Fresno Brain Injury Lawyer

The brain is arguably the most important organ in the body. It helps humans function their thoughts, emotions, and movements. Any type of damage that is directly done to the brain could result in serious changes to a person’s overall lifestyle. Common symptoms of brain damage include, but are not limited to, slurred speech, vision blurriness, paralysis, sensitivity to light or sound, seizures, or loss of consciousness. 

Victims who sustain a brain injury will need to seek immediate medical attention as this type of damage could become life-threatening if not treated properly.  Getting medical care for a brain injury is quite costly as multiple treatments may be needed to enhance or improve the brain’s condition. Unfortunately, this could become a financial burden as costs for medical care are quite expensive. If your brain injury was caused by a negligent party, you may be entitled to file a personal injury claim to acquire recoverable compensation, including medical bills. 

At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our Fresno brain injury attorneys have over 20 years of legal experience in handling personal injury cases. With our track record of winning more than $1 billion in settlements for our clients, we are confident that we will deliver a good outcome to your settlement.

We run on a contingency-fee basis, meaning you pay no fees until you win. To schedule a FREE consultation, contact our 24/7 legal team by calling (213) 927-3700 or by filling out our quick online contact form.

What Constitutes a Brain Injury?

A traumatic brain injury is caused by a forceful bump, blow, or jolt to the head and depending on the severity of the injury it can cause nerves to be swollen or develop other neurological damage. While every brain injury case will be different, they can typically be categorized as one of two types: Open Head Injury or a Closed Head Injury.

Open Head Injury

An open head injury (or sometimes referred to as a penetrating brain injury) is caused by a foreign object breaking into the skull and damaging parts of the brain. These types are usually caused by a variety of situations from violent acts like shootings and physical altercations to falling onto sharp objects from a height.

Due to the direct damage to the brain, open TBI’s are classified as a severe type of injury that requires urgent medical care. Should a brain injury victim survive the initial injury, a CDC infographic states that they have a 50% chance of experiencing serious consequences such as a decline in cognitive function or motor functions. With that in mind, the associated costs to maintain quality of life will be costly and it is highly recommended for victims to hire a Fresno brain injury lawyer to secure compensation for their medical expenses.

Closed Head Injury

A closed head injury (or sometimes referred to as a non-penetrating brain injury) is when an accident victim suffers a blow to the head strong enough to rattle the brain inside the skull causing bruising and torn blood vessels. This type of injury is considerably less severe when directly compared to open TBIs, they should not be taken lightly as they can still cause severe long-term health complications.

However, it is important to note that this type of injury can be sustained in a wider variety of situations and incidents from car accidents to falls to even sports-related injuries. So should an injury victim suffer a closed head injury, it is recommended to see a medical professional as soon as possible to ensure they do not suffer any long term health complications. 

Common Causes of a Brain Injury

There are a number of factors that can cause a brain injury, however, while every brain injury claim is different it is important to understand the differences between them as it will have an important impact on the victim’s medical expenses.

Motor Vehicle Accidents

One of the most common causes of a brain injury, around 37% of all car accident victims have suffered traumatic brain injuries according to a brain injury study conducted by the National Institute of Health. This is due to the amount of force applied in the event of a crash and the brain is either damaged by rattling inside the skull or if the victim’s head sustains a serious blow.

While the severity of the brain injury and the associated medical expenses will vary on a case-by-case basis, a Fresno traumatic brain injury attorney should be able to help recover compensation and get accident victims back on the road to recovery.

Falls

Brain injuries caused by falls can potentially be some of the most severe injuries due to the amount of variables and factors that can contribute to the injury. From the height of the fall to surrounding objects that can inflict additional injuries, there are many things that can turn a mild slip and fall into a serious lawsuit where the victim requires extensive medical care. Due to the nature of falls, they are considered to be one of the most common forms of accidents with the CDC stating in a fall fact sheet, that slip and there are approximately three million people being treated in emergency departments for fall injuries.

Physical Violence

Physical violence an unfortunate and common occurrence for brain injuries due to the number of violent crimes that can occur at a moment’s notice. The American Brain Foundation has reported in a domestic violence report that over 75% of domestic violence survivors suffer single or repeated traumatic brain injuries and most of which go unreported.

While personal injury law helps victims get justice to those responsible, it is vital that injury victims get assistance from their friends and family, especially if they are victims of domestic violence. An experienced personal injury lawyer will do everything possible to ensure victim’s rights are protected and will present evidence such as medical records, video and photographic evidence, and witness statements to make sure justice is served.

Why Do You Need a Fresno Brain Injury Attorney?

Hiring a Fresno brain injury lawyer can provide accident victims a number of benefits that as opposed to filing a claim on their own. For instance, they can file all of the necessary paperwork that is required to submit a personal injury lawsuit, assist in gathering evidence, give sound legal advice, and even represent their client’s best interest in court.

While accident victims can file a claim on their own, it is highly discouraged because they may either fall susceptible to negotiation tactics, be pressured to accept a lower settlement offer, or even mismanage what kind of paperwork needs to be filed.

In addition, due to the severity of brain injuries it may be difficult to be objective when presenting the case, especially if the victim is struggling to recover when they have severe head trauma or are experiencing financial instability due to lost wages. Which is why it is crucial to hire a local attorney who will fight for your rights.

Types of Recoverable Compensation

When it comes to the amount of recoverable compensation in brain injury cases, the total sum will always vary based on the details of the case. Broadly speaking, the different types of recoverable damages can be categorized either as economic or non-economic damages.

Economic

Economic damages are referred to as calculable expenses that have accrued due to the accident. For instance, medical bills, lost income, physical therapy, rehabilitation costs, and loss of future income are all things that can be recovered, especially for a brain injury case. The purpose of economic damages is to make sure that the accident victim is financially whole for any unexpected expenses and help them make a full recovery.

Non-Economic

Non-economic damages are defined as incalculable expenses that have accrued as a result of the accident in question. For example, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life are all subjective damages that can’t be valued for a specific sum. Due to the nature of non-economic damages, the total value will vary on a case by case basis.

How Much Is the Average Compensation for a Traumatic Brain Injury?

Every brain injury lawsuit is going to be different based on the nature and severity of the accident. However, severe traumatic brain injuries can typically be valued around the six figure range due to the associated medical costs that are required in order to make a full recovery.

Whether brain injury victims have suffered their respective injuries in a car accident or a fall, it is recommended that they input their information in a settlement calculator or consult with an experienced brain injury lawyer to get a better understanding of their case and see what their options are.

West Coast Trial Lawyers Is Here to Help

If you have sustained a brain injury as a result of someone else’s negligence or deliberate acts of malice, you have the right to hold the guilty party responsible for your losses. At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our team of brain injury lawyers are ready to take on your case and fight for your rights. With over 20 years of experience, our team of attorneys understand the severity of traumatic brain injury cases and handle every case with the utmost care and respect that it deserves.

As a result of their dedication and compassion, they have recovered over $1.7 billion in financial compensation to our deserving clients. No matter what kind of brain injury claim a victim has, our team of traumatic brain injury lawyers will assess the details of the claim and give proper guidance on how to move forward. As severe brain injuries are a stressful experience, our 24/7 legal team will be there every step of the way to provide assistance to the legal process.

We run on a contingency-fee basis, meaning you pay no fees until you win. To schedule a FREE case evaluation, contact our 24/7 legal team by calling (213) 927-3700 or by filling out our quick online contact form.