California Head Injury Attorneys
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Make Informed Legal Decisions With The Guidance Of Our California Head Injury Attorneys
Head injuries are considerably dangerous accident injuries. Different types of head-related injuries include lacerations, bruising, concussions, skull fractures, and hemorrhages. The head contains the brain, which is responsible for controlling the most basic functions of life, such as breathing and keeping the heart beating. A person can quickly find themselves in a life-threatening situation after a severe head injury.
Even head injuries that do not put a victim in immediate danger can cause permanent damage. A head-injury victim may be left unable to work, enjoy their hobbies, walk, or even feed themselves. Depending on their specific cases, injury victims may be entitled to compensation for their losses.
Our California head injury attorneys offer legal assistance for injured individuals. We deal with insurance companies. Our lawyers are proficient with the process of seeking compensation to which you may be entitled under California law. Call us to learn how we can help you.
Why All Head Injuries Require Immediate Medical Attention
Even if you do not think you have suffered injuries, it is advisable to get medical attention after an accident that has resulted in a blow to any part of your head. Many injuries do not show symptoms right away. If your brain is bleeding slowly, it might take hours, or even days, for the injury to result in noticeable symptoms. You might be able to function normally immediately after the accident, even though your brain has sustained damage.
It can be detrimental if your brain gets deprived of oxygen for even a short time. It is not possible to detect brain damage with the naked eye. This potential for injury is why victims must see a medical professional.
A doctor not only has the training and experience to recognize brain injuries, but they also have access to imaging equipment that allows them to identify the area of injury and assess the extent of the damage. There is a short window of time to diagnose and treat a brain injury.
Some injuries can quickly become life-threatening if they are not treated right away. Others will cause further damage or damage that is irreversible if they are left untreated. Seeing a doctor immediately after an accident is a crucial step toward diagnosing and treating potential injuries.
Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
Verdict in a mild traumatic brain injury case involving a motor vehicle collision.– Judd Ross Allen
Potential Symptoms Of Head Injuries After An Accident
Brain injuries are a common type of head injury that can cause a variety of symptoms. According to the Mayo Clinic, the following symptoms can be signs of an injury to the brain:
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Fatigue or drowsiness
- Dizziness or loss of balance
- Blurred vision
- Ringing in the ears or tinnitus
- Bad taste in the mouth
- Changes in the ability to smell
- Sensitivity to light or sound
In addition to these physical symptoms, a brain injury victim might also have cognitive, behavioral, or mental symptoms. These can include:
- Losing consciousness
- Feeling dazed, confused, or disoriented
- Memory or concentration problems
- Mood changes or mood swings
- Feeling depressed or anxious
- Difficulty sleeping
- Sleeping more than usual
- Problems with speech
In the case of a moderate or severe brain injury, the victim might experience additional symptoms. The presence of any of these severe symptoms is often considered a medical emergency requiring immediate attention:
- Varying states of consciousness
- Repeated vomiting or nausea
- Seizures
- Dilated pupils
- Fluids draining from the nose
- Sleep problems
- Numbness or weakness in extremities and digits
- Problems with coordination
- Intense confusion
- Agitation, combativeness, or other unusual behavior
- Slurred speech
- Coma and other disorders of consciousness
Common Types Of Brain-Related Head Injuries
There are many different ways the brain can be injured. Many different things can happen to the brain when subjected to trauma, and these have different effects on the brain. Learn more about the different types of injuries that can occur to the brain:
Contusion And Edema
A brain “contusion” is simply a bruise. Like other bruises, a brain contusion is the result of a broken blood vessel. These injuries are not generally a problem when the blood pools inside the abdominal cavity or other body parts. However, when blood pools in the brain, it can interfere with normal functioning and cause serious symptoms to develop.
A contusion can also result in edema. Edema is swelling, and this, too, is dangerous in the brain. The brain does not have very much room to swell within the skull. Coupled with the fact that swelling can also impair normal brain functions, and edema can be a life-threatening situation, as well.
Hematoma
A hematoma is a blood clot. There are many ways that trauma can lead to a blood clot in the skull (intracranial hematoma). If, for example, a clot had formed elsewhere in your body, the force of an accident could cause it to break loose and move to the brain. A blood clot in the brain can cause a stroke.
Hematomas can also be the result of improper medication management by a doctor or pharmacist. Regardless of how a blood clot gets to the brain, it can quickly create a life-threatening situation once it is there. This risk highlights the importance of seeking medical attention after any blow to the head, even if you do not feel hurt at first.
Hemorrhage
A hemorrhage is bleeding that quickly leads to severe blood loss. If it is not stopped right away, a hemorrhage can cause a victim to bleed out and die within minutes. Hemorrhages are even more dangerous in the brain: in addition to massive blood loss, doctors must also fight against the damage done to the brain when blood pools inside.
