San Diego Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are devastating occurrences – causing significant cognitive impairments that may last a lifetime, as well as changes in personality, mental functions, and the ability to work and have relationships. Following a TBI, victims and their families may be emotionally and financially overwhelmed with medical expenses, rehabilitation, and moving forward. Attorney Jim Brown in San Diego has handled brain injury and head trauma cases for more than 35 years, and has represented TBI victims injured in car accidents, motorcycle accidents, cycling accidents, pedestrian accidents, and injuries sustained at school and while working.

From personally overseeing countless brain injury cases, Jim knows how heartbreaking and devastating head injuries can be, and fights to help victims obtain financial compensation and recover to the fullest extent possible. In evaluating your case, Jim will determine the types of damages you may be entitled to, ranging from medical bills and future life care, as well as lost wages, pain and suffering and other needs. He frequently works with some of the nation’s best neurological experts in evaluating and documenting brain injuries. Additionally, Jim will consult with occupational and physical therapists and life-care planners to determine the victim’s immediate and life-long needs and plan accordingly.

Brain Injury Statistics

By definition, a brain injury is an injury caused by an external mechanical force, such as a blow or jolt to the head or body. In cases of motor vehicle accidents, a brain injury may be caused by the head striking the steering wheel, dashboard or windshield. A mild traumatic brain injury may occur in cases of whiplash, when the brain is thrown against the inner surface of the skull. The CDC estimates that 1.7 million people sustain a brain injury each year in the United States. Of these injuries, 52,000 are fatal, 275,000 result in hospitalizations, and 1.3 million require emergency room visits. While falls are the leading cause of brain injuries, motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of brain injury-related death.

Understand Types of Brain Injuries

Brain injuries can affect different people in different ways, and the neurological outcome of two people with the same type of trauma can vary widely. Common types of brain injuries include:

Concussion: Caused by a blow or impact to the head. Common causes are car accidents, cycling accidents, falls, sports related injuries, and physical violence. May be mild to severe.

Contusion: A contusion is a bruise. Brain contusion are bruising of the brain tissue, often causing bleeding. Contusions are often associated with skull fractures.

Diffuse Axonal Injury (DAI): Caused by the brain moving back in forth in the skull as the result of acceleration or deceleration. The word “diffuse” means that instead of occurring in a specific area, the injury occurs over a widespread area. One of the most devastating types of injuries.

Coup-Contrecoup Injury: (pronounced coo contra coo) Injury to the brain on two sides of the head, the side that received the initial impact and the side opposite the impact. For example an initial impact on the front of the head causes the first injury, then the movement of the brain within the skull causes the second impact against the back of the skull.

Anoxic Event: Injury to the brain due to lack of oxygen. Anoxic brain damage may be caused by blocked or slowed blood flow, such as with a blood clot or stroke, or due to drowning, electrical shock, choking or drug use.

Start Protecting Your Rights Today

Don’t wait to begin protecting your legal rights. If you or a loved one suffered a brain injury in a motor vehicle accident, bicycle accident, or motorcycle accident, or other debilitating accident, you may be entitled to compensation in a brain injury claim. Call the office of Jim Brown to schedule your free and confidential consultation today. We will listen, answer your questions, and provide you with guidance and advice to move forward. We are available to meet you at our office, or we can arrange to meet you at your home or hospital room.