A brain injury can affect nearly every aspect of a person’s life whether it be going to work or managing everyday responsibilities. These complications arise suddenly after a serious fall or motor vehicle accident, leaving individuals and families with medical uncertainty, financial burdens, and difficult decisions about what comes next.

Undergoing the legal process after a brain injury can feel difficult, especially while you are focusing on treatment and recovery. Insurance companies may also try to act quickly to limit payouts even when the full impact of brain damage is not yet fully grasped. At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our Glendale traumatic brain injury lawyers are equipped to assist clients at every stage, ensuring you receive fair compensation that reflects your immediate losses and future medical needs.

Our law firm proudly services the Glendale community by providing legal guidance to those who sustained traumatic brain injuries as a result of someone else’s negligence. To book a FREE consultation, we invite you to reach out to us by calling (213) 927-3700 or filling out our convenient online contact form.

Legal Guidance You Can Rely On

West Coast Trial Lawyers provides clear communication and support to individuals navigating the aftermath of a traumatic brain injury. Working closely with medical experts, our Glendale brain injury attorneys can assess the full impact of the injury, explain your available options, and seek legal action on your behalf to ensure you secure full compensation for immediate and long-term losses.

What Are Traumatic Brain Injuries?

Traumatic brain injuries happen when an external force impacts normal brain function. The outcome will vary in intensity, and results will differ from case to case depending on the seriousness of the trauma inflicted and the areas of the brain that endured it the most damage. A TBI that is classified as a severe injury may involve long-term changes that can tamper with a person’s ability to maintain independence. 

In the United States, hundreds of thousands of people are diagnosed with TBIs every year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were over 214,000 TBI-related hospitalizations in 2020 and nearly 69,000 TBI-related fatalities in 2021, averaging to more than 586 hospitalizations and 190 deaths per day. These represent only a portion of all TBIs since many cases are treated in outpatient settings or are not medically evaluated.

What Is the Most Common Cause of TBI?

According to national data from the CDC, unintentional falls are the most common cause of a traumatic brain injury, accounting for almost half of all cases. After falls, traffic-related crashes, like car accidents and motorcycle accidents, are the next most frequent causes. These circumstances can trigger forces that tamper with brain function, and can lead to serious and long-lasting consequences.

Since many TBIs happen in everyday environments, property owners will need to fulfill their legal obligation of preventing such harm by maintaining safe conditions and minimizing hazards that could trigger falls or other accidents.

Simply put, while TBIs stem from many factors, falls are the leading cause nationally, followed by motor vehicle accidents.

What Are the First Signs of Brain Damage?

The first signs of brain damage can vary based on the severity of the trauma. But, early changes will appear in how a person thinks, feels, or functions on a day-to-day basis. Even injuries that seem minor, like mild concussions, can produce noticeable issues that should not be ignored, especially if they keep worsening over time.

Cognitive changes are one of the earliest indicators. These may include difficulty concentrating, trouble processing information, or enduring memory loss. Such symptoms can interfere with work performance, decision-making, and daily responsibilities, signaling that the brain may have suffered physical damage.

Behavior and psychological changes could also show up early. Sleep disturbances, like insomnia or excessive fatigue can happen when normal brain function has been impacted. When these signs appear after a head injury or continue further than the expected recovery period, they may suggest more than temporary issues and would require medical attention to look into the extent of the injury.

How to Recover From a Brain Injury?

Recovering after a brain injury will often require medical care, therapy, and long-term support to help the brain heal and restore daily function. While a full recovery is not always possible, many people experience significant improvement with ongoing care. Treatment mostly focuses on targeting physical, cognitive, and functional challenges through medical oversight and rehabilitation services.

Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy are used to help patients improve their quality of life. Progress can continue for months, or even years. This will depend on the extent of harm and the individual’s response to the treatment they are receiving.

Glendale residents and visitors can visit local healthcare facilities that can help them with the recovery process. For example, Glendale Memorial Hospital and Health Center offers inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services, while Adventist Health Glendale provides acute rehabilitation and therapy programs.

Although every brain injury is different, structured medical care and a strong support system can greatly influence outcomes and help individuals work toward the highest level of function possible.

Can You Sue for Brain Damage?

You can sue for brain damage when it is caused by someone else’s carelessness or wrongdoing. This will allow you to pursue accountability through the civil claims process while seeking compensation for losses you incurred.

To support a brain injury case, you will need to collect evidence. This includes medical records that document your diagnosis, treatment, and the long-term impact of the injury, along with a police report if the injury was caused by a crash. Witness statements can also help establish how the injury happened and who may be the responsible party. These materials can exhibit liability and the severity of the brain damage involved.

Strict time limits may apply to filing a personal injury lawsuit. Under California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1, most claims must be filed within two years from the date of when the incident occurred. If the brain damage was caused by medical negligence, CCP § 340.5 limits claims to one year from when such harm was discovered (or reasonably should have been discovered), with an absolute cap of three years from the date of the malpractice. Claims made against government entities will require you to file an administrative claim within six months (Government Code § 911.2).

How Much Money Can You Get from a Brain Injury?

The amount of money someone receives from a brain injury settlement will depend on the severity of the injury, how it affects daily life, and the evidence supporting the claim. There is no fixed payout. Instead, the value of a brain injury claim will be determined by the specific categories of damages that apply to your case. Minor circumstances may resolve for smaller amounts whereas severe injury can lead to settlements or verdicts reaching the high six figures or even more.

Personal injury cases are intended to help affected individuals recover compensation for financial losses and emotional harm sustained as a result of a head injury. Economic damages make up a significant portion of a brain injury claim. These may consist of medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, and property damage (with motor vehicle accidents) connected to the incident, as well as lost wages for time missed at work. When the injury impacts a person’s ability to fulfill job-related tasks in the future, compensation may also account for lost earning capacity, in addition to future medical costs related to ongoing treatment, therapy, and long-term care needs.

Compensation can also consist of non-economic damages. This addresses the personal impact of the injury, like reduced quality of life, cognitive limitations, and emotional distress. In rare circumstances (involving extreme misconduct or intentional wrongdoing), courts may also provide punitive damages to punish the at fault party and deter similar conduct from occurring in the future.

Where to Find Lawyers Specializing in Traumatic Brain Injuries?

Finding the right traumatic brain injury lawyer will start with looking for someone who can handle serious or catastrophic injury cases and have that clearly stated in their practice. Law firms that focus on personal injury litigation are usually better equipped to manage the complications associated with brain injury cases, including acquiring and interpreting medical documentation and working alongside experts to explain how the injury has affected daily life and future care needs.

State and local bar association referral services, including well-established legal directories are also beneficial tools you can use when searching for qualified representation. These will allow you to assess an attorney’s background, experience, and client feedback before scheduling a consultation. A lawyer who has extensive knowledge in brain injury cases will know how to protect your legal rights, obtain financial compensation on your behalf, and pursue accountability from the at fault party.

Suffered a Brain Injury? West Coast Trial Lawyers Is Ready to Support You

When a brain injury is caused by someone else’s negligence, the consequences can be overwhelming for injured clients and their families. Lost income and the burden of future medical expenses can place significant financial strain on an already difficult situation. Seeking experienced legal guidance is an important step toward holding the at-fault party accountable and pursuing financial recovery.

At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our Glendale brain injury lawyers can evaluate the full impact of your injury, go through your options, and help you navigate the process of filing a traumatic brain injury claim. With our support, you can focus on your health while we work towards pursuing compensation that reflects the actual extent of losses you incurred.

To book a FREE consultation with a skilled lawyer, you can get in touch with us by calling (213) 927-3700 or completing our easy online contact form.