California Brain Injury Lawyers

What Is Considered a Brain Injury?

Brain injuries can be traumatic or non-traumatic. A traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when an external force causes an alteration in brain function. A brain injury that happens when an object penetrates the brain is referred to as a penetrating or open injury. Brain injuries that happen when a sudden impact forces the brain to collide with the skull, causing a brain contusion, are known as non-penetrating or closed injuries.

Types of Brain Injuries

While a minor injury may only cause temporary effects, a more serious brain injury can result in lifelong issues. 

Mild Brain Injury

A mild brain injury may result in symptoms including:

• Dizziness,
• Nausea,
• Brief loss of consciousness,
• Confusion,
• Issues with balance, and
• Speech problems.

In most cases, a concussion is considered a relatively minor brain injury. In most cases, a minor brain injury will heal on its own. 

Moderate to Severe Brain Injury

A moderate or severe brain injury will often cause more symptoms than a mild injury, including:

• Loss of consciousness for several minutes to several hours;
• Dilation of one or both pupils of the eyes;
• Clear fluids draining from the nose or ears;
• Persistent headache or headache that worsens;
• Repeated vomiting or nausea;
• Convulsions or seizures;
• Inability to awaken from sleep;
• Weakness or numbness in fingers and toes;
• Loss of coordination;
• Profound confusion;
• Agitation, combativeness, or other unusual behavior; and
• Slurred speech.

Some brain injury symptoms may present themselves right away, while others might develop or worsen over time.   

Common Causes of Brain Injuries

In 2019, there were approximately 223,135 TBI-related hospitalizations. Additionally, there were approximately 64,362 TBI-related deaths in 2020. Men are almost twice as likely to be hospitalized for a TBI-related injury and more than three times more likely to die from a TBI-related injury than women. The common causes of brain injuries vary based on the age group of those affected. For example, falls are a leading cause of TBI-related hospitalizations, especially among Americans aged 75 or older. Other common causes of brain injuries include:

• Motor vehicle accidents,
• Gunshot wounds,
• Physical assaults, and
• Sports and recreational activities.

If you or a loved one suffered a brain injury because of someone else’s actions, contact Silva Injury Law today so we can help you evaluate your legal options. 

Consequences of a Brain Injury

If you or a loved one suffers a head injury, you should seek medical treatment right away. Even if a brain injury does not present symptoms immediately, that does not mean you are in the clear. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 30% of individuals with brain injuries reported that their brain injury got worse over a five-year period. A moderate to severe brain injury can result in significant consequences that impact your everyday life, such as:

• Lack of cognitive capacity,
• Sensory processing issues,
• Lack of motor skills,
• Loss of vision,
• Inability to communicate,
• Behavioral changes,
• Depression or anxiety,
• Brain death, or
• Unexplained aggression.

The severity and aftermath of your injury will dictate how much compensation you are entitled to in a personal injury claim. Contact Silva Injury Law today so we can help you pursue the compensation you deserve.  

What Factors Affect Brain Injury Settlements?

Injury settlements usually include both economic and noneconomic damages. Economic damages aim to compensate you for quantifiable monetary losses like medical costs or lost wages. Noneconomic damages address more subjective losses like emotional distress or loss of consortium. Potential damages available after a brain injury include:

• Rehabilitation costs,
• Lost wages,
• Loss of future earning capacity,
• Pain and suffering,
• Loss of quality of life,
• Emotional distress,
• Loss of consortium, and
• Psychological trauma.

Bills, receipts, pay stubs, and other financial documents can help you calculate and prove your economic damages. You can also keep a journal to keep track of your symptoms and how an injury is affecting your day-to-day life. Ascertaining the amount of damages you can receive is a complicated aspect of a brain injury lawsuit. Our team can help you calculate your current and future losses resulting from a brain injury to determine how much compensation you are eligible to receive.

Silva Injury Law: Your California Brain Injury Attorneys

If you or a loved one suffered a brain injury due to someone else’s negligence, you need an aggressive and experienced personal injury lawyer who can help you fight for the compensation you deserve. We will stand by you every step of the way and treat you like a member of the family. At Silva Injury Law, we are committed to obtaining the best results possible. We believe our duty goes far beyond achieving monetary compensation for our clients. We strive, first and foremost, to provide you with compassionate and high-quality legal service so that we can help you resolve your legal issues and heal. If you or a loved one suffered a brain injury and are wondering if you are entitled to compensation, contact Silva Injury Law today to discuss your case.