A day that should have been the start of a new life for Fish and Wild Conversation Commission officer Kyle Plussa turned into a nightmare that completely changed the course of his future. While driving a U-Haul to the new home that he and his fiancé had recently purchased, Plussa was struck by a pickup truck. The driver of the truck crossed several lanes and the median before striking Plussa head-on.
Accident Could Have Been Fatal for Florida Conservation Officer
Plussa’s original prognosis was grim. He transferred from a hospital in Collier to the trauma center at Lee Health, where doctors told his loved ones that he had a 10 percent chance of survival. Three weeks after the crash, Plussa woke up from his coma and faced a whole new set of challenges: regaining his physical strength and grappling with the reality of life with a TBI.
The Long Road to Recovery
The accident that nearly took the conservation’s officer life was so severe that it took away even his most essential skills. Over a period of months, he had to learn how to eat, brush his teeth, shower, focus his vision, and use the restroom on his own. These circumstances can dull even the most optimistic of spirits, but through it all, Plussa kept looking forward. Pain accompanied nearly everything he did, requiring even more mental strength and focus.
Although Plussa has made it through some of the toughest stages of healing, his journey isn’t over yet. There is nerve damage in his eyes, throughout his body, and in sections of his brain.
The Cost of Healing
When you look at a case like this one, the long-term effects of a TBI are painfully clear. During his recovery, Kyle Plussa had to consider what it would mean for him to lose his physical strength permanently, his future as a conservation officer, and his independence.
Beyond the emotional and physical impacts, though, a TBI can also devastate your financial security. Medical bills add up quickly, particularly if you’re battling an insurance company or company for compensation. Add the stress of lost income and a potential permanent loss of earnings, and it’s obvious why some TBI patients clear out their savings paying for treatment and some even end up filing bankruptcy.
As you work on healing from a traumatic brain injury, you shouldn’t have to worry about the legal side of your fight. Working with a personal injury lawyer in the wake of an accident may allow you to work on occupational therapy, learn about new advances in treatment, and handle the emotional fallout from an injury.
Get Help With Your TBI by Calling a Personal Injury Lawyer
Whether you’ve been hurt in a car crash, a workplace incident, or another type of accident, it’s crucial to work with a personal injury lawyer in Tampa. Reach out to Dennis A. Lopez & Associates at (813) 223-1977 to talk about your injuries and case.
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