Brain injuries range in severity from mild to life changing. Suffering a brain injury due to someone else’s negligence alters your way of life and leaves you with a huge financial burden, but it’s possible to recover those damages with monetary compensation. A brain injury lawyer from BD&J can help you fight for compensation.
Traumatic vs. Non-Traumatic Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries are caused by an external force, such as a blow to the head from an object or a car accident. The hit from outside the body causes brain damage when the brain knocks against the skull or when the skull is penetrated or shattered. TBIs can be closed, such as a concussion, where there isn’t penetration of the skull. Penetrating TBIs happen when an object penetrates the skull and damages the brain.
A non-traumatic brain injury happens due to internal factors, including lack of oxygen or damage from a tumor. They can be caused by medical conditions, such as cancer, aneurysm, stroke, and meningitis. Accidents could also lead to non-traumatic brain injuries. For example, someone who drowns could suffer from a lack of oxygen, leading to brain injury.
Common Causes of Traumatic Brain Injuries
Any severe external force to the head can cause a TBI. However, some common causes include:
- Vehicle accidents
- Pedestrian or bicycle accidents
- Falls
- Acts of violence, such as fights, domestic violence, and gunshots
- Sports injuries
- Blast injuries
Symptoms of TBIs
Traumatic brain injuries range from mild concussions to severe injuries that severely alter your brain functioning. Symptoms vary based on the severity of the TBI. Common symptoms include:
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness, confusion, or disorientation
- Light or sound sensitivity
- Blurred vision or pupil dilation in one or both eyes
- Ringing in the ears
- Loss of consciousness for any amount of time
- Changes to sleep
- Seizures
- Weakness or numbness
- Loss of balance or coordination
- Mood changes, agitation, or combativeness
- Slurred speech
How TBIs Can Impact Your Life
The severity of the TBI determines what impact it has on your life. Mild brain injuries could affect your concentration or mood, potentially interfering with work and friendships. Severe TBIs could lessen your independence and quality of life. Some lasting effects might include:
- Changes to your cognitive abilities, including memory, reasoning, and judgment
- Difficulty communicating, including being unable to speak or write, trouble understanding what others say, and organizing your thoughts
- Behavioral changes that cause you to exhibit risky behaviors, lack of self-control, or social difficulties
- Debilitating sensory issues, such as ringing in the ears, blind spots, and balance issues
- Ongoing medical issues, including infections, seizures, and fluid buildup
- Temporary or permanent changes to consciousness, including brain death or a vegetative state
People with traumatic brain injuries may no longer be able to work due to cognitive changes. You may have difficulty in your relationships because of communication issues. Experiencing a TBI could also cause conditions, such as depression, that impact your quality of life.
Compensation You Can Receive in a TBI Case
TBIs sometimes occur due to the negligence of another person, medical professional, or company. Examples of people who could be held liable include a driver who caused a car accident, the perpetrator in a violent attack, a doctor who made a negligent decision, or the manufacturer of a faulty product.
In such cases, a traumatic brain injury lawyer can help you file a claim to receive compensation for:
- Medical expenses: This includes treatment immediately following the TBI and ongoing medical needs. For instance, it could cover future therapy or the treatment of future complications.
- Lost wages: You may receive compensation for lost wages while you recover or future wages if the TBI affects your ability to work.
- Emotional damages: TBI victims may receive damages for pain and suffering caused by the injury. This might include losing quality of life or impacting your relationships.
- Property damage: If the cause of your TBI also resulted in property damage, you might receive compensation to cover that damage.
- Punitive damage: In cases of extreme negligence, a judge could add punitive damages. The monetary compensation serves as a punishment for the extremely negligent conduct.
How Long Do You Have to File a TBI Claim?
A TBI typically falls under a personal injury claim. In California, the statute of limitations is 2 years after the injury. The exception is a TBI that results from medical malpractice. In that case, you have 1 year from the time you discover the injury or 3 years from the date of the injury, whichever comes first. The statute of limitations varies by state.
Why You Need a Personal Injury Attorney
Hiring a brain injury lawyer in Beverly Hills gives you a partner through every step of the process. The experienced lawyers at BD&J help with:
- Determining if you have a claim
- Gathering evidence
- Establishing fault
- Filing a claim
- Negotiating a settlement
- Representing you in court
A lawyer saves you time by handling the legal proceedings. They use strong negotiation tactics and legal knowledge to potentially maximize the amount you receive.
If you’re the victim of a TBI due to someone’s negligence, call BD&J at 855-906-3699. One of our experienced attorneys in Beverly Hills can assess your case and help you start the claims process.
