Roseville Brain Injury Lawyer

The brain is a fascinating organ, and even with the remarkable medical advances we have made in recent years, we still do not fully understand the brain’s capabilities. However, we understand the brain’s importance: if an individual’s brain ceases to function, that person’s natural life is over (the term often used is “brain dead”). Similarly, a brain that does not function as optimally as it should causes considerable individual hardship.

Trauma to the head is a serious matter as traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can result. A TBI that is not promptly diagnosed and treated can result in severe and lifelong impairments. Even when a TBI is properly diagnosed immediately, some damage may be irreparable and require the TBI victim to have medical or other assistance for the rest of their life.

When you or a loved one has suffered a TBI in an accident in Roseville, California, caused by another person’s negligent behavior, you should know that financial compensation may be available. While monetary compensation recovered through a personal injury case cannot undo the accident or the damage it caused, it can help you meet your existing and future financial obligations. This can give you peace of mind and allow you to focus on your recovery, health, and well-being. Call our experienced injury lawyers at (916) 921-6400 for free, friendly advice.

Knowing and recognizing the signs of a traumatic brain injury is essential to know when you need to seek immediate medical attention. Ideally, any time you suffer a blow to the head, you should be evaluated by a medical professional – even if you feel okay or do not notice any immediate symptoms. However, you should seek emergency care if you or a loved one demonstrate any of the following signs or symptoms following a blow to the head or other head injuries:

• A loss of consciousness, regardless of the length of time
• Feeling dazed, disoriented, or confused 
• Blurry vision, a ringing sensation in the ears, or other sensory problems
• Sleepiness, fatigue, and/or drowsiness
• Dizziness
• A headache
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Mood changes or sudden and inexplicable mood swings
• Difficulty in concentrating on tasks or remembering

In addition to these symptoms, more severe TBIs can also result in:

• Convulsions and seizures
• Loss of sensation in fingers and toes
• Fluid draining from the ears and/or nose
• Slurred speech

Finally, be aware that young children who suffer a traumatic brain injury may manifest other symptoms, such as:

• Changes in the child’s nursing or eating habits
• Continuous crying
• Depressed mood
• Loss of enjoyment or interest in toys or other things that used to interest the child

If you are ever in doubt about whether you need medical treatment following a blow to the head, err on caution and seek medical attention. Also, seek immediate medical care if there is ever a blow to the head that results in a loss of consciousness, seizure, inability to wake up, and/or noticeable changes in behavior. Getting immediate medical attention for a TBI after an accident is critical for minimizing damage to the brain. 

Insurance claims adjusters often act quickly to find any weaknesses in a mild or severe TBI case, including pointing out delayed diagnosis and treatment of head trauma. This is one of the many defense tactics and strategies insurance companies use to dispute the value of a brain injury claim and protect their bottom line. Our experienced brain injury lawyers from Roseville are focused on making insurance carriers honor their financial obligations to compensate those who have been wrongfully hurt by the negligence of others.

Not all traumatic brain injuries suffered by Roseville residents are the same: TBIs can be distinguished based on the cause of the injury and the severity of the damage. The cause or mechanism of a TBI refers to how the injury to the brain was inflicted. There are three leading causes of TBIs:

• Piercing injuries occur when an object penetrates the skull and enters the brain cavity. In this type of TBI, the sharp object directly impacts the brain and/or the membrane surrounding the brain. While most TBIs caused by a penetrating injury come from sharp things like tools dropped from a height or a knife, a blunt object like a baseball bat can pierce the skull (more accurately, shatter the skull) if sufficient force is used.
• Blunt injuries or blunt-force trauma is a blow to the head that does not pierce the skull. The brain is damaged when the force from the impact makes its way through the skull to the brain. Hitting your head on a low-hanging ceiling, slipping and falling and hitting your head, and hitting your head against another sports participant are typical examples of blunt injuries resulting in a traumatic brain injury.
• Whiplash injuries are caused by a rapid acceleration/deceleration movement when a person’s head is rapidly and violently moved in one direction and then another. The brain is jostled inside the cavity, resulting in a traumatic brain injury. Motor vehicle collisions can cause a cervical sprain and brain trauma as an individual’s head is propelled forward and rapidly backward in an auto accident. An experienced Roseville traumatic brain injury lawyer can retain an expert witness in an accident case to show complex insurance companies that the TBI is connected to the car wreck.

In addition to distinguishing TBIs by mechanism or cause, TBIs can also be classified according to their severity. There are generally three classifications of TBIs:

• Mild TBIs usually do not result in any loss of consciousness and do not result in long-lasting or permanent impairment. A “mild” TBI still requires medical evaluation, but treatment may involve simply bed rest and monitoring. It is important to note that a mild TBI can progress to a moderate or severe TBI; therefore, mild TBI patients and/or their family members should be alert for changing or worsening symptoms and report such symptoms to a doctor immediately.
• Moderate TBIs can involve a temporary, short-term loss of consciousness and/or memory. Moderate TBIs involve more damage to the brain. As a result, there is a greater chance the TBI victim will suffer some permanent disability or impairment due to the injury.
• Severe TBIs involve extensive damage to the brain and its functioning. Severe TBI victims almost always suffer permanent impairment or limitation due to injury. Many severe TBI victims cannot live independently and require experienced and dedicated nursing staff to visit them at home regularly. This means that severe TBI victims and their families face hundreds of thousands – if not millions – of dollars in ongoing medical costs (depending on the victim’s needs).

A Roseville brain injury attorney can assist you during this difficult time by helping you determine if another person is at fault for causing your TBI and, if so, whether you are entitled to compensation from this individual. An experienced accident lawyer can also help you gather the medical records to prove your case and accurately document your past and future expenses and losses.

Watch the video below to learn about new technology and treatments for traumatic brain injuries.