Florida Injury Lawyer Blog

A study published in The American Journal of Sports Medicine finds that the number of traumatic head injuries among high school football athletes is much higher than the number of the same personal injuries in college football. The study also find that high school players who sustain brain injuries such as concussions often return to the game too soon, often playing with the residual effects of their first injury, a choice that researchers point out is extremely dangerous. Florida parents should be wary: with more days of sunny weather, there are simply more options for Florida high school athletes to keep playing, which can spell trouble.

The study found that football-related brain trauma has decreased over generations, mostly due to better gear. In the 1950s and 1960s, football players in both college and high school were at much greater risk for brain injury than they are today, the study found.

The problem, the study concluded, is that some high school football player return to the field even while experiencing neurological symptoms. Researchers found that there is one severe football head injury for every 150,000 high school football players, which is about seven catastrophic head injuries every year. Researchers uncovered that high school players have over triple the risk of catastrophic head trauma when compared to college players. While high school football players suffered 0.67 such injuries per 100,000 players, college athletes sustained only 0.21 injuries per 100,000 players.

The younger age of the high school players may contribute to brain injury, some researchers have hypothesized, since the skull bone may be thinner and the brain less fully developed among teenage athletes. Others researchers have suggested that less medical coverage may be present at high school games.

Of the high school football players that researchers studied, 59% had had a previous head injury. 71% of these injured players had sustained their earlier injury in the same season. Roughly 40% of the players with head injuries continued to play football, even while experiencing symptoms from the previous injury. About 81% of the injuries occurred when players were involved in helmet-to-body or helmet-to-helmet collisions. Of the group studied, the injuries lead to 8 fatalities, 36 full recoveries, and 46 permanent brain injuries.

Researchers concluded that high school students should be strongly urged to report any possible symptoms of personal injury to their coaches, parents, and physicians. Additionally, the researchers concluded that football players should be strongly discouraged from "leading with the head" and from returning to the game until all symptoms are resolved. Finally, the researchers concluded that medical staff for high school athletes should be highly qualified.

If you or a loved one has experienced a traumatic brain injury as a result of sports or an accident, a qualified Florida attorney can help ensure that you get the best quality medical care possible. If you need to speak to an attorney, book a free, no-obligation consultation with a qualified Florida attorney simply by calling 1- 800-535-2962 (1 800 5 FLAXMAN).

In Florida and across the country, brain injuries occur every day. As a result of slip and fall accidents, car accidents, construction accidents, industrial accidents, and other types of unfortunate events, brain injuries affect thousands of victims every year. Just as each individual is different, so too, the ways that the brain reacts to injury vary. In general, brain injuries can be divided into various types:

*Traumatic brain injuries. These types of injuries occur when an outside force impacts the head in such a powerful way that the brain moves within the skull. Since the brain is made up of soft tissue, when the brain impacts against the inside of the skull, damage can occur. In addition, traumatic brain injury can also occur when an outside force impacts the head strongly enough to crack the skull and directly injure the brain. These types of brain injuries are often the result of physical violence, firearms, car accidents, falls, and other serious injuries.

*Shaken baby syndrome. In this type of brain injury, the head is shaken so hard that the brain moves rapidly back and forth, damaging brain tissue and ripping apart the fibers. Although physical violence is most often the cause, adults can get this injury too, often as a result of violence or car accidents. This type of injury is also considered a traumatic brain injury.

*Diffuse Axonal Injury. This type of brain injury is also caused by strong shaking of the head, either through violence or through a car accident. In a Diffuse Axonal Injury occurs because the brain and the skull do not move together (the brain stays still or lags in movement as the skull moves) and this causes some brain structures – including nerve tissue -- to tear.

*Concussion. This is the most common kind of brain injury and can occur with a direct blow to the head, violent shaking, a gunshot wound, or from whiplash. A concussion can lead to stretched blood vessels and cranial nerve damage.

*Contusion. This type of injury occurs when a bruise (or bleeding) forms on the brain. Usually, this is caused by a direct impact to the head. If a contusion is large, surgery may be needed to remove it.

