Long Beach Brain Injury Attorney

If you or someone you love has sustained a brain injury due to someone else’s negligence, you may be able to file a claim for compensation. Contact Madison Law Group for a free case review.

If you have sustained a brain injury, you may be going through a very difficult time. You may be dealing with pain, mental/physical health issues, financial problems, and more. Depending on how the injury occurred, you may be eligible to collect a significant amount of financial compensation that can help you recover. A Long Beach brain damage accident attorney from the Madison Law Group can help you file a personal injury claim for compensation so you can financially recover.

Working with a lawyer is in your best interest if you were hurt by the negligent actions of another individual. Oftentimes, brain injuries happen when someone acts negligently, such as causing a car accident. In fact, many brain injuries are a result of an motor vehicle collision.

General Information about Traumatic Brain Injuries

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) are one of the top reasons American citizens become disabled or prematurely lose their lives. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that approximately 1.7 million individuals fall victim to TBIs each year. Additionally, TBIs make up about one-third of injury-related fatalities throughout the nation.

There are many different reasons that traumatic brain injuries occur. Despite how these injuries happen, victims and their loved ones are often faced with severe difficulties after their injuries take place. They may experience long-term physical, emotional, and financial problems that drastically affect their lives. People who get brain injuries may incur significant medical costs that seem impossible to tackle. If you or someone you love have suffered a TBI in Long Beach, speak with a Long Beach brain injury attorney to figure out whether you qualify for financial compensation.

Brain injuries are some of the most severe types of trauma that can happen. The extent of a brain injury can range from mild to severe and may even end in death. Managing and fully recovering from an injury of this magnitude often requires lengthy periods of extensive medical treatment. Most people with brain injuries will incur enormously costly medical expenses. However, these expenses are not often fairly reflected in the payouts received by plaintiffs (victims) when they file brain injury claims, especially if they don’t have a brain injury attorney on their side.

Signs and Symptoms of Brain Injuries

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke recommends seeking immediate medical care if you experience any of the following behavioral/cognitive, sensory, or physical symptoms within the first 24 hours after a traumatic brain injury:

Physical

• Headache
• Seizures or convulsions
• Double vision
• Blurred vision
• Dilation/Unequal pupil size
• Clear fluids draining from the ears/nose
• Nausea and vomiting
• Slurred speech
• Weakness of arms, legs, face
• Loss of balance

Cognitive/behavioral

• Loss of consciousness or changes in consciousness
• Decreased level of consciousness (e.g., hard to awaken)
• Mild to profound disorientation/confusion
• Problems concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
• Changes in sleep patterns (e.g., sleeping more, trouble falling or staying asleep); inability to wake
• Irritability, frustration

Sensation/perception

• Light-headedness, dizziness, vertigo, or loss of coordination/balance
• Blurred vision
• Hearing problems, such as ringing in the ears
• Bad taste in the mouth
• Sensitivity to light or sound
• Mood changes or swings, agitation, combativeness, or other unusual behavior
• Feeling anxious or depressed
• Fatigue or drowsiness; a lack of energy or motivation

Dizziness, confusion, headache, and fatigue tend to start in the moments following an injury but often resolve over time. Emotional symptoms such as irritability and frustration tend to occur during recovery.

During an accident, a brain injury may happen if a person’s head is suddenly jerked, struck by, or strikes an object, or if the skull is penetrated. Someone who experiences mild brain trauma may lose consciousness for a short time. Indicators of serious brain injuries include memory loss or a prolonged period of unconsciousness after the accident occurs.

Loss of Consciousness

Often, when a brain injury happens, the victim will lose consciousness. Loss of consciousness can be as subtle as experiencing a slight daze to a more pronounced episode such as falling into a coma. The longer the period of unconsciousness lasts, the more probable the likelihood becomes that the victim may sustain severe brain damage.

Concussion

A forceful impact on the body or head can result in a concussion. Several scenarios can end in concussions, including motor vehicle accidents, sports accidents, and falls. Sustaining a concussion can result in an altered state of awareness that includes disorientation, memory loss, difficulty concentrating, nausea, and dizziness.

Edema and Hematoma

Occasionally, edema may occur when a brain injury happens. According to the Cleveland Clinic’s informational page on Edema, it refers to an abnormal aggregation of fluid in the body’s tissues that ultimately causes swelling. When this happens in the brain, it can be very dangerous and potentially life-threatening. Swelling in the brain can lead to increased pressure inside the skull, which can damage delicate and essential structures in the brain. Additionally, edema can cause damage to blood vessels, reduce circulation, and neurological dysfunction.

