary brain injury after physical trauma. This type of post-injury stroke is involved in many cases of brain injury-related disability.
- Hemorrhage, or active bleeding around or inside the brain. This is another type of CVA.
- Hypoxic brain injury, or brain damage due to a lack of oxygen to the brain. This can occur after an initial injury.
- Ischemic brain injury, or brain damage caused by insufficient blood supply. This leads to poor oxygen delivery and prevents waste from leaving the brain. It’s the primary cause of secondary brain damage from a TBI.
- Diffuse axonal injury (DAI). A severe type of brain injury that causes widespread damage as axons are sheared when the brain moves within the skull.
The severity of a brain injury is classified as mild, moderate, or severe according to the diagnostic Glasgow Coma Scale. About 75% of traumatic brain injuries are mild.
What Are the Signs of a Traumatic Brain Injury?
A brain injury can cause a wide range of signs and symptoms ranging from minor to life-threatening.
Potential signs may include:
- Memory loss
- Brain fog or difficulty concentrating
- Disorientation and confusion
- Dizziness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Headache
- Fatigue and changes to sleep
- Double vision or blurry vision
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Sensitivity to light and/or sound
- Behavioral and emotional changes, such as mood swings, anxiety, depression, and personality changes
Loss of consciousness may or may not occur with a minor TBI and lasts just seconds. Loss of consciousness lasting minutes to hours is more common with moderate to severe injuries.
What Are the Potential Long-Term Consequences of a Brain Injury?
A TBI can cause profound long-term effects.
It’s not easy to predict the long-term consequences of a brain injury, but many TBI survivors experience:
- Cognitive challenges
- Physical impairment
- Social consequences
- A disability that prevents gainful employment or makes it difficult to maintain a job
- Increased risk of dementia, seizures, and infection
Even a mild TBI can have lasting effects. Up to 5.3 million people in the U.S. are living with disability caused by a brain injury, the top cause of death and disability in people younger than 45.
What Are the Main Causes of Brain Injuries In Miami, Florida?
A traumatic brain injury can happen with any type of incident involving a blow to the head, rapid back-and-forth movement, or sudden acceleration and deceleration.
The most common causes are:
- Falls
- Traffic accidents
- Struck by or against objects
- Sports and recreational activities
- Violence (8%)
Construction, manufacturing, warehousing, and transportation jobs have the highest risk of TBI. Work-related brain injuries often involve machinery, falls from heights, and motor vehicle accidents.
What Is My Miami Brain Injury Case Worth?
There is no easy way to estimate what your case may be worth without a careful evaluation of factors like:
- The severity of your brain injury and its lasting effects
- How your daily life has been affected
- Whether you are able to return to your job or perform other work
- Long-term medical care you will need
- Your lifestyle and age
- Limits of insurance policies that are available to cover your losses
- Circumstances of the accident
- The other party’s actions and whether you contributed to the accident
We will fight for maximum compensation to cover all your losses and help you retain your quality of life.
What Compensation Can Brain Injury Victims Recover In Miami, FL?
In a successful personal injury case, you can pursue financial compensation for two main types of damages.
Economic damages are your losses with a tangible financial value, including:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Diminished earning capacity
- Property damage
- Out-of-pocket costs
Non-economic damages are your intangible, personal losses with no economic value. Examples include physical pain, mental and emotional anguish, reduced quality of life, and disfigurement. If your spouse suffered a serious injury, you may be eligible for loss of consortium damages for the impact on your marital relationship.
In very rare cases, a jury may award punitive damages to punish a defendant for intentional or egregious behavior like drunk driving.
Can I Still Recover Compensation if I’m Partially To Blame for My Accident in Miami, Florida?
Florida’s comparative negligence doctrine entitles you to damages when your share of assigned fault is 50% or less. However, your financial recovery is reduced in proportion to your share of fault. If you are found 51% or more to blame for your accident, you are barred from recovering damages.
What Is the Deadline To File a Personal Injury Lawsuit for a Brain Injury in Florida?
Florida law sets a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits based on negligence. There are some exceptions to these deadlines, and some types of cases have even shorter limits. If you miss the statute of limitations, you will not be entitled to bring a claim and recover compensation. With limited time to pursue your claim, it’s important to take action quickly.
Contact Our Miami Brain Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
After a serious brain injury in Miami, FL, you deserve an advocate who will go up against the insurance company and fight for the money you deserve. At Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys, we have recovered more than $100 million for injury victims like you. We will help you navigate the legal process, protect your rights, and pursue fair compensation.
Contact us today for a free consultation with a Miami brain injury lawyer.