Pensacola Attorneys Helping Victims of Traumatic Brain Injury

As attorneys who routinely represent victims of serious personal injury in car accidents and other cases of negligence and misconduct in the Pensacola area, the lawyers at Whibbs Stone Barnett Turner, PA understand the unique issues presented by a traumatic brain injury. Such injuries can be quite serious and even fatal, and it can be very difficult to properly diagnose a head injury and predict what the long-term challenges and needs will be to treat and deal with the injury. Our experience with serious injuries helps us to properly evaluate a brain injury case and prepare a persuasive claim for the full amount of compensation which is needed.

Causes of Head and Brain Injuries

Brain injuries can be caused by a sharp blow to the head, whether the impact results in a depressed or comminuted skull fracture or a concussion. A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can also occur from any violent shaking or sudden jerking movement of the head, which frequently occurs in a rear-end collision or other high-speed impact in an automobile accident. These whiplash injuries can cause contusions, hemorrhages, or hematomas, which are bruising or bleeding in the brain that can result in permanent brain damage or cause life-threatening injuries.

Brain injuries can also occur from a lack of oxygen supply to the brain for an extended period of time. This condition, known as hypoxia, can occur during surgery if anesthesia is misapplied, or during birth if the baby spends too much time in the birth canal.

At Whibbs Stone Barnett Turner, PA, our serious personal injury practice encompasses all types of brain injuries brought about in automobile accidents, slip and fall accidents, workplace accidents, or medial malpractice.

Signs and Symptoms of a Traumatic Brain Injury

Brain injuries are not always immediately apparent; sometimes a few days pass before symptoms appear. There may be swelling or bleeding in the brain, and these symptoms can get increasingly worse and very serious if not treated quickly and correctly. If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident, fall or other type of accident or injury and experience the following symptoms, or if you notice any of the following signs in a friend or family member who has been in an accident, promptly seek medical attention. Inform the doctor of the symptoms and the accident you were involved in.

• Dizziness
• Loss of consciousness
• Disorientation
• Difficulty concentrating; confusion
• Amnesia/loss of memory
• Loss of coordination
• Partial paralysis or numbness
• Dilated pupils
• Blurred vision
• Slurred speech
• Ringing in the ears
• Increased sensitivity to light or sound
• Nausea or vomiting
• Persistent headache
• Persistent neck pain
• Change in sleep patterns
• Depression
• Change in personality or mood

How to Help a Loved One Cope with Traumatic Brain Injury

Here are five important tips to help your loved one deal with their traumatic brain injury:

Be Patient

One of the first things you need to realize about caring for someone close to you who has TBI is that it will require infinite patience. This condition is very unique, and the symptoms are very hard to predict. Some days, it will seem like things are getting better, then the next day, there might be setbacks. It is important to be mentally prepared for this journey, and to be committed to love, support, and care for your loved one no matter what happens. It may also be very helpful to get connected with some type of support group either online or in your local area.

Get Plenty of Rest

In order to exercise the patience required to care for a loved one with TBI, you will need to get as much rest as you can. This job will be both physically and emotionally draining, and there may be days when you feel totally exhausted. In order to get the rest you need, you might need to make some short-term changes. For example, under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), you can take off up to 12 weeks during a 12-month period to provide care for someone close to you who has a serious medical condition. You might also be able to get some caregiving help from family and friends, or if you can afford it, hire an in-home caregiving service to give you some relief.

Help your Loved One Get Organized

For someone who is suffering from TBI, organization and structure are critical. As TBI sufferers often struggle with memory loss, try to make things as predictable as possible. Develop an organized schedule, keep important items in the same places, put labels on everything, and take advantage of the numerous apps that are available to help those with memory problems stay organized.

Find Ways to Get Them Out of the House

As anxiety and depression are other possible symptoms of TBI, these feelings can be magnified if your loved one is stuck in the house all day. Try to find ways to get them out of the house, even if just for a short walk in the park. Think about what they like to do in coming up with ideas to help them get out more.

Be Sure they Follow all of their Doctor’s Orders

One of the most important pieces of advice for helping a loved one cope with traumatic brain injury is to follow all the recommendations that their doctor prescribes. As mentioned earlier, TBI manifests itself differently in each case, and the path to recovery is unpredictable.  Therefore, it is absolutely essential to check with the doctor before resuming activities such as exercising, driving, or going back to work.

Help is Available for Complex Traumatic Brain Injury Cases in Pensacola

Personal injury cases involving TBI can be challenging. The injury itself may be difficult to diagnose, and it can be tough to predict the long-term consequences and needs of the person living with brain injury. Typically, brain injuries create lifelong impairments with long-term needs for physical and vocational therapy, speech therapy and counseling. Brain injury patients may suffer from a loss of function in any physical or cognitive area, which may also be accompanied by depression or a loss of enjoyment in life.

In addition, the injury victim may have no memory of the accident, may be in a coma or persistent vegetative state, or otherwise be unable to communicate the facts of the accident. The attorneys at Whibbs Stone Barnett Turner, PA understand the difficulties these challenges present and know how to construct a solid case for a fair amount of compensation that meets the victim’s needs now and into the future. If you or someone you love has suffered a brain injury due to the negligence or wrongful conduct of another, contact Whibbs Stone Barnett Turner, PA by calling 1-888-219-4561, or contact us online. We maintain offices in Pensacola, Fort Walton, and Mobile, Alabama and offer a free consultation on all personal injury claims.