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Head Injury Attorney

If you or a loved one have 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 best legal strategies we can take in order to ensure compensation for the injuries you have suffered.

Head Injuries

A head consists of 8 cranial bones and 14 facial bones. These bones make up the entire skull, and because they control all head and facial movements, it could get very complicated if any of the bones are damaged.

Head Injury Statistics

According to studies conducted by the CDC from 2006 to 2014, millions of Americans suffer from head injuries that are bad enough to go to the emergency room each year.

  • Nearly 2.9 million visits to the emergency room in 2014 were due to TBI-related head injuries.
  • Close to 290,000 Americans were hospitalized in 2014 due to head injuries, and of this total, more than 23,000 of these patients were children.
  • Close to 57,000 Americans died in 2014 because of TBI-related head injuries. Of these victims, over 2,500 of them were children.
  • Hospital visits to the emergency room increased over 50% from 2006 to 2014, but the annual deaths and hospitalizations caused by head injuries remained relatively the same throughout the duration of the study.
  • Over 5 million people (>2%) of Americans need daily help to accomplish simple tasks because of a head injury.

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 is able to 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 involve 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 different symptoms. Some symptoms are physical where 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 with Head Injuries

Not all head injury victims suffer long-term brain damage, but there are a number of complications that 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 and deal with. Many head injury victims end up with some level of emotional trauma caused by either the injury itself or from 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 aids 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 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:

Anoxic head injuries are caused when the brain is deprived of oxygen for a prolonged period of time.

Inborn head injuries occur in fetuses before birth and are mainly caused by hypoxia, perinatal illness, fetal alcohol syndrome, or parental drug abuse during pregnancy.

California Head Injury Statistics

Here are some key statistics on head injuries in California:

  1. Incidence Rates: Annually, over 40,000 Californians suffer from traumatic brain injuries (TBI), leading to various levels of impairment and disability.
  2. Hospitalizations: Approximately 10,000 people are hospitalized each year in California due to head injuries.
  3. Causes: The leading causes of head injuries include falls (about 40%), motor vehicle accidents (about 20%), and being struck by or against an object (about 15%).
  4. Age Groups: Children (ages 0-4) and older adults (ages 65+) are at the highest risk for head injuries, particularly from falls.
  5. Outcomes: Around 3,000 fatalities occur annually in California as a result of head injuries, highlighting the severity of these incidents.

For more detailed and specific data, consulting state health department reports or specialized studies on head injuries is recommended.

Head Injury Treatment

There are different types of treatments that doctors could use when treating head injuries. This depends on the severity of the head injury, along with what the results could show. For example, after a CT or an MRI scan done by a neurologist, the neurologist could determine what type of treatment you may need for your head injury. Examples of different types of treatments a head injury may need include:

  • Cardiopulmonary stabilization: this is to prevent hypotension and is used to treat moderate to severe head injuries
  • Intravenous fluids are used to prevent any further traumatic injuries to the Head
  • Elevating the patients had to help with blood flow to the brain
  • Constant monitoring throughout the treatment to determine how the head and brain would react
  • Surgery

Throughout these different types of treatments, sedation may be needed to the head.

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

It is very important to hire an experienced attorney. You should not hire an attorney without looking into their experience and knowledge, along with their track record. We hold a successful track record, and provide personalized services while we handle the legal hurdles. 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 Head injury 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.

How can Heidari Law help me with my head injury case?

Heidari Law offers expert legal representation to help you navigate the complexities of your case. We work to ensure you receive maximum compensation for your injuries.

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.

How long do I have to file a head injury claim in California?

In California, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including head injuries, is typically two years from the date of the injury. It’s important to act quickly to protect your rights.

Can I file a claim if my head injury occurred at work?

Yes, if your head injury occurred at work, you might be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. Additionally, if a third party was involved, you may have a separate personal injury claim.

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.

How much does it cost to hire Heidari Law for my head injury case?

Heidari Law operates on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no upfront fees. We only get paid if you win your case, making legal services accessible regardless of your financial situation.

What evidence is needed to support my head injury claim?

Important evidence includes medical records, accident reports, witness statements, and any photos or videos of the incident. Detailed documentation can strengthen your case.

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.

How long will it take to resolve my head injury case?

The timeline for resolving a head injury case varies depending on its complexity and whether it goes to trial. Cases can take several months to a few years to reach a resolution.

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.