St. Petersburg Brain Injury Attorney

Living with a brain injury means no area of your life goes unaffected.  You have to take on a much slower pace, and everyday things are more complicated than they used to be.  Suffering a brain injury in an accident is difficult, but if your accident resulted from negligence, you have legal options for recovering monetary compensation.  

Brain injuries make life more challenging, and their effects can vary from short-term to permanent.  Brain injuries can be emotionally taxing and managing such a condition can also be financially burdensome.  By filing a personal injury claim, you may be able to recover monetary compensation for all your losses, which could ease your burdens.  Navigating the legal process can be overwhelming on top of managing an injury, so consider enlisting the help of an experienced St. Petersburg brain injury attorney to help lead the way.  

In the United States, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are a leading cause of disability and death.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that over 223,000 US residents are hospitalized for TBIs annually, and about 176 individuals die from TBI-related injuries every day.  Unlike some other injuries, those suffering from a TBI may look the same on the outside but sustain life-threatening and debilitating harm from within their bodies. 

When another person’s negligence causes you to sustain a life-threatening traumatic brain injury, you have the right to recover monetary compensation for your losses and justice for their actions.  The damages you suffer from treatment costs to potential loss of income may significantly limit your recovery and cause extreme stress.  Marsalisi Law understands how vital recovering monetary compensation and justice can be for those injured, and will do everything we can to advocate and represent you in legal proceedings.

What You Need to Know About Brain Injuries

Our brains are our body’s most vital organs, so receiving brain injuries can be seriously harmful to our well-being.  However, there are many things related to brain injuries that the average person does not know about, and these are just a few of the many facts people should know about brain injuries.

The Difference Between Non-Traumatic and Traumatic Brain Injuries

Brain injuries can be either non-traumatic or traumatic.  Non-traumatic brain injuries are brought on by internal factors, including a lack of oxygen, exposure to poisons, pressure from a tumor, etc.  Other common causes of non-traumatic brain injuries are illnesses, electric shocks, and drug overdoses.  

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is characterized by a change in brain function or other signs of brain pathology brought on by an outside force.  Traumatic brain injuries can be either closed (non-penetrating) or open (penetrating).  Falls, auto accidents, and work-related injuries frequently cause traumatic brain injuries.  

You Should Take Brain Injuries Seriously

When it comes to brain injuries, many people think you have to be in a severe collision or have a dangerous profession to get one, but brain injuries can happen to anyone at any time.  Also, many people do not realize that brain injury symptoms often do not reveal themselves for a while after the initiating event, potentially taking days to manifest.  

Long-term physical and mental problems are not the only effects of brain injury, and they might lower your standard of living.  Our brains play a huge role in who we are and what we are capable of.  Anyone whose negligence causes you to suffer a brain injury should be held liable for the consequences.  Brain injury sufferers should talk to an experienced brain injury lawyer in St. Petersburg about their options.  

Common Causes of St. Petersburg Brain Injuries

Most brain injuries occur when there is some trauma to the head.  However, other actions result in brain injuries, such as poisoning, infection, or insufficient oxygen.  Many accidents can cause someone to suffer severe injuries and a TBI, including the following:

• Bicycle accidents;
• Boating accidents;
• Car accidents;
• Construction site accidents;
• Motorcycle accidents;
• Pedestrian accidents;
• Slip-and-fall accidents;
• Truck accidents.

The aftermath of a brain injury comes with many challenges.  Navigating treatment options, losing income, and handling the emotional toll can take time and resources.  While you may want to focus on recovering, a lawyer will represent you in legal issues to ensure you receive justice for your losses.

What Are the Symptoms of a Traumatic Brain Injury?

The severity of traumatic brain injury symptoms depends on various factors.  The location of the injury, the type of accident, and the area of the brain affected are a few main elements that determine the severity.  While some symptoms appear immediately, others can take several days or even weeks to appear.  The same can be said about how long it takes for symptoms to disappear.

Consider a few common traumatic brain injury symptoms:

• Enlarged pupils in one or both eyes;
• Inability to wake up from sleep;
• Increased restlessness, confusion, or agitation;
• Loss of coordination;
• Loss of consciousness;
• Numbness or tingling in arms or legs;
• Repeated vomiting or nausea;
• Seizures or convulsions;
• Sensitivity to light or sound;
• Severe migraine that does not go away;
• Slurred speech.

