San Francisco Brain Injury Attorneys
The San Francisco brain injury lawyers at Estey Bomberger represent victims of all types of head and brain injuries, including skull fractures, concussions, coup-contrecoup injuries, diffuse axonal injuries, contusions, hematomas, penetrating injuries and closed head injuries. Our attorneys are vastly familiar with the physical, mental and emotional effects of a brain injury, as well as the financial costs associated with medical care and rehabilitation. We have obtained a number of high-value verdicts and settlements for brain injury victims, including a recent $14 million brain injury settlement. Because of our knowledge, expertise and reputation of maximum results in brain injury cases, our San Francisco personal injury law firm is often contacted by other attorneys wishing to refer brain injury cases to us.
Brain Injury Statistics
Traumatic brain injuries are a major cause of death and disability in adolescents and adults. According to statistics released in 2010 by the Center for Disease Control, it is estimated that 1.7 million people suffer a traumatic brain injury each year. Of these, 52,000 people die, 275,000 people are hospitalized, and 1.3 million people are treated and released from trauma centers or hospital emergency departments. About 75% of all traumatic brain injuries are concussions or mild forms of brain injuries. Nearly 500,000 children visit hospital emergency rooms each year with traumatic brain injuries.
Symptoms of a Brain Injury
After a brain injury, symptoms can range from mild to severe, and will vary depending on the location of the brain that was injured (i.e. the frontal lobe, parietal lobe, occipital lobe, temporal lobe, or cerebellum). An injury resulting from trauma to the forehead will have different symptoms than an injury resulting from trauma to the base of the skull. If you or a loved one has suffered any trauma to the head, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. Keep in mind that a head injury can occur even if the victim does not lose consciousness. Symptoms of a traumatic brain injury may include:
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Trauma to the head can cause gradual swelling of the brain, which may not occur for several hours following an injury. Even if a victim is fully conscious and able to function after an accident, a fatal brain injury could occur hours later. This is sometimes referred to as a secondary brain injury. Seeking medical attention immediately after an accident can allow doctors to monitor intracranial pressure (ICP) on the brain, and if necessary, administer medication or perform surgery to relieve pressure.
Understanding the Effects of a Brain Injury
Even without obvious visible disfigurement, a brain injury cause severe physical, emotional, social, and intellectual challenges and disabilities for the victim. Some brain injuries, such as diffuse axonal injuries, cause widespread damage to the brain, but yet cannot be easily detected using common diagnostic tests such as an MRI or CT scan. The extent of an injury may be measured with neuropsychological testing, which can identify the areas of the brain affected and the way an injury affects a victim's ability to think and perform basic functions.
Maximum Compensation for Brain Injury Victims
At Estey Bomberger, our goal is to help our clients obtain the justice they deserve following a serious accident, in the form of full and fair compensation. We understand that no amount of money can undo the devastation of an injury and the way it effects not just the victim, but the victim's entire family. However, financial compensation can ease the financial burdens of a serious injury, and allow victims to receive the best medical care possible for the remainder of their life. For more information about your legal rights following a brain injury, contact the San Francisco injury lawyers at Estey Bomberger today to discuss your potential case.