Head Injuries
Impact of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
When people are involved in car crashes, falls and other types of accidents, they often suffer some form of head injury. An injury to the head can affect so much about a person: his ability to think, move and control his emotions could all be compromised. It isn’t uncommon for people with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) to need extensive medical treatment, and their lives can be permanently impacted in a negative way.
If you or your loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury as a result of someone else’s negligence, you need a personal injury lawyer who will fight aggressively on your behalf to get you the care and compensation that you need. At the Agemian Law Group of Vinny Agemian, you will find a team of dedicated and experienced traumatic brain injury lawyers in Los Angeles who work tirelessly to get the best possible results for their clients.
What is a traumatic brain injury?
A head or traumatic brain injury is brain damage that occurs when a sudden impact, violent shaking, or penetration of the skull disrupts your brain’s ability to function normally. A closed traumatic brain injury is one that does not penetrate the skull, while an open traumatic brain injury occurs when an object penetrates the skull and enters the brain.
Traumatic brain injuries can range from mild (for example, a concussion that doesn’t result in the loss of consciousness) to severe (for example, an injury that results in long-term memory loss or permanent brain damage).
What causes traumatic brain injury?
A traumatic brain injury always results from an external force – a blow or shaking of the head, or a penetration of the skull and brain with a sharp object. They happen as a result of an accident, a fall or an assault.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 20 percent of known traumatic brain injuries result in hospitalizations or death. Overall, nearly 30 percent of all injury-related deaths are the result of a traumatic brain injury.
- Tragically, the vast majority of traumatic brain injuries are the result of the negligent or harmful actions of someone other than the victim. According to the CDC, the top four causes of traumatic brain injuries are:
- Falls. As many as 600,000 brain injuries per year happen as the result of a fall
- Auto Accidents. At least 300,000 brain injuries happen every year as the result of an auto accident. Brain injuries suffered in a vehicle collision are the most likely to result in death
- Being struck by or against an object (for example, on a construction site). Head injuries causing brain damage seriously affect at least 280,000 people every year
- Assaults. About 170,000 traumatic brain injuries are reported annually as a result of an assault
More Than Half A Billion In Verdicts & Settlements
Nothing is more important than results. We measure ourselves by what we are able to achieve for our clients. Our mission is to put money into your pocket. Our attorneys have won more than $500 million in settlements and trial verdicts for injured victims. Our team of personal injury attorneys will not stop fighting until you and your family get every penny you rightfully deserve.
$1,700,000
Construction Accident
Awarded in a Construction Accident Case.
$1,100,000
Sexual Abuse
Verdict Awarded to a Victim of Sexual Abuse
$900,000
Train Accident
Settlement in a Train Derailment Case
$1,375,000
Wrongful Conviction
Awarded to a Victim of Wrongful Conviction
$1,800,000
Bus Accident
Verdict Awarded to a Victim of a Bus Accident.
$1,000,000
Assault Victim
Awarded to a Victim of Municipal Assault
$2,700,000
Construction Accident
Awarded in a Construction Accident Case
Common Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries in Los Angeles Accidents
- Concussion: A concussion is a mild form of TBI caused by a sudden blow or jolt to the head. It can result in temporary loss of consciousness, confusion, dizziness, headache, and memory problems.
- Contusion: A contusion is a bruise on the brain’s surface caused by direct impact or force. It can result in bleeding and swelling, leading to localized damage. Contusions may require surgery to remove any blood clots or relieve pressure on the brain.
- Penetrating Injury: A penetrating TBI occurs when an object pierces the skull and enters the brain tissue. This type of injury can cause severe damage to specific areas of the brain and often requires emergency medical intervention.
- Diffuse Axonal Injury (DAI): DAI is caused by the brain rapidly moving back and forth within the skull, resulting in the tearing of nerve fibers (axons). It commonly occurs in high-impact accidents, such as car crashes or falls. DAI can lead to long-term cognitive, motor, and sensory impairments.
- Coup-Contrecoup Injury: This type of injury involves two areas of damage—one at the site of impact (coup) and another at the opposite side of the brain (contrecoup). It occurs when the brain moves forcefully within the skull, hitting the opposite side due to the initial impact.
- Second Impact Syndrome: Second impact syndrome occurs when an individual sustains a second concussion before fully recovering from the first one. The second injury can result in severe brain swelling, leading to potentially life-threatening consequences.
What are signs of traumatic brain injury?
Traumatic brain injuries are especially dangerous in part because they can be difficult for victims to identify at first. Following a car crash, fall or other accident, the rush of adrenaline or the trauma of the situation often results in a victim’s failure to recognize or acknowledge the extent of their injuries.
If you have been involved in a car accident, suffered a fall, been assaulted, or struck in the head by a high-velocity object, you should always seek prompt medical attention. This is especially important if you are experiencing any of the signs and symptoms of brain injury, which can include:
Signs of mild brain injury:
- Brief loss of consciousness
- Headache
- Confusion
- Lightheadedness
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision or tired eyes
- Ringing in the ears
- Bad taste in the mouth
- Fatigue or lethargy
- A change in sleep patterns
- Behavioral or mood changes
- Trouble with memory, concentration, attention and/or thinking
Signs of moderate to severe brain injury:
- Loss of consciousness
- A headache that gets worse or does not go away
- Repeated vomiting or nausea
- Convulsions or seizures
- An inability to awaken from sleep
- Dilation of one or both pupils of the eyes
- Slurred speech
- Weakness or numbness in the extremities
- Loss of coordination and increased confusion
- Restlessness or agitation
How Do I Know I Have a TBI Lawsuit?
