Brain Injury

Brain Injury Attorneys Serving Santa Maria

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are a type of head injury that includes everything from concussions to penetrating injuries. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were 223,000 TBI-related hospitalizations in 2019. And in 2020, 176 Americans died from TBI-related injuries daily.

A severe traumatic brain injury can result in life-altering cognitive and physical disabilities that can transform a victim’s personality, affect their familial relationships, and disrupt their ability to work and complete daily tasks. But even a mild TBI can be serious. And lost income and overwhelming medical bills add to this burden. Luckily, California law allows personal injury victims to seek compensation for these and other damages if someone else’s negligence caused their accident and injury.

If you or a loved one suffered a TBI, getting the help you need from an experienced Santa Maria brain injury lawyer is vital. At the Frederick Law Firm, we have over 32 years of experience helping TBI victims receive compensation for their injuries. Our attorneys have a successful track record of helping clients obtain compensation for medical expenses, long-term care, lost income, and pain and suffering. Our compassionate attorneys offer aggressive representation and will work tirelessly to pursue the damages you deserve. At the Frederick Law Firm, your best interest is our number one priority. Contact us today.  

What Are Traumatic Brain Injuries?

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a type of acquired brain injury. TBIs occur when an external force temporarily or permanently injures the brain. Most TBIs are mild TBIs or concussions caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head. But severe TBIs are linked to thousands of deaths every year in the United States. TBIs often affect how the brain works. Mild TBIs can temporarily affect the brain, while more severe TBIs can result in torn tissue, bruising, bleeding, coma, and more.

There are several types of TBIs, including the following:

  • Closed brain injury. This is the most common type of traumatic brain injury. It occurs when an external force damages the skull but does not penetrate it.
  • Penetrating brain injury. While relatively rare compared to closed brain injuries, a penetrating brain injury occurs when a foreign object enters the skull and damages the brain itself.
  • Diffuse axonal brain injury. This type of injury occurs when the areas of the brain responsible for cognitive functions are damaged.
  • Primary brain injury. This type of injury occurs at the moment of impact. Skull fractures, contusions, concussions, lacerations, and diffuse axonal injuries are all primary brain injuries.
  • Secondary brain injury. Unlike primary injuries, secondary injuries happen several minutes, hours, or even days after the initial brain injury occurs. Secondary injuries account for about 10% of all traumatic brain injury cases and are more common in children than adults.

Concussions are a milder type of TBI. A concussion can occur when a force or impact causes the head and brain to move back and forth quickly. This motion can cause the brain to bounce around or twist in the skull, which can cause chemical changes in the brain and the stretching of brain cells. People usually recover from a concussion, but a concussion can still cause serious damage and have long-term consequences.

Common Causes of Brain Injuries

Falls and firearm-related injuries are responsible for most moderate and severe TBIs in the United States, but other common causes include:

  • Motor vehicle accidents;
  • Pedestrian accidents;
  • Bicycle accidents;
  • Workplace injuries;
  • Violence, such as assault;
  • Shaken baby syndrome;
  • Sports injuries; and
  • Premises liability issues, such as unsafe grounds causing a slip and fall.

With so many ways to suffer a TBI, it’s easy to see why they are a significant cause of death and disability in the United States. If you’ve suffered a TBI, the brain injury lawyers at the Frederick Law Firm can review your case and devise a plan to help you secure the TBI settlement you deserve.

What Kind of Compensation for Brain Injuries Can I Get?

Since no two brains are the same, no two brain injuries are alike. Because TBI settlements depend on the facts unique to each case, settlement amounts often vary. For an accurate estimate of how much compensation you might be eligible to pursue, it’s best to consult an experienced Santa Maria brain injury attorney. Generally, TBI settlements include economic and noneconomic damages. In certain circumstances, a court may also award exemplary damages, also known as punitive damages. 

Economic damages are concrete costs and may include the following:

  • Medical expenses, including hospital and assisted living expenses, rehabilitation costs, and medications;
  • Current and future lost wages or reduced earning capacity; and
  • Property damage.

Noneconomic damages are intangible losses and, as such, are slightly more challenging to calculate. Noneconomic damages may include:

  • Pain and suffering;
  • Mental anguish;
  • Loss of enjoyment of life; and
  • Loss of consortium.

Depending on the circumstances, a court may also award exemplary damages, which are also known as punitive damages. Punitive damages are not meant to reimburse or compensate a victim for losses. Instead, they are intended to serve as a punishment and deterrent. A jury might award additional money through punitive damages if the at-fault party caused your TBI by engaging in an extremely reckless, intentional, or malicious act.

A skilled brain injury lawyer will investigate your accident and use a combination of tried-and-true formulas to determine a fair compensation amount. Since calculating the value of pain and suffering isn’t easy, consulting with a Santa Maria brain injury lawyer will help you ask for a TBI settlement that compensates you for all of your damages. 

The Frederick Law Firm Can Help

If you or your loved one suffered a TBI, the Frederick Law Firm will work tirelessly to pursue the settlement you need to get your life back on track. Our office combines a big firm work ethic with the personal care and attention you expect from smaller firms. The skilled Santa Maria brain injury attorneys at the Frederick Law Firm can hold the party responsible for your TBI accountable while you focus on healing. We offer free initial consultations and can meet with you at your convenience. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you get on the path to recovery.