*Coup-Contrecoup Injury. This type of injury is essentially a contusion which occurs on both the site where the impact occurred and on the opposite side of the brain. This type of injury occurs when a direct impact is so severe that the brain hits the skull on the site of impact and then slaps against the opposite side of the skull, causing two sites of bruising.

*Second Impact Syndrome. Also known as "Recurrent Traumatic Brain Injury," this type of injury occurs when someone incurs another brain injury before the first has had time to heal. Even if the second injury is less severe, it can lead to widespread damage because the brain is already injured and therefore more vulnerable. Recurrent Traumatic Brain Injury is a medical emergency, even if the injury does not seem severe, because a victim can die quite suddenly from this type of injury.

*Penetration Injury. As the name suggests, this injury occurs when a sharp object pierces the skull and impacts the brain.

*Anoxic Brain Injury. This type of injury occurs when the brain’s supply of oxygen is cut off, and the cells which need oxygen to function and survive are affected.

*Hypoxic Brain Injury. This type of brain injury occurs when not enough oxygen reaches the brain so that cells can function properly.

If you or a loved one have sustained a brain injury, it is important to speak to a Florida attorney. In cases where someone’s negligence has caused the injury or worsened it, Florida law protects you and ensures that you are eligible to receive help so that you can afford the best treatment possible. If you need to speak to an attorney, you can enjoy a free, no-obligation consultation with a qualified Florida attorney simply by calling 1- 800-535-2962 (1 800 5 FLAXMAN)

Dog bites tend to be the most common types of animal attacks, in part because so many people in Florida and across the country own dogs as pets. Whether you want to reduce the risk of being bitten by your own dog or by someone else’s pet, be sure to follow these steps for increasing your personal safety:

1) Do not disturb a dog when it is more likely to bite. A dog that is sleeping, caring for puppies, or eating is more likely to bit when disturbed. Teach children not to approach dogs at these times.

2) Avoid running near dogs. A dog’s natural instinct is to chase after and catch things. In addition, most dogs become increasingly aggressive or excited when they are running after someone or something they cannot catch. If a dog chases after you and catches you, they may bite to try to show that they have caught you.

3) If you are threatened by a dog or a dog approaches you to sniff you, remain calm and still. Moving around or using a loud voice can aggravate the animal, making it more prone to biting. In many cases, a dog that is kept as a pet will simply wander away when they see that you do not pose a threat.

4) If a dog attacks you or knocks you to the ground, curl your body up into a ball and cover your head and neck as well as your face as well as you can. The biggest threat in a dog attack is the risk of brain injury and facial injury, which can happen when a large and powerful dog attacks your head area. Therefore, your aim when attacked by a dog is to minimize any personal injury. If you speak to the animal, speak firmly and calmly. Avoid making eye contact with the dog, as that might aggravate the animal further. Stay still until the dog leaves or wanders away. At that time, back away slowly until the dog is no longer in your sight.

5) Do not turn your back on an attacking dog. Face the dog at all times and stay as calm as you can. If you have been attacked, get away from the dog if you can and seek help.

Someone who has sustained an impact to the head, as a result of a slip and fall accident, for example, or as a result of a car accident or construction site accident, may be in danger of experiencing traumatic brain injury. In this type of injury, the brain has impacted against the inside of the skull so hard that brain damage has resulted. In some cases, the skull has actually split open and the brain has become damaged as a result of direct impact with an outside force. However, even in cases where someone does not display any obvious symptoms of injury to the head, traumatic brain injury can occur. If you have witnessed an accident in which someone has bumped their head and displays the following symptoms, contact 911 immediately, since this is a medical emergency:

1) Loss of consciousness. 911 should be dialled immediately if the victim loses consciousness. In some cases, it may be impossible to determine whether a victim has lost consciousness or has slipped into a comatose state, so getting an expert medical opinion is a must. However, it is important to note that just because someone remains conscious does not mean that they have not sustained brain injury. In many concussion pieces, a victim remains fully awake and alert at all times.

2) Thin watery liquid coming out of the nose or years. This can actually be spinal fluid leaking from the victim.

3) Eye or vision changes. Dilated or unequal size of pupils can be a sign of brain damage. Also, if the victim is not able to see, is seeing double, is light sensitive, or cannot move eyes normally, brain injury may have occurred.

