Los Angeles, California Brain Injury Attorney
Coping after a Traumatic Brain Injury
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) may occur after any kind of accident or injury. Sadly, these types of head wounds can be severe, often leading to lifelong impairment or even death. Experiencing a brain injury can be very distressing, especially if it happened because someone else was careless.
Suffering from a brain injury can affect both how you think and feel. Recovering from such an injury takes a lot of time and money. The team at TraumaLaw in Los Angeles knows the struggles you’re dealing with. We promise to work hard to help you get money for what happened to you. If someone else did not care enough about keeping you safe and you got a brain injury because of it, trust us to take a stand for you. We’ll make sure those at fault pay for their actions.
Why Do Traumatic Brain Injuries Happen?
Your brain is always busy, helping you with everything from your nervous system to making sure you breathe. Imagine if your brain couldn’t do its job anymore, and you needed constant help to do simple things. For most, that thought is pretty scary. But this is what life is like for about 5 million people in the U.S. who have disabilities because of Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs).
Every year, over 25 million people in the US experience a traumatic brain injury, a type of injury to the head that harms the brain.
Often called "The Silent Epidemic," these injuries can happen for various reasons, with some being more common than others.
- Being struck by or against an object
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Physical Attack (s)
Brain injuries vary in how serious they are. A mild brain injury is also known as a concussion. More serious injuries can cause damage to the nervous system that might last a long time or never go away. Besides, injuries to the head can be put into two types. If something breaks the skull and goes into the brain, it’s called an open TBI. If that doesn’t happen, it’s known as a closed TBI.
If the latter occurs, the person suffers a forceful, non-piercing hit to the head. This can cause the brain to swell and not get enough oxygen, leading to a condition called hypoxic brain injury.
Statistics on Traumatic Brain Injuries
Data on traumatic brain injuries shed light on the severity of these conditions. Reports from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control indicate that around 5.3 million individuals in the U.S. are coping with disabilities related to TBI.
To provide a clearer picture of how significant these injuries can be, here are some more statistics on traumatic brain injury.
- Around 775,000 senior citizens suffer from lasting disabilities because of TBI.
- Men are more frequently affected by TBI, with a rate of 16.7%, while the rate for women is 8.5%.
- Most TBI incidents, 75% of them, are minor and can be managed without hospital care.
- Every year, the United States sees about 7 million new instances of TBI.
- About 235,000 people are hospitalized due to traumatic brain injuries (TBI) yearly, a number that's 20 times higher than the number of hospital stays for spinal cord injuries.
- Annually, between 80,000 and 90,000 individuals in the U.S. suffer from lasting disabilities because of TBI.
- Car crashes are a major cause of TBI, responsible for 50-70% of these injuries.
- Falls are the most common reason people get TBIs, leading to around 1.3 million injuries.
- Tragically, TBI claims the lives of 150 Americans each day.
What Is the Most Critical Form of Brain Damage?
The most severe kind of brain injury typically happens when the head is hit hard, or something pierces it. These injuries can be particularly bad because they somehow damage the brain’s soft tissue. When someone gets a very bad head injury, it often means their skull has been broken or smashed in.
Due to the serious nature of these wounds, patients usually need to stay in the hospital for a long time and go through many years of therapy to get better. Even though injuries where the skull is cracked, are the most dangerous, it’s important to remember that injuries where the skull isn’t broken can also cause really bad damage or even be deadly.
How Can We Stop Brain Injuries From Happening?
Stay safe from brain injuries with these tips from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Follow their advice to lower the risk of hurting your brain.
In addition to always wearing a seatbelt when riding in a motor vehicle, the CDC recommends taking the following steps to prevent TBI:
- Never get behind the wheel if you've had drugs or alcohol.
- Always use a helmet when you're cycling or doing sports like snowboarding.
- Ensure kids sit in the right car or booster seat to help avoid head injuries.
- Help stop trips and falls, especially for older people.
- Do exercises to get stronger and keep your balance.
- Get your vision checked often.
- Make your home a safer place.
- Take the rules of sports safety to heart.
- Teach young people how to keep safe from concussions, especially if they play sports.
