Brain Injury Lawyer in San Diego

If you or a loved one has suffered a severe brain injury, the experienced legal team at The Dominguez Firm is here to help. With over 35 years of experience in helping accident victims, our attorneys have an impressive 96%* success rate and have won over $1 billion* for clients. We understand that a traumatic brain injury can be life-altering, so we’ll do everything possible to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

Common Symptoms of a Brain Injury

Brain injuries can have short and long-term impacts, so understanding what to look for is key to ensuring appropriate treatment and care. Let’s review some common signs and symptoms of a TBI. 

Headaches & Dizziness 

One of the most common indicators of a brain injury is ongoing headaches or dizziness. Headaches may range from mild to severe, and they may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, or sensitivity to light or sound. Dizziness and confusion are also common with TBIs. If these sensations persist after an injury, it is crucial to seek medical attention immediately. 

Cognitive Impairment 

Another symptom of a brain injury is difficulty thinking clearly or processing information as quickly as before. This can manifest in many ways, including slow processing speed, decreased focus or concentration, short-term memory loss, impaired judgment, and difficulty organizing information. If any of these symptoms arise after a head trauma incident in San Diego, it is vital to have that person examined by a medical professional as soon as possible. 

Behavioral Changes & Mood Swings 

Brain injuries can often lead to drastic changes in behavior and mood swings. This could include sudden outbursts of anger or sadness, withdrawal from previously enjoyed activities, apathy or indifference towards loved ones, depression, anxiety, irritability, restlessness, insomnia, or general shifts in personality. Healthcare professionals should immediately evaluate any personality changes, especially if they appear suddenly following an injury involving the head or neck region.

How Long After a Head Injury Can Symptoms Appear?

A common misconception is that all brain trauma symptoms must present immediately after an injury, but this isn’t necessarily true. In fact, some symptoms may take days or even weeks to appear.

Delayed Symptoms of a Head Injury 

The most common delayed symptom after a head injury is headaches. While headaches are usually one of the first signs experienced by victims, they can also be one of the last. If you experience a headache that does not go away or worsens in intensity despite pain medications, it could be a sign that something more serious is happening.

Other delayed symptoms include blurred vision, sleep disturbances, memory and concentration problems, dizziness and nausea, fatigue, depression, and anxiety. It’s important to note that these delayed symptoms can occur weeks or even months after the initial injury. 

Diagnosis & Treatment 

If you have recently suffered from head trauma and now experience any of these delayed symptoms, you must seek medical attention immediately for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. During your visit with your doctor, make sure to provide detailed information about your injury as well as any changes you’ve noticed in your behavior since then. To help with diagnosis, your doctor may order imaging scans such as an X-Ray or CT Scan to get more insight into what is happening inside your skull. Depending on the results of these tests, they may recommend physical therapy or other treatments, including medication management, if needed. 

Living with a Brain Injury In San Diego

The Brain Injury Network (BIN) is an excellent resource for anyone living with a brain injury in San Diego. BIN provides comprehensive support services to individuals, families, and caregivers affected by acquired or traumatic brain injuries. The organization offers monthly meetings where members can share their experiences and receive support from others who have been through similar situations. Additionally, BIN provides educational materials such as books, videos, and pamphlets on brain injuries. 

San Diego also has various medical facilities that treat traumatic brain injuries. The Santa Clara Valley Medical Center is one of the best known facilities in the area and specializes in providing comprehensive care for patients with neurological conditions, including spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injuries. In addition to medical treatments, the facility also offers a variety of rehabilitation services such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, music therapy and art therapy. 

Another excellent resource for people living with a brain injury in San Diego is the Brain Injury Alliance of California (BIACal). BIACal is committed to helping victims of traumatic brain injuries find hope and healing after their diagnosis. The organization provides educational materials on self-care tips for managing symptoms, legal rights, support groups, financial assistance programs, employment opportunities, housing options, recreational activities, and more.

Additionally, BIACal hosts numerous events throughout the year that allow survivors to connect with others facing similar circumstances while receiving support from knowledgeable professionals who specialize in helping people living with brain injury lead productive lives. 

Recovering Damages After a Brain Injury in San Diego

While a victim’s physical, emotional, and psychological pain may never fully heal, legal remedies that provide financial peace of mind can help greatly. The personal injury attorneys at The Dominguez Firm have helped thousands of seriously injured clients receive the compensation they need at such a difficult time.

Compensatory Damages 

Compensatory damages are typically awarded to make up for a victim’s losses due to their brain injury. Damages are generally classified as economic and non-economic. Examples of economic damages include all medical expenses related to the brain injury, lost wages and lost income potential. 

Non-economic damages are meant to compensate the victim for the emotional toll their brain injury has had on their life. This can include pain and suffering, anxiety and loss of enjoyment of life. In some cases, punitive damages may also be awarded if the defendant’s behavior was determined to be particularly malicious or reckless. An example would be a brain injury caused by a physical assault.

To summarize, economic and non-economic damages are intended to restore a victim back “as close as possible” to his/her condition before the injury occurred. 

Wrongful Death Actions

If a brain injury is severe enough that it causes death, then surviving family members may have legal recourse through a wrongful death action against those who caused the fatal injury. Under California law, the next of kin of the deceased can seek compensation for their loved one’s death. Among the damages available are:

• Burial costs
• Funeral costs
• Lost wages and benefits the deceased would have provided over their lifetime  
• Loss of companionship
• Pain and suffering before death
• Medical expenses incurred before death

Losing a close family member due to a brain injury is heartbreaking. Even though nothing can replace them, legal remedies such as wrongful death actions exist so that you do not have to bear these costs alone during this difficult time. This is especially helpful if there are surviving children involved. An experienced wrongful death attorney can go over your legal options with you. Depending on the circumstances of your loss, they can also let you know what compensation you could be entitled to.

Let The Dominguez Firm Help You

The Dominguez Firm understands the unique challenges that brain injury victims face and can help you navigate your legal options. Our team of experienced attorneys has over 35 years of experience helping brain accident victims or their next of kin obtain the maximum compensation they’re entitled to under the law. We have a 96%* success rate and have collectively won more than $1 billion* for our clients.

If you or someone close to you suffered a traumatic brain injury in an accident, contact The Dominguez Firm today at (800) 818-1818 for a free consultation. We are here to help!