Hematoma is when blood accumulates somewhere in the body. When a brain injury happens, blood vessels can be damaged, allowing blood to leak into surrounding areas. Pressure on the brain may be relieved by administering medication such as diuretics or corticosteroids. Or, surgery may be required if the medication does not help. Hematoma and edema may arise days after the injury-causing accident takes place.

Amnesia

Amnesia caused by a brain injury refers to the impairment or loss of memory function due to brain damage. The nature and extent of amnesia may vary depending on the location, type, and severity of injury. Memory loss usually prevents the injured person from recalling events that occurred in the past, as well as facts about oneself, one’s family or society in general.

The more extensive the brain injury/damage, the more severe amnesia may be. Someone who suffers from amnesia due to a brain injury will need help in numerous areas of their life, including managing their own medical care and keeping track of the effectiveness and progress of their treatment.

Reducing the Risk of Brain Injury

Wearing a seat belt that fits properly is one of the most proactive measures a person can take in their day to day life to reduce the risk of sustaining severe head trauma. When you wear a seat belt, it prevents your body from being propelled into objects inside the vehicle if an accident occurs, minimizing the possibility of head trauma.

Children should never ride in a vehicle without a proper car seat or booster seat, depending on their age and size. According to the Child Car Resource Center of California, the car seat laws are as follows:

1. Children who meet the height and weight requirements of their car seat’s manufacturer. Children who are two years and younger must be properly secured in a car seat that is rear-facing in the back seat. It is recommended that a child stays in a rear-facing car seat for as long as possible, even beyond the age of 2, in order to better protect their neck, head, and spine.
2. Children who are older than two years, or who have outgrown a rear-facing seat, must be secured by a harness in a forward-facing seat. The seat should always be in the back seat of the vehicle.
3. When a child has outgrown a forward-facing seat, they should use a booster seat until at least 8 years of age, or reach a height of 4 feet 9 inches. A booster seat helps correctly position a seat belt over the child’s body for optimal safety.
4. Children who are 8 or older, or who have reached a height of 4’9”, may utilize the vehicle’s own seat belts with no booster seat.

When you or a beloved family member have sustained a serious brain injury due to another individual’s negligent, careless, or reckless behavior, you may be eligible to collect compensation depending on the circumstances of your accident. Contact the Madison Law Group at 213-568-6860 to learn more about how we can help you file a brain injury claim for the damages that may have resulted from your injuries.

Problems Resulting from Traumatic Brain Injuries

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can cause a wide range of cognitive, physical, and emotional issues. The particular damages that result from a TBI may vary depending on how severe the injury was, where it occurred in the brain and the overall health of the affected person. Some common symptoms associated with traumatic brain injuries include:

Physical Effects

TBIs can result in several physical impairments, including dizziness, headaches, fatigue, loss of balance, seizures, difficulty with coordination, sensory changes, speech problems, and paralysis.

Cognitive Impairments

TBIs may affect cognitive functioning like concentration, memory, problem-solving, reasoning, decision-making, processing information, and attention. Some people may experience problems organizing thoughts, multitasking, learning new information, and following conversations.

Communication and Language Difficulties

Speaking and understanding language may become challenging for some people. They may have a hard time clearly expressing themselves or finding the right words. Some may have trouble processing spoken or written information.

Emotional and Behavioral Changes

TBIs may have an impact on a person’s behavior and emotional well-being. People may experience irritability, mood swings, agitation, depression, decreased ability to control emotions, and changes in personality or social behavior.

Sensory Disturbances

Sensory impairments like hearing loss, altered vision, tinnitus, and heightened sensitivity to sound and light may occur.

Sleep Disorders

TBIs may disrupt sleep habits and patterns and may cause excessive sleepiness or insomnia.

Post-Traumatic Epilepsy

Sometimes, the risk of developing seizures or epilepsy may be increased when someone sustains a traumatic brain injury.

Increased Risk of Neurodegenerative Disorders

The long term risk of developing neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, or chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) may be increased by a TBI.

Some of these symptoms may not be immediately apparent to you, which is why it is important to contact a medical professional as soon as possible after your injury occurred so you can get on the surest path toward physical recovery.

Why Do I Need a Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney?

Whether you or someone you love were hurt in a car crash, a birth injury, a workplace accident, sporting accident, or another event that caused severe head trauma, you should seek legal representation to file a brain injury lawsuit.

By hiring a skilled Long Beach brain injury attorney from the Madison Law Group, you will be able to focus on your recovery instead of managing the burden of financial woes and legal matters by yourself.

A traumatic brain injury lawyer can manage your case by:

• Figuring out what caused your injuries
• Proving negligence on the part of another party or parties
• Negotiating with the liable party and/or their insurance companies
• Working with you through the disability or workers’ compensation process
• Taking your case to trial when a settlement cannot be reached
• Calculating the total value of your current and future losses and needs
• Resolving your claim favorably so you can move forward with life

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Brain Injury Lawyer?

