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  • What is a post-traumatic headache, and why does it occur?

    It’s normal for all residents of Florida and other areas to experience occasional headaches. However, after suffering head trauma, you might deal with a specific type of pain. This is known as post-traumatic headache, and this is how it affects you.

    Understanding post-traumatic headaches

    A post-traumatic headache can occur within seven days of sustaining a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Sometimes, it develops after a person comes back from unconsciousness.

    Post-traumatic headaches are intensely painful and similar to migraines as it’s possible to experience side effects such as sensitivity to light, nausea and vomiting. They can feel like pounding in a person’s head. Other possible symptoms of a post-traumatic headache may include fatigue, dizziness, insomnia, mood and personality changes, nervousness, memory and concentration problems and depression.

    Many people who develop post-traumatic headaches improve within three months, but some experience them for even longer. Women and anyone with a family history of migraine are more at risk for post-traumatic headaches.

    Causes of post-traumatic headache

    As post-traumatic headache develops from suffering a TBI, there are different ways the injury can occur. Car accidents often result in severe trauma to the head upon impact. The person’s head may be whipped violently forward and then back or from side to side and the brain is jolted, hitting one side of the skull and then the other.

    Falls that result in a person hitting their head on the ground or another surface can also cause TBI. Sports and acts of violence that involve blunt force trauma to the head can also lead to the development of TBI and later, post-traumatic headache.

    A post-traumatic headache is often debilitating, affecting the victim’s ability to perform regular daily activities. Seeking medical attention might help improve a person’s condition.

  • What damages are available in a wrongful death lawsuit?

    It’s always horrible when a loved one passes away, but it’s even worse when there’s a situation of wrongful death. It can leave the person’s family members at a complete loss. In Florida, the decedent’s personal representative can file a wrongful death lawsuit on the family’s behalf. Certain damages can be recovered if the case is successful.

    Losses suffered by the decedent

    In some cases, the victim might be left alive and suffering for a period of time before they ultimately pass away. For example, a person hit by a car might be in critical condition and need extensive surgery for their injuries but end up dying sometime later. The wrongful death damages could include medical expenses, lost wages, ongoing medical treatment, pain and suffering, and mental anguish.

    Economic losses suffered by the family

    Economic losses are those that carry an actual monetary figure. In wrongful death cases, the victim’s surviving family members often suffer financially if they depended on the victim for such support. The person’s spouse and children might have been on their health insurance plan and relied on them for everyday support. In a wrongful death claim, the family could recover those financial damages for the support they would have continued receiving had the victim survived.

    Non-economic losses suffered by the family

    Not all damages in a wrongful death case have a price tag. Non-economic damages are those that the family suffers that cannot be measured. These losses include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of consortium, loss of companionship, guidance, support and protection. Surviving spouses and children of wrongful death victims often experience significant emotional trauma and might go on to develop mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. In a successful claim, they could recover compensation for such damages.

    Sometimes, punitive damages are awarded as well to punish the at-fault party for egregious behavior or conduct.

  • What should you know about Florida medical care and spinal cord injuries?

    Spinal cord injuries may cause permanent disabilities or even death. Florida residents who believe they sustained a spinal cord injury should seek medical care immediately. Seeking care immediately could prevent the spinal cord injury from becoming worse.

    Common causes

    Spinal cord injuries occur due to a variety of accidents, violence or diseases. Some of the most common causes include:

    • Car accidents

    • Slip and falls

    • Gunshot wounds

    • Knife wounds

    • Sports injuries

    • Cancer

    • Spinal cord inflammation

    Signs and symptoms

    Since spinal cord injuries typically begin as a personal injury following an accident, you may start to notice signs and symptoms right away that you may have spinal cord damage. These symptoms occur most commonly and may alert you to the presence of spinal cord injuries:

    • Extreme back pain

    • Weakness in any part of the body

    • Sudden loss of bowel or bladder control

    • Impaired breathing

    • Tingling or numbness in toes, feet, fingers or hands

    • Balance problems

    Accident victims

    Accident victims should seek medical examination to ensure they have not sustained a spinal cord injury. Any delay in seeking help may complicate the wound and cause an extended recovery period.

