Have you or someone you love suffered a serious brain injury in Fresno, CA? You may be entitled to compensation from the party who caused your injury. Carter Law Group has tirelessly represented victims and their families. Contact our law firm to schedule a free consultation at (559) 485-1212 with a Fresno brain injury lawyer to discuss your case.
Without the right representation, recovering the full compensation you deserve can be an uphill battle. Since 2020, Carter Law Group has been fighting for the rights of injury victims in Fresno to hold the responsible party accountable. Call us today to get started!
How Carter Law Group Can Help You After A Brain Injury In Fresno, CA
After a serious brain injury, you should be focused on your recovery, not a complicated claims process or uncaring insurance company. A personal injury attorney in Fresno can help by protecting your rights and pursuing your claim while you recover.
At Carter Law Group, we have recovered tens of millions on behalf of our clients since 2020. We even recovered one of the Top 100 Verdicts in California in 2021. We will put 25 years of collective experience to work on your case.
Here is how our law firm in Fresno, California, can help you after a serious injury:
- Perform an in-depth investigation into your accident
- Identify all parties who may be liable for your injury
- Gather evidence to prove liability and the extent of your damages
- Work with experts to strengthen your claim
- Negotiate on your behalf to seek a fair settlement agreement
- Take your case before a jury when necessary
Contact our law office today to schedule a free consultation with a Fresno brain injury lawyer. We are ready to fight on your behalf for the compensation you deserve.
Overview Of Traumatic Brain Injuries
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can change your life forever in just a moment. While some brain injuries are mild with no lasting symptoms, millions of people experience disabling or even fatal brain injuries.
Traumatic brain injuries are the result of external trauma. They differ from acquired brain injuries (ABIs) caused by disease, infection, stroke, and internal factors.
There were approximately 214,110 TBI-related hospitalizations in 2020 and 69,473 TBI-related deaths in 2021.
What Are The Most Common Types Of Brain Injuries?
Traumatic brain injuries vary in type and severity. Common types of TBIs include:
- Concussion. This is a mild TBI usually caused by a blow to the head.
- Contusion. This is a bruise on the brain resulting from direct impact. It can lead to swelling and bleeding within the brain.
- Hematoma. This refers to blood collecting inside the skull.
- Coup injury. This is an injury directly under the site of an impact.
- Contrecoup injury. This is an injury to the brain opposite the site of an impact.
- Diffuse Axonal Injury (DAI). A DAI occurs when the brain shifts rapidly inside the skull, tearing the brain’s nerve fibers. This injury is very serious, causing widespread damage and often prolonged unconsciousness.
- Anoxic or hypoxic brain injury. This refers to brain damage when the brain receives no oxygen or too little oxygen.
- Penetrating brain injury. This involves an object penetrating the skull and damaging brain tissue, often leading to significant neurological impairments.
All brain injuries can be serious, but some forms are more likely than others to cause severe, long-term effects. The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is usually used to classify the severity of a TBI. Patients are scored on a 15-point scale based on their motor response, verbal response, and eye-opening. TBIs may be classified as mild, moderate, or severe.
What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of A Traumatic Brain Injury?
Recognizing the signs and symptoms of a brain injury is crucial for timely diagnosis and treatment. Symptoms can vary depending on the injury location and severity, but common signs may include:
- Headache or a feeling of pressure in the skull
- Nausea or vomiting
- Confusion or disorientation
- Dizziness or loss of balance
- Blurred or double vision
- Sensitivity to light or noise
- Difficulty concentrating
- Memory issues
- Fatigue or drowsiness
- Changes in mood or behavior, such as irritability
- Difficulty speaking or understanding speech
- Seizures or convulsions
- Unequal pupils
- Loss of consciousness, even briefly
If you or someone you know exhibits any of these symptoms after a head injury, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately.
What Are The Potential Long-Term Consequences Of A Brain Injury?
The long-term consequences of a brain injury can vary significantly depending on the severity and type of injury. The long-term effects cannot be predicted, although some people are more likely than others to experience severe or lasting effects.
Potential long-term consequences of a TBI include:
- Cognitive impairment. This includes difficulties with attention, memory, comprehension, speech, problem-solving, and sleep.
- Emotional or behavioral changes. Some people experience depression, anxiety, poor emotional regulation, and impulse control, or personality changes.
- Physical effects. You may struggle with reduced mobility, poor coordination and balance, chronic pain, paralysis, and other impairments.
- Relationship problems. The long-term effects of a brain injury can affect relationships and social functioning.
Post-concussion syndrome (PCS) is a fairly mild but well-known long-term effect of a brain injury. About 10% of people who suffer a concussion will have lingering symptoms like sensitivity to light and sound and headaches. These symptoms may last up to one year or longer.
