Tampa Brain Injury Attorney

Legal Help When a Brain Injury Changes Everything

A serious brain injury can change the course of a life in a single moment. Memory, mood, concentration, and independence can all be affected, and families are often left trying to make decisions while they are still in shock. If you are facing this situation, you may be wondering how you will manage the medical needs, the financial strain, and the legal questions all at once.

Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers has represented injured people in the Tampa Bay community since 1955, with a focused commitment to personal injury and wrongful death cases. Our attorneys handle complex, high-stakes claims that involve permanent injuries, including traumatic brain injuries and other forms of brain damage. We work to bring structure, guidance, and clear information to families who are trying to protect a loved one and plan for an uncertain future.

From the beginning, our goal is to help you understand your options and to shoulder as much of the legal burden as we can, so you can focus on care and recovery. We offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis, which means you do not pay attorney fees unless there is a recovery.

To schedule a free consultation with our team, call (727) 591-3354.

What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when a sudden impact, blow, jolt, or penetrating injury disrupts normal brain function. TBIs range from mild concussions to severe injuries that result in permanent disability or death. Even injuries classified as “mild” can have serious and lasting effects, especially if left untreated.

In Tampa, traumatic brain injuries commonly result from accidents involving motor vehicles, falls, workplace incidents, and acts of violence. Because TBIs are often invisible injuries, victims may not immediately realize the full extent of the damage until symptoms worsen over time.

Common Types of TBI

Traumatic brain injuries can take several forms, each with its own medical and legal implications. Common types of TBI include:

• Concussions: Often caused by a blow or jolt to the head, concussions can lead to headaches, dizziness, confusion, and memory problems.
• Contusions: Bruising of the brain tissue, frequently caused by direct impact to the head.
• Diffuse Axonal Injuries: Caused by violent shaking or rotational forces, often seen in high-speed car accidents.
• Penetrating Brain Injuries: Occur when an object pierces the skull and enters the brain.
• Anoxic or Hypoxic Brain Injuries: Result from a lack of oxygen to the brain, such as during near-drowning or medical malpractice incidents.

Our Tampa brain injury lawyer can work with medical experts to fully understand the nature and severity of your injury.

Common Causes of TBI

Traumatic brain injuries often occur during sudden, violent events. Some of the most common causes of TBI in Tampa include:

• Car, truck, and motorcycle accidents
• Pedestrian and bicycle accidents
• Slip and fall accidents
• Construction and workplace accidents
• Sports and recreational injuries
• Assaults and violent acts

These incidents are frequently caused by negligence, such as distracted driving, unsafe property conditions, or failure to follow safety regulations.

Brain Injury Symptoms

Brain injury symptoms can vary widely depending on the severity of the injury and the area of the brain affected. Some symptoms appear immediately, while others may develop days or weeks later. Common brain injury symptoms include:

• Persistent headaches or migraines
• Memory loss or difficulty concentrating
• Confusion or disorientation
• Mood swings, depression, or anxiety
• Sensitivity to light or noise
• Dizziness or balance problems
• Sleep disturbances
• Slurred speech or vision problems

If you experience any of these symptoms after an accident, seeking immediate medical attention is critical. Medical records also play a vital role in supporting a brain injury claim.

Common Causes of Brain Injuries

While traumatic events often cause TBIs, brain injuries can also result from non-impact incidents. Common causes of brain injuries include:

• Oxygen deprivation during medical emergencies
• Birth injuries and medical negligence
• Toxic exposure or carbon monoxide poisoning
• Near-drowning incidents
• Defective products or unsafe equipment

Regardless of how the injury occurred, if another party’s negligence played a role, a Tampa brain injury lawyer can evaluate your legal options.

Long-Term Impact of Brain Injuries

Brain injuries often have long-lasting or permanent consequences. Many victims face ongoing medical treatment, rehabilitation, and lifestyle changes. Long-term impacts may include:

• Cognitive impairments affecting memory, reasoning, and problem-solving
• Emotional and behavioral changes
• Chronic pain and headaches
• Loss of independence
• Reduced ability to work or earn income
• Need for long-term care or assisted living

These effects can place immense financial and emotional strain on victims and their families. Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers understands the full scope of these challenges and fights for compensation that reflects both current and future needs.

Compensation from a Brain Injury Claim

A successful brain injury claim can provide compensation for a wide range of damages, including:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Rehabilitation and therapy costs
• Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Long-term care and support services

In cases involving severe negligence or misconduct, additional damages may be available. A Tampa brain injury lawyer can assess the full value of your claim and negotiate aggressively with insurance companies.

Brain Injury Claim FAQs

How long do I have to file a brain injury claim in Florida?

Florida law generally imposes a statute of limitations on personal injury claims. Acting quickly helps preserve evidence and protect your rights.

Do I need a lawyer for a brain injury case?

Brain injury cases are medically and legally complex. An experienced Tampa brain injury lawyer can handle investigations, expert testimony, and negotiations on your behalf.

What if the insurance company says my injury is “minor”?

Insurance companies often minimize brain injuries. Legal representation helps ensure your injury is taken seriously and properly valued.

Can family members recover compensation?

In some cases, family members may recover damages for loss of companionship or support, especially in severe or fatal brain injury cases.

Why Families Turn to Our Firm for Serious Brain Injury Cases

When a brain injury has turned your life upside down, stability matters. Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers has served Tampa Bay families for generations, concentrating exclusively on personal injury and wrongful death since long before many firms entered this field. We were the first law firm in Pinellas County to limit our practice to injury cases, and that history reflects a durable commitment to people whose lives have been disrupted by serious harm.

Over the years, our firm has recovered more than $675 million for injured clients. That figure represents many different types of cases, but it underscores that we have the resources and experience to pursue significant outcomes in catastrophic matters. Our track record includes high-stakes medical malpractice and severe injury litigation, which often involves the same complex medical questions and long-term planning that arise in brain injury cases.

Several of our attorneys are Board Certified in Civil Trial Law by The Florida Bar, a distinction earned by fewer than 2 percent of lawyers in the state. Board Certification signals extensive trial training and testing, and we draw on that background when we prepare brain injury claims for negotiation and, when necessary, for court. We build every case as though it may go to trial, which strengthens the record and shows insurers that we are prepared to pursue full accountability.

We also structure our work so that an attorney leads each case from start to finish, with limited delegation. Clients have direct access to the lawyer responsible for their matter, instead of being routed entirely through layers of staff. For families dealing with brain injuries, where questions can be urgent and situations can change quickly, that kind of responsiveness can make a real difference.

Contact us today to get started on your claim.