Roseville Brain Injury Attorney

The brain is a fascinating organ, and even with the amazing medical advances that we have made in recent years we still do not fully understand the brain’s capabilities. One thing we do understand, however, is 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 cause the individual a considerable amount of hardship.

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

When you or a loved one have suffered a traumatic brain injury in a Roseville personal injury accident caused by another person’s careless or negligent behavior, you should know that financial compensation may be available to you. While any monetary damages or compensation received through a brain injury lawsuit cannot undo the personal injury 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, your health, and your family’s wellbeing.

It is important to know and recognize the signs of a traumatic brain injury so that you 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 about one’s surroundings or what transpired
• 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 serious 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 the side of 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 prompt medical attention for a TBI is crucial to minimizing the damage to the brain.

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

• Piercing injuries occur when an object penetrates the skull and enters the brain cavity. In this type of TBI, the brain and/or the membrane surrounding the brain are directly impacted by the piercing object. While most TBIs caused by a penetrating injury come from sharp objects like tools dropped from a height or a knife, it is possible for a blunt object like a baseball bat to 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 all common examples of blunt injuries that can result in a traumatic brain injury.
• Whiplash injuries are caused by a rapid acceleration/deceleration movement that occurs when a person’s head is rapidly and violently moved in one direction and then another. The brain is jostled around inside the brain cavity, resulting in a traumatic brain injury. Car accidents and other motor vehicle crashes have the potential to create whiplash-type TBIs as a person’s head is moved forward and then rapidly backward in a car crash.

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 right away.
• Moderate TBIs can involve a temporary, short-term loss of consciousness and/or loss of memory. Moderate TBIs involve more severe damage to the brain and, as a result, there is a greater chance the TBI victim will suffer some permanent disability or impairment as a result of the injury.
• Severe TBIs are the most serious type of traumatic brain injury and involve extensive damage to the brain and its functioning. Severe TBI victims almost always suffer some permanent impairment or limitation as a result of their injury. Many severe TBI victims are unable to live independently and require experienced and dedicated nursing staff to visit them at home on a regular basis. This means that severe TBI victims and their families face potentially 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 in causing your TBI and, if so, whether you are entitled to compensation from this individual. An experienced Roseville brain injury lawyer can also help you gather the medical records you need to prove your case and accurately document your past and future expenses and losses.

I’m Ed Smith, a Roseville Brain Injury Attorney, with the primary accident information site on the web, AutoAccident.com. If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury, call me now at 916.921.6400 or 800.404.5400 for fast, friendly advice.

You can find out more about my office on Yelp, Avvo, and Google. I am also a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an organization comprised of attorneys who have won multiple million-dollar verdicts for their clients.

To view past verdicts and settlements, click here.

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Editor's Note: This page has been updated for accuracy and relevancy. [cha 10.31.18]