Suffering a traumatic brain injury (TBI) or other serious head injuries can be devastating for both the victim of the accident and their loved ones.
Brain injuries can result in serious life changes, mounting medical bills, extensive treatment, and emotional distress.
If you or someone you love has experienced a TBI due to the negligent actions of another party, it is crucial to understand your rights under the California legal system. An experienced Long Beach brain injury lawyer can help.
The team at Peerali Law understands the gravity of what you are going through and is committed to helping you receive the compensation you deserve to help you heal and carry on.
We handle all brain injury cases on a contingency fee basis and will not charge a fee unless our brain injury attorneys secure compensation on your behalf.
Contact us or call us at 818-862-4435 today to schedule your free case consultation.
Common Causes of Traumatic Brain Injuries in California
A TBI can occur any time there is an impact to the head, even if that impact seems minor. Any time the brain shifts in the skull, there is a potential for significant damage which may or may not be immediately evident.
It is important to be seen by a healthcare professional any time you sustain an impact to the head during an accident. Here are some of the most common ways that brain injuries occur:
Vehicle Accident
Collisions are usually very sudden and provide everyone involved with little to no time to react or brace for impact. Without that conscious stabilization, the head may whip rapidly in different directions.
This unanticipated motion from a vehicle accident could cause the head to collide with the inside of the vehicle or cause serious jarring of the brain inside the skull, even if there is no actual impact on the outside of the head.
The severity of brain injury may depend on unique factors such as the vehicle’s speed, the angle of the impact, and where the victim was situated inside the vehicle.
Slips and Falls
Falling or slipping often have the same result, which is that the victim loses their ability to control their stability and lands on the ground or another surface.
How far up they are at the time of the fall and what they land on could make a big difference in the seriousness of the injury. How the person lands and how hard their head hits the surface can make a significant difference in injury severity as well.
Depending on the landing, slipping on a wet tile flood could be just as damaging as falling from a ladder onto loose gravel.
Sports Injuries
A sport does not have to have a physical contact component to be dangerous, although sports like ice hockey, boxing, and football generally have higher rates of traumatic brain injuries than others such as tennis or golf. Brain injuries are also not uncommon in soccer, cheerleading, skiing, baseball, and countless other sports.
Head injuries may be reduced by using proper protective equipment such as helmets and other pads. The rules of most sports are designed to reduce the risk of brain injury.
In 2019, about 15% of all U.S. high school students self-reported one or more sports or recreation-related concussions within the preceding 12 months.
Penetration of the Skull
The skull is meant to withstand massive amounts of pressure, so if the skull is penetrated by an object, to any degree, it should be treated as an emergency.
Examples of how this could happen include a gunshot, or collision with a sharp object. There has to be a lot of force involved to penetrate the skull—so these injuries are extremely serious and require immediate medical attention.
Explosions
Less common than the other causes of traumatic brain injuries, explosive blasts are also a cause of TBI. These are most frequent for those who are exposed to explosives as part of their professions, such as military personnel or mining employees.
Explosions can happen in other circumstances, but they are not as frequent and certainly not expected.
Types of Brain Injuries
Though no two brain injuries are the same, virtually all have the potential to greatly impact the health and well-being of the victim and their loved ones.
Some require immediate medical attention and some may not even be evident until some time after the injury occurred. Here are some of the most common types:
- Concussion,
- Hemorrhage,
- Blood clot or hematoma,
- Skull fracture,
- Edema, and
- Skull penetration.
Your brain injury attorney can help you investigate the cause and work with your doctor to get a clear picture of the extent of your injury. They may need to run a variety of diagnostic tests. In some cases, brain injuries cannot be clearly identified even with modern imaging technology.
Brain Injury Symptoms
A medical professional is required to diagnose brain injuries, but if you or a loved one has experienced head trauma, there are some signs you can look for. Remember that symptoms may not be immediately evident depending on the nature of the injury.
Symptoms could include headaches, lightheadedness, memory issues, sensitivity to light and sound, vertigo, or general unexplained changes in behavior.
Unfortunately, a lot of these symptoms could be associated with other issues, which is why your healthcare provider must be given all the information necessary to make an informed diagnosis. This includes details about your accident.
Make sure to keep an accurate record of all medical expenses to help your Long Beach brain injury attorney evaluate your claim.
How a Long Beach Brain Injury Attorney Can Help
Trying to navigate the legal system in California while also trying to heal after a serious injury can add unnecessary stress to an already rough situation. A brain injury attorney can help by:
- Conducting an independent investigation into the cause of your brain injury;
- Gathering and preserving evidence to build and prove the facts of your case;
- Determining which individual or party should be held legally responsible;
- Valuing your claim, taking into consideration current and future costs;
- Negotiating with the insurance company to ensure a fair settlement;
- Advising on litigation options if both sides cannot reach a fair settlement agreement;
- Finding expert witnesses to confirm facts; and
- Handling all legal paperwork and filings associated with your claim.
According to California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1, if you have a personal injury claim, the statute of limitations is generally two years from the accident date.
This may seem like a lot of time, but it passes by faster than you can imagine—and there is much work to be done in the meantime. A brain injury attorney can ensure your case is filed within applicable deadlines and give you the best chance of getting meaningful compensation.
Contact Peerali Law Today
Brain injury cases can be complicated and may even involve multiple potentially liable parties. In some instances, the injured party may even be partially at fault.
The experienced attorneys at Peerali Law can help you understand your legal right to compensation and the best strategy for your unique case.
When you have been seriously injured, you need a Long Beach brain injury attorney who will give your case the attention it deserves. We are committed to ensuring you are never left in the dark wondering what is happening with your case.
At Peerali Law, we focus our practice on creative solutions to complex catastrophic injuries. Contact us to schedule your free case consultation.