Did you sustain a brain injury caused by someone else’s negligence? Madison Law Group may be able to help you seek compensation for the damages you have sustained.
Brain and spinal cord injuries can profoundly impact your life, affecting everything from your ability to work and enjoy daily activities to your relationships with loved ones. The physical, emotional, and financial toll it takes on you and your family may leave you feeling lost and alone.
What makes matters worse is when someone else’s negligence causes this disruption in your life.
As Long Beach brain injury lawyers, the Madison Law Group knows the challenges of rebuilding your life while pursuing justice. Let us advocate for you to recover the maximum monetary damages you deserve.
Obtaining Justice for Long Beach Brain Injury Victims
The Madison Law Group understands the massive life changes that occur after you suffer a brain or spinal cord injury. There are weeks or months of hospitalizations, doctor visits, and physical therapy sessions. The injured person can’t work, and even their family members may miss work days in caring for them, which strains the household finances. Additionally, the physical and financial upheaval can compromise the brain or spinal cord victim’s emotional well being.
Let our team of brain injury attorneys help you put the pieces of your life back together. Whether your injury results from a car accident, workplace incident, or any negligent act, we can take legal action on your behalf. You have the right to seek compensation from someone who has harmed you.
At the Madison Law Group, we know no amount of money can undo the harm done to you because of someone else’s negligent behavior. However, financial compensation does provide funds to offset the cost of treatment and care that can last for months, greatly reducing your stress moving forward. You can contact us anytime to schedule your free consultation.
6 Common Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries can result from a sudden impact on the head, such as a powerful blow, jolt, or penetrating injury, which can disrupt the brain’s normal functions.
TBI symptoms vary depending on the severity of the injury, and these signs can manifest as physical, cognitive, or emotional disturbances. Symptoms commonly associated with traumatic brain injuries include:
1. Physical problems
Brain injuries can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and noise.
2. Cognitive changes
Cognitive changes are common with brain injuries, often including confusion, memory loss, difficulty concentrating, and difficulty problem solving.
3. Emotional fluctuations
Emotions can be challenging after a brain injury. One may experience depression, anxiety, mood swings, and irritability.
4. Changes in sleep patterns
TBIs can disrupt regular sleep patterns, causing insomnia or excessive sleepiness.
5. Loss of consciousness
Loss of consciousness can last from a few seconds to several minutes or more.
6. Seizures
TBIs can cause seizures, which are sudden and uncontrolled electrical disturbances in the brain.
Traumatic brain injury symptoms don’t always appear directly after an injury. Sometimes the symptoms can take awhile to become apparent. So, don’t hesitate to see a doctor, even if you feel there’s nothing wrong with you.
What Are the Main Causes of Brain Injuries?
Brain injuries can occur due to various factors, ranging from accidents and physical violence to medical conditions. Understanding what causes brain injuries can reduce the risk of experiencing lifelong complications associated with these injuries.
Let’s take a closer look at the typical causes of brain injuries.
Falls
Falls are the leading cause of brain injuries, especially among the elderly and children. For instance, a senior citizen might trip and fall on a slippery floor, resulting in a concussion or more severe brain injury.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, in 2014, falls resulted in approximately 2.8 million TBI-related emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and deaths, with children aged 0-4 years and adults aged 75 years and older having the highest rates of TBI-related emergency department visits.
Car accidents
Vehicle accidents commonly cause brain injuries, particularly when they involve high-speed collisions. For example, a driver or passenger in a car may suffer a traumatic brain injury due to a head-on collision.
Sports injuries
Contact sports like football, hockey, and boxing can result in brain injuries, especially concussions. An example might be a football player who gets tackled and hits their head on the ground, resulting in a concussion.
Assaults
Violence, such as physical assaults, can lead to severe brain injuries, including TBIs. For example, an individual may suffer a TBI from a blow to the head during a fight.
Medical conditions
Certain conditions, such as strokes, aneurysms, and infections, can result in brain injuries. For instance, a stroke could cause damage to the brain due to a lack of blood flow.
A Severe Brain Injury Isn’t Always Obvious
The symptoms of a severe brain injury can be subtle and may not be noticeable at first. It’s not unusual for brain injury sufferers to not display signs until days or weeks after the initial incident.
Here’s an example to illustrate this:
Imagine a 19-year-old college student driving home from school having a minor fender bender where they hit their head on the steering wheel. The student initially appears unharmed with only a bruised forehead.
However, they experience persistent headaches and difficulty concentrating in class seven days later. During the following weeks, they struggle to remember dates and start feeling depressed.
At first, the student and their family may not connect these symptoms to the car accident, assuming they are just experiencing stress from school. However, a visit to the doctor reveals that the student suffered a traumatic brain injury in the accident, resulting in ongoing symptoms.