- To protect kids from head injuries, put guards on windows and safety gates, tidy stairs, and put a non-slip mat in the bath.
Elderly individuals and caregivers of little ones must enhance home safety. Both the elderly and young kids are more likely to experience a head injury, calling for extra precautions.
Installing handrails, protective gates, and window screens is a wise move to keep your home safer and reduce the chances of head injuries. Should you or a loved one experience a head injury, reach out to TraumaLaw for insights on legal claims related to traumatic brain injuries in Los Angeles. Our team is ready to clarify your doubts and guide you through the legal process.
What Indications Show a Traumatic Brain Injury?
Identifying less obvious brain injuries when there's no clear severe trauma can be tough. This is even harder if there are other visible wounds. Look out for these warning signs that might signal an injury to the brain or its stem:
- trouble knowing faces or places
- hard time focusing
- feeling mixed up
- restless or getting upset easily
- acting in ways that aren't normal.
While it's easy to notice when someone has a really bad brain injury, figuring out when the injury is small or medium can be hard, particularly if there are other visible wounds. Often, signs of the injury show up immediately, but they can also take a few days to appear after someone hurts their head. Because of this, it's super important to watch for signs of a brain injury right after someone has hurt their head.
Common signs of a TBI often include things like
- Constant head pain
- blacking out
- shaking fits or seizures
- feeling sick and throwing up, especially in kids
- feeling very tired or sleepy
- not speaking clearly
- feeling wobbly or unsteady
- eyesight problems
- pupils are not the same size
- clear liquid coming from the nose or ears
- trouble hearing or sensitive to noises
- fingers or toes that feel numb or weak.
The signs that someone has a brain injury often relate to which parts of the brain are hurt. Areas that usually get hurt in the brain include the following:
- Frontal lobe
- Temporal lobe
- Orbitofrontal cortex
- Cerebellum
- Occipital lobe
- Angular gyrus
- Parietal lobe
- Sensory cortex
- Olfactory bulb
To figure out how severe a traumatic brain injury is, doctors use the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) to check how the injured person reacts to different things, like how well they can open their eyes, speak, and move. This test helps doctors put head injuries into three groups: mild, moderate, or severe. People with the worst injuries don’t respond much when they’re tested.
It’s crucial to know that a lot of different signs can show up after someone gets a traumatic brain injury, and sometimes these signs take a while to appear. After such an injury, you should always watch the person closely for any new or different symptoms in how they feel or act. If you notice something unusual or if something doesn’t seem okay, you should get help from a doctor right away.
Long-Term Effects of Traumatic Brain Injuries
Every person reacts uniquely to a brain injury. Sure signs can emerge immediately, while some may slowly manifest over time. What’s more, some consequences of a head injury might only become visible much later on and could be lasting, possibly leading to the need for specialized tools or assistance and impacting someone’s capacity to work and live on their own.
In many instances, adults and kids who have gone through traumatic brain injuries will show lasting impacts in several possible forms:
- People can face challenges like eating, breathing, and staying active due to physical impairments. They might need recovery plans or costly equipment to help them move around.
- Cognitive Disabilities, which make it hard for someone to think, plan, and do things independently, can have lasting impacts on the person and their loved ones.
- Difficulties in hearing, reading, writing, speaking, and understanding numbers may cause ongoing problems with communication.
- Whether it comes from the hurt caused or how the hurt affects the person's life, the deep sadness and shock a person with a TBI might feel can last a lifetime.
- Individuals who have suffered a TBI might start acting carelessly, become quickly frustrated, show intense fixations, or display new problematic behaviors that they didn't have before their injury.
- If the part of the brain that lets us move on purpose gets hurt, muscles might stay tight or twitchy. This can make it hard for someone to talk, walk, eat, or breathe properly.
Those hurt might go through many operations and extended recovery plans. This can significantly limit the chances for survivors to work, live alone, or have a good time.
Who is Responsible if Someone Suffers a Brain Injury?
Figuring out who’s at fault for a traumatic brain injury isn’t always straightforward. Some many causes and situations can lead to a brain injury, so the people to blame can change a lot, depending on the situation.
