Brain injuries can alter lives in ways that extend far beyond the initial medical emergency. These devastating injuries can lead to long-term cognitive, physical, and emotional challenges that affect victims and their families forever.
When someone suffers a traumatic brain injury (TBI) due to another party’s negligence, the path to recovery can create immense stress as victims face mounting medical bills, lost wages, and uncertainty about their future. California law allows TBI survivors to seek compensation from the party responsible for their injury. However, navigating the personal injury claims process can be frustrating and time-consuming, especially if the insurance company refuses to pay fairly.
If you suffered a head injury in Davis, hiring experienced legal representation can help protect your rights and interests. Contact Demas Law Group today to discuss your legal options in a free consultation.
Why You Need a Brain Injury Lawyer in Davis
Any brain injury is a serious injury. These cases typically involve high medical costs, complex medical evidence, and insurance companies that use aggressive tactics to reduce payouts. Building a strong, fact-based case that accounts for both past, current, and future losses is vital to maximizing compensation.
For over 30 years, Demas Law Group has represented clients in serious injury cases throughout Northern California, including Davis and the nearby communities. Our legal team has obtained substantial verdicts and settlements over those decades, including a $10.2 million jury verdict for a cyclist who sustained a severe traumatic brain injury on the American River Bike Trail.
When a person with a brain injury does not appear visibly impaired, the challenges they face can be easy to overlook. Our Davis personal injury law firm works with respected investigators, doctors, vocational rehabilitation counselors, and economists to develop robust TBI cases. We use advanced animation and presentation tools to help juries and mediators better understand the real impact of a brain injury.
Furthermore, we handle all cases on a contingency-fee basis. That means you only pay attorney fees if we recover compensation for you. Learn more about our Cost & Fee Guarantee here.
Compensation for Victims in Traumatic Brain Injury Cases
California brain injury victims may be entitled to significant compensation covering both current and future needs.
- Economic damages include medical expenses such as emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, medication, and assistive devices. Compensation for lost income and loss of earning capacity is also available, especially if victims cannot return to their prior work or must accept a lower-paying job due to a new disability.
- Non-economic damages may be awarded for a TBI survivor’s pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
- Punitive damages may apply in some brain injury cases, but only when there is clear and convincing evidence of malice, oppression, or fraud.
An experienced traumatic brain injury attorney in Davis will evaluate a victim’s case carefully to identify all liable parties, review available insurance coverage, and estimate a case value that reflects the true extent of their personal and financial losses.
Common Causes of Brain Injuries
Leading causes of brain injuries in Davis and across the U.S. include:
- Motor vehicle accidents – In car, motorcycle, or pedestrian collisions, the force of impact can cause the brain to strike the skull. Flying debris or broken materials from the crash may also cause penetrating injuries with lasting effects.
- Bicycle accidents – Bike crashes carry a high risk of head injury because cyclists have little protection from the force of impact. Helmets help, but cannot always prevent serious head trauma.
- Falls – Slip-and-fall incidents, trips, or falls from heights can all lead to traumatic brain injuries. Older adults and workers are particularly vulnerable.
- Sports and recreational activities – Physical activity, such as contact sports, comes with an increased risk of head and neck injuries.
- Violence – Gunshot wounds and assault can result in catastrophic brain injuries that leave victims with lifelong impairments.
Types of Brain Injuries
Brain injuries vary in severity and may include:
- Concussions – Also called a mild traumatic brain injury, a concussion can cause symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, confusion, memory loss, and sensitivity to light or noise. While usually temporary, some victims develop post-concussion syndrome, with symptoms lasting for weeks or months.
- Contusions – This type of TBI involves bruising of brain tissue, usually at the site of impact or the opposite side where the brain rebounds. Severe cases may require surgery to remove damaged tissue and relieve intracranial pressure.
- Diffuse axonal injury – Also called a shearing injury, a diffuse axonal injury happens when the brain moves and rotates inside the skull, tearing nerve fibers and disrupting neural communication, often leading to widespread damage and unconsciousness.
- Penetrating brain injuries – These TBIs occur when foreign objects, such as bullets, enter the skull, posing risks of infection and permanent damage.
Long-Term Impact of Brain Injuries
Even mild brain injuries can have long-term effects on a person’s mental functions. Catastrophic TBIs can cause disabilities that last forever. Common challenges relate to:
- Memory
- Focus
- Processing speed
- Decision-making
- Mobility
- Balance
- Speech
- Vision
- Hearing
- Taste
- Smell
- Sleep disturbances
- Seizures
- Emotional regulation and mood
- Paralysis
A brain injury interrupts more than just physical function. Some victims experience noticeable physical and personality changes, leading to depression and social withdrawal.
The financial impact is also substantial. Victims may struggle with tasks such as managing finances, following instructions, or multitasking, which can prevent a return to previous employment and create the need for daily assistance. Many require long-term physical, occupational, and speech therapy. The lifetime cost of living with a brain injury depends on its severity and other factors, but can reach into the millions.
What to Do After a Brain Injury Accident in Davis
After any accident involving head trauma, you should:
- Seek immediate medical attention – Symptoms of a brain injury may not be outwardly visible.
- Follow all treatment plans – Attend medical appointments. Failure to comply can harm your health and your legal claim.
- Avoid speaking with insurance adjusters – Do not discuss fault or provide a statement to insurance adjusters before consulting an attorney. Insurers often use recorded statements to reduce liability.
- Contact a Davis brain injury attorney – California has strict filing deadlines, and early legal involvement helps preserve evidence, manage communications, and take the burden of the claims process off your shoulders.
Contact Our Davis Brain Injury Lawyers Today
Brain injuries demand aggressive legal representation that matches the severity of these life-altering events. At Demas Law Group, we combine skilled legal advocacy with genuine compassion for our clients and their families. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