    Testing and diagnostic procedures

    You will first endure a physical exam when you seek medical treatment for a possible spinal cord injury. During the exam, the doctor may test your breathing and pulse rates. In addition, doctors typically test your strength and feeling in your arms and legs. To thoroughly test your spinal cord, your medical provider may order x-rays, CAT scans or MRIs.

    Impact on your life

    Seeking medical diagnosis and treatment for your spinal cord injury can result in significant medical bills. Even with treatment, you may have difficulty returning to work. In addition, accident victims who sustain injuries to the negligence of others often seek legal action and compensation to help pay for the expenses that occurred due to spinal cord injuries.

  • Accidents involving delivery trucks

    From cargo vans to 18-wheelers, delivery trucks are a common sight on the roads of Florida. An accident with one of these commercial vehicles could leave you with an unclear picture of who bears financial liability for your medical bills and other losses. Delivery vehicles can be driven by employees or independent contractors. Depending on the circumstances, you might pursue compensation from the driver, the company or both.

    Employee vs. independent contractor

    A delivery company that directly employs the driver may be wholly or partially responsible for settling your accident claim if you are not at fault for the crash. Usually, the company’s insurance will be your source of compensation if the driver was an employee and performing services at the time of the accident.

    The picture gets muddier with an independent contractor driver because the contract places a layer of legal protection between the company and the actions of the driver. For example, Amazon, which has a multitude of branded vehicles on the roads and over 50,000 subcontracted delivery drivers, denies any liability for reckless drivers.

    Accident investigation

    Evidence collected at the accident scene and by the responding police officer usually points to who was at fault for the collision. Additional investigative work may need to be done to determine the driver’s status at the time of the wreck and applicable insurance policies.

    Accident victims usually hope to find the delivery company responsible for damages because a commercial company will carry a larger insurance policy. In the case of an independent contractor, you may file insurance claims or lawsuits against both the driver and the contracting company. Subsequent negotiations and litigation will reveal who has to pay and how much.

  • Most common car accident bone breaks in Florida

    The most common injuries from car accidents are injuries to the neck or back and broken bones. Following a car accident in Florida, passengers may suffer a wide range of injuries, from scratches and bruises to whiplash or traumatic brain injury. Broken bones due to a crash can be painful and require medical attention and significant time to heal. Some breaks are more likely than others, with the most commonly-broken bones in car accidents including the skull, facial bones, clavicle, arm bones and spinal vertebrae.

    Car accident injuries to the cranium or facial bones

    Injuries to the cranium or face are more likely in car accidents where the person is not wearing their seat belt, but they can happen either way. Generally, head injuries are more severe if a seat belt is not worn, as the person’s head or face could impact violently with the steering wheel or other parts of the vehicle’s interior. Facial bones are smaller than the cranium and so are damaged more easily. People commonly break bones in their faces, like their nose or their cheekbone in crashes.

    Clavicle and arm injuries

    Clavicle injuries are more common in motor vehicle accidents where seat belts are worn. This injury is because the seat belt applies pressure to the clavicle in the event of a crash and the clavicle is a relatively delicate bone. Arm bones frequently break because the person puts their arms out to brace for impact. However, the bones are not strong enough to serve as a brace, so they fail and break against the strain.

    Car crash injuries to the spine

    The spine is a series of small bones known as vertebrae. Car accidents can put significant pressure on the vertebrae, causing them to misalign or herniate. The vertebrae can also be fractured if there is a hard enough impact. Injuries from car accidents can affect any area of the body. Therefore, seeking medical attention to deal with car accident injuries is a good idea.

  • Can a traumatic brain injury lead to a learning disability?

