Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) affects more than 5 million Americans today, costing the country more than $56 billion a year. Traumatic brain injury survivors often need permanent help in their daily activities because they have been left with significant cognitive, communicative, and behavioral disabilities.

Once you understand these physical, mental, and financial implications, it’s apparent that anyone suffering from a traumatic brain injury from a car accident or other catastrophe should consult a Tampa brain injury attorney as soon as possible. A Tampa personal injury attorney from Clark and Martino, P.A., has the experience and resources you need to ensure you receive the maximum settlement possible in your case.

For example, the Tampa personal injury attorneys at Clark and Martino, P.A., have access to medical experts who will accurately diagnose a traumatic brain injury, and then explain the injury to a courtroom. Oftentimes, the public does not understand the true nature of traumatic brain injuries because these injuries are “invisible” at first. To illustrate how traumatic brain injuries can be unseen yet devastating, here are some examples of the different ways a brain can be damaged:

Closed Head Injury

A closed head injury occurs in several ways, but the common thread among closed head injuries is that brain damage takes place without any penetration to the skull. A closed head injury or closed brain injury may be the result of:

In a closed head injury, there is both primary and secondary brain damage. Most primary damage is caused by the brain bumping against the inside of the skull. As the brain bounces inside the skull, tissue is damaged with bruising, blood clots, contusions, tears, cuts, and sheared nerves. Secondary brain damage occurs later, such as brain swelling, pressure in the skull, seizures, fever, and more.

Penetrating Head Injury

A penetrating head injury occurs when an object, such as shrapnel, pierces the skull and enters brain tissue. In a penetrating head injury, there is damage to specific brain parts, as opposed to the “overall” damage caused by a closed head injury. The localized damage of a penetrating head injury occurs along the path the object travels through brain tissue. Symptoms of a penetrating brain injury depend on what part of the brain is damaged.

To receive a free consultation from an experienced Tampa brain injury attorney at Clark and Martino, P.A., please call us at 1-866-598-9111. We’ll be glad to discuss your case so that you can be well-informed about your rights as a brain injury victim.