Head Injury Attorney

Head Injury Attorney

If you or a loved one has suffered head injuries as a result of an accident, contact our qualified California and Nevada head injury lawyers to represent you in a claim against the at-fault party for negligence. We have been representing victims who have suffered head injuries for decades and understand the stressful situation a head injury victim could be going through. Our committed attorneys investigate the claim and determine the legal strategies we can take for the injuries you have suffered.

Types of Head Injuries

Open head injuries, also known as penetrating head injuries, involve a break, fracture, or penetration of the skull. These types of head injuries often cause severe brain damage if the penetrating object can enter the brain tissue. Open head injuries are more common in situations involving gunshot wounds, car accidents, and fireworks accidents. With open injuries, the damage is typically more in the area where the penetrating object entered, but both types of head injury can cause swelling across the brain and other potentially life-threatening conditions.

Closed head injuries occur when a victim’s head is struck, but the object does not penetrate, break, or fracture the skull. A good portion of head injuries received in sports are closed head injuries. The brain damage from this type of injury mostly stems from the impact of the brain hitting the inside of the skull, which can cause a variety of problems, including internal bruising and bleeding in the brain.

Concussions are the most common type of head injury suffered. They mostly fall under closed head injuries, but can also result from open head injuries. Whiplash, violent shaking, and sports impacts are the most common causes of concussions. Post-concussion syndrome is a disorder that can be brought on by a concussion and can last for over a year.

Contusions are a type of head injury that involves severe bruising or internal bleeding of the brain. Contusions that are on the larger side often require surgical intervention to help with recovery. This type of head injury can occur without impact and can result from other situations, such as microhemorrhages or blood vessel leakage. A contusion can be life-threatening or lead to permanent brain damage when it is paired with severe swelling of the brain, also known as edema.

Diffuse Axonal Injuries are suffered when the brain is unable to keep up with the movement of the skull, resulting in dangerous tearing, twisting, or shaking of the brain. Car accidents are a common cause of this type of head injury.

Head Injury Symptoms

Head injuries can cause victims to experience a wide variety of symptoms. Some symptoms are physical, while others are cognitive-related. A majority of symptoms are short-lived, but some may last a lifetime as a result of the brain damage caused by the head injury. These are some of the most common symptoms that victims experience after suffering a head or skull injury:

• Anxiety
• Aggravation or combativeness
• Clear fluid drainage from the ears or nose
• Coma
• Confusion or disorientation while conscious
• Depression
• Difficulty concentrating
• Dizziness
• Loss of balance & coordination
• Memory issues
• Numbness in the extremities, such as in the fingers and toes
• Profound confusion
• Pupil dilation
• Seizures or convulsions
• Slurred speech
• Sudden mood swings
• Trouble sleeping or the inability to wake from sleep

Possible Long-Term Effects of Head Injuries

Not all head injury victims suffer long-term brain damage, but several complications can result from these types of injuries. These are some of the potential long-term side effects that can be paired with a head injury:

• Spasticity. A condition in which muscles are tightened or stiffened by disruption of the brain. This can inhibit the control of stretch and muscle reflexes, causing muscles or joints to lock in place.
• Impaired behavior. Head injuries can sometimes cause victims to behave in unpredictable ways. Sudden mood swings and other behavioral anomalies may be present after a head injury occurs.
• Emotional suffering. Serious, life-changing injuries can be stressful to adapt to and deal with. Many head injury victims end up with some level of emotional trauma caused by either the injury itself or the conditions of their new life after the injury.
• Issues communicating. When a head injury causes brain damage, a victim may have trouble communicating normally through speaking or writing and may even struggle to understand what others are trying to communicate.
• Disabilities related to cognition. Permanent memory loss, impairment to one’s executive functioning, and inability to pay attention are some of the most common cognitive issues that may last a victim’s entire life after suffering a head injury.
• Impairment of physical capabilities. Head injuries can have a serious effect on one’s mobility, and a victim may require medical aid to regain their ability to move around. Walkers, wheelchairs, and motorized scooters are what some victims need to be able to move after suffering a head injury.
• Seizures. Certain types of head injuries can disrupt the electrical signals that the brain is sending to various parts of the body. This brain damage can cause a victim to lose coordination in their movements, experience strange or uncontrolled bodily movements, lose their sense of taste, smell, touch, or sound, and this damage can even lead to the development of seizures immediately or over time.

What Causes Head Injuries?

The brain is a very complicated body part and may require different types of treatment to recover after an injury. Oftentimes, doctors may try different types of treatments to determine which one could be most successful. Head injuries could have both short-term and long-term effects. Head injuries are very unpredictable and could require medical attention throughout the victim’s life. Head injuries are most likely to affect the victim’s memory, including short-term and long-term memory. Our attorneys understand how stressful it can be for both the victim and their families. We work to make sure that you receive compensation for the financial support you need for the future. Below are some examples of what causes head injuries:

• Construction accidents
• Workplace accidents
• Truck accidents
• Bus accidents
• Head-on collisions
• Car accidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• Oxygen deprivation
• Explosions
• Assault
• Battery
• Sport injuries
• Bicycle accidents

How Can a Head Injury Attorney Help Your Personal Injury Claim?

It is very important to hire an attorney. You should not hire an attorney without looking into their experience and knowledge, along with their track record. We have experience handling head injury cases and provide personalized services while guiding clients through the legal process. When litigating head injuries, our attorneys:

• Select medical records to determine the type of head injuries suffered and the severity of the head injury.
• file a claim against the at-fault party.
• calculating the value for the damages suffered. This includes both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are those that are easily calculated, such as medical records and lost wages.
• hire experts to determine the severity of your head injury. We have relationships with top experts in California and Nevada to assert the severity of head injuries suffered.
• negotiate with the insurance company.
• litigating your claim in court if negotiations have not been reached with the insurance company.

Wrongful Death Claims for Head Injuries

If a victim has passed away sustaining head injuries in the collision, the victim’s family will be able to bring a wrongful death claim against the at fault party. Wrongful-death claim seeks reimbursement for the victim’s future lost income, along with any funeral expenses.

Statute of Limitations for Head Injuries

Hiring an experienced attorney immediately after sustaining head injuries is crucial, as each state has different statutes of limitations. These statutes determine the timeframe within which a plaintiff can file their claim. If a claim is filed after the statute of limitations has expired, it may be dismissed by the court. Different scenarios have varying statute of limitations periods; for instance, claims involving government entities often have shorter timeframes. Therefore, it’s essential to work with an attorney knowledgeable in your state’s statute of limitations laws to ensure your claim is filed on time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do immediately after sustaining a head injury?

Seek medical attention right away, even if you feel fine. Head injuries can have delayed symptoms, and a medical professional can properly assess your condition.

What types of compensation can I receive for a head injury?

You may be eligible for compensation covering medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and rehabilitation costs. Each case is unique, so compensation varies.

What if the head injury was partially my fault?

California follows a comparative negligence rule, meaning you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault. However, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

Can I settle my head injury case out of court?

Yes, many head injury cases are settled out of court through negotiations. Our experienced attorneys will strive to achieve a fair settlement, but we are also prepared to litigate if necessary.

Contact a Head Injury Lawyer Today

When it comes to getting compensation for the injustices you’ve suffered at the hands of another party, Heidari Law Group is here to help. Our team of head injury attorneys has handled many personal injury cases across California and Nevada. If you’re looking for experienced help with your case, contact us today at 1-833-225-5454 or fill out the form on our contact us page for a free case evaluation.