Brain Injuries
Fresno Brain Injury Lawyers
Helping TBI Victims Seek Justice & Fair Compensation
A brain injury is one of the most life-altering injuries a person can experience. When your brain injury can be attributed to the negligence of another person, you’re left feeling angry and confused — but you shouldn’t feel hopeless. With Fowler | Helsel | Vogt, you have a dedicated team on your side.
To schedule a free consultation with our Fresno brain injury attorneys, call (559) 900-1280 or use our online contact form.
Why You Should File a Brain Injury Lawsuit
If your injury was caused by another person’s negligence, you should not hesitate to pursue a brain injury lawsuit. You will want to work with an attorney who treats these situations with the utmost care, including helping you file a claim and fight for the full and fair compensation you deserve.
You may be able to recover damages for:
- Medical expenses: Cost of all medical treatment, including hospital stays, surgeries, medications, rehabilitation, and ongoing medical care.
- Lost wages: Income lost due to the inability to work during recovery.
- Loss of earning capacity: If the TBI results in long-term or permanent disability that affects the victim's ability to work.
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for physical pain and emotional distress experienced due to the injury.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: Damages for the loss of ability to enjoy everyday activities and hobbies.
- Emotional distress: Compensation for any psychological impacts, such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
- Loss of consortium: Compensation for the impact of the injury on relationships with spouses or family members.
In some cases, punitive damages may also be awarded to a TBI victim if the defendant's actions were particularly egregious or malicious, serving as a punishment and deterrent against future misconduct.
Common Causes of Brain Injuries
Any incident that causes trauma to the head can result in a brain injury.
Some of the most common causes of brain injuries in the U.S. include:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Defective products
- Medical malpractice
If someone else's negligence caused your brain injury, call Fowler | Helsel | Vogt to speak with our brain injury attorneys in Fresno.
Types of TBI
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a type of injury that occurs when there is sudden trauma or external force applied to the head, which results in damage to the brain. TBIs can range from mild to severe, and they can have a wide range of short-term and long-term effects on an individual's physical, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning.
There are several common types of traumatic brain injuries, classified based on the severity and nature of the damage. These include:
Concussion
A concussion is a mild TBI that typically results from a blow to the head or a sudden jolt to the body. It may not always involve loss of consciousness. Symptoms can include headache, dizziness, memory problems, and sensitivity to light and noise. Most people recover from concussions with rest and time.
Contusion
A contusion is a bruise on the brain, often caused by a direct impact to the head. Contusions can vary in severity, and more serious contusions may require surgical intervention to remove the damaged tissue.
Coup-Contrecoup Injury
This type of TBI occurs when the force of impact is so strong that it causes the brain to move within the skull, leading to injuries both at the site of impact (coup) and on the opposite side of the brain (contrecoup). It's common in high-velocity accidents.
Diffuse Axonal Injury (DAI)
DAI is a severe TBI caused by the stretching and tearing of nerve fibers (axons) throughout the brain. It often results from rapid acceleration or deceleration, such as in car accidents or shaken baby syndrome. DAI can lead to widespread brain damage and may have long-term consequences.
Penetrating Injury
Penetrating TBIs occur when an object (e.g., a bullet or a piece of bone) penetrates the skull and damages brain tissue. These injuries are typically severe and may require surgery to remove the foreign object and repair the damage.
Second Impact Syndrome
Second impact syndrome occurs when an individual sustains a second head injury before fully recovering from a previous one. It is a rare but extremely dangerous condition that can lead to rapid and severe brain swelling.
Hematoma
A hematoma is a collection of blood outside of blood vessels. In the context of TBI, there are three primary types:
- Epidural hematoma: between the skull and the outer membrane of the brain
- Subdural hematoma: between the brain and the dura mater
- Intracerebral hematoma: within the brain tissue
Hematomas can put pressure on the brain and require medical intervention.
If you have suffered any type of brain injury due to someone else's negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. Call our TBI lawyers in Fresno to learn more in a free consultation: (559) 900-1280.
Call for a Free Consultation
Brain injuries can impact the health of a victim for the rest of their life, and the expenses of recovering from a brain injury can be very costly. Medical bills and lost wages are just some of the financial obligations a victim and their family may incur.
At Fowler | Helsel | Vogt, our mission is to alleviate those obligations. Our Fresno brain injury lawyers are committed to holding negligent people accountable and helping their victims recover the compensation they deserve.
We also assist those who have traumatically lost a loved one.
Get the Facts About Brain Injuries
Recognizing the Symptoms of a TBI
Recognizing the symptoms of a traumatic brain injury is crucial for timely medical intervention and treatment. Symptoms can vary widely depending on the severity of the injury, but they generally fall into four categories: physical, cognitive, sensory, and emotional/behavioral.
