Were you involved in an accident or dangerous situation that led to a brain injury? Was it the result of someone else’s negligent actions? If so, contact the Stockton personal injury attorneys of OnderLaw to discuss your case with us. You might be entitled to compensation for your medical treatment and other expenses. You should not be responsible for the losses you suffered if another person were entirely at fault for your injury.

Anyone could suffer a traumatic brain injury (TBI). It can happen in various situations and be mild or severe. A penetrating injury to the skull or violent blow or jolt to the head can disrupt the functioning of the brain and damage brain cells. Bruising, internal bleeding, torn tissue, and other problems can occur. Without immediate and proper treatment, long-term complications can arise. Severe cases of TBI can even lead to death.

At OnderLaw , our Stockton brain injury attorneys have the experience to handle your case and help you hold the at-fault party liable for their actions. We can investigate the incident and locate crucial evidence to prove that someone else was responsible for your injury. We will fight hard for the maximum compensation you deserve so you can recover and move forward with your life.

Call OnderLaw for your free consultation. We’re available 24/7 to take your call and discuss your legal options.

Causes of Traumatic Brain Injuries

You can hit your head and sustain a serious injury to the brain wherever you go. Whether you fall down the stairs, slip on a freshly mopped floor, or get into a car accident, a TBI can occur and require emergency medical care. Even a minor brain injury can cause a range of debilitating symptoms that interfere with your daily routine. Some people suffer life-long medical issues from an injury that doesn’t heal completely.

The most common causes of a traumatic brain injury are:

  • Slip/trip and falls
  • Construction accidents
  • Explosions
  • A violent attack by a person or animal
  • Dangerous products
  • Workplace accidents
  • Motor vehicle crashes
  • Swimming pool accidents
  • Falls from heights
  • Malfunctioning machinery
  • Being struck by unsecured objects overhead
  • Becoming trapped under something

 

If your traumatic brain injury happened because of an individual or company’s misconduct, you should immediately speak to a Stockton brain injury attorney. One of the best decisions to make after an accident is to seek legal representation. Although you might think you can handle the process alone, having an experienced legal team on your side can increase your chance of securing the money you’re owed.

Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries

A violent blow or jolt to someone’s head or body can cause a traumatic brain injury. Flying debris, such as pieces of metal from a car crash, can impale the skull, causing damage to the brain. Mild TBI causes temporary disruptions to how the brain cells function. However, severe TBI can permanently damage areas of the brain and result in disabilities.

When you suffer a mild traumatic brain injury, the most common symptoms you might experience include:

  • Fatigue
  • Changes in mood
  • Difficulty with speech
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Sensitivity to light or sound
  • Trouble with concentration and memory
  • Headache
  • Blurry vision
  • Disorientation or confusion

 

More severe traumatic brain injuries cause debilitating symptoms, such as:

  • Profound confusion
  • Sustained loss of consciousness
  • Weakness or numbness in the fingers and toes
  • Slurred speech
  • Persistent or worsening headache
  • Coma
  • Repeated vomiting or nausea
  • Seizures
  • Convulsions
  • Inability to wake up from sleep
  • Agitation or unusual behavior
  • Loss of coordination

 

There are many classifications of TBI, depending on the area of the brain it affects and the type of damage. The most common are:

  • Hemorrhage – Uncontrollable bleeding happens when the brain hemorrhages. Intracerebral hemorrhage occurs when there’s bleeding within the brain tissue. Bleeding in the area around the brain is called a subarachnoid hemorrhage. Brain bleeds can become life-threatening if left untreated.
  • Hematoma – Blood collects outside of the brain, causing a build-up of pressure against the skull. This can lead to permanent brain damage.
  • Edema – The brain begins to swell from the development of excess fluid. The amount of oxygen that flows to the brain decreases, and there’s a reduction of adequate blood flow from the extra pressure placed on the skull.
  • Contusions – Bleeding and swelling occur at the site of the injury, bruising the brain.
  • Ischemia – Artery blockages restrict blood flow to the brain. Brain cells can die, and brain tissues become damaged. Eventually, ischemic stroke can occur.
  • Hydrocephalus – The ventricles within the brain experience an abnormal buildup of fluid, causing them to widen. This places pressure on the brain’s tissues, preventing the brain from functioning as normal.
  • Skull fracture – A fractured skull can cause spinal fluid to leak and lead to bleeding and pressure on the brain.
  • Diffuse axonal injury – Sudden rotational forces or stopping of the head tears or twists connected cells in the brain. This can lead to a coma.

