Sacramento Brain Injury Lawyer

Suffering a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a serious and possibly life-changing experience that can dramatically affect people, emotionally, physically, and even legally. The International Brain Injury Association has estimated in a Brain Injury Fact Sheet that around 5.3 million Americans are living with disability related to traumatic brain injury.

Meanwhile, the Brain Trauma Foundation has reported that about 2.5 million people sustain a traumatic brain injury each year and it currently serves as the leading cause of death and disability in children and adults ages 1 to 44. With that in mind, the associated costs of suffering a brain injury can not only be difficult to recover from physically but financially as well. In such an event, it is crucial that the ones responsible be held accountable so that any brain injury victim has a chance of making a full recovery,

Should you or a loved one is suffering from a traumatic brain injury due to an unfortunate accident or an ill intentioned incident you may be entitled to fair compensation for the sustained damages. At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our talented team of brain injury attorneys are ready to serve as your trusted legal representation during this trying time in your life. Our attorneys handle every traumatic brain injury claim with the utmost care and integrity and ensure that injury victims are properly represented in the California court system.

We have recovered over $1.6 billion in financial compensation to our deserving clients and we will continue to do our duty to guide you throughout the legal process. With over 20 years of experience handling catastrophic and traumatic brain injury cases, our dedicated team of brain injury attorneys are confident that they will get you the maximum compensation that you deserve for your losses.

We run on a contingency-fee basis, meaning that you pay no fees until you win. To schedule a FREE initial consultation, you can get in touch with us by calling us at (213) 927-3700 or by filling out our quick online contact form.

Defining a Brain Injury

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), a traumatic brain injury is defined as a brain dysfunction often caused by a forceful bump, blow, or jolt to the head. Depending on the severity and placement of the blow, there are a number of possible injuries and symptoms a person can sustain. However, all traumatic brain injuries can be classified into one of two categories: Penetrating and Non-Penetrating.

Penetrating

Penetrating head injuries (typically referred to as open TBIs) are severe injuries where an object pierces the skull and damages certain parts of the brain. Due to the nature of the injury, the fatality rate is significantly high and anyone who has suffered a penetrating head injuries must get immediate medical attention. Should the victim survive the initial injury, the road to recovery is very long and costly and it will have a huge impact on their quality of life. A CDC infographic has stated that about 50% of people who have survived an open TBI will possibly experience a decline in their physical or cognitive abilities.

Non-Penetrating

Non-penetrating head injuries (often referred to as blunt TBIs) are injuries where the head suffers a strong external force that rattles the brain inside the skull, which causes the brain tissue to either bruise or tear. Blunt TBIs are not as severe when directly compared to penetrating head injuries, but they can be just as devastating if proper care and treatment is not administered. With that in mind, no matter how little the head trauma may be in an accident, it is highly recommended to see with a medical professional to make sure.

Common Causes of Sacramento Brain Injuries

Brain injuries are commonly found in accidents and incidents that involve any physical damage or a violent blow to the head. As a result, there are many types of accidents that can cause traumatic brain injuries. However, from what is commonly seen in Sacramento, car accidents, falls, and violent assaults are some of the most common. With that in mind, if you are filing a claim with a Sacramento traumatic brain injury lawyer, it is recommended to familiarize yourself with the details of each accident to properly identify the liable party.

Car Accidents

Car accidents are one of the most common causes of brain injuries due to the force and impact that is typically found in a car accident. According to a brain injury study conducted by the National Institute of Health, around 37% of all car accident victims have suffered traumatic brain injuries.

While motor vehicle accidents are typically easy to determine who is liable for the damages, there may be instances where the liability is more complex than one would have expected. Whether you were involved in a motor vehicle accident with a car, bus, truck, or motorcycle, the possibility of receiving a TBI is never zero and there is always somebody responsible for it.

Falls

Falls are without a doubt, one of the most common causes of brain injuries and the severity of the injury will be dependent on a number of factors such as height, location, and whether or not any object pierces the skull or not. In fact, the Brain Trauma Foundation has reported through a fact sheet that around 28% of all brain injury claims have been due to falls.

As such, trying to determine liability for a fall accident may prove to be more challenging because it will be dependent on whether or not the cause of the fall was due to another person’s negligence or ill intent. Should a liable party exist and can be held responsible for their neglect then it is recommended for the victim to file a brain injury lawsuit or else they would be forced to pay for the medical bills out-of-pocket.

Violent Assaults

Violent assaults are defined as physical altercations that sometimes involve a weapon such as firearms and blunt objects. According to the National Library of Medicine, brain injuries from assaults can potentially leave long-term physical, cognitive, and emotional conditions on the victim such as a severe concussion or even post traumatic stress disorder.

As such, rehabilitative services like physical and behavioral therapy may be required during the recovery process and it is highly recommended to hire Sacramento brain injury attorneys, because these cases can get personal and very emotional. In cases where the victim has suffered a severe brain injury, it is vital that brain injury victims are able to present as much evidence as possible in order to ensure that justice is served to the responsible party.

Common Brain Injury Symptoms

Traumatic brain injuries can exhibit a wide range of symptoms that can affect brain injury victims physically, cognitively, and sensationally. Whether you have suffered a severe brain trauma or a mild brain injury, you may experience any of the following tbi symptoms. Should you experience any symptoms, it is highly recommended to call medical professionals and have them check your condition.

