Did you know that approximately 5.3 million Americans have a disability related to a traumatic brain injury? With rapidly advancing technology in science and medicine, we understand more about the human brain today than ever before. Recent scientific studies continue to challenge outdated assumptions about the causes, severity, and potential outcomes of even “mild” traumatic brain injuries (“TBIs”)/concussion(s) and shed new light on the diagnoses, potential for treatment and prevention. The National Football League (“NFL”) studies and those that followed, ushered in a new era of brain injury awareness and greater acknowledgment that EVERY BRAIN IS UNIQUE.

However, TBIs / concussions remain a major cause of death and disability. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”), about 176 Americans die from TBI-related injuries every day.

Despite their prevalence, brain injuries are often invisible to observers and, according to a study to determine how often emergency department patients meeting the CDC TBI criteria were diagnosed with a mild TBI by emergency physicians, patients visiting emergency rooms are frequently (56%) not diagnosed with a TBI in the emergency room.

Hiring an experienced brain injury lawyer who understands the fast-progressing science and medicine is critical. Finding a lawyer who also understands the litany of challenges and struggles facing individuals and families following a TBI / concussion may seem impossible – until now. If your family has experienced a brain injury, Light & Miller, LLP brain injury lawyers urge you to contact our firm to schedule a free consultation and explore your legal options.

What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?

According to the CDC, a traumatic brain injury (or “TBI”) is a disruption in the typical functioning of the brain. It may be caused by a jolt, bump, or blow to the head, however, brain injuries can occur without any direct contact with the head through the transfer of forces. A TBI may include one or more of the following:

• Damage may be limited to the area below the impact point
• Damage to multiple points on the brain because the brain may move around in the skull
• Severe spinning jolt may cause cellular structures to be torn
• An explosion may cause significant damage
• An object going into the skull can damage blood vessels, brain cells, and the tissues that protect the brain
• Any type of brain injury can cause swelling, clots, and bleeding in/around the brain, disrupting oxygen supply and causing more damage

Traumatic brain injury can lead to an array of cognitive impairments which can ultimately result in an inability to manage emotions/anger and changes in personality. According to data collected by the CDC, over 64,000 deaths each year are the result of traumatic brain injury. A severe, non-fatal brain injury can cause the victim to be in a vegetative state for the rest of their lives, requiring medical care. Most TBIs are concussions and other forms of “mild” TBI- but it should still be taken seriously. This is why you need a traumatic brain injury attorney in San Francisco to help you with your case.

Common Causes of Brain & Spinal Cord Injuries

Approximately 50% of new brain and spinal cord injuries in the United States each year are caused by motor vehicle collisions. The most common are rear-endings, motorcycle and vehicle-related incidents, and T-bone collisions. These collisions can cause extreme injuries to drivers and passengers.

Other causes of brain and spinal injuries include acts of violence, sports/recreational activities, falls, alcohol, and conditions such as arthritis, osteoporosis, and cancer.

Statistics show that more than 13% of brain and spinal cord injuries are due to acts of violence, most commonly gunshot and knife wounds. Approximately 10% are due to recreational activities or impact sports.

Symptoms of Brain and Spinal Injuries

It is important to note that there’s no single test that can verify a traumatic brain or spinal injury. Trained medical personnel can use diagnostic tests such as CT scans and MRIs- but these can oftentimes fail to detect a brain injury. Therefore, it’s important to understand what symptoms to look for.

Some of the most common symptoms of brain and spinal injuries include:

✔ Slurred Speech

✔ Aggression

✔ Sensitivity to Light and/or Sound

✔ Partial Paralysis of Facial Muscles

✔ Partial Paralysis of Limbs

✔ Loss of Impairment/Sensory Abilities

✔ Loss of Consciousness

✔ Impaired Judgment 

✔ Changes in Behavior and Personality

✔ Unexplained Mood Swings

✔ Nausea

If not treated or improperly treated, these traumatic injuries can lead to long-term complications. Some of the most common long-term complications related to brain injuries include lingering or permanent changes in consciousness, responsiveness, or awareness. Some of the most common long-term complications related to spinal injuries include the need for assistive devices such as wheelchairs/walkers or paralysis from the neck down.

A brain and spine injury attorney in San Francisco Bay Area can help you make sure that you get what your case is worth and ensure that you can get the treatment you need.

BRAIN INJURIES ARE PERMANENT

While science and technology advancements are making strides in the areas of detection and treatment, a TBI (traumatic brain injury) is an injury from which victims can literally never fully recover. Unlike other parts of the body, the brain cannot regenerate its cells. Once those cells are damaged and/or the connections between them are broken, the functions they perform are impaired (sometimes completely lost) unless the brain can learn to perform those functions in new ways.

How to Hire a Brain and Spine Injury Attorney in San Francisco Bay Area

We understand that deciding which TBI lawyer to hire can be a difficult decision. After all, you have so much on your mind. If you need to, you can delegate this task to a trusted friend or family member. In case you’ve never been in a situation that required you to hire a brain injury attorney, here are a few tips:

Interview a Brain Injury Attorney Today

It’s important that you don’t choose the first attorney you find. Take your time and interview several brain and spine injury attorneys before you choose. Many attorneys offer free consultations. When you call to set your initial appointment, verify that the consultation is free and then move forward. When you interview a potential attorney, there are several important questions to ask, including:

• Do I need an attorney?
• How much experience do you have with brain and spine injury litigation?
• How many jury trials have you handled?
• How many cases like mine have you handled and what were the results of those cases?
• Where did you get your law degree?
• Will you personally work on my case, or will you pass it on to someone else? Can I speak to the person that will be handling my case?
• Do you require a retainer?
• What are your rates and how do you bill?

The time following a brain or spinal cord injury can be stressful because there is so much to think about. We understand that it’s never easy to hire a brain injury lawyer but these tips should help. With the right TBI lawyer handling your case, you can see the results you need.

How Can a San Francisco Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer Help?

There’s much more to hiring a brain and spine injury attorney than increasing your chances of receiving compensation. They will become your confidant and even your friend during this process. An experienced TBI attorney will make sure that no one convinces you to settle and accept less than you deserve and will make sure that no one violates your rights. They will also be providing personalized client services and care while assisting you with your claim in several ways:

• Gathering your medical records to prove the type/extent of your injury
• Identifying the party who is responsible for your injuries
• Calculating the value of your economic and noneconomic losses
• Negotiating a reasonable settlement amount
• Proving how your injury has affected your life
• If necessary, taking the battle to court to obtain reasonable compensation
• Telling your story to a jury.

From finding the best brain and spine injury medical professionals to taking your case to trial, we are here to do whatever we can to keep your best interests at the forefront. It is important to find an experienced traumatic brain injury attorney as soon as possible after suffering an injury.

Contact an Experienced TBI Attorney

If you or someone you know has experienced a brain or spinal cord injury due to someone else’s negligence, seeking justice and compensation to cover medical bills and emotional damage as well as loss of income if you are unable to work for any period of time is critical.

The best way to do that is to seek the assistance of a brain and spine injury lawyer because legal proceedings involving these injuries can be complicated. If you have an experienced attorney on your side, they can gather any and all relevant information and build a strong case to ensure you are compensated.

Taking the time to become familiar with the causes, symptoms, and risks associated with these types of injuries is scary. However, this along with having a TBI attorney on your side is the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from complications and ensure a higher quality of life.