4) Balancing problems. If a person has trouble walking, or experiences sudden fatigue or dizziness, a medical doctor should be called. Poor coordination, weakness, and difficulty moving are also signs that you need to phone 911 right away. Some victims of traumatic brain injury can experience paralysis as well. Some victims may experience tingling or numbness on their bodies. Some lose control of their bladder or bowels due to partial paralysis.

5) Respiratory problems can be a sign of brain-related problems, as can a slow breathing rate and slow pulse. All can be signs of a traumatic brain injury. A victim can also have problems speaking or swallowing. Some victims exhibit slurred speech.

6) Confusion and headache. Traumatic brain injury victims often display poor attention span, a slowed thought processing speed, memory difficulties, problems thinking logically, bad judgement, and other brain function problems. In addition to brain functioning problems, victims of traumatic brain injury may also exhibit unusual mental or emotional symptoms, such as frustration, irritability, and inappropriate emotional responses.

7) Vomiting.

8) Sluggishness or lethargy.

It is important to note that even victims who do not display these symptoms may still have a serious brain injury. After any impact, professional medical help is necessary. If you or a loved one display these symptoms and have a brain injury due to an accident or someone’s reckless, Florida law can help you get the money you need to good medical care and home care. If you need to speak to an attorney, you can enjoy a free, no-obligation consultation with a qualified Florida attorney simply by calling 1- 800-535-2962 (1 800 5 FLAXMAN)

According to the CDC, brain injuries are most often caused when a jolt or blow to the head causes a mild brain injury known as a concussion. The CDC advises that anyone who has suffered a blow to head to look out for symptoms of a concussion, which can include:

1) Difficulty concentrating, remembering things, or making decisions.

2) Fatigue and headaches

3) Unusual emotional symptoms, such as listlessness anxiousness, sadness, irritability, and so forth. It is especially important to be on the look out for these symptoms when they appear for no reason. Unexplained emotional upsets can often be a sign of brain injury.

It is best that if you have suffered a jolt or blow to the head for any reason -- including a car accident, slip and fall accident, or any other personal injury -- that you seek medical help right away. A physician can examine you and determine whether you have been injured. However, it is also important not to depend entirely on an initial medical examination by a physician. Even if a doctor has said that you seem okay, if you develop symptoms after experiencing a blow to the head, get re-evaluated or ask for a second opinion. Sometimes, it takes time for the symptoms of a brain injury or concussion to manifest themselves. Also, medical mistakes do occur and sometimes a physician will simply miss some of the symptoms and signs of a brain injury.

Brain injuries are as unique as the individuals who suffer from them. There are many types of brain injuries that can occur and each patient tends to recover from a brain injury differently and display different symptoms. This is one reason why diagnosing brain injury can be challenging. If you suspect that you have a brain injury, seek medical help right away, even if a physician has already stated that you likely do not have a brain injury.

If you've suffered a brain injury because of someone's negligence or reckless behavior, contact an attorney as well as a doctor. A qualified Florida attorney can help ensure that you get all the legal protection you are entitled to. This can be important, since brain injuries can take a long time to recover from. Some brain injuries can be permanent, and can affect your income level, medical bills, and much more. A qualified Florida attorney can ensure that you have the financial resources you need so that you can rebuild your life after an accident. If you need an experienced Florida attorney, arrange for a free, no-obligation consultation by calling 1- 800-535-2962 (1 800 5 FLAXMAN).

In Florida, dog bites occur every day. If you own a pet, your dog might bite either you or someone else. What you will want to do will depend on whether someone else is involved and on whether the bite can be explained. If your dog has bitten someone else:

1) Remove your dog from the scene of the attack at once. Restrain your pet and confine it.

2) Help the victim of the bite. Even if the bite occurred because the victim was teasing your dog, make sure that the victim seeks medical advice and knows the importance of washing any wounds with soap and water. If the personal injury seems severe, for example if it appears that the victim has suffered brain injury or some other serious injury as a result of the attack, call 911.

