San Francisco Brain Injury Attorneys

Signs & Symptoms of a Brain Injury

Although some traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are immediately apparent, others can be harder to detect. This is especially true of closed-head brain injuries, in which there is no physical damage to the head or skull. However, time is critical when it comes to treating head and brain injuries—the sooner the injured individual receives medical attention, the better. Because of this, it is important that you know the signs of a brain injury so that you can seek immediate medical assistance if you or a loved one is injured.

Some of the signs and symptoms of a TBI include:

• Brief or prolonged loss of consciousness
• Memory issues, including being unable to remember the injury-causing event
• Dizziness, confusion, and disorientation
• Nausea, with or without vomiting
• Persistent or worsening headache
• Blurred vision and/or ringing in the ears
• Fatigue, drowsiness, or excessive sleeping
• Poor balance and/or coordination
• Difficulty concentrating or retaining new information
• Sensitivity to light or sound
• Changes in mood or behavior, including mood swings, anxiety, and depression

Moderate and severe TBIs may also lead to dilated pupils, clear fluids draining from the ears or nose, extreme confusion, agitation, slurred speech, seizures, convulsions, and/or coma. In very severe cases, traumatic brain injuries may also result in death.

What Are the Most Common Causes of TBIs?

Any serious incident in which an individual suffers significant bodily trauma can cause a traumatic brain injury. However, some types of accidents more commonly result in TBIs than others.

In the United States, the most common causes of TBI include:

• Motor vehicle accidents, including car, motorcycle, truck, and bus accidents
• Falls, including slip and falls and falls from heights to lower levels
• Sports- and recreation-related accidents, including ATV, boating, and youth sports accidents
• Criminal acts and violence, including assault, battery, homicide, and murder
• Combat-related injuries, such as explosions, bodily collisions, and being struck by shrapnel

Additionally, disease and alcohol play a large role in new brain injury cases every year in the U.S.

Who Is Liable for a Brain Injury?

Of the millions of brain injuries that occur each year, many are preventable. Countless TBIs result from the negligent and wrongful conduct of others—and when this is the case, victims and/or their loved ones can seek justice.

Typically, the person or party directly responsible for the brain injury is the one who can be held legally liable. For example, if you suffered a concussion after slipping and falling on an unmarked wet floor in your local grocery store, you could file a claim with the property owner’s insurance provider, or you could sue the property owner directly for damages. If your loved one sustained a severe TBI in a collision with a drunk driver, the drunk driver could be liable for the resulting medical bills, pain and suffering, and other damages.

At Ayala, Morgan & Buzzard, we work with teams of accident reconstructionists, medical professionals, expert witnesses, and other specialists who help us investigate our clients’ claims and determine who is liable for their damages. We recognize that no two cases are exactly alike, which is why we develop innovative legal strategies tailored to each individual’s unique circumstances. Our goal is to help you navigate the legal process and secure the maximum compensation you are owed.

Who Might Be Involved in My Case?

There are a lot of potential witnesses that could provide evidence for your case. These include medical staff and specialists such as:

• Accident reconstruction experts - An accident reconstructionist works backwards to determine how your injury came to be.
• Cognitive therapists - A cognitive therapist can determine how your cognitive skills have been impacted.
• Physical therapists - Brain injury can often affect physical function, and a physical therapist is able to accurately determine the extent of that impact.
• Occupational therapists - An occupational therapist can help you return to a new normal.
• Neuropsychologists, Neurophysiologists, Neurologists - These are doctors which specialize in different aspects of the nervous system.

Damages in Brain Injury Cases

Traumatic brain injuries nearly always require extensive medical attention and care, including hospitalization, surgeries, medications, and ongoing treatment. Even with proper treatment, many TBI victims will suffer permanent limitations, impairments, and disabilities that will affect them for the remainder of their lives. In total, the cost of treating a TBI can easily reach hundreds of thousands—if not millions—of dollars.

At Ayala, Morgan & Buzzard, our San Francisco brain injury lawyers fight to recover the following damages on behalf of TBI victims and their families:

• Past, current, and future medical expenses
• Past, current, and future lost income/wages
• Lost or reduced earning capacity
• Diminished quality of life
• Past, current, and future pain and suffering
• Miscellaneous out-of-pocket expenses

In some cases, we may even be able to recover punitive damages. Unlike compensatory damages, such as those outlined above, punitive damages are not intended to compensate victims for specific economic and non-economic losses. Rather, they focus on the wrongdoing of the defendant and seek to punish those who commit acts of egregious negligence or intentional misconduct.

How Ayala, Morgan & Buzzard Can Help with Your Brain Injury Case

The aftermath of a significant brain injury can be extremely stressful, financially challenging, and downright overwhelming. At Ayala, Morgan & Buzzard, we understand what you are going through. Our personal injury lawyers provide compassionate, personalized guidance throughout the legal process. We are here for you every step of the way, from the moment you call until the moment your case is resolved, fighting for your rights and protecting you against the interests of the insurance company.

In our decades of combined experience, we have successfully recovered favorable settlements and verdicts on behalf of countless TBI clients—and we are ready to fight for you, too.

There are no costs to you unless we recover compensation on your behalf. Call (925) 744-8869 or contact us online today for a free consultation.