Head trauma and brain injury should never be taken lightly. As Madera traumatic brain injury lawyers, we’ve seen the difficulty this type of injury generates. It is truly one of the most challenging injuries an individual can face. It is even more complicated when the brain injury is due to the negligence of another person, entity, or government agency. Traumatic brain injury, also known as a TBI, affects the injured person’s family, too.

It is difficult to reconcile the injured person with a supportive parent, brother, or child present hours or days before the accident. In a second, their existence can change when a negligent driver, doctor, or entity makes a mistake. Let’s examine TBIs and learn more about why they occur, how they are treated, and their many symptoms. We’ll also address TBIs’ legal issues and how they can be resolved in the injured party’s favor.

As experienced traumatic brain injury lawyers in Madera County, we work hard to protect our client’s rights. We approach each case independently and strive to bring emotional help and assist the individual and their family in terms of the financial losses they are facing.

No two cases are identical, so we have spent years learning about TBIs. Our brain injury lawyers know that negligent parties will do everything possible to shift their liability for a TBI. That is why our investigative and legal teams work together to build a robust case for our clients. Call us as soon as possible to ensure your case is in good hands and give yourself time to deal with your situation.

Brain injuries can range from mild to severe, resulting in symptoms that reflect the difference. Some, such as concussions, will usually heal with time and rest, while others require emergency surgery. According to the Centers for Disease and Prevention, a traumatic brain injury is one where the brain ceases to function normally when it sustains a direct hit or penetrating head injury.

The brain floats in the skull, which protects it from outside elements. It has a soft, almost jellied consistency. Once the head is jarred, the brain will impact against the hard inner surface of the skull, causing damage. This can bruise the brain or cause it to bleed, resulting in problems that will affect its activity. Also, the nerve fibers emanating from the brain can be affected by an accident, leading to damaged functional capacity.

Overall, there are two basic brain injury categories: primary and secondary injuries. The following is a list of both primary and secondary brain injuries:

Primary injuries: These occur when the accident happens. They can be seen after a car accident, a fall, a blow to the head, or a sports-related injury. The damage may be focal, affecting a particular brain area, such as a specific lobe. It can involve both sides of the brain, frequently incurred when the person’s head strikes the pavement. The latter is more apt to cause a more comprehensive range of symptoms.

• Hematomas occur when a blood vessel is ruptured and lead to an accumulation of blood. Some types are epidural hematoma, subdural hematoma, and subarachnoid hematoma.
• Skull fractures can be problematic since they allow for brain injury or a direct entrance of bacteria through the fractured area and into the brain.
• A contusion occurs when there is a bruising of the brain.
• A Coup-Contrecoup injury occurs on the opposite side of the brain from the point of impact. This type of brain injury is severe.
• Diffuse axonal injury can occur due to a violent acceleration and deceleration, common in car accidents. DAI can cause the axons, which carry impulses from one part of the brain to another, to be torn. When this happens, the injured person will likely fall into a coma.

Secondary injuries: This results from the initial injury and reflects physiologic changes in the brain.

• Low oxygen levels and low blood pressure (hypoxia and hypotension)
• Inadequate blood flow to an organ, especially the heart (ischemia)
• A build-up of fluid (edema) around the brain causes increased pressure that causes a headache, vomiting without nausea, and difficulty moving and talking
• Accumulation of fluid in the cavities (ventricles) of the brain, which increases pressure

Some of the most common symptoms of head trauma are:

• Headache
• Vomiting
• Loss of consciousness
• Speech abnormalities
• Fatigue
• Confusion
• Poor concentration
• Sleep disturbances
• Behavior and mood changes
• Light sensitivity
• Poor coordination

Treatment for TBI varies from rest to intensive care in the hospital, depending on the level of injury. The cost of medical care is often astronomical because of the complex nature of a TBI and its treatment. It is best to gain the insight of an experienced Madera traumatic brain injury lawyer from the outset.

The video below discusses the types of treatments for traumatic brain injuries.

Our Madera personal injury law firm has extensive experience in head trauma cases, whether they are placed against a person, commercial establishment, or a government agency. Our investigative preparation and ability to execute the claim in court are vital as we have the resources to build a robust case.

We dispatch our investigative team to the accident site to accumulate needed evidence, without which the case will not be heard. If possible, we interview witnesses and use experts to evaluate accident reconstruction supported by surveillance videos. All police and medical reports are read and checked for inaccuracies. Once the evidence is complete, our legal team uses it to help our clients obtain the compensation they deserve.

If you or a family member has suffered a brain injury due to an accident, call our experienced Madera brain injury lawyers for free and friendly advice. Our injury attorneys can be reached at (559) 377-7676 or (800) 404-5400. We’ve helped Madera residents since 1982 collect case damages in car accidents, truck crashes, wrongful deaths, and motorcycle injuries, among others. See a list of our past cases on our verdicts and settlements page.

^{Editor’s Note: updated [cha 10.16.23] Image by VSRao from Pixabay cd llo ds [cs 1067]}