3) To either the victim or the paramedics, provide your name, address, information about your pet’s most recent vaccinations against rabies and other diseases, and other important information. Unfortunately, if your pet has not had rabies vaccination updated, local laws may require that your pet be euthanized or quarantined for rabies testing. In this situation, the victim of the bite will need to undergo treatment for rabies.

4) Always report the dog bite. Your local laws will stipulate who you should report the bite too.

5) Take your dog to the veterinarian to discuss the situation further. Your vet may have some tips about preventing similar behavioural problems in the future. If the dog attack seems to come from nowhere, your vet should test your pet for possible illnesses that may have provoked the attack. In some cases, pets who are in severe pain will be more prone to biting.

If your dog bites you, you should:

1) Call your veterinarian to determine whether your dog’s vaccinations are up-to-date and schedule appointments with the veterinarian can see whether there is an illness that may result in your pet’s unusual behaviour. If your pet's vaccinations are not up to date, you need to go to see your doctor in order to get rabies treatment.

2) Get first aid for the wound. Wash the wound with soap and water or visit your local emergency room if the injury seems severe.

3) Consider seeking obedience classes for your pet to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.

Those people who are injured as a result of a direct blow to the head or a car accident are often checked for traumatic brain injury (TBI). In many cases, TBI can be diagnosed shortly after the injury and because doctors are looking for the injury, they are more likely to find it. However, mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) is often overlooked. Often caused by less obvious head injuries, MTBI is a personal injury that causes devastation in many lives.

One reason why MTBI is often overlooked is because the symptoms are so mild. Victims of this type of injury may experience short-term memory loss, brief loss of consciousness, focal neurological deficits, and an altered mental state at the time of the injury. A brief time after the accident or injury, the patient may seem to be physically fine and this leads many patients and physicians to assume that all is well.

MTBI, however, is a serious medical problem. Sufferers may experience changes in cognitive abilities, personality changes, depression, and other serious symptoms. MTBI can cause blurry vision, double vision, difficulties with coordination, balance, and motor skills. It can also impact strength and endurance and can cause headaches, seizures, and ringing in the ears.

Just like traumatic brain injury, MTBI may require a long term rehabilitation. A person with this injury may need to practice motor skills, get speech and communication help and may need help adjusting to a different cognitive ability. During the recovery process, the patient may suffer from depression and frustration, which can make recovery even more difficult.

Plus, since MTBI can affect cognitive and speech ability, MTBI patients may not be able to return to work. They may experience loss of income as they realize that the tasks that came easily to them before now pose a major challenge.

Although MTBI can affect a person’s lifetime, the fact that the injury is often overlooked creates a serious problem. Many victims face considerable medical bills but have trouble convincing insurance companies that they have been injured and have a serious claim to make. For MTBI patients, a good Florida attorney is a must. A good Florida lawyer can investigate the case and can work with the patient to get a fair settlement.

A traumatic brain injury can be one of the most devastating injuries that can be sustained in a car accident, boating accident, workplace injury, or other accident. Despite the fact that brain injuries cause debilitating injury for years and sometimes for a lifetime, many victims of such injuries are under-compensated or even not compensated at all for their injuries. This is because many injuries are slow to show symptoms and many victims delay seeking medical help, mistakenly assuming that a bump on the head is not serious.

Florida personal injury attorneys have seen this situation far too often. If you receive any head trauma or any bump on the head, please seek medical help at once. A doctor can properly diagnose your condition and can help you heal properly. If you do not seek medical help, you may simply not be able to convince an insurance claims adjuster that a brain injury was caused by an accident. This is a situation where it is much better to be safe than sorry.

If you have been in any sort of accident or have suffered any injury to your head, see a doctor at once. Report your injury or accident to your doctor and ask your health care provider to check for brain injury. Then, keep a sharp lookout for symptoms such as pain or bruising around the head, headaches, loss of memory, dizziness, ringing in the ears, bleeding in the ear canal, seepage of fluid from the ear canal, or any other symptoms.

If you develop any of these symptoms after an accident, see your doctor again, even if your physician has already told you that you do not appear to have an injury – sometimes, it can take time for symptoms of brain injury to appear. Sometimes, as well, doctors will overlook symptoms or will assume that no immediate symptoms mean no brain injury. Your best defense is to look for and report any suspect symptoms yourself.

