Brain Injury Lawyer in Fresno, CA
If you or a loved one have suffered a brain injury because of the negligence or reckless behavior of another, you may be able to take legal action to receive compensation for damages. The catastrophic injury you sustained likely caused you tremendous physical pain and emotional distress, even financial difficulty. It’s possible you’ve had to take time off work in order to heal.
If your condition is severe, you may require long-term care which could prevent you from earning a living altogether.
Fresno Personal Injury Lawyer Carl Brown greatly empathizes with what you’re going through and wants to help. Although we can’t undo the hardship you and your family have experienced, we can make life a little less stressful by dealing with the at-fault party and/or their insurance company on your behalf.
SEASONED EXPERIENCE AND PERSONALIZED ATTENTION
Our lead attorney, Carl Brown, has 35 years of experience in civil litigation and has devoted the last 10 years of his practice to fighting for the rights of personal injury victims who have had their lives turned upside down by a brain, spinal cord, or burn injury.
Whether through negotiating a settlement or aggressively litigating your case in a court of law, he will work tirelessly to ensure you get the medical attention you need and the compensation you deserve.
Call today to arrange a Free consultation to discuss your case.
WE PURSUE MAXIMUM COMPENSATION FOR YOUR INJURIES
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Current and future medical expenses
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Current and future lost income
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Pain and suffering/emotional anguish
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Loss of consortium (loss of services of your spouse, which includes income, companionship, child care, etc.)
WE PROTECT YOU FROM BEING TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY
As a personal injury victim, dealing with an at-fault party’s insurance company can be a nightmare. They will utilize endless strategies to try and prove your injuries are not as serious as you say they are, or not the direct result of their policyholder’s negligent actions. They may deny your claim altogether by insisting that you were partly to blame for the accident or because your injuries are not covered by the policy. Often, an insurance adjuster will attempt to offer you a quick settlement soon after your accident. Don’t accept it!
The settlement they propose will most likely be insulting and inaccurate and nowhere near how much your claim is truly worth.
Personal injury Attorney Carl Brown doesn’t want you to take this fight on alone. Let him deal with the insurance company.
Early in his career, Brown was a founding partner for an insurance defense firm. He knows how the other side operates and knows how to leverage evidence and testimony to negotiate a settlement that offers you the maximum compensation under the law.
If the insurance company does not compromise on a fair and reasonable settlement, Attorney Brown will not hesitate to take the case to court where he will fight vigorously for what you are entitled to.
Attorney Carl Brown is a leading brain injury lawyer in Fresno, CA:
TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURIES
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when a sudden trauma, like a jolt to the head, causes damage to the brain.
The severity of a TBI ranges from mild to very severe depending on the force of the trauma as well as any previous injuries to the head and how quickly treatment was administered.
If you have suffered a traumatic brain injury, you’re not alone. According to the Centers for Disease and Prevention (CDC) 2.5 million people sustain a traumatic brain injury every year. Of these individuals, 52,000 die, 275,000 are hospitalized, and 1.4 million are treated and released from emergency rooms.
Nearly one-third of all injury related deaths are traumatic brain injuries, and it costs the U.S. over $781 billion annually in medical costs.
A traumatic brain injury disrupts almost every aspect of your life — physically, psychologically and socially. The brain serves as the “command center” for your human nervous system. If it’s injured in a significant way it can affect your ability to think, move, communicate and interact with others.
COMMON CAUSES OF BRAIN INJURIES
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Vehicle Accidents (Auto, Motorcycle, Truck, Bicycle)
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head-on collision
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side impact collision
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rear-end collision
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Falls
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high elevation, roof, ladder, scaffold, stairs
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Assault (altercation resulting in blunt trauma)
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Slip and Falls
A BUMP ON THE HEAD MAY BE MORE SERIOUS THAT YOU THINK
If you hit your head in an accident, you must seek medical attention. Even if you feel the force of impact was not strong enough to do damage, or you believe the lightheadedness you’re experiencing is just due to the stress you’re under, it’s better to err on the side of caution and see a doctor.