    Many Florida residents sustain traumatic brain injuries in accidents. Children, in particular, are susceptible to developing learning disabilities when they experience head injuries. This is how such an injury can affect learning when the brain is still growing and developing.

    How brain injuries occur in children

    Although children are resilient, they can develop a traumatic brain injury (TBI) from falls, car crashes, and sports activities. A TBI can range from mild to severe in the form of a concussion or much worse injury that results in permanent brain damage. When a child sustains such an injury, it could be devastating for their developing brain.

    Parents should be aware of certain symptoms in their children that signify they might have suffered a TBI. It might take hours or even days for signs to appear, but a major indication of a TBI is loss of consciousness. Other symptoms include confusion, speech problems, dizziness, memory problems, delayed responses, nausea and vomiting. In severe cases, a child might experience seizures or coma.

    Learning disabilities after a TBI and help

    A child can develop a learning disability after suffering a TBI. Depending on the area of the brain affected, their cognitive ability, memory, problem-solving, communication and attention could be impacted. A child who once had their full faculties could experience difficulties in these areas and more.

    If a child has suffered a TBI, the first year after diagnosis is crucial for their prognosis, especially if they’ve developed a learning disability. This situation requires special education programs such as an Individualized Education Program, which involves one-on-one instruction to prepare the child for their transition back to class. At home, parents can help their children with smartphone apps and flashcards that help with memory issues.

    TBIs leading to learning disabilities present challenges, but there are measures to help children cope and succeed.

  • Commercial truck safety practices to avoid crashes in Florida

    The most common types of commercial truck accidents in Florida include rear-end and head-on crashes, blindspot crashes, jackknife accidents, tire blowout accidents and underride crashes. Typically, the truck driver is much safer than the occupants of a car in a highway speed crash, but commercial truck accidents can still be dangerous and harm the livelihood and career of a truck driver. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 27% of fatal truck accidents occurred on interstate highways, while 57% happened in rural areas.

    Safe driving practices for commercial trucks

    To avoid truck crashes, best practices for commercial trucks include obeying posted speed limits, knowing the routes and roads, calling ahead to the destination, being aware of sight lines and performing proper maintenance. Observing speed limits is obvious, but its importance cannot be overstated, as the speed of the vehicles involved contributes significantly to the severity of commercial vehicle accidents.

    Knowing routes and calling ahead

    A missed exit or wrong turn can increase the likelihood of a commercial truck crash. In addition, any distraction or unanticipated event can take the driver’s attention from the road; a distracted driver is a dangerous driver. Likewise, sudden corrective measures to avoid missing an exit, for example, can create dangers on the road. Calling ahead to destinations is a good way for safe commercial drivers to gain insight regarding potential road hazards or current road conditions.

    Checking lines of sight and performing maintenance

    Often, delivery locations can present difficulties in terms of navigating the truck to the drop-off point. Narrow drives might mean lots of traffic, tight turning angles or anything in between. It’s a good idea to park the truck and walk around the area to identify and solve problems. Regular maintenance almost goes without saying. Well-maintained brakes are reliable and will stop the truck in an emergency, though the larger and heavier the truck means more time. So with other parts of the vehicle, the engine, transmission, lights, horn, and tires, all of these should be properly maintained to keep commercial vehicles operating safely.

  • The surprising ways airbags can cause injury

    It may seem strange that airbags, designed to add an extra layer of safety to motor vehicles, could cause injuries. In most cases, airbags can help to save lives during a collision in Florida or anywhere else, but oftentimes, not without injury to drivers and passengers.

    The ways airbags can cause injury

    Airbags deploy at a high rate of speed when a collision occurs during a motor vehicle accident. This decreases the risk of severe bodily injury for passengers. Depending on the speed of the vehicle at impact, minor to moderate injuries can still occur.