 

If you experience any TBI symptoms, you should see your doctor so they can determine the appropriate treatment plan. Some people heal and don’t experience any adverse effects from the injury, while others suffer symptoms for months or years after the accident.

Compensation for a TBI Claim

TBI often requires a visit to the emergency room and various forms of treatment, such as prescription pain killers, surgery, rehabilitation, or physical therapy. Some accident victims end up with a disability and limitations that prevent them from returning to their regular routine.

When you’re faced with expensive medical bills, you might worry about how you’re going to afford to pay them. You could end up in debt and struggle financially to pay for your treatment and daily living expenses. If someone else was at fault for the accident, you could hold them liable and seek the compensation you need to cover your costs.

You probably suffered a range of losses from your injury. The money you receive from an insurance claim could compensate for those losses, such as:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Property damage
  • Medical bills
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Physical impairment or disfigurement
  • Lost wages
  • Lost earning capacity
  • Emotional distress

 

The circumstances of the incident will determine who you can hold financially responsible for your injury and the source of the compensation you pursue. For example, if you suffered a TBI in a car accident, you could file a claim with the at-fault driver’s car insurance company. OnderLaw can help you determine the available insurance coverage and file a claim on your behalf.

Statute of Limitations on Personal Injury Lawsuits

California has a two-year statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit. That means you must initiate your case with the court within two years of the injury date if you want to recover compensation through the legal system.

You must prove that the other person’s actions contributed to the accident. OnderLaw can obtain all available evidence to build your case. However, if the jury determines you share any fault for your TBI, they could reduce your financial award under California’s pure comparative negligence statute.

To give you an example, let’s say your losses were $100,000. If the negligent party were 100 percent to blame for your injury, you could receive the total $100,000 in compensation. However, if the jury finds that your actions were partially responsible for the accident and assigns you were 20 percent fault, you could only receive up to $80,000.

Stockton, California, and National Accident Statistics

In the United States, TBI caused around 61,000 deaths in 2019. That’s equal to approximately 166 fatalities each day.

One of the most common reasons people suffer traumatic brain injuries is because of car accidents. Severe TBI can lead to death. In 2019, 3,606 people were killed in fatal crashes throughout California. Of those fatalities, the occupants involved included:

  • Truck occupants – one percent of deaths
  • Pickup and SUV occupants – 19 percent of deaths
  • Car occupants – 33 percent of deaths
  • Motorcyclists – 13 percent of deaths
  • Bicyclists – four percent of deaths
  • Pedestrians – 27 percent of deaths

 

A total of 1,575 people died in multi-car accidents, and 2,031 people were killed in single-vehicle collisions.

In Stockton, 38 fatal traffic accidents resulted in 40 fatalities.

Work-related TBI is also common in California. In 2019, 9,270 nonfatal head injuries occurred in private industry jobs requiring time off from work. That’s equivalent to 7.8 percent of all nonfatal occupational illnesses and injuries.

Why Do I Need a Lawyer? Why Choose OnderLaw ?

When you suffer TBI or any type of injury in an accident, the worst mistake you could make is choosing not to seek treatment or hire a lawyer. Medical care is necessary for your health and safety and to prevent medical complications. If someone else’s actions were to blame for your injury, you need a lawyer to help you navigate the complicated legal road of filing a claim or a lawsuit to obtain compensation.

Unfortunately, some accident victims decide to handle their cases without seeking legal representation. That often leads to denied insurance claims and lower compensation than they deserve. OnderLaw knows how to build a solid case and seek the highest possible compensation, so you’re not left with any bills to pay yourself. You shouldn’t be forced to pay out-of-pocket expenses when another person’s wrongdoing led to your injuries.

Call OnderLaw for Your Free Consultation

The Stockton brain injury attorneys of OnderLaw can take your case on contingency, so you don’t have to worry about upfront fees or costs. We don’t expect payment of our legal fees unless we secure compensation for our clients. We know you already feel burdened by hospital bills and other expenses and don’t want to cause more economic hardship for you.

If you suffered a brain injury in Stockton due to someone else’s negligence, call OnderLaw today. We can discuss your case during a free consultation and help you get on the road to recovery.