About 2.8 million people sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI) every year in the U.S. It’s important to know the symptoms, to obtain proper treatment, and to know your rights if you’re a TBI victim. In southern California, you may need to consult a Pasadena personal injury attorney.
A traumatic brain injury is an injury to the brain caused by some external force such as a blow to the head, an impact suffered in a fall, a sports accident, or a traffic crash, or an explosion going off next to the victim’s head. A TBI may also be caused by an object penetrating the skull.
Since anyone can sustain an accidental head injury, we’re all at risk. Anyone who suffers a blow to the head must seek medical attention at once. Even a mild brain injury, if undetected or undiagnosed, can quickly turn into a serious medical condition.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF TBI?
Symptoms usually start to appear not long after a brain injury occurs. A person may have a brain injury if his or her symptoms include:
• Numbness, nausea, dizziness, or excessive drowsiness
• Severe headaches
• Weakness in the arms or legs
• Loss of vision or slurred speech
• Confusion, memory loss, inability to concentrate
Anyone who experiences the symptoms of traumatic brain injury must seek medical attention at once. But you should also be examined after any accident or blow to the head because brain injury symptoms do not always appear immediately.
HOW CAN A TBI IMPACT A PATIENT’S LIFE?
Many TBI patients are unable to work full-time – if at all. Some traumatic brain injury patients experience no substantial change to their lives, but most brain injury patients will have some type of difficulty with memory, concentration, and sleep.
Some mild, temporary depression is normal for traumatic brain injury patients. Depression often follows a catastrophic accident. When it’s identified early, depression can be more easily treated.
Depression isn’t just feeling sad or forlorn. It’s a clinical condition typically linked to the loss of sleep, loss of appetite, an inability to concentrate, guilt feelings, and in the most serious cases, thoughts of suicide. If you are suffering depression – or if it’s someone you love – get help now.
WHAT ARE YOUR RIGHTS IF YOU’RE INJURED BY NEGLIGENCE?
When a TBI is mild and treated properly, the symptoms typically fade in just several weeks. With more serious traumatic brain injuries, the symptoms can linger – sometimes for years or even the rest of the victim’s life.
When another person is liable for someone’s TBI, California law entitles the victim to full compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and all other damages. If someone else’s carelessness was the cause of a traumatic brain injury, the right personal injury lawyer can help.
If you or someone you love has suffered a TBI because another person was careless and negligent, discuss your circumstances right away with a southern California personal injury lawyer. Every case is different, so every TBI victim will need sound, personalized legal advice.
HOW SOON WILL YOU NEED TO ACT?
The most serious traumatic brain injuries require multiple surgeries, years of therapy, and extensive counseling. As you might imagine, few families can afford the cost, but a personal injury claim that prevails can provide TBI patients and families with the resources they require.
The statute of limitations in California for personal injury claims is two years, but do not wait until the deadline is rapidly approaching. The sooner your case is in the hands of a Pasadena personal injury attorney, the more likely it is that your injury claim will succeed.
WHAT WILL IT COST YOU TO SEEK JUSTICE?
Traumatic brain injury victims and their families may face a genuine financial hardship after – and as a result of – a brain injury caused by another person’s negligence. However, there’s a remedy for this situation. California’s personal injury attorneys work on a “contingent fee” basis.
Your first meeting with an injury attorney is free and without obligation. If, together, you and your attorney decide to move forward with a personal injury claim, you’ll pay no attorney’s fee unless and until you receive your compensation.
The contingent fee system allows everyone an equal opportunity to seek justice – whether your circumstances are affluent, modest, or somewhere in-between.
WHAT CAN TBI VICTIMS EXPECT TO RECEIVE?
The “value” of a TBI claim depends on a number of factors. In “typical” TBI cases, the damages surpass $100,000, and some TBI claims are for more than $1 million. However, the “award amount” is not the figure that a TBI victim actually receives if his or her claim prevails.
Several expenses must be taken into account. If your case requires a trial, you and your attorney will encounter a variety of expenses. TBI cases usually require expert testimony, and experts can charge substantial fees. There may be a variety of filing fees, legal fees, and other court costs.
Actually collecting your compensation is another consideration. While a corporation or insurance company can pay, a small business or individual may not have the resources. Your attorney will take all of these factors into account when deciding whether to handle a TBI claim.
IT’S VITAL TO HAVE THE RIGHT ATTORNEY
But you must be represented by an injury attorney who has experience handling traumatic brain injury cases. A lawyer who doesn’t grasp the extent of your difficulties may suggest accepting a settlement offer for less than your claim is worth. The right attorney can make all the difference.
The right TBI lawyer will discuss your case in detail with you and your family to determine if your TBI may be linked to issues that your doctors haven’t addressed. An experienced TBI attorney can direct you to healthcare professionals who will provide effective treatment.
Don’t take any chances with a traumatic brain injury. Seek medical attention at once after any blow to the head.
Then schedule a meeting with a personal injury lawyer who will review your circumstances, explain your rights, and outline your options. If you’ve been injured by negligence, compensation is your right, and so is a good attorney’s help.
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