Severe brain injury may not always be evident because symptoms such as mild headaches or fatigue may be subtle. Sometimes, only a CT scan or MRI can detect a brain injury.
Damages in a Long Beach, CA Brain Injury Claim
Damages in a brain injury case in Southern California may include economic and non-economic losses. Monetary damages refer to tangible losses like medical bills. In contrast, non-economic damages refer to intangible losses that are harder to put a price tag on.
Here are the kinds of damages brain and spinal cord injury cases in Long Beach, CA, can claim:
- Medical expenses – This includes the cost of emergency treatment, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, and rehabilitation. For instance, if an individual suffers a brain injury in a car accident, they may require ongoing medical care and rehabilitation, which can result in substantial costs.
- Income loss – If a Long Beach brain injury results in a person’s inability to work or reduced earning capacity, they may be entitled to compensation for lost wages. For example, a restaurant employee slipped and fell on a wet floor not marked with a caution sign, causing a TBI. The employee could not work for several weeks due to the injury, resulting in lost wages.
- Pain and suffering – This damage refers to the physical and emotional pain caused by a brain injury. Examples include chronic headaches, dizziness, depression, and anxiety resulting from serious brain injuries.
- Loss of enjoyment of life – This refers to the inability of the person to enjoy life as they did before the spinal cord or brain injury. For instance, an avid surfer may receive monetary damages if they can no longer engage in this activity after a spinal cord injury.
- Loss of consortium – This category of damages refers to the impact the injury has on the person’s relationships with their spouse, family, and friends. For example, a spouse paralyzed due to a spinal cord injury may be entitled to compensation for losing sexual intimacy and physical affection with their partner.
- Punitive damages – In cases where the at-fault party’s actions were especially egregious, the court might grant punitive damages to punish the responsible party and deter others from engaging in similar behavior. For instance, a driver with a repeated history of driving under the influence of drugs causes a hit-and-run accident, injuring a pedestrian who develops a serious brain injury.
How Can a Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney Help Me?
If you or someone close to you experienced a traumatic brain injury due to another party’s negligence, seeking the help of an experienced TBI attorney can be crucial in pursuing a personal injury lawsuit.
Here are some ways in which a brain injury lawyer can help you:
- Investigating the case – A brain injury attorney can thoroughly investigate the case to determine liability and identify all parties responsible for the injury. For example, suppose you have experienced a TBI in a car accident. In that case, your Long Beach brain injury lawyer can examine the accident site, talk to witnesses, and collect evidence to identify the responsible party.
- Evaluating damages – A brain injury lawyer can aid in assessing the losses you have endured, including medical bills, lost earnings, and pain and suffering. They can work with healthcare specialists to determine the long-term costs of your injury and help you pursue compensation for those damages.
- Negotiating with insurance companies – Insurance companies may try to settle your claim quickly and for less than what you deserve. A traumatic brain injury attorney can negotiate with insurance providers to ensure you receive just compensation for your injuries.
- Representing you in court – If your brain injury case goes to court, a traumatic brain injury lawyer can represent you and present your case to a judge or jury. They can use their experience and knowledge of head injury cases to argue for maximum compensation on your behalf.
- Providing emotional support – Suffering a head injury can be a traumatic experience, and it’s crucial to have emotional support during recovery. A traumatic brain injury lawyer can provide compassionate support and help guide you through the legal process while you focus on your recovery.
Long Beach Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer
Spinal cord injuries are a risk for people in Long Beach and the rest of the United States. The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine reports approximately 250,000 U.S. residents experience spinal cord trauma.
A spinal cord injury can have far-reaching consequences in a person’s life. It can take a toll on the person injured and those close to them, impacting everyone’s physical, financial, and emotional well-being. Knowing where to turn for help during such a challenging time can be difficult, but our experienced Long Beach spinal cord injury attorneys are here for you.
Why Hire a Long Beach Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer?
At the Madison Law Group, we believe in giving clients the respect and attention they deserve during a traumatic time. Our spinal cord injury attorneys have over 18 years of experience helping clients secure maximum financial compensation.
If you suffered a spinal cord injury due to another person’s negligence or recklessness, you may be able to seek financial relief for your medical expenses, lost wages, and physical agony and suffering.
Our Long Beach spinal cord injury attorneys are here to provide the guidance and advocacy you need during this difficult time. We’re here to help you move forward with your life. Call us today to request a free consultation.
What Are Spinal Cord Injuries?
The spinal cord runs down the middle of your back and comprises a lengthy, thin collection of nerves. These nerves carry signals between your brain and the rest of your body. Trauma comes from damage to the spinal cord or the spinal cord’s nerve endings. According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, men make up the majority of spinal cord injury victims, and the average age of these men is 43.
Men are more likely to suffer these spinal damages because they engage in more high-risk sports and recreational activities. On the other hand, women tend to suffer serious spinal injury because of medical conditions such as osteoporosis.