Physical

• Headaches
• Convulsions or seizures
• Blurred or double vision
• Unequal eye pupil size or dilation
• Clear fluids draining from the nose or ears
• Nausea and vomiting
• New neurologic deficits, such as slurred speech; weakness of arms, legs, or face; loss of balance

Cognitive/Behavioral

• Loss of or change in consciousness anywhere from a few seconds to a few hours
• Mild to profound confusion or disorientation
• Problems remembering, concentrating, or making decisions
• Drastic changes in sleep patterns
• Cognitive difficulties

Perception/Sensation

• Light-headedness, dizziness, or vertigo
• Hearing problems, such as ringing in the ears
• Sensitivity to light or sound
• Frequent and unusual mood swings
• Sudden feelings of anxiousness or depression
• Sudden lack of energy/motivation
• Sudden periods of fatigue or drowsiness

How Can A Sacramento Brain Injury Lawyer Help

Hiring a brain injury lawyer can bring a number of advantages that can ensure your chances of recovering compensation for a traumatic brain injury. For instance, brain injury attorneys can offer sound and objective legal advice and guidance which is critical for personal injury cases. In addition, they can file the necessary documents and motions, negotiate on your behalf, and even represent you should your claim go to court.

While it is not mandatory to hire a Sacramento brain injury attorney for your case, it is highly recommended because the medical costs of recovering from a traumatic brain injury is very costly and an experienced attorney will make sure that you are properly compensated for your injuries.

What Is The Statute of Limitations in California?

For all personal injury claims, they must be filed within two years of the accident date, as per section 335.1 of California’s code of civil procedure. If an accident victim fails to file a claim within that time frame, then they would not be able to pursue compensation for the accident in question. In fact, any attempt to file a claim when the statute of limitation is in effect would immediately result in the case being dismissed in the California court system.

The only exception to the two year rule is unless the victim is a minor, in jail, legally insane, living out-of-state, or disabled. With that in mind, it is vital to file a claim as soon as possible and should you require assistance, it is recommended to consult with a Sacramento brain injury lawyer.

What Can You Recover From a Brain Injury Claim?

In a traumatic brain injury case, TBI victims can recover either economic damages, non-economic damages, or a mixture of both in order to compensate them for any outstanding medical expenses and subjective damages that has occurred as a result of the accident.

For instance, damages such as lost wages, future medical expenses, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and quality of life adjustments can all be recoverable, but their value will be dependent on the severity and scale of the accident. However, on average, severe brain injuries are valued around the six to seven figure range due to the extensive medical treatment required to treat patients.

West Coast Trial Lawyers is Here to Help

If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury due to an accident or an ill-intentioned incident, you may sue to recover damages. As traumatic brain injuries tend to accumulate high medical expenses, it is important that you hire an experienced brain injury attorney to represent your claim and your best interests so that you can be on the road to recovery.

At West Coast Trial Lawyers, we are ready to fight for you and help get you the justice and compensation you deserve. We are a law firm that specializes in personal injury law and our team of traumatic brain injury lawyers handle every case with the utmost care and respect that it deserves.

We have recovered over $1.6 billion in financial compensation for our deserving clients and we will continue to do our duty to ensure every client who has suffered a catastrophic injury is properly represented. Whether you have suffered a mild traumatic brain injury or severe brain damage, our Sacramento brain injury attorneys are readily available to meet with you and discuss your case in full detail.

To schedule a FREE consultation for your case, we welcome you to reach out to our 24/7 legal team by calling us at (213) 927-3700 or completing our easy online contact form.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sacramento Brain Injury Cases

What Is the Average Brain Injury Settlement in California?

The average settlement for a traumatic brain injury in California typically ranges around the six to seven figure range, but it will be heavily dependent on the severity and scale of the accident and the accrued damages. An experienced brain injury attorney will be able to give traumatic brain injury victims an estimation for their damages, but they can also input all of their accrued costs in a personal injury settlement calculator and find out for themselves.

How Much Does Brain Injury Rehabilitation Cost?

Depending on the severity of the initial head injury, the recovery process can cost victims at least up to $1600 per day according to a rehabilitation cost study conducted by the Brain Injury Association. While this is not indicative of every traumatic brain injury patient, it is important to get the proper medical care they deserve or else they might risk succumbing to fatal symptoms.

What Are the Risks of Not Hiring a Brain Injury Attorney?

The biggest risk of not hiring experienced brain injury lawyers is going to be the fact that you will be fully responsible for every task that is found in filing a personal injury claim. From filling out the necessary paperwork to negotiating with opposing counsel and insurance companies, the responsibility will be on your shoulders and unless you are familiar with the legal system, there is a high likelihood that you will not be able to recover that much compensation for your medical treatments and might be forced to pay out of pocket for any remaining costs.

How Much Does a Sacramento Brain Injury Lawyer Cost?

Generally, Sacramento brain injury lawyers operate on a contingency-based system where they would charge no fees until they either win or receive a settlement offer from opposing counsel. Should they manage to achieve one or the other, they would charge a flat contingency fee that can range anywhere between 25% to 40%, however, most tend to average around 33%.