Gainesville Brain Injury Lawyers

What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury? 

Traumatic brain injuries, or TBIs, are a type of acquired brain injury, meaning they occur after a person is born. As the name implies, TBIs are the result of trauma to the brain, leading to significant and sometimes permanent damage.

Some examples of traumatic brain injuries include: 

• Concussions: A concussion occurs when the head suffers a sudden and severe impact or when the head and neck move violently back and forth or side to side (whiplash). Although they are classified as relatively “mild” brain injuries, concussions can still lead to significant negative effects. This is especially true when an individual suffers multiple concussions.
• Coup-Contrecoup: A coup-contrecoup brain injury actually involves two injuries: one where the head and brain are impacted by a foreign object or outside force, and one where the brain hits the opposite inside of the skull. These are violent injuries that often lead to serious brain damage and other lasting effects. 
• Diffuse Axonal Injuries: A diffuse axonal injury (DAI) results from the forceful movement of the brain inside the skull, leading to shearing, or tearing, of the tiny connective tissues in the brain. Depending on the size, location, and severity of those tears, a DAI can lead to serious brain damage, coma, and death. 
• Oxygen Deprivation: Oxygen deprivation—classified as anoxia or hypoxia, depending on whether oxygen flow to the brain is partially or entirely cut off—can lead to severe brain damage and death in a relatively short amount of time. This is considered a traumatic brain injury when it results from a catastrophic event, such as drowning, a birth injury, or a criminal act of violence. 
• Penetrating Injuries: A penetrating brain injury is a type of open-head injury in which a foreign object or particle enters the brain through the skull. Penetrating brain injuries often accompany skull fractures, as well as other types of TBIs. They are also incredibly serious and typically lead to large-scale brain damage, hemorrhaging, coma, and death. 

All TBIs require immediate medical attention. If you suspect that you or someone else has suffered a possible brain injury, go to the nearest emergency room as soon as possible. Closed-head injuries, in which there is no visible damage to the head or skull, can be extra dangerous as they are often harder to detect. Always see a medical professional after a serious fall, motor vehicle accident, or blow to the head.

Common Causes of Brain Injuries 

Brain injuries arise from all types of traumatic accidents and events.

Some of the most common causes of traumatic brain injuries include: 

• Car, motorcycle, truck, and other motor vehicle accidents 
• Bicycle- and pedestrian-vehicle collisions 
• Falls, including slip and falls and falls from heights 
• Swimming pool and water accidents, such as drowning
• Medical negligence, leading to birth injuries and other incidents
• Nursing home abuse and neglect 
• Workplace accidents and job-related medical conditions
• Boating and other recreational accidents 
• Acts of violence, such as assault, battery, and assault with a deadly weapon

If someone else’s negligent or wrongful conduct led to your or your loved one’s brain injury, you likely have grounds for a personal injury claim. We encourage you to reach out to our Gainesville brain injury lawyers to learn how we can help you fight for fair compensation.

Compensation for Traumatic Brain Injury Victims 

The cost of treating a TBI is immense. Many victims require hospitalization, an array of treatments, ongoing care, pain management, and rehabilitation. Many are unable to return to work for weeks or months, and others will never be able to earn a living for themselves or their families again because of the effects of their injuries. Not to mention, victims and their families experience a great deal of physical and emotional pain and suffering as a result of the life-changing impacts of a TBI. 

Some of the economic and non-economic damages available in most brain injury lawsuits include: 

• Past, current, and future medical expenses
• Past, current, and future lost income/wages
• Past, current, and future pain and suffering 
• Lost or diminished earning capacity 
• Lost or diminished quality/enjoyment of life 
• Costs associated with in-home assistance and care
• Costs associated with home modifications 
• Miscellaneous out-of-pocket expenses related to the injury

At Schackow & Mercadante, our goal is to help you recover the full, fair compensation you are owed for these and other damages. We believe in holding negligent parties accountable, and we are ready to fight for the justice you and your family deserve.