Brain Injury Lawyer in Orlando

What Qualifies as a Traumatic Brain Injury?

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is damage to the brain caused by an external impact or force. Medical providers generally classify a TBI as mild, moderate, or severe based on factors such as loss of consciousness, memory disruption, imaging findings, and the extent of cognitive or physical impairment.

A concussion is considered a mild TBI, but its effects can still disrupt work and daily life. A closed head injury occurs when the brain is harmed without penetration of the skull. Symptoms may appear immediately or develop later and can include headaches, dizziness, memory problems, difficulty concentrating, mood changes, sleep disruption, and balance problems.

Incidents that may cause brain trauma include:

• Car accidents: Sudden acceleration, deceleration, or impact can harm the brain even without a direct blow to the head.
• Falls: Unsafe property conditions may lead to a premises liability claim when negligence contributes to a fall.
• Workplace incidents: Falling objects, equipment accidents, vehicle collisions, and falls can cause head trauma.
• Violent impacts: Assaults and other forceful blows may cause lasting neurological effects.

Florida Filing Deadlines & Comparative Negligence

For many Florida negligence claims arising on or after March 24, 2023, the statute of limitations is two years. This filing deadline generally begins on the date of injury rather than the date of a later diagnosis. Because the applicable deadline depends on the circumstances, prompt legal review is important when symptoms emerge gradually.

Florida also follows modified comparative negligence, which considers each party’s share of fault. In many negligence cases, someone found more than 50% responsible can’t recover damages. Someone found 50% or less responsible may have their compensation reduced by their assigned percentage of fault.