Seven of the most popular sport or recreation activities that increase the likelihood of someone injuring their spine include:
- Cheerleading
- Ice hockey
- Football
- Skiing
- Snowboarding
- Diving
- Gymnastics
A Complete Spinal Cord Injury
A complete injury means there is no communication between the brain and the body below the level of the injury. There is no motor function below the spinal cord injury. If you sustain a complete cervical spine injury, you would have no function in your arms or legs, known as quadriplegia.
An Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury
An incomplete injury means there’s some degree of motor or sensory function that remains below the level of the injury. So if you sustain an incomplete cervical spine injury, you may still have some movement and sensation in your arms and legs.
The Devastating Impact of Damage to the Spinal Cord
An injury to the spinal canal can have various physical, emotional, and financial consequences. Paralysis is one of the most severe outcomes of spinal injury, leading to loss of sensation and mobility in some or all body parts below the injured area. The two forms of immobility include:
Paraplegia affects the following:
- Trunk
- Legs
- Pelvic organs
Quadriplegia or tetraplegia impacts the following:
- Arms
- Hands
- Trunk
- Limbs
- Pelvic organs
The emotional toll of a spinal cord injury can be devastating as well. Many patients experience depression, anxiety, and sadness as they adjust to their new life. Along with the physical distress, there are isolation issues and difficulty integrating back into society.
The financial strain of medical bills, lost wages, and disabilities can add further stress for spinal injury victims. In situations like this, a Long Beach spinal cord injury lawyer can provide you with competent legal representation.
Symptoms of a Spinal Cord Injury
The most common symptom of a spinal cord injury is sudden and severe pain. This occurs because a vertebra or other tissue in the spine is pressing on the spinal cord and sending pain signals to your brain. Other symptoms may include:
- Loss of feeling or sensation
- Loss of movement
- Weakness
- Difficulty breathing
- Difficulty balancing or walking
- Loss of bowel or bladder control
- Sexual dysfunction
- Discomfort or stiffness in the back or neck
- Headache
- Chronic pain
- Impaired digestion
- Numbness or tingling sensations
4 Types of Long Beach Spinal Cord Injuries
A spinal cord injury’s severity depends on the damage’s location and extent. In other words, the higher the injury occurs on the spine, the more extensive the damage and immobility will be. For example, a neck injury could cause a loss of movement in both arms and legs, but a lower back injury may paralyze the lower body.
Injuries to the spinal cord come in various types, such as:
- Cervical Spinal Cord Injury
A cervical spinal cord injury typically affects the arms, hands, torso, and legs. The extent of this injury can include quadriplegia or partial paralysis.
- Thoracic Spinal Cord Injury
A thoracic spinal cord injury typically affects the chest, abdomen, hips, and limbs. Depending on the injury’s severity, it can cause paraplegia or partial paralysis.
- Lumbar Spinal Cord Injury
A lumbar spinal cord injury typically affects the hips, legs, and feet. This level of injury could cause paraplegia or partial paralysis.
- Sacral Spinal Cord Injury
A sacral spinal cord injury typically affects the buttocks, groin area, and limbs. The severity level may result in either paraplegia or partial paralysis.
No matter the type of spinal cord injury, it can devastate a person’s life. The issues that arise range from difficulty performing routine tasks like getting dressed or adjusting to using a catheter to battling depression or coping with a job loss.
A compassionate spinal cord injury lawyer can help you navigate this new chapter in your life by pursuing full compensation for your losses.
6 Common Causes of a Long Beach Spinal Cord Injury
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, nearly 18,000 new spinal injuries occur annually in the U.S. These situations occur for several reasons. Listed below are some of the most frequent causes of spinal injuries.
- Auto Accidents
Motor vehicle crashes account for about 33 percent or an estimated 4,000 spinal cord injuries annually. When an auto accident happens, and the person’s body gets thrown around, it can cause damage to the vertebrae, affecting the spinal cord.
- Sports Injuries
Trauma resulting from sports, such as football and rugby, can cause severe damage to the spine and result in long-term injury. The impact of a tackle or fall onto the hard ground during these activities can cause vertebrae to fracture or dislocate, leading to spinal cord compression.
- Workplace Accidents
People working in dangerous occupations, such as construction or factory work involving heavy machinery, are at risk of spinal cord injury due to falling debris or other accidents.
- Slip and Fall Accidents
Slipping and falling onto a hard surface can cause serious damage to your spine and can even cause permanent paralysis.
- Medical Malpractice
A medical professional’s careless mistake, such as a surgical error, can cause severe damage to the spine, leading to long-term disability and paralysis. For example, a surgeon cuts the wrong nerve during surgery leading to an injury.
