LA Century Law may be able to assist you if you or a loved one suffered a brain injury in Century City. If you’re a victim of another’s carelessness and have had your life changed forever, give our brain injury lawyers a call.
Trauma to the brain cannot be seen. Therefore, some brain injury victims may not even be aware they have been harmed. It is important to get to the right doctors so that the proper exams and tests can be conducted to assure you do not have a brain injury. These types of injuries generally compound and if not handled properly can result in long-lasting symptoms, including change in personality.
Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries
A traumatic brain injury is a broad category that consists of closed and open head injuries.
A closed brain injury is when the brain sustains damage without penetration through the skull. An open head injury is when an outside force causes a break in the skull.
Different types of traumatic brain injuries include:
- Concussions: A concussion is the most common type of traumatic brain injury. Symptoms can range from minor to severe.
- Intracranial hematomas: Trauma can lead to blood collecting in the brain. Hematomas may not develop until a few days after the injury occurred.
- Diffuse axonal injuries: A diffuse axonal injury happens when the brain heavily shakes back and forth. The motion can create tears in fibers known as axons.
- Contusions: A contusion is a bruise on the brain and generally follows after a concussion. The bruise can develop into a hematoma if it does not heal.
Symptoms can take a while to become apparent. Any traumatic brain injury may result in long-term complications. Be sure to visit a doctor before reaching out to our law firm.
Common Causes of Traumatic Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries generally happen after a blow or jolt to the head. The force of impact affects the regular functions of the brain. Various situations lead to a bump or penetrating damage to the head.
Motor vehicle accidents
Car crashes are one of the common reasons people go to the hospital for a traumatic brain injury. The force of impact may have the brain shift around and hit the skull. Glass or other debris from a collision also can penetrate the skull.
Pedestrian accidents
A pedestrian is more likely to hit their head due to a lack of protective barriers. These accidents have a higher tendency to be fatal as well.
Slips and falls
Loose or broken steps may cause someone to fall. Cords and liquids increase the risk of a trip. Someone may hit their head on the ground or a large object.
In many cases, an accident happens because another person — a driver or a property owner — was negligent. You may be able to seek compensation from them for your traumatic brain injury. Speak to a Century City attorney to understand your rights.
Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injuries
Some traumatic brain injuries are not visible at first. The warning signs do not appear immediately after an accident, so people may not be aware of the damage initially. Physical symptoms to watch out for are:
- Loss of balance
- Feelings of dizziness
- Nausea
- Headaches
- Difficulties with speaking
The signs of a traumatic brain injury also can be cognitive and behavioral. Common signs include:
- Mood swings
- Problems sleeping
- Difficulties with concentration and memory
- Feeling depressed
- Losing consciousness
See a doctor as soon as the symptoms manifest.
How Much Is a Traumatic Brain Injury Worth?
You may have the right to file a claim to get compensation for a traumatic brain injury. Many people have questions about their claims. A common inquiry is how much a traumatic brain injury is worth.
The answer is different for each person. Not everyone receives the same amount of money in a settlement. The value of a traumatic brain injury is usually in the hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars.
Factors that affect the value
The worth of a traumatic brain injury case relies on several factors. Medical expenses and lost earnings contribute a lot to a person’s settlement. Pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of quality of life, and other non-economic damages may raise the value.
The duration of a person’s recovery time can play a role in a claim’s value. Someone may receive more if they take longer to heal from a severe traumatic brain injury.
Whether you reach maximum medical improvement also affects the settlement. You are likely to get accurate compensation if you recover as much as you can. Your lawyer can account for future medical expenses and your ability to resume work.
Another factor is if the other side proves you hold a degree of fault for the accident. California uses comparative negligence for personal injury cases. Under the system, the victim can still receive compensation despite being partially to blame. The amount of money, however, lowers.
LA Century Law Can Help
Traumatic brain injuries diminish one’s quality of life. However, you or a loved one do not need to go through it alone.
LA Century Law is ready to hear your story. Our traumatic brain injury lawyers serve Century City and have a commitment to helping clients get the money they need to resume their lives.
We gather every fact available to build a strong case while you focus on your recovery. Contact us to schedule a free evaluation and begin your case.
Brain Injury FAQs
How long do you have to begin a legal case?
California grants victims two years from the accident date to open a traumatic brain injury claim. The deadline may be different if the at-fault party is a government agency.
What information do you need?
You generally need details about the location of the accident, how you got injured, and witness testimony. Your attorney can help you collect the information your claim needs.