Physical Symptoms
- Headaches: Persistent or worsening headaches.
- Nausea or vomiting: Repeated episodes.
- Fatigue or drowsiness: Unusual sleepiness or fatigue.
- Dizziness or loss of balance: Feeling unsteady or dizzy.
- Loss of consciousness: Ranging from a few seconds to a few minutes or longer.
Cognitive Symptoms
- Memory problems: Difficulty remembering new information or recalling past events.
- Confusion or disorientation: Feeling confused or having difficulty concentrating.
- Difficulty with attention: Trouble focusing on tasks or following conversations.
- Slowed thinking: Taking longer to process information or respond to questions.
Sensory Symptoms
- Blurred vision: Seeing double or experiencing visual disturbances.
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus): Persistent ringing or buzzing in the ears.
- Sensitivity to light or sound: Increased sensitivity to bright lights or loud noises.
- Changes in taste or smell: Altered or lost sense of taste or smell.
Emotional/Behavioral Symptoms
- Mood changes: Uncharacteristic mood swings, irritability, or anxiety.
- Depression: Feelings of sadness or hopelessness.
- Sleep disturbances: Sleeping more than usual or having difficulty sleeping.
- Agitation: Restlessness or easily getting upset or angry.
If you or someone you know exhibits these symptoms after a head injury, it's important to seek medical attention immediately. Early diagnosis and treatment can significantly improve outcomes and reduce the risk of long-term complications.
Traumatic Brain Injury Statistics
Brain injuries are some of the most severe injuries that the human body can withstand. Every day, many people are impacted because of TBI injuries. We gathered a few key brain injury statistics below:
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Diagnosing the Severity of a Traumatic Brain Injury
There are three general categories of brain injury severity: mild, moderate, and severe. To diagnose the severity of a patient’s brain injury, doctors will often use the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), a 15-point test that assesses the patient’s ability to follow directions in three areas:
Eye-Opening Response
- Spontaneous (4)
- Reacting to verbal stimuli, such as commands (3)
- Reacting to pain only (2)
- No Response (1)
Verbal Response
- Oriented (5)
- Confused conversation, but able to answer questions (4)
- Inappropriate words or responses (3)
- Incomprehensible speech (2)
- No Response (1)
Motor Response
- Obeys commands for movements (6)
- Purposeful movement to painful stimuli (5)
- Withdraws in response to pain (4)
- Flexion in response to pain (3)
- Extension response in response to pain (2)
- No response (1)
Once all three assessments are made, the doctor will give the patient a score of up to 15:
- Mild TBI: Score of 13-15
- Moderate TBI: Score of 9-12
- Severe TBI: Score of 8 or below
How Long Does It Take to Fully Recover from a Brain Injury?
The actual recovery time for a TBI will depend on several factors:
- How severe the brain injury is
- How long the victim was unconscious after sustaining the injury
- Whether or not the victim has access to quality medical care
- Whether or not the victim has a strong support system during their recovery
People with less severe brain injuries can still take months to heal, while those with more severe TBIs can take years to fully recover. In some cases, a full recovery is impossible because the damage done is too great. No matter the severity of your injury or how long your road to recovery may be, our team is ready to stand by your side and fight for the compensation you need to get yourself on the right track.
The Long-Term Effects of a Brain Injury
Victims of a brain injury may experience symptoms such as loss of consciousness, headaches, nausea, lack of coordination, sleep issues, and/or changes in behavior. However, symptoms of a brain injury can take days or weeks to appear. Even if you do not think you have a brain injury, it is important to seek medical attention promptly after an accident so your doctor can administer a test.
Brain injuries can also lead to long-term complications, such as:
- Memory problems
- Attention and concentration deficits
- Executive functioning deficits
- Mood disorders
- Aggression and impulsivity
- Personality changes
- Motor deficits
- Sensory impairments
- Speech and language difficulties
- Seizures
- Sleep disorders
- Chronic headaches
- Cognitive fatigue
- Social and relationship challenges
The issues that arise from a brain injury may require extended therapy to treat.
Contact Us
If you or a loved one has suffered a brain injury, contacting our TBI attorneys in Fresno, CA can be your first step towards securing the justice and compensation you deserve.
We understand the profound impact such an injury can have on your life, and we are here to provide compassionate and effective legal assistance. Our firm offers free consultations to discuss your case and explore your options without any financial obligation.
Additionally, we operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you won't pay any legal fees unless we successfully recover compensation for you. Reach out to us today to schedule your free consultation and take the first step towards rebuilding your future.