Medical staff usually have an incredibly short window — sometimes just minutes — to stop a brain hemorrhage before the patient dies. If a brain injury victim sees a doctor right after the accident, the physician may be able to slow the bleeding before it develops into a hemorrhage. This kind of treatment drastically increases the odds of survival for the accident victim.
The Causes Of Brain Injuries After Head Trauma
So, how do head and brain injuries occur? There are many ways the body can suffer trauma. Here are some of the most common accidents our California head injury lawyers see:
Slip And Fall Accidents
A person can slip and fall almost anywhere. Whether you are in your home, a store, or at a public venue (like a park or sports arena), some hazards can cause you to lose your balance. Sometimes this is related to the weather (like ice and snow). Slip and fall incidents can also happen when a property owner or manager neglects their premises.
A common slip and fall accident occurs in the produce section of a grocery store: the staff fails to clean up squished produce, and an unsuspecting customer slips on it to end up with serious injuries. Regardless of where your slip and fall accident occurred, it may be possible to hold the property owner financially responsible for your injuries. Consult with a head-injury lawyer in California about your unique circumstances.
Construction Accidents
There are many dangers on a construction site. Blasting, heavy machinery, cranes lowering materials overhead, unsteady scaffolding, and other dangers lead to an incredibly high accident rate on construction sites. Construction workers are generally entitled to workers’ compensation insurance coverage for injuries they sustain while on the job.
If you are injured while passing by a construction site, you may have grounds to hold the construction company liable for failing to maintain a safe worksite. Regardless of how your brain sustains an injury on a construction site, pursuing legal action against negligent construction companies may address dangerous conditions and protect future victims from suffering preventable injuries.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Brain damage is a significant risk in motor vehicle accidents. Thousands of additional individuals are injured in car accidents every year. Car accidents can result in minor brain damage, such as a concussion that resolves on its own after a few days. They can also cause moderate brain damage that leaves lasting effects or severe and permanent brain damage.
According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, there were 4,061 fatalities on the roads of California in 2023. That is around 11 deaths every day. Many of these deaths may have resulted from brain injuries. While it is possible to survive an amputation or injuries to the bones or soft tissue, the brain is simply too delicate to sustain much damage.
The most serious car accidents result in brain death. Regardless of how minor or severe the brain injury is, the accident victim has the right to seek compensation for their injuries. Surviving family members may be able to file a wrongful death claim if the victim succumbs to their injuries. If you want to know whether you have a valid claim, fill out our “Do I have a case?” form, and someone from our legal team can reach out to you.
Medical Malpractice
Medical errors are considered a public health issue, affecting thousands of people every year. A study by Johns Hopkins points to medical errors as the third leading cause of death in the United States. There are many ways that your brain could be injured due to a medical provider’s negligence:
- Medical staff might not monitor your oxygen levels properly.
- Your team may not provide oxygen.
- The EMTs taking you to the hospital could injure you en route.
- A pharmacist could fill the wrong medication or a dangerous dosage.
In many cases, medical facilities can be held liable for the negligence of their medical staff. Holding negligent providers accountable for the injuries they cause may contribute to improved patient safety standards.
Nursing Home Neglect And Abuse
Sadly, the most vulnerable Californians can be at risk from the very people who are supposed to care for them. Nursing home residents are often physically limited and unable to care for all their needs. This fact is why they must have assisted care.
However, injuries do occur when there’s negligence. Falls, medication errors, and infections are all potential risks if a nursing home neglects its patients. Abuse in nursing homes, too, can lead to brain injuries.
Nursing home neglect and abuse can lead to criminal charges under California law. Our loved ones deserve adequate treatment from those who are responsible for caring for them. When negligence and abuse occur, pursuing legal action for compensation and accountability can be necessary.
Statistics On Brain Injuries
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports there were 214,110 hospitalizations for TBIs in 2020, not including cases that were treated in emergency departments, primary care, or urgent care. In 2021, traumatic brain injuries caused a total of 69,473 deaths. This fact means that hundreds of thousands of individuals suffer serious and costly injuries every year.
TBIs are usually attributed to expensive medical bills. Victims who sustain TBIs may lose wages while they are unable to work. Under California law, a negligent party may be held financially responsible for the injuries they cause. If you suffered head injuries from an accident caused by another, learning about your rights and legal options is critical.
Seek Legal Help From Experienced California Head Injury Attorneys
Our head injury lawyers in California advocate for injured victims. We stand up for your rights and provide dedicated representation grounded in experience. We serve clients in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Riverside, Bakersfield, Santa Barbara, San Jose, San Diego, Fresno, Sacramento, Sherman Oaks, and throughout the state. Our head injury attorneys offer personalized legal guidance for every client they help. Contact us at (888) 488-1391 to schedule your free initial consultation.