- Birth Injury
Newborn babies can have their spinal cords damaged during labor, delivery, or shortly after birth causing them to suffer a long-term disability. This can be caused by medical negligence, infection, or trauma during delivery.
The Dangers of Falls That Lead to Trauma to the Spinal Cord
According to the NSCISC, falls accounted for close to 32 percent of all spinal injuries in the U.S. between 2015 and 2020. Additionally, falls are the second leading cause of injuries to the spinal cord. Even more alarming is that these are almost all preventable.
Fall-related activities that often lead to injuries to the spine include:
- Climbing ladders
- Playing sports
- Riding a bicycle
- Working on a roof
- Using a trampoline
Preventing Falls That Cause Spinal Cord Trauma
The good news is there are ways you can reduce your risk of falling and suffering a spinal cord injury. Here are some tips on fall prevention:
- Ensure your home is free from tripping hazards such as loose rugs or furniture.
- Wear shoes with non-skid soles when walking outdoors or on an uneven surface indoors.
- Install handrails in hallways and stairwells, particularly if you have mobility issues or difficulty walking on stairs.
- Exercise regularly to maintain strength and balance. This will help you stay upright when walking around your home or office.
- Consider taking yoga or tai chi classes to improve balance and coordination skills.
- If you use a walker, cane, wheelchair, or other assistive devices, ensure it is well maintained to prevent slips or trips.
What if you suffer a fall resulting in a spinal cord injury due to another party’s negligence? For example, if you slip and fall in a grocery store because the staff didn’t place a “wet floor” sign after mopping the area, you may have a negligence claim against the store.
Contact an experienced Long Beach spinal cord injury attorney to help you recover damages. Many spinal cord injuries are preventable. You have the right to hold the at-fault parties accountable. Schedule a free consultation with the Madison Law Group.
Car Accidents and Potential Spinal Cord Injuries in Long Beach
Knowing the potential for spinal cord injuries is vital if you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident in Long Beach. These types of harm can devastate your life. The following information provides an overview of spinal injuries resulting from car accidents.
How Do Long Beach Spinal Cord Injuries Occur in Vehicle Accidents?
Sudden Stops – A spinal column injury can occur in many ways in a car accident. The most common is when the head and neck whip forward and then back again in a sudden stop, causing the vertebrae to compress the spine. This is known as whiplash and can cause short or long-term damage to the spine.
Rear End Crashes – When a vehicle gets hit from behind, this pushes the vehicle forward into traffic and then sometimes spins around. The spinning motion causes severe twisting of the spinal cord, which can damage the nerves.
If your spinal cord was injured in a car accident, don’t face the aftermath alone. Contact an experienced spinal cord injury attorney today to protect your rights and get the compensation you deserve. You may have grounds for a personal injury lawsuit. Schedule a free consultation now.
The Uncertainty of Spinal Treatment Results
Spinal cord injuries can disrupt physical and mental functioning, making it difficult to carry out day to day activities. Thankfully, some treatments can help reduce the damage and improve the quality of life. However, there is no guarantee that these treatments will work. Understanding the risks involved before undergoing spinal treatment is essential.
The Risks of Surgery for Spine Injuries
Often, healthcare professionals use surgery to treat severe spinal cord injuries. This specialized surgery involves removing bone fragments, disc material, or other tissue pressing on the spine, causing pain or other symptoms. While this surgery can effectively relieve some symptoms, it also comes with risks.
These risks include:
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Nerve damage
- Paralysis
- Even death in severe cases
Medical Devices for Treating Spine Injuries
Physicians often prescribe patients medical devices for treating spinal column trauma. These include:
- Braces and orthotics
- Wheelchairs
- Walkers and canes
- Electrical stimulation devices
- Bladder and bowel control devices
- Communication devices
Some of these devices support the spine while providing stability and movement. Although these devices can provide relief in some spinal cord injury cases, the effectiveness varies depending on the severity of the injury and the individual’s anatomy and physiology. For example, spinal braces may not be effective for those with severe spinal cord injuries.
Alternative Treatments For Spine Injuries
Alternative treatments for spinal canal injuries may provide some relief from symptoms. These treatments include:
- Acupuncture
- Massage therapy
- Chiropractic manipulation
- Reflexology
- Meditation
- Herbal supplements and vitamins
- Electrical stimulation therapy
Patients can use these techniques in combination with traditional medical treatments. However, they don’t offer a cure. It would be best if you didn’t replace proven medical treatments with these alternative methods without consulting your doctor.
Brain or Spinal Cord Injury? Let the Madison Law Group Handle the Legal Battle for You
Time is of the essence when it comes to serious traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries. The Madison Law Group is here to help you or your loved one take the right legal action. With our skilled Long Beach brain injury attorneys and spine injury lawyers on your side, you can be confident that our dedicated team will go above and beyond to fight for your best interests.