First and foremost, you must have received a medical diagnosis confirming that you have suffered a traumatic brain injury. This diagnosis typically comes from a healthcare professional, such as a neurologist or neurosurgeon, based on comprehensive medical evaluations, imaging tests (such as CT scans or MRIs), and clinical assessments. Our Los Angeles traumatic brain injury lawyers can guide and assist you with appropriate medical evaluation.
Our Los Angeles brain injury attorneys will investigate and identify the cause of your TBI. If your injury was the result of someone else’s negligence, intentional act, or a defective product, you will have grounds for a lawsuit. Common causes of TBIs include car accidents, falls, workplace accidents, sports-related injuries, medical malpractice, or assaults.
Our Los Angeles TBI lawyers will establish that another party acted negligently or had a duty of care towards you and breached that duty, directly resulting in your TBI. Negligence refers to a failure to exercise reasonable care, leading to harm. For a successful lawsuit, we must demonstrate that the responsible party’s actions or omissions caused your injury.
The legal team at the Agemian Law Group of Vinny Agemian will evaluate the extent of the damages and losses you have suffered due to the TBI. This includes medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost wages or income, diminished earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and any other relevant damages. The severity and impact of your injuries will play a significant role in determining the potential value of your lawsuit.
Economic Damages You Can Recover for Your Traumatic Brain Injury
Medical Costs
Medical costs form a major part of the financial burden in a traumatic brain injury. These costs will include:
- Emergency care
- Hospitalization
- Neurosurgery
- Rehabilitation
- Medications
- Assistive devices and equipment
- Ongoing medical and neurological care
Lost Wages and Loss of Earning Capacity
Traumatic brain injury may cause permanent or temporary disability, resulting in income loss and diminished future earning capacity. Damages could include:
- Loss of income
- Reduced earning capacity
- Vocational rehabilitation
Rehab and Therapy Costs
Our head injury attorneys in Los Angeles will also pursue damages for these expenses related to recovery from TBI:
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Speech and language therapy
- Cognitive rehabilitation
- ”Psychological counseling
Home Modifications & Assistive Equipment
Traumatic brain injury victims may require modifications or adjustments to their living environments as well as assistance from specialized devices. Damages may include the following:
- Home modifications
- Assistive devices
- Accessible vehicles
Miscellaneous Costs
Other financial damages that may be claimed after a TBI include:
- Home healthcare services
- Prescription drugs
- Travel costs for medical appointments and therapy
- Legal or administrative expenses
- Future medical costs
Non-Economic Damages You Can Recover in TBI Claims
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Punitive damages (in exceptional cases)
How to Prove Liability in a Los Angeles Traumatic Brain Injury Claim?
Consult with our TBI Attorneys
Seek legal advice from our experienced personal injury lawyers, led by leading Los Angeles attorney Vinny Agemian who specializes in traumatic brain injury cases. We can guide you through the process, assess the strength of your claim, and provide aggressive legal representation to prove liability and maximize your financial compensation.
Identify Potential Defendants
Our lawyers will identify the parties who may be potentially liable for your TBI. This could include individuals, companies, organizations, or government entities whose actions or negligence contributed to the injury.
Establish Duty of Care
We will determine and prove the legal duty of care owed by the party you believe is responsible for your injury. Duty of care refers to the obligation to act reasonably and responsibly to prevent harm to others.
Demonstrate Breach of Duty
Our Los Angeles brain injury lawyers will gather evidence to prove that the defendant breached their duty of care through their actions or inactions and show that the defendant’s conduct fell below the standard of care expected in a similar situation.
Show Causation
We will establish a causal link between the defendant’s breach of duty and your traumatic brain injury. Our investigators will use medical records, expert opinions, witness testimonies, accident reconstruction reports, photographs, video footage and other supporting evidence to prove the defendant’s negligence caused your injuries.
Document Damages
Our legal team will help you thoroughly document the physical, emotional, and financial damage resulting from the traumatic brain injury. This includes medical records, bills, rehabilitation expenses, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and any other measurable or non-measurable losses.
Proving liability in a TBI claim can be complex. It’s best to consult with our knowledgeable Los Angeles traumatic brain injury lawyers as soon as possible so that we can gather the necessary evidence to establish liability and negotiate with the insurance company from a position of strength for the largest possible compensation for you.
Reasons It's Important To Contact A Lawyer After A TBI
Typically, an interdisciplinary team of professionals will provide brain damage treatment for a patient with severe TBI, including a primary care physician, neurologist, surgeon, physical therapist, and psychologist. The patient may receive treatment at a trauma hospital and be moved later to a specialized clinic as part of the traumatic brain injury recovery process.
Rehabilitation may begin while the patient is hospitalized and continue on an outpatient basis for several months. Rehab may focus on regaining or strengthening a patient’s physical strength, speech, mobility, and memory or cognitive abilities. It may also include psychological counseling that teaches coping skills to a TBI victim.
The costs of this treatment can reach hundreds of thousands of dollars within only a few months’ time after the injury. The costs may be several million dollars over the course of a victim’s lifetime – again, depending on the level of TBI as well as the victim’s age.
Additionally, many victims are left with a permanent disability that progressively worsens toward a premature death. They may be unable to go to school or work for a living. Their families are, in turn, faced with the burden of caring for them or placing them in an assisted-living facility, with the latter option eventually proving to be unavoidable in many cases.