Our head injury lawyers at the Madison Law Group only require payment if we win your case. We work on contingency, which means that you owe us nothing unless we obtain compensation for you. If our brain injury lawyers are unable to win your case, you don’t owe us anything.

When you hire our lawyers, you don’t have to pay anything out of pocket. Once a verdict has been reached or the case is settled, our fees will be taken out of your recovery.

A contingency fee is beneficial for injury victims because this allows anyone regardless of financial status to hire top-notch legal counsel. We offer free consultations, so you have nothing to lose by talking to our traumatic brain injury lawyer about your legal options.

The exact amount of the legal fees you will pay in the event that you win a settlement or award can vary, usually somewhere in the neighborhood of 25-40%, depending on the complexity of your case and the experience of the attorney you hire. You will agree to this amount before the lawyer beings work on your case, so there will be no surprises.

What Should I Do After Suffering a Traumatic Brain Injury?

If you or someone you love in the Long Beach area have suffered a traumatic brain injury (whether it is mild or severe) get medical attention right away. Traumatic brain injuries can be difficult to realize at first, and untreated brain injuries can cause long-term cognitive and physical damage. Even if your symptoms are only mild, they could be a sign of a TBI.

Document all doctor visits, prescriptions, and missed time from work, as well as any witness statements that are available. All of this will be valuable evidence if you end up pursuing a claim for your injuries.

If the insurance company calls you after the accident, remember that you do not have to speak with the adjuster. If you do find yourself on a phone call with the other party’s insurance company, explain that you do not want the conversation recorded and keep your statement brief. Do not describe the extent of your injuries or any future medical treatments you will have.

Finally, contact a Long Beach traumatic brain injury lawyer at the Madison Law Group as soon as possible.  It is important that you have a catastrophic injury lawyer who is extensively experienced in handling cases like this due to their often complex nature. The consultation is free, so you have nothing to lose by calling to schedule a consult with our traumatic brain injury attorney.

What Causes a Traumatic Brain Injury?

A brain injury can happen due to a variety of different accidents. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the following have been listed as the top causes of these types of personal injury:

• Slip and falls: Information from the CDC shows one of every five falls results in injury, including brain injury. Slip and falls are a leading cause of TBI in the United States.
• Unintentional blunt trauma: Being struck by a falling item at a construction site, for example, constitutes unintentional blunt trauma.
• Motor vehicle accidents: Car and truck crashes make up about 14% of brain injury cases. These accidents are another leading cause of TBI. They also cause over a quarter of all fatalities related to traumatic brain injuries.
• Physical assault: Approximately 10 percent of all brain injuries are the result of violence.
• Medical malpractice: When a doctor fails to properly monitor their patient or induces accidental oxygen deprivation during a procedure, serious brain damage may occur.
• Sports or recreation: Approximately 10% of traumatic brain injuries happen due to a recreational or sports injury, including those that involve kids.

When to Hire a Brain Injury Lawyer

The brain is one of the most complex organs in the human body. It controls your motor skills, breathing, emotions, and much more. Any accident that causes head trauma can disrupt all of these bodily functions, altering your entire way of life. After suffering a TBI, you will most likely require significant ongoing medical care. If you are suffering from a permanent condition, you may need long-term rehab therapy and at-home medical care.

When you know another person caused your accident, dealing with the financial repercussions can be extremely stressful. Your brain injury can make these situations exponentially more difficult.

You have the right to file a lawsuit against the person who caused your injuries. However, these kinds of cases can present numerous challenges. Even if you immediately seek medical care after the incident that caused your injuries, your MRI scans, X-rays, or CT scans could look relatively normal at first glance.

When your severe brain injury has affected numerous areas of your life, including your physical, emotional, and financial well-being, and you know that your injuries were caused by the negligence of another person, you should contact a traumatic brain injury attorney. A lawyer can help you file a brain injury claim that can get you the financial compensation you need and deserve during this difficult time.

At the law offices of the Madison Law Group, our skilled team of personal injury lawyers has decades of experience helping injured accident victims recover financial compensation. We know how difficult a time like this can be, which is why we have made it our personal and professional duty to help those who have been victimized by the negligent acts of other people. You should not have to pay for your recovery when your injuries were imposed upon you by someone’s selfish, reckless, careless, or negligent behavior.

Our Long Beach traumatic brain injury lawyers are here for you every step of the way. Our main goal is to get you on the quickest and surest path toward recovery so you can focus on your mental and physical well-being, as well as that of your family members.

How Do I Prove Negligence Caused My Brain Injury?

