Brain Injury

Brain Damage Lawyer in Orange County, CA

Of all of the catastrophic injuries a victim could suffer in an unexpected accident, a traumatic brain injury is one of the most devastating. Brain injuries are unpredictable in their consequences. A brain injury can have a wide-ranging impact, physically and psychologically. In serious cases, an injury to the brain can prove to be fatal.

If you or someone you love suffered a brain injury in an accident caused by someone else in Orange County, you do not have to face the consequences entirely on your own. As you recover, let an experienced attorney pursue an injury claim for you and hold the responsible party accountable for your injury.

At Silverthorne Attorneys, we have extensive experience helping those who have suffered brain injuries throughout Orange County. We have the skills, knowledge and experience to make a difference with your case. When you work with us, we will always be here to listen and to answer any of your questions. You will not owe us anything unless we recover money for you.

We offer a free consultation to discuss your case. For your free case review, call us today or use our online contact form.

When Can You File a Personal Injury Claim After a Traumatic Brain Injury?

For most traumatic brain injury claims in California, you have two years from the injury date to file your claim. However, if your injury was not obvious, you may have a year from the date that you discovered it or reasonably should have discovered it. Keep in mind that if you miss the filing deadline, you may forever lose your claim.

Depending upon the facts of your injury, you will need to prove several elements as part of your claim. You will need to prove that someone was negligent in their duties to you. You must also show that you were harmed, and that the negligence was a substantial factor in your harm.

If you have questions about your personal injury claim and what you will need to prove, contact a brain injury lawyer in Orange County, CA today. Our attorneys can walk you through the process, let you know what steps you need to take. We can also help you successfully build your claim.

Common Causes of Brain Injuries

Brain injuries can happen in any accident but are more common in accidents with impacts. Common causes of traumatic head injuries include motorcycle accidents, slip and fall accidents and construction accidents.

Other common causes of brain injuries include:

• Car accidents. Even a low-speed car accident may result in serious brain injuries.
• Bicycle accidents. Bicycle riders have almost no protection on the road. If they are struck by a vehicle, they can end up with severe brain injuries.
• Boat accidents. Boating accidents can lead to near-drowning situations that may result in brain damage.
• Bus accidents. Because of their large size, buses can be extremely dangerous. If a bus strikes a pedestrian, bicyclist or another road user, that person may suffer extensive head injuries.
• Hit-and-run accidents. Hit-and-run accidents are often high-speed accidents that frequently result in fatalities.
• Rollover accidents. In a rollover accident, it is easy to strike your head and wind up with injuries.
• Slip and fall accidents. Slip and fall, or trip and fall, accidents can lead to serious brain injuries.

Compensation for a Traumatic Brain Injury

After a traumatic brain injury, you may be entitled to compensation. Compensation for a traumatic brain injury includes:

• Lost wages and damage to your future earnings
• Medical expenses related to caring for your injuries, now and in the future
• Property losses and repair costs, including your vehicle and any personal possessions
• Pain and suffering compensation for the lasting harm your injury causes
• Compensation for emotional distress and problems such as depression and anxiety following an accident
• Punitive damages in cases where someone acted with intent or extreme recklessness and injured you

To understand if these and other types of compensation may be available in your claim, contact a head injury lawyer today.

Symptoms of a Traumatic Brain Injury

It may not be immediately evident that you have suffered a severe injury. This is particularly common with brain injuries. Common symptoms of a traumatic brain injury include:

• Nausea. Nausea can be a common symptom and may include other abdominal trouble. If you are experiencing nausea after a head injury, it may be a sign of a deeper problem.
• Blacking out or losing consciousness. People who have suffered a traumatic brain injury may suffer a periodic loss of consciousness. This can be frightening and may severely disrupt the day-to-day lives of the victim’s loved ones.
• Headaches. Headaches are a common problem for people with head injuries. Persistent and unpredictable headaches can have a huge impact on people’s lives.
• Problems with memory. Memory troubles frequently occur after a head injury. People can suffer damage to both their short-term and long-term memory.
• Mood changes and the onset of conditions such as depression. After a head injury, some people may experience mood swings and permanent changes to their personality.
• Seizures. Seizures are a terrifying consequence of some head injuries. Although medication and surgery help, seizures may still persist.
• Speech impairments. Speech impediments may include slurring and the inability to pronounce words. People who have suffered head injuries may struggle to communicate. While medical treatments and therapy can help, many brain injury victims suffer permanent speech problems.