Symptoms of many head injuries don’t reveal themselves until days, weeks, even months after an accident. In reality, you may have a concussion or more serious traumatic brain injury that requires diagnostic testing, monitoring and treatment.
Seeking medical treatment is not only in the best interests of your overall health, but it serves to strengthen your personal injury claim or lawsuit.
Thorough documentation of your symptoms and treatment plans will serve as evidence of your condition and the limitations it has imposed on your life.
CATEGORIES OF TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY
Penetrating Head Injury: A penetrating head injury, also known as an “open head” injury, is caused when an object strikes the head, pierces through the skull and enters the soft tissues of the brain. When the skull is cracked or penetrated, pieces of bone fragments can get lodged in the brain which can cause further damage.
Open head injuries are extremely devastating and can potentially end in permanent disability or death. Those who do survive penetrating TBIs will most likely face a lifetime of medical treatment and rehabilitation.
Common Causes of Penetrating Head Injury
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High speed motor vehicle collisions
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Falls
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Falling objects
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Construction accidents
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Gunshot wounds
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Stab wounds
Common Symptoms and Impairments of Penetrating Head Injury
The most common symptoms and impairments of a penetrating injury include, but are not limited to:
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Heavy bleeding from the head
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Cognitive impairments
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memory loss
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Motor function impairments
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weakness
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loss of bowel and bladder function
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loss of movement or sensation in the limbs — paralysis
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Sensory impairments
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loss of vision
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loss of hearing
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Emotional impairments
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depression
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anxiety
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mood or personality changes
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Closed head injury: A closed head injury occurs after a blunt force trauma to the head wherein the brain is violently shaken within the skull. Unlike a penetrating head injury, a closed head injury is harder to diagnose in an MRI or CT scan.
These tests often come back normal showing no sign of a skull fracture or brain hemorrhage but can still be serious. Concussions are a common closed head injury.
Some signs and symptoms of a concussion can be apparent immediately or have a delayed onset for hours, even days later. If you’ve suffered a concussion and sought proper medical treatment, you should recover relatively quickly and fully, usually 10 days, although it could be longer.
Common Signs and Symptoms of a Concussion
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Stunned/dazed
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Clumsiness
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Headaches or neck pain that won’t go away
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Feeling tired all the time
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Lightheadedness or dizziness
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Nausea/vomiting
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Increased sensitivity to lights or sounds
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Slowness in thinking, speaking, reacting
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Blurred vision
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Mood changes
Cerebral Contusion: A cerebral contusion is a bruise on the brain caused by trauma to the head. This traumatic brain injury often occurs in car accidents when the head hits a steering wheel, air bag or another part of the vehicle which causes bruising or swelling of the brain.
If a blow to the head ruptures blood vessels, it can cause blood to pool around your brain, affecting cognitive function.
Symptoms of Cerebral Contusion
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loss of consciousness
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dizziness
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drowsiness
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confusion
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headache
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nausea
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weakness
Treatment for Cerebral Contusion
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Surgery to control bleeding in and around the brain
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Monitoring and controlling intracranial pressure
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Ensuring adequate blood flow to the brain
RECOVERING FROM BRAIN INJURIES
Traumatic brain injuries can be life-altering and may require the care and expertise of a variety of specialists, including but not limited to:
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brain surgeon
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physical therapist
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speech pathologist
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neurologists
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neurophysiologists
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psychiatrist
TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR BRAIN INJURIES
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Emergency care and evaluation in a trauma unit and/or intensive care unit
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Specialty neurotrauma or other specialty trauma center
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Comprehensive integrated inpatient brain injury rehabilitation
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Long-term acute care
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Outpatient care (with live-in treatment or daily at-home treatment)
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Transitional rehabilitation
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Group home and/or nursing home care or assisted living facility
Depending upon the severity of your injury, you may face chronic, disabling pain or paralysis which could confine you to a wheelchair. Your injury will most likely require friends and family to assist in your everyday and long-term care.
Fresno Personal Injury Lawyer Carl L. Brown is committed to helping those whose lives have been impacted by a spinal cord injury.
Whether faced with overwhelming medical bills or loss of wages, Attorney Brown will fight to alleviate your financial burdens and obtain the compensation you deserve.