    A few of these airbag injuries include:

    • Fractures and bruising to the face, skull, ribcage or arms
    • Chest or spine injuries due to impact
    • Concussion and other brain injuries
    • Trauma to ears, eyes or lungs from chemicals in the airbag
    • Internal bleeding from impact
    • Fetal harm from impact with pregnant women

    Treating injuries caused by airbags

    You may not show obvious signs of injury after a motor vehicle accident. You should never assume you are uninjured until you are seen by medical professionals. Injuries like concussion and internal bleeding may not present visible symptoms, so it is imperative to seek help as soon as you can.

    How to avoid injuries from airbags

    There are ways drivers and passengers can protect themselves from injury should a motor vehicle accident occur. For example, never install child car seats in the front seat of a vehicle, and always use the correct seat for your child’s size.

    You should wear your seatbelt no matter how short your trip is. Additionally, check with your vehicle manufacturer to ensure there are no recalls on the airbags. Practicing cautious driving is the best way to ensure the least risk of motor vehicle accidents and airbag injuries.

  • Emotional problems from traumatic brain injuries

    Severe traumatic brain injuries cause the development of various mental illnesses and emotional health conditions. This injury may affect the regions of the brain that control specific emotions, actions and behaviors. For patients in Florida, the effects of moderate to severe injuries affect the long-term functions of the brain and mental abilities.

    Emotional challenges

    A traumatic brain injury (TBI) often causes emotional problems regardless of which part of brain is damaged. The injury may cause difficulty in interpreting emotions or overexpression of certain emotions like depression, anxiety or anger. People with emotional problems experience increased levels of stress, fatigue, reduced concentration, memory loss and increased risks of substance abuse. Short-term periods of stress in victims are known to trigger emotional distress.

    Neurological treatments and psychotherapy are recommended to help emotionally distressed individuals after their brain injuries. Additional treatments include the practice of relaxation techniques, deep breathing and mind stimulating activities.

    Anxiety and depression

    Anxiety and depression are the most common emotional problems for people with TBI. Preexisting conditions may worsen after a moderate to severe injury. Common symptoms of depression include prolonged periods of sadness, fatigue, apathy and irritability. Common symptoms of anxiety are rapid heartbeats, hyperventilation and panic attacks, particularly when appearing in public. People with TBI may experience anxiety for years in which they avoid situations that are related to their injuries.

    Moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries cause various symptoms from headaches to convulsions. The long-term effects include the development of emotional and psychological disorders that could last for decades after the injury. Anxiety, depression and stress are common, long-term health conditions that develop in many people with TBI.

  • The true dangers of head impacts to brain health

    The potentially devastating consequences of traumatic brain injuries are known all too well by thousands of Florida residents. However, not everyone is as aware of the devastating effects that seemingly minor or repeated impacts to the head can also have on long-term brain health, not to mention the future prospects of those who experience them.

    Mild impacts still cause for concern

    While concussions and severe brain traumas are already widely understood to carry significant risks to those who sustain them, until recently, the enduring ramifications of even mild head injuries have been less clear.

    However, research now suggests that lingering — sometimes debilitating — harm from head injuries is not always the result of a major trauma, but can also stem from impacts that initially appeared less serious in nature.

    Some of the signs to watch for in the aftermath of any impact to the head include:

    • Blurry vision
    • Nausea
    • General disorientation
    • Undue fatigue
    • Confusion

    As such, it is crucial for parents, caretakers, sports coaches, teachers, and others to remain vigilant and attuned to the fact that concussions are not a universal precursor to ongoing ill effects from head impacts. Repeated blows to the head as well as those that at first do not appear to be cause for concern are indeed capable of producing undesired changes to the brain and must be closely monitored when they occur.

    Proactive measures needed to minimize harm

    While researchers have more to learn about the ramifications of non-concussive or repetitive head impacts, including their role in conditions such as chronic traumatic encephalopathy seen in an alarming number of former football players, there can be no doubt that the addition of enhanced protective gear, aggressive monitoring by coaches and teammates and the continued study of those affected can go a long way toward minimizing the often life-altering outcomes and long-term care needs head trauma can yield.