A traumatic brain injury may include these and many other symptoms. If you or someone you love have suffered a traumatic brain injury, get the medical care you need and speak as soon as possible with an Orange County brain injury attorney.

Treatment for Traumatic Brain Injury

Modern medicine has improved in its ability to treat brain injuries. The choice of treatment will largely depend upon the nature of the injury and its risks.

Medication is one approach that medical professionals may use to treat a traumatic brain injury. Medications can reduce swelling, fight seizures and help with a host of other problems. Depending upon the injury, doctors may also prescribe medicines to help with the painful or upsetting symptoms of an injury.

Surgery is another way that doctors may try to heal a traumatic brain injury. In an accident, structures in the brain may be damaged and bleeding may occur. Surgeons need to act quickly to help stabilize patients and minimize the damage.

Therapy is also an important way that a professional may try to heal a head injury. Even though accident victims may suffer impairment and brain problems, therapy can help them regain some abilities.

Long-Term Effects of a Brain Injury

Medical professionals can only do so much to heal brain injuries. Some victims may suffer long-term effects that follow them for the rest of their life. Long-term effects of a brain injury include:

• Vertigo and unexpected dizziness

• Mood swings and personality changes

• Confusion

• Trouble sleeping

• Headaches

• Tiredness and lethargy

• Trouble concentrating

Time Limit for Filing a Brain Injury Lawsuit

Different types of lawsuits have different filing deadlines. These deadlines are known as statutes of limitations. If you miss your filing deadline, you may lose your right to bring a brain injury lawsuit.

In California, the general deadline for a brain injury claim is two years from the date of the accident. However, there may be cases where you have a year from when you discover your injury. If you need to file a lawsuit, do not delay. Speak with a head injury lawyer today.

How Our Brain Injury Lawyers in Orange County Can Help You

A brain injury lawyer will help you through the process of filing a claim or lawsuit. A lawyer can investigate your accident, listen to your needs, and manage any communications about your claim. A lawyer will also negotiate for your recovery with insurance companies and fight for the compensation you deserve. A head injury attorney can relieve your stress and help with everything that your claim needs.

Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyers in Orange County, CA

If you have suffered a traumatic brain injury, get the help you need by contacting Silverthorne Attorneys today. We are always available to talk and answer any questions, and we are always extremely attentive to your needs.

We charge no fees unless we recover money for you. We also offer a free consultation to discuss your case. At Silverthorne Attorneys, you decide what is fair and we fight for your rights.

For your free consultation, call us today or contact us online.

Anoxic Brain Damage

Anoxic brain damage is when there is an injury to the brain due to lack of oxygen. While hypoxia is the term used to describe low oxygen, brain cells without enough oxygen will begin to die after 4 minutes.

Causes

Oxygen is carried to the brain through blood. Anoxic brain damage may occur if:

• The blood flow to the brain is blocked or slowed. This can happen with:
  • Blood clots or a stroke;
  • Shock and heart problems, such as a heart attack;
• The blood flow is normal, but the blood is not carrying enough oxygen to the brain. This can happen if:
  • You have lung disease;
  • There is a lack of oxygen in the air due to high altitudes;
  • You have prolonged exposure to certain poisons or other toxins, such as carbon monoxide;
  • You have an event that prevents you from breathing normally, such as drowning, choking, or suffocation.

Risk Factors

The following accidents and health conditions may increase your chances of an anoxic brain injury: