Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the leading causes of death in the US, with an average of 1.5 million Americans suffering from it every year. Of this population, 230,000 patients survive and 80,000 to 90,000 sustain long-term disabilities.
People who suffered physical injuries and TBI from accidents caused by other people’s negligence are entitled to seeking compensation. For victims who must endure permanent disabilities and other life-long effects on their physical and mental health, they can seek the services of our Los Angeles brain injury lawyers and file compensation claims and a formal lawsuit against the people responsible for their suffering.
When Can You File a Lawsuit for TBI?
TBI law falls under personal injury law. Any person who sustains head and brain injuries may file a formal lawsuit with California courts. Victims who are intent on seeking justice and holding the people responsible for their life-changing injury often pursue litigation.
A civil lawsuit is also the next step for victims who can’t agree on a settlement with the responsible party and their insurance provider.
Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries
Below are examples of traumatic brain injuries that can become grounds for filing a civil lawsuit.
- Secondary brain injury – This type of injury occurs to people who receive a blow to the head. TBI doesn’t take place immediately, but the physical impact can cause severe swelling and other injuries to the head and brain that can cause intercranial hemorrhaging: a serious condition that can have debilitating effects on the victim’s well-being and rehabilitation. Secondary brain injury can result from both minor-impact and heavy blows to the head.
- Frontal lobe trauma – Victims of motor vehicle accidents are prone to frontal lobe trauma or actual injury to the front part of the brain. This can impair a person’s executive functions like decision-making abilities, memory, behavior, and self-control.
- Contusions – The brain is a delicate organ that floats inside the skull. It is lies suspended in cerebrospinal fluid. Under normal circumstances, the fluid is enough to keep the brain from slamming on the inner walls of the skull. Inertia (as with riding in a fast-running car that suddenly stops) and heavy blows to the head can shake the brain so hard that the surface of the brain gets bruised. These result in contusions that can have permanent changes to a person’s cognitive abilities, behavior, and personality.
- Inner cerebral trauma –When doctors talk about a patient having a severe brain injury, inner cerebral trauma is one of the things they could be referring to. This injury means that the brain sustained deep lesions within the cranial cavity because of high-speed acceleration or deceleration. Such accidents can cause shearing of the inner white brain matter and damage the hippocampus and brain stem.
These TBI examples have the following in common:
- Can cause permanent physical and mental disability
- Victims are unable to find gainful employment or continue their current professions
- Victims need emergency medical treatment and lifelong rehabilitation
- Affect not just the victims but also their immediate families and friends
For these reasons, victims who survive accidents but sustain TBI may seek compensation and punitive damages if they have reason to.
Hire Experienced Brain Injury Attorneys in Los Angeles
The burden of finding proof and witnesses against the people responsible for TBI rests on the plaintiff. To build a strong case, you need an experienced TBI attorney.
Hire our brain injury lawyers in Los Angeles to get staunch representation, whether you’re seeking compensation or bringing a defendant to court. Haffner Law is a trusted and seasoned personal injury law firm that provides legal services and representation to clients in LA and California.
Get experienced attorneys by your side when you file a TBI lawsuit in court. Call Haffner Law and schedule a free consultation.
