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.

Car Accident TBIs: Who is Most At Risk?

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are serious and potentially debilitating injuries that commonly result from a car crash. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that each year more than 2.5 million people sustain a TBI and nearly 50,000 of them die from their injuries. In this blog, we will discuss some of the studies surrounding which groups may be more at risk of sustaining one of these injuries based on a few factors.

Influential Factors

• Back vs. Front Seat: A 2018 study looked at the risk of TBI based on seat position in a car crash. The researchers found that backseat passengers were at greater risk than those seated in the front seat, particularly when not using a seatbelt or other restraint device, and drivers had the lowest risk factor. However, mortality rates were significantly higher among those sitting in the front passenger seat.
• Age: Other research has shown that children are at a significantly high risk of sustaining a head injury in a motor vehicle accident. Children under 4 years old are particularly vulnerable and are 8 times more likely to sustain an incapacitating injury if not properly restrained in an appropriate child safety seat, booster seat or lap/shoulder belt system, depending on their age and size. For example, infants should be placed rear-facing until they reach two years old or until they outgrow the height or weight limits set by the manufacturer of their car seat.

Although using the appropriate safety restraint is one of the most effective ways to reduce the possibility of sustaining a traumatic brain injury in a crash, it isn’t a guarantee so drivers and passengers alike should remain cautious.

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.