In some situations, these people or groups might be responsible for someone's severe head injury:
- careless driver, car owner, or the employer of the driver
- makers of products
- delivery businesses
- Sellers
- truck operators or their companies
- bus operators or bus firms
- motorcycle riders
- boat operators
- car repair businesses
- Product makers and storekeepers
- Owners of property, both public and private
- Shopkeepers
- Individuals who pilot aircraft
- Organizations like city or state officials
- Anyone careless or who purposely ignored someone’s safety and caused a brain injury
Many times, when someone gets a brain injury from a bad bump on the head, their family and pals can tell how tough it’s been for them. If you get a lawyer because you’re hurt, they might talk to brain doctors and other pros to get strong proof to help you. Remember, whether you’re a grown-up or a kid doesn’t matter. If you hurt your brain because someone else wasn’t careful, you can go to court. Also, the person whose careless mistake led to the injury could have to answer for it.
What Types of Payment Can Victims Receive?
Statistics about recovery from traumatic brain injuries show these kinds of injuries to the head can be severe and often lead to big medical and rehab bills. Since these injuries are so severe, the people hurt, and their loved ones usually have the right to get a lot of money to help them. Sometimes, you don’t see the effects of a traumatic brain injury right away, but problems can come up later and cost a lot to take care of the person hurt.
That’s why these victims and their families can ask for money to cover many different kinds of losses, including
Medical Costs
This covers everything from the first urgent treatment to later rehab and additional necessary treatments.
Pain and Suffering
If you’ve had a traumatic brain injury that’s changed how you live, stopping you from enjoying hobbies you used to love, whether it lasts a little while or a long time, you might be able to get compensation for those losses.
Lost Salaries
If someone gets hurt and misses work to improve, this makes up for that lost work time.
Reduced Capacity To Generate Income
If a person’s injuries make it harder for them to do their job, this can affect the money they’ll make going forward.
Lifestyle Adjustments
This is for people who can’t do everyday things they enjoy before getting hurt.
Future Harm
If someone might have more issues later because of their TBI, they might ask for money to help with that.
Life Care
People who’ve suffered a brain injury might not be able to do simple things like driving, cleaning, cooking, or looking after day-to-day chores. Instead, they may need to pay for help with these activities.
Punitive Damages
If the person responsible for the brain injury was careless, mean, or didn’t pay attention, the injured person and their family might get extra money as punishment.
If you’ve suffered a TBI, getting a brain injury lawyer can help you get the full compensation you deserve. For information on brain injury settlements in California, contact us now!
The caring attorneys at TraumaLaw specialize in brain injuries. They know what people with traumatic brain injuries need and work non-stop to get them the money they deserve for their bills and any medical help they’ll need later.
If you don’t have health insurance or a way to pay for care, TraumaLaw can help. We work with doctors and hospitals, so they’ll wait to get paid until after your case is over. We care for our clients and focus on getting them the most money for their injuries. If you or someone you know has a traumatic brain injury, call TraumaLaw at 559-490-1226. Or you can visit our website and fill out a form to talk to us for free about your situation.
Traumatic Brain Injury FAQ
A TBI, as described by the CDC, happens when something goes wrong with how the brain works because of a hit or bump on the head or something going through the skull.
What Should I Do After Getting a TBI?
If you get a TBI, the number one thing to do is get medical help right away. Once a doctor checks you out and knows more about your injury, you can consider what comes next. If you’re dealing with this in California and it’s pretty serious, talking to a lawyer who knows about brain injuries might be a good move to see if you can take legal action.
What Impacts the Money for a Brain Injury Case?
The compensation you get after a brain hurt can depend on:
- Costs for hospital and urgent help
- Tests to check your health
- Getting better and therapy
- How old the hurt person is
- Brain health tests
What Causes Most Traumatic Brain Injuries?
A lot of brain injuries—about 1.3 million—happen because people fall.
How Much Time Does Healing from a Traumatic Brain Injury Take?
It’s different for everyone. Some folks might take a couple of years to feel better after a brain injury, while others keep getting better for up to 10 years.
Who Often Gets Brain Injuries?
Boys and men get hurt more than girls and women. Teenagers, young people, and older folks also get these injuries more than others.
Need to Talk About Your Brain Injury Case?