One of the most serious and frightening long-term effects is locked-in syndrome (LIS). This rare neurological disorder means the person is aware and conscious but cannot speak or move.
A growing body of research also indicates that brain injuries may have hidden consequences. A brain injury may increase your risk of developing dementia later in life. Repeated head injuries are also linked to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a chronic and degenerative brain disorder.
What Causes Brain Injuries In Fresno, California?
Most brain injuries are the result of one of the following:
- Motor vehicle accidents. Car accidents are one of the leading causes of serious brain injuries in Fresno. Truck accidents and motorcycle accidents are less common, but they have a higher risk of serious injury.
- Falls. Falls cause 81% of brain injuries in seniors and 40% of brain injury-related emergency room visits overall. Falls from heights and falls on the same level can both cause serious brain injuries.
- Violence. Domestic violence, assault, and firearm violence are, sadly, leading causes of brain injuries. Firearms are the leading cause of brain injury-related death.
Many serious brain injuries happen on the job. Workers may suffer a brain injury when they fall, are struck by an object, or get into a motor vehicle accident.
What Is My Brain Injury Case Worth?
There is no easy way to estimate the value of your personal injury case. Generally, a personal injury lawyer will begin by determining your total financial losses. This amount may be multiplied by a factor of 1.5 to five, depending on the severity of your injuries, to estimate non-economic losses. This forms an estimate that may be used to negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf.
Brain injury cases often involve long-term medical care and reduced earning capacity. This means expert testimony will likely be necessary to calculate the full extent of your damages. Contact our law office to schedule a free consultation to discuss what your case may be worth and how we can help.
What Damages Can I Recover As A Brain Injury Victim In Fresno, CA?
When someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing causes you injury, you have the right to hold them financially accountable. In California, liable parties in a personal injury case are responsible for paying compensatory damages. There are two broad types of damages: economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic damages are the financial losses related to your accident. Non-economic damages refer to your personal, psychological, and emotional losses without intrinsic financial value.
After a brain injury, you may be entitled to recover compensation for:
- Current medical expenses such as surgery, ambulance rides, hospitalization, doctor’s appointments, and more
- Anticipated future medical care you will need
- Lost wages while you recover
- Diminished earning capacity if you cannot return to your job or any gainful employment
- Rehabilitation and therapy
- Reasonable out-of-pocket expenses
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
- Reduced quality of life
- Disfigurement or scarring
If your case goes before a jury, there is a chance you may be awarded punitive damages. These damages are intended to punish a defendant for egregious behavior. In California, punitive damages can only be awarded with clear, convincing evidence that the defendant engaged in oppression, fraud, or malice. This usually means cruel, unjust hardship with disregard for your rights, intentional harm, or willful disregard for your life and safety.
Can I Recover Compensation If I Am Partially At Fault For My Accident In California?
In California, the legal principle of pure comparative negligence applies to personal injury cases, including brain injury claims. This means that if you are found to be partially at fault for the accident that caused your injury, your compensation will be reduced in proportion to your degree of fault. You are still entitled to damages even if you are 99% at fault.
For instance, if you suffered $100,000 in damages but were found to be 20% at fault for the accident, you would be eligible to recover $80,000.
This system allows injury victims to seek compensation even if they are partially responsible, ensuring that they are not barred from recovery based on their level of fault. However, it’s crucial to gather evidence that demonstrates each party’s degree of negligence. The insurance company may try to shift blame to you to reduce their share of liability for your injuries. This is particularly true with high-value claims involving brain injuries.
How Long Do I Have To File A Brain Injury Lawsuit In California?
The California statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years from the date of your accident. Injuries caused by medical malpractice have a different deadline of one year from the date you knew or should have known of the injury and up to three years from the accident date. Medical providers must also be given 90 days’ notice of a lawsuit.
There are a few exceptions to the deadline to file your personal injury lawsuit in certain cases. Missing this deadline will bar you from any financial recovery for your brain injury. Contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after your accident to preserve evidence and your claim.
Contact Our Fresno Brain Injury Lawyers For A Free Consultation
If you or someone you love has suffered a brain injury in an accident in Fresno, CA, you may be entitled to compensation, and we are here to help. A personal injury claim can help you recover the money you need for your medical care, lost earnings, and other expenses so you can focus on your recovery.
Carter Law Group has recovered tens of millions on behalf of our clients and their families. Our law office is ready to help you pursue justice and fair compensation. Contact our law firm for a free consultation with a Fresno brain injury lawyer to explore your legal options.