Be especially alert for symptoms if you or a loved one have suffered seemingly minor injuries. While emergency room physicians and patients will often treat burn injuries, fractured bones, and other obvious personal injuries seriously, there is a tendency to minimize smaller injuries. Even low-speed car accidents or bumps on the head from slip and fall accidents can lead to traumatic brain injury, so be vigilant about symptoms.

Many people assume that traumatic brain injury can only occur with a direct blow to the head, but this is not the case. You should always be alert for the symptoms that can signal brain injury and seek medical help immediately if you or a loved one develops these symptoms. The fact is, traumatic brain injury (TBI) can occur even if the head is not hit directly. If the brain inside the skull is shaken and comes into direct contact with the skull, traumatic brain injury can occur. Brain damage can result from shaking, violent movement of the head, loss of oxygen, or even from poisoning or infection. If your head was whipped around in a car accident or other injury, if you have survived a near-drowning, or if you have experienced a loss of oxygen, you may be at risk of brain injury.

A number of recent product recalls have been reported by the CPSC. Many of these defective products can cause burn injuries and some have already caused personal injury to consumers:

*On May 4, Coast Spas with Franklin Electric Motors were recalled. 30 reports of fires caused by the motors have been reported, although no reports of burn injuries have been reported at this time. Customers can call Coast Spas at (877) 534-5255 for more information about the recall.

*On May 2, Char-Broil two-burner gas grills were recalled. The affected models have an incorrect heat shield, which poses a burn injury risk to customers. The grills were sold across the country between January and March of this year. Customers who may be affected by this recall can call Char-Broil at (866) 671-7988 for assistance.

*On April 26, 300 000 Holmes Oil-Filled Electric heaters were recalled when it was found that an inadequate electrical connection can cause the unit to overheat. The company has received numerous complaints about the heaters and reports of four home fires caused by the units. Holmes models with the model numbers HOH2505 and HOH2520 are affected by the recall.

*On April 26, a new laptop battery recall was issued. The battery affected is an Acer Incorporated lithium-ion battery made by Sony. The product may overheat and cause fire. Acer laptop computers sold in the United States and Canada between May 2004 and November 2006 are affected by the recall. Customers can get more information by calling Acer at (800) 503-2330. Since last year, more than 10 million notebook batteries around the world have been recalled. Laptop customers may want to check their laptop battery manufacturer’s website or contact the CPSC just to be on the safe side.

Continue reading "Some of the Latest Product Recalls Reported by the Consumer Product Safety Commission May Cause Burn Injury" »

Yesterday, we reported about the frightening statistics concerning summertime childhood injuries. One excellent way to prevent these injuries, as we pointed out, is to wear a bicycle helmet while bicycling. The advice is not just for kids. According to the Centers for Disease Control, bicycling is the third most popular form of recreation for both adults and children in this country. Unfortunately, this form of recreation is also a leading cause of injury each year.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, bicycle accidents cause brain injuries that cause more than 150 deaths and 450,000 injuries among children in the nation annually. Only 24% of US child bicyclists wear helmets regularly, even though this has been proven to be one of the best ways of preventing serious brain injuries and other personal injuries in the event of a bicycle accident. The CDC has reported that more than 75% of bicycle-related deaths among children could be prevented if all children wore helmets each time they rode a bicycle.

Children who use a proper helmet while bicycling, skateboarding, or in-line skating can dramatically improve their chances of surviving any injury. There are many helmets bicyclists can choose from:

*No shell: These helmets have a soft-shell that is covered with a soft cloth or Lycra.

*Hard Shell: These helmets have a crushable inner shell and a hard outer shell. The two are separable in most cases. These helmets can be heavy and so may not be right for every bicyclist.

*Thin Shell: These helmets have two shells which are fused together. The inner shell is a crushable foam layer while the outer shell is made of thin, hard semi-rigid plastic.

Once you have chosen the right type of helmet, it is important to ensure a good fit to maximize protection. When buying a helmet, it is important to try on the helmet before buying it. A well-fitted helmet will cover the sides and back of the head as well as the crown and forehead. Any helmet you buy should meet the ANSI Z90.1 or Snell B-90 standard – this ensures maximum protection from brain injury.

