As residents know, scientists at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory have performed extensive research into the treatment of traumatic brain injuries, especially in blast-induced TBIs that occurred during the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts. Here at home, TBIs continue to cause severe trauma, which can be life-changing. When a negligent driver or other entity is responsible for the trauma, the injured party may seek compensation with the assistance of the best Livermore brain injury lawyer. 

Traumatic brain injuries can be caused by jolts, bumps or even just the rapid back and forth movements of the head. While some TBIs may be minor and heal with time, others can have devastating results. There need not even be visible external injuries when trauma occurs to the brain. In some cases, not even noticeable symptoms are present at first but can increase with time. Others are readily apparent after the accident and require emergency medical care as well as long hospitalization. Causes of traumatic brain injuries are varied and the most common reasons include:

• Falls: Falls are the leading cause of brain injuries. A serious fall on private property can be due to an uneven sidewalk, poorly lit stairwell, handrails that wobble or uneven ground. Falls are the most common cause of TBI in older people. An injured party may recover compensation when negligence was the cause with the help of a Livermore brain injury lawyer.
• Traffic collisions: Accidents involving motor vehicles are the second leading cause of a TBI. Every year, many people suffer serious injuries in accidents involving passenger vehicles, trucks, bicyclists, pedestrians and motorcycle riders. 
• Sports: Young athletes and children are more likely to suffer head and brain injuries from various sports. According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, 21 percent of the TBIs in children and adolescents are caused by sports they play.
• Assaults: Among other types of intentional acts, blunt objects, firearms and other kinds of assaults can cause brain and skull injuries.

It doesn’t matter how minor your fender-bender or fall may be. It can still result in a TBI. Because of this, it is important for individuals who have been in an accident to seek medical attention right away. In the case of a traumatic brain injury caused by the negligence of another individual or entity, the injured person may pursue financial compensation. Many people who have suffered brain injuries in Livermore or elsewhere in Alameda County have successfully received compensation with the help of our injury lawyers at AutoAccident.com.

Those facing hospitalization or permanent disabilities from brain injuries often seek compensation from the negligent party or their insurance company. When you have suffered a serious injury, it may be impossible or difficult to take care of yourself because recovery may take a long time or the trauma can cause mental impairment. Financial or physical burdens are often too great for many families to handle alone. A traumatic brain injury attorney in Livermore can perform the legwork. By filing a personal injury claim, the following compensation may be recovered:

• Medical expenses: Accident-related medical expenses can be recovered. Included are ambulances, hospitalizations, surgeries, tests, physician bills, prescriptions and rehabilitation costs. As part of out-of-pocket expenses for doctor visits, taxi fares and gas costs may also be recouped.
• Future medical expenses: A Livermore brain injury attorney can include future medical costs into the settlement if the trauma lasts for a long time or results in permanent disability.
• Wage loss can be recovered: Even if an injured worker has to take a lower-paying position or is only able to work part-time, they can recover the pay difference. Based on a permanent disability, the injured party won’t be able to reenter the workforce in the future. A person’s salary up until the time they expect to retire can be reclaimed, including bonuses, pensions and insurance.
• Losses by the spouse: Providing the spouse with compensation for loss of consortium, moral support and affection can be accomplished.

The severity of the injury varies depending on the type, and while minor injuries often don’t require hospitalization, more severe ones do. The extent of an injury and the complications that arise will determine the treatment and future prognosis for recovery. Following are the varieties of TBIs that can occur, most of which are caused by accidents:

• Concussions are considered the least serious of all TBIs. In a traffic accident or fall, you may suffer a concussion if jolted, bumped or receive a blow to the head. A rapid back and forth movement of the head often causes this kind of brain injury. In some people, headaches and cognitive changes may persist. Repeated concussions can lead to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), which causes memory loss, confusion and mood swings. It is most common in blast injuries, boxers and football players and is only diagnosed through autopsy.
• Hematomas are blood clots that usually form on the brain’s surface. There are many possible places where they can appear in the brain or between the skull and its protective covering, the dura mater. Hematomas may dissipate or worsen over time, necessitating surgical drainage or a craniotomy for treatment.
• An intracranial hemorrhage is bleeding between the skull and the brain itself.  A buildup of blood and swelling can cut off oxygen to the brain, resulting in severe damage. A number of factors influence the prognosis and treatment, including location and severity.
• A fractured skull happens when the skull breaks or develops cracks. Injuries can sometimes be caused by pieces of the skull penetrating the brain. An infection or seizure can occur if cerebrospinal fluid leaks through the nose or ears due to a skull fracture. 
• When the brain moves suddenly within the skull, the axons of the nerve cells can be severed, resulting in a diffuse axonal injury. When this happens, the brain is usually severely damaged. A severe enough trauma prevents nerve cells from communicating, resulting in permanent damage. 

Our law firm has helped many injured parties receive the compensation they deserve for a variety of brain injury cases over the years. We work on a contingency basis. That means we don’t get paid until we win our client’s case. We can review your claim for free and without obligation, so we can answer your questions, determine whether you have a case and show you what options you have to collect damages. Call today to find out how our brain injury lawyers can help you. It is always free to call and talk to us.

These are some related articles from attorney Ed Smith:

• Common Causes of Brain Injuries
• Symptoms of Brain Injury After an Accident

After being injured in an accident, attorney Ed Smith explains how you can choose the right lawyer:

My name is Ed Smith, and I am a Livermore brain injury lawyer. Because traumatic brain injuries are often severe, they can result in extended hospitalizations and incredibly high medical bills. These expenses can be overwhelming for families. Injured parties may wish to consider filing a lawsuit for compensation if negligence by another was the cause. Our injury lawyers in Alameda County can be reached at (925) 428-5220 or (800) 404-5400 for free and friendly advice. We can also be reached online. You are welcome to discover how we have helped others at our Verdicts and Settlements page.

Editor’s Note: This page has been updated for accuracy and relevancy [cha 8.15.22]

Photo attribution: Photo by MART PRODUCTION on Pexels.com

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