You will need to establish the following elements in order to prove that negligence caused your brain injury:

1. Duty of care: Show that the party or person responsible for your injuries owed you a duty of care. For instance, if your injury happened in a car crash with another vehicle, the other driver owed you a duty of care to follow traffic laws and drive safely.
2. Breach of duty: Successfully demonstrate that the party responsible for your injuries breached their duty of care. This means they did not meet the standard of care required in this particular situation. For example, if the other driver was texting and ran a stop sign, they most likely breached their duty of care.
3. Causation: Determine a direct link between the other person’s negligent actions and your injuries. You must be able to show that the breach of care was the definite cause of your injuries and that you would not have been harmed otherwise. This usually requires expert testimony and medical evidence, like medical records, bills, letters, and/or statements from specialists/doctors.
4. Damages: You must show evidence of the damages and harm you suffered as a result of your traumatic brain injury. This may include treatment expenses, lost wages, and other documentation to provide evidence of your financial costs.

It is always in your best interest to speak with a skilled and experienced personal injury lawyer who is proficient in brain injury claims as well as personal injury lawsuits in general. A dedicated personal injury lawyer from the Madison Law Group will assess the specific details of your unique case, gather important evidence, and help you navigate the complex legal process so you can seek full and fair financial compensation.

How Will an Attorney Charge Me?

Our personal injury lawyers at the Madison Law Group typically handle our cases on a contingency fee basis. This means that we will not charge you an upfront fee to begin work on your case. Instead, we will receive a portion of the compensation you are awarded if we are able to successfully reach a profitable resolution for your case. The contingency fee arrangement allows you to pursue your claim without paying out-of-pocket legal fees.

The percentage we take will vary depending on the complexity of the case, however, it is typically around 30-40%. If your case is not successful, and you are not awarded financial compensation, you will likely not have to pay any attorney fees. However, you may be responsible for some case-related expenses. Each case is unique, so it is important to discuss these details with your personal injury lawyer.

Discussing the fee structure and any additional expenses with your lawyer is important. This should typically be done before you hire them in order to ensure that you clearly understand how you will be charged and what expenses you may have to pay for. This information will most likely be outlined in a written contract or agreement, often referred to as a retainer agreement. You can review this agreement with your lawyer prior to hiring them.

How Much Time Do I Have To File My Brain Injury Lawsuit in Long Beach?

In California, according to the California Courts website, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is generally two years from the date the injury occurred. This two-year limit applies to the majority of personal injury claims, including brain injuries. This means that personal injury victims must file their personal injury claims within two years of the date of their accident in order to successfully collect full and fair financial compensation for their injuries and losses.

There are some exceptions to this rule which could make your statute of limitations shorter or longer. It is best to consult with an attorney as soon as possible after your injuries are sustained to ensure you don’t miss this important deadline. If you attempt to file your lawsuit after the statute of limitations has expired, you will lose your chance to seek compensation.

Costs that Result from a Traumatic Brain Injury

If you have sustained a traumatic brain injury in a serious accident caused by the actions of one or more negligent parties, you are likely suffering in numerous ways. Your life may have been totally turned upside down due to such an injury. It is important to go to the doctor immediately following your injury incident in order to properly diagnose your brain injury and get the medical care you require to recover.

Unfortunately, the medical bills associated with sustaining a traumatic brain injury can be extremely expensive. The average cost of treatment for a TBI can significantly vary depending on how severe the injury is, the duration of treatment required, and the medical interventions needed. Treatment expenses for TBIs can include emergency room treatment, hospitalization, diagnostic testing, rehab services, medication, surgeries, and ongoing therapies.

Generally speaking, the price of medical treatment for your brain injury can easily get into the tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the nature and severity of your wounds. If you know that your injuries were caused by another person’s negligence, seek a Long Beach brain damage accident attorney to help you collect compensation for medical bills, lost wages, property damage, pain, suffering, and more.

Call Us for a Free Consultation

If you or someone you love have suffered a serious injury and are now seeking to recover compensation from the responsible party, we welcome the opportunity to help. Call or fill out our contact form. We offer free consultations, and we do not charge any fees unless we win your case and you are able to financially recover.

Injured? Don’t wait to seek help from our Long Beach, CA Accident Attorneys

The traumatic brain injury lawyers at the Madison Law Group have decades of experience successfully winning cases involving traumatic brain injuries. The personal injury lawyers at the Madison Law Group serves residents of Long Beach and the surrounding areas with pride, fighting for the rights of injury victims and their loved ones.

We have represented clients throughout California, and have recovered millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements. Our award-winning legal team is passionate about providing our clients with the maximum compensation available for their damages.

We have worked with people who have suffered serious head injuries in car accidents, fall accidents, motorcycle accidents, and more. We offer skilled legal representation to those who seek compensation from a responsible party. If you were hurt by someone else’s negligence, we will work to hold the other party responsible for their negligent actions so you can financially recover.