Torrance Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer
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Seasoned Lawyers Specializing in Traumatic Brain Injuries in Torrance, California
Suffering a sudden head trauma can have a lasting impact on the brain, leading to Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). TBI not only causes physical pain but also challenges individuals to navigate daily life with impaired cognitive functions. Fortunately, our skilled traumatic brain injury attorneys in Torrance are here to support those affected by this serious injury resulting from someone else’s negligence.
Don’t endure unnecessary suffering. If you’re facing pain due to another’s carelessness, you have the right to seek compensation through a personal injury claim. Sheridan & Rund, PC has been serving the residents of Los Angeles County for years, equipped with the knowledge and resources to help you obtain full compensation for your case. Contact our office today for a complimentary consultation and discover how we can assist you.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): What You Need To Know
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) often stem from motor vehicle accidents. Depending on the severity, TBIs can vary from minor to catastrophic, with long-term effects that may extend beyond a lifetime. While mild cases may lead to full recovery within weeks, more severe incidents can result in significant physical and cognitive impairments that permanently change one’s life.
Regrettably, TBIs are more common than many realize. An estimated 1.5 million Americans suffer from TBI each year – equating to a head injury occurring every 21 seconds in the U.S.! These traumas can be devastating, necessitating the guidance of a skilled Torrance traumatic brain injury attorney to seek legal redress against those accountable for the harm caused. If you suspect you’ve sustained a TBI, seeking advice from a legal expert is strongly recommended.
Major Factors Leading to Traumatic Brain Injuries in California
Traumatic brain injuries occur when a person’s head experiences a forceful impact, leading to the brain coming into contact with the skull’s interior. This significant event can disrupt one’s internal connections, potentially causing short or long-term cognitive issues such as memory loss and confusion. In California, violent accidents often result in severe trauma; however, common causes include falls, motor vehicle collisions, assaults, and sports incidents. Other factors contributing to traumatic brain injuries in California are:
- Slip and Falls
- Car accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Truck accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Assaults
- Boating accidents
- Drowning accidents
- Uber/Lyft accidents
- Violence or gunshot wounds
Signs of Traumatic Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries vary widely in severity and their impact on individuals. While most TBIs in California are mild to moderate, there are still serious cases that can result in long-term disability or even death. Fortunately, minor to moderately severe head traumas often show improvement within a few days!
Although not always fatal, a traumatic brain injury can have lasting effects on the central nervous system and its functions. Regardless of the severity of your TBI, it is crucial to consult with a skilled Torrance traumatic brain injury attorney promptly if you have suffered such harm due to someone else’s negligence. Common symptoms of mild to moderate head trauma include:
- Dizziness
- Amnesia
- Confusion
- Disorientation
- Lightheadedness
- Blurred vision
- Headaches
- Speech impairments
- Inability to focus or concentrate
- Seizures
- Slurred speech
- Problems with memory
- Inability to taste or smell
- Extreme mood swings and fits of temper
- Permanent confusion or disorientation
- Loss of consciousness
- Permanent coma or vegetative state
Abnormal States of Consciousness After a Traumatic Brain Injury
The seriousness of traumatic brain injuries is widely understood, but not everyone realizes that these injuries can manifest in different stages. In fact, after a significant head injury, a person could encounter one of five unique levels of cognitive impairment:
1. Stupor
When an individual shows no response to external stimuli but can briefly awaken in response to a strong stimulus like pain, they are often in a state of stupor. This form of brain injury is frequently observed following severe car accidents and other traumatic incidents.
2. Coma
For over 24 hours, an individual could be completely unresponsive to stimuli, staying in an unconscious state. Moreover, they do not undergo the usual sleep-wake cycles observed in a coma.
3. Vegetative State
When someone transitions into a vegetative state, they are usually unresponsive and oblivious to stimuli like pain or light. However, it is common for these individuals to exhibit cyclic sleep patterns, reflexive reactions, and occasionally emit groans or even open their eyes.4. Persistent Vegetative State
After someone has been in a vegetative state for thirty days, they are deemed to have entered a persistent vegetative state (PVS). Adults with PVS have around half the chance of recovering within six months when compared to children at 60%. Sadly, as time passes and an individual remains in this condition their prospects of making meaningful progress become increasingly narrow.