When trying on a helmet, use the fitting layer of foam inside the helmet to obtain the right fit. Dot his by fitting the pads all the way around. Adjust the straps until the chin strap is snug against the chin and the side straps meeting in a V below the ear. It should be easy to insert only two fingers between the chin straps and the chin. A properly fitted helmet will be snug but not tight once the straps are fastened. The helmet should not pinch or hurt the head, but should also not move front-to-back or side-to-side.

The Brain Injury Association of Florida, Inc.(BIAF) is developing an awareness campaign to educate Florida residents about the realities of brain injuries, after Governor Crist proclaimed March as Brain Injury Awareness Month. The BIAF is being helped in its efforts by ABC News journalist Bob Woodruff, who has recently gone public with his experience dealing with a traumatic brain injury. With Woodruff’s coverage and Governor Crist’s support, the BIAF hopes to raise funding and increase awareness about brain injuries.

The BIAF hopes its campaign will raise much-needed money for injured soldiers who have suffered traumatic brain injury while on active duty. The organization also hopes that increased awareness will help families and victims cope with injury more effectively. Currently, the BIAF website and members provide support and information, but the association hopes that this high-profile campaign will prove even more effective.

The BIAF is proud of the fact that Florida has one of the biggest and best-funded associations for brain injury awareness and support in the country. The state is able to provide a number of excellent care options for victims, including cognitive therapy. Unfortunately, according to the BIAF, there are still far too many patients not getting the care they need. Also, as both the BIAF and as Florida attorneys know, there still seem to be far too many brain injuries occurring, in car accidents, workplace accidents, and in other situations. Many of these injuries seem to be preventable.

The BIAF hopes that the new campaign will warn people to be more careful and will show them that brains are things that must be cared for. The BIAF has been working with Florida’s Brain and Spinal Cord Injury program to offer counselling, programs, resources therapy and other types of support for brain injury survivors and their families. The BIAF hopes that more people will become aware of these programs and will make use of them during the month of March and beyond.

Continue reading "Florida Declares March as Brain Injury Awareness Month" »

A brain injury occurs when an external trauma or hit to the skull damages the brain. The State of Florida officially defines brain injury as:

An insult to the skull, brain, or its covering, resulting from external trauma, which produces an altered state of consciousness or anatomic, motor, sensory, or cognitive/behavioral deficits.

There are actually two types of brain injuries: “closed brain injuries” and “open brain injuries.” Both can be serious. In a closed brain injury, a fall or a car accident can cause a person’s skull to come into contact with a hard surface. When the skull hits an object, the brain inside the skull moves and can become injured. The brain can rebound against the skull or can twist on its axis. This can result in widespread or localized damage. If the brain is bruised or damaged in more than one area, the patient has suffered from what is known as diffuse damage.

An open brain injury occurs when an object penetrates the skull and damages the brain. This can occur from a gunshot wound or even from a car accident in which the impact of the skull against a hard surface actually causes the skull to break. In an open brain injury, trauma or injury usually occurs to one part of the brain.

When a brain injury is severe, a patient may be unconscious for some time before recovering. In milder injuries, a patient may never lose consciousness. According to the Brain Injury Association of Florida, though, anyone who has suffered a brain injury should seek medical help at once. Even seemingly minor injuries can result in cognitive impairment and other problems. Getting medical attention at once is also crucial since it allows the injury to be documented. This is important in case the patient later suffers from the injury and requires legal counsel in order to get compensation for their suffering.

Brain injuries can be a very difficult form of personal injury. This is because even mild brain injuries can result in serious symptoms, such as:

• memory loss
• problems concentrating and completing simple actions
• speech difficulties
• hemiparesis
• seizures
• spasticity
• anxiety and depression
• inappropriate behaviors
• vision problems
• inability to use judgment the same way
• problems with perception and direction
• slower thought processes

Some victims may experience other symptoms as well, according to the Brain Injury Association of Florida. Recovery from this type of injury can be lengthy and medical treatment can be expensive. Once brain cells are damaged, new cells simply cannot grow, so in serious injuries, much of the recovery is about rehabilitation and adjustment to a new lifestyle.