You can’t wait forever to ask for help, but you’ve got to pick the right people to help you. At TraumaLaw, we know how to win. Give us a ring at 559-490-1226, or visit our website for a free chat about your situation!
Bike Accidents
Over 130,000 bicyclists are injured every year in crashes that occur on roads in the U.S. Bicycle accidents may be catastrophic and the majority of them involve motor vehicles. Many people don’t understand that bicyclists have just as much of a right to use public roads as they do, and this may cause serious injury or death.
We are here to secure a fair financial recovery and manage the legal battle, while you focus on improving. We’ll also assist in arranging your medical care to ensure you’re supported throughout your recovery.
Speeding
Speeding is a major contributing factor to road accidents. When drivers exceed the speed limit or drive too fast for road conditions, they reduce their ability to react quickly and safely. High speeds increase stopping distances and make collisions more severe, posing a significant risk to everyone on the road. Adhering to speed limits and adjusting speed according to traffic and weather conditions are essential for preventing accidents and ensuring the safety of all road users.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is a leading cause of accidents on the road today. When drivers divert their attention from the task of driving—whether by texting, talking on the phone, adjusting the radio, or attending to passengers—they significantly increase the risk of collisions. This lack of focus reduces their ability to react promptly to changes in traffic conditions, potentially causing severe accidents and injuries to themselves and others. Maintaining full attention while driving is crucial for preventing accidents and ensuring the safety of everyone on the road.
Worn Out Tires
Worn out tires on buses pose a serious risk on the road, compromising traction and stability. These preventable failures can lead to devastating accidents, endangering passengers and others nearby. Proper maintenance and timely replacements are crucial to prevent such incidents.
Brake Malfunctions
When brake systems fail on vehicles, such as buses or cars, the consequences can be devastating, especially in collisions involving bicycles. Brakes are crucial safety components that enable vehicles to stop safely and prevent accidents. Whether caused by negligence in maintenance or mechanical defects, brake malfunctions can lead to serious collisions, posing significant risks to cyclists and others sharing the road.
Sleep
Sleep deprivation among drivers is a serious issue that significantly increases the risk of accidents on the road. Fatigue impairs judgment, slows reaction times, and can lead to devastating collisions. The consequences of drowsy driving can be severe, affecting not only the driver but also passengers and others sharing the road.
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Her journey, fueled by a personal experience with loss, drives her to lead one of the top law firms committed to championing client rights with unwavering devotion.
Erica’s approach is intimate, investing an extraordinary amount of personal time with each client, setting her apart as a visionary attorney who touches lives beyond the Rising to the esteemed role of Chair for the Brain Injury Association of California, Erica indeed cements her status as a leader, founding the world’s largest brain injury conference, TBI Med Legal. Her influence extends through her mentorship to young lawyers at major industry events, empowering the next generation with her vast expertise in brain injury law. An esteemed alumna of Southwestern Law School – Los Angeles, Erica not only earned top academic awards but continues to inspire as a guest speaker. With her remarkable ability to communicate in fluent Spanish, Erica bridges cultures in her tireless quest for justice.
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“Erica is very very compassionate and always returns phone calls. when you or someone you love are in an accident, sometimes, all you need is a returned phone call.”
“Erica was not even the attorney at the firm responsible for my case , but cared enough to call on my birthday to tell me happy birthday and she sent me a birthday card.”
“Attorney Erica Chavez, is a great listener, compassionate person, and very knowledgeable. Attorney Chavez is always aware what is happening in your case. When you call her, she is ready to answer your questions”
“ Where do I begin? Erica is absolutely wonderful! I just became her client and wow I’m impressed! #1 attorney with a heart! Thank you Erica for helping me you’re awesome. :)”
“Erica got me $250,000 on my case that 2 other lawyers told me I should only get $15,000 and she always returned my calls the same day, even on the weekend. When you get a lawyer...”
“Hi. My name is Len and I have injury in my head in my crash. Ms. Erica she fighting for me all the time and get me the things like good doctors I needed because I do not have insurance...”
“Erica got us more than 3 times what every lawyer said our case was worth. My son was in a crash broke 4 bones in his body and 2 bones in is back and his brain was bleeding in 2 spots.”