5. Locked-In Syndrome
Locked-in syndrome arises from damage to the lower brain and brain stem, rendering individuals conscious but fully paralyzed. The sole unaffected body parts are their eyes, making blinking and eye movements crucial for communication with others.
Understanding Anoxic Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries commonly result from head impacts, though hypoxia can also lead to severe harm. Anoxic brain injury, caused by oxygen deprivation, presents four distinct types. Refer below for further details on these variations.
Anemic Anoxia
Anemic anoxia occurs when insufficient oxygen is supplied to the brain due to compromised blood quality. This could be triggered by lung ailments that prevent adequate oxygen intake, along with chronic anemia, carbon monoxide poisoning, and sudden hemorrhaging.
Toxic Anoxia
Toxins causing chaos in the body can hinder the proper utilization of oxygen, leading to toxic anoxia. This condition may arise following carbon monoxide exposure or through the use of illicit drugs or exposure to dangerous chemicals in industrial settings.
Stagnant Anoxia
Stagnant anoxia – or hypoxic-ischemic injury – is caused by a problem that prevents adequate oxygenated blood from reaching the brain. This type of traumatic brain injury can be triggered by events such as strokes, cardiac arrest, and irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmia).
Anoxic Anoxia
Anoxic anoxia occurs when there is insufficient oxygen in the air. Conditions like carbon monoxide poisoning, high-altitude living, or drowning can trigger this life-threatening state, depriving your body and mind of essential oxygen. Put simply, without enough oxygen, you’re left gasping for air!
The consequences of anoxic brain injuries, irrespective of their cause, are often severe and fatal. If another party’s negligence or medical malpractice caused your injury, you have legal rights. Contact our Torrance traumatic brain injury lawyer today for a complimentary consultation!
Frequently Asked Questions
How Common Are Traumatic Brain Injuries?
Many are unaware that Traumatic Brain Injuries are widespread nowadays. According to a BrainLine study, an estimated 2.8 million Americans experience TBIs each year. Regrettably, approximately 50,000 of these individuals lose their lives due to these injuries, while another 282,000 need hospitalization for recovery.
TBIs account for a concerning one-third of all injury-related deaths in the US. Thankfully, around 90% of TBI patients have received successful treatment and been discharged from emergency rooms. However, this success story comes at a significant cost to society, totaling about $60 billion annually in direct medical expenses and losses from decreased productivity.
What Symptoms Indicate a Traumatic Brain Injury?
Recognizing the signs of a traumatic brain injury is vital if you’ve recently experienced an accident. As outlined by the Brain Injury Association of America, these injuries are categorized as mild, moderate, or severe, each with distinct symptoms. Common indicators of TBI may include:
- A headache that persists and will not go away
- Nausea and vomiting
- Confusion, slurred speech, inability to form sentences
- Eyes are unable to focus
- Lack of balance, difficulty walking
- Memory loss
- Mood swings and abrupt changes in personality
How Common Are Traumatic Brain Injuries In California?
Traumatic brain injuries, caused by significant impacts to the head, can stem from various incidents, though certain factors are more common than others. According to BrainLine, the most frequently cited causes of traumatic brain injury are:
- Over 47% of traumatic brain injuries result from hard falls. Children under four and adults over 75 face the highest risk.
- Approximately 15% of TBIs stem from being struck by objects, often seen in construction accidents.
- Car accidents contribute to 14% of TBIs, with individuals aged 20-24 most affected.
- Assault causes about 9% of TBIs in the U.S.
- Other factors, accounting for 15% of TBIs, include sports injuries commonly impacting teenagers.
Contact Our Torrance Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer Today
Traumatic Brain Injuries are life-altering events with profound consequences, often unnoticed until weeks post-accident. High-impact incidents like head-on collisions pose significant risks. If you or a loved one has been impacted, don’t hesitate to seek support from Sheridan & Rund, PC and our skilled traumatic brain injury lawyer in Torrance, California. Reach out now for a complimentary case assessment and detailed insights on how we can assist you.