The TBI becomes more severe as it goes untreated.  If you have recently been in an accident and started experiencing any of the above symptoms, it is crucial you receive immediate medical attention and contact a lawyer.  A traumatic brain injury can significantly impact your motor skills, language, and other functions you use throughout each day.

Am I Eligible to File a Brain Injury Lawsuit in St. Petersburg?

You may be eligible to file a lawsuit if your brain injury was caused by an accident resulting from the negligence of another party.  Being injured is not enough to receive monetary compensation for your injuries.  To file a successful lawsuit in Florida, you, as the plaintiff, bear the burden of proving the validity of your claim.  

You must demonstrate that another party’s negligence was the primary factor contributing to your accident and the damage you sustained to be awarded monetary compensation.  In a Florida brain injury lawsuit, your claim must produce enough evidence to show that your case’s four elements of negligence hold true.  

The essential four elements in personal injury lawsuits are the following:

• The responsible party owed you a duty of care;
• The responsible party breached their duty of care through a negligent act;
• The responsible party’s breach of care caused your accident and brain injury; and
• You sustained damages in the accident that you are eligible to recover in your lawsuit.  

Whether or not the other party owed you a duty of care will depend on the circumstances surrounding your case, like if they were driving safely.  Motorists who engage in negligent driving practices like texting while driving would be breaching their duty of care.  

From there, you must establish that the accident would not have occurred if it were not for the negligent party’s actions.  Numerous types of evidence, such as police reports, witness testimony, medical records, and surveillance footage, can be used to prove causation.  Finally, you must have incurred losses from the accident, like medical costs, lost wages, and property damage are just a few examples of these losses.  

What Are Legal Options Available to Brain Injury Sufferers in St. Petersburg?

You may suffer severe physical, mental, and financial harm following the accident that led to your brain injury.  Still, you might be able to get monetary compensation for these losses by filing an insurance claim or a lawsuit.  The conditions that led to your brain injury will help determine which course of action is best suited for your case.  

As a brain injury sufferer, you have the following legal options available to them:

• A premises liability claim if a property hazard led to your accident;
• A product liability claim if a hazardous product caused your brain injury;
• A medical malpractice lawsuit if a healthcare professional’s negligence caused your brain injury; and
• A personal injury claim if your brain injury resulted from a car accident.  

To better understand what type of brain injury case you have and the legal responsibilities your case will entail, consult a lawyer experienced in handling cases involving brain injuries.  

The Statute of Limitations for Brain Injury Claims in St. Petersburg

Generally, you have four years from the date of your accident to file a lawsuit under Florida’s four-year statute of limitations for injury claims.  If you submit your claim after this date, the court will likely dismiss your case, and you will not be able to get compensated.  If you think you might be eligible for a brain injury claim, you should discuss your case with a brain injury attorney in St. Petersburg as soon as possible.  

Do You Need Help From an Experienced Brain Injury Lawyer?

Handling the medical and legal process alone is stressful and places your rights and compensation at high risk.  The necessary information and documentation and gathering evidence and medical records for injury claims may place a strain on you.  An experienced lawyer will act on your behalf and protect your rights throughout the process.  Below are a few of the many ways a lawyer can help your case:

• Analyze potential legal issues;
• Answer questions about your claim;
• Conduct a fair and just investigation;
• Discuss claims and coverages with insurance companies;
• Establish the other individual’s negligence and liability;
• Negotiate settlement offers;
• Review legal documents; and
• Bring the case to trial, if necessary

When another person’s negligence restricts your ability to perform everyday tasks, go to work, and enjoy activities you once loved, you have the right to seek justice for their actions.  You will never have to fight the battle alone when you work with Marsalisi Law.  We will do everything in our power to fight for the justice you deserve.

Contact Frank P. Marsalisi for a Devoted Brain Injury Lawyer

In a short moment, your life could change forever.  You may not be able to go back and prevent the accident, but you can recover monetary compensation that helps you move forward.  Frank P. Marsalisi treats his patients like family and provides tailored legal representation specific to your case and needs.  With years of experience advocating for St. Petersburg clients, he understands the importance of receiving monetary compensation and holding negligent parties accountable for their actions. 

Schedule a free consultation to discuss your claim by calling (727) 800-5052 or filling out our contact form today.  

Marsalisi Law is Where Law Gets Personal!