Experienced, Compassionate California Brain Injury Lawyers

Car or truck collisions, workplace accidents, falls, physical assaults, police misconduct and sports are common causes of brain injuries. Activities and accidents resulting in traumatic brain injury can mean life-altering circumstances. Sometimes, head injuries are unseen and left untreated with devastating consequences. If you or a loved one has any type of head injury, seek medical treatment right away.

You may also speak to an experienced brain injury lawyer for answers to your questions. At McMurray Henriks, LLP, our work as lawyers is to help our clients get the financial compensation they need for rebuilding their lives after traumatic brain injuries.

Sports And Brain Injuries In California

Despite technological advances in safety equipment, certain brain injuries are more commonly associated with athletics or sports due to the nature of the activities involved. Brain injuries can result in a wide range of sports activities involving:

• Football
• Hockey
• High-speed cycling accidents
• Soccer
• Rugby
• Gymnastics
• Boxing
• Wrestling
• Car racing

Any sport where athletes might return to play too soon after a concussion may result in second impact syndrome when an athlete sustains a second concussion before the symptoms of an initial concussion have fully resolved. This can lead to rapid and severe brain swelling.

Types Of Brain Injuries Associated With Sports

Injuries associated with sports accidents include:

• Concussion: A mild traumatic brain injury caused by a blow to the head or a sudden jolt that causes the brain to move within the skull.
• Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE): A progressive degenerative disease found in people with a history of repetitive brain trauma, including symptomatic concussions as well as asymptomatic subconcussive hits.
• Diffuse Axonal Injury (DAI): Caused by strong rotational or shaking forces that lead to tearing of nerve fibers in the brain.
• Coup-Contrecoup injury: Occurs when a forceful impact causes the brain to hit one side of the skull (coup) and then rebound to hit the opposite side (contrecoup).

• Subdural hematoma: Bleeding between the dura mater and the brain, often due to severe head trauma.

It is crucial for athletes, coaches, and medical staff to be aware of these risks and to take appropriate precautions to minimize the chances of such injuries occurring.

Examples Of Other Types Of Brain Injuries

Other types of head and brain injuries resulting from medical malpractice, birth injuries, nursing home negligence or assaults may include:

• Contusion: A bruise on the brain tissue caused by a direct impact to the head. It can result from blunt force trauma during events like car accidents or falls.
• Penetrating injury: Occurs when an object, such as a bullet or shrapnel, penetrates the skull and brain tissue. This type of injury is typically associated with violent incidents or severe accidents.
• Diffuse Axonal Injury (DAI): Caused by strong rotational or shaking forces, such as those experienced in car accidents or severe falls. The injury involves the tearing of nerve fibers in the brain.
• Hypoxic/Anoxic brain injury: Results from a lack of oxygen to the brain. Hypoxic refers to partial lack of oxygen, while anoxic refers to a complete lack. Causes include drowning, cardiac arrest or suffocation.
• Intracranial hematoma: Bleeding within the skull that forms a clot, which can result from head trauma, such as a fall or car accident. Types include epidural, subdural and intracerebral hematomas.
• Hydrocephalus: An abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the brain’s ventricles, which can result from trauma, infection or congenital conditions.

Each type of brain injury will vary in severity and requires specific medical evaluation and treatment. The outcomes can vary significantly depending on the severity and prompt intervention.

At McMurray Henriks, LLP, our brain injury attorneys have decades of experience helping individuals and families rebuild their lives after a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Driven by a passion for justice, we have been able to achieve multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements for our clients.

Less Obvious Signs Of TBI After An Accident Or Assault

Brain injuries can sometimes be present but might not be at once recognized. Here are some less obvious signs of a brain injury after an accident or assault to watch for:

• Cognitive changes
  • Memory problems: Difficulty remembering recent events or new information
  • Attention deficits: Trouble concentrating or focusing on tasks
  • Confusion: Feeling disoriented or confused about time, place, or people
• Emotional or behavioral changes
  • Irritability: Increased frustration or anger over minor issues.
  • Mood swings: Unpredictable changes in mood, such as sudden sadness or happiness.
  • Depression or anxiety: Feelings of sadness, hopelessness or excessive worry.
• Physical symptoms
  • Headaches: Persistent or recurring headaches that might not be severe but are unusual for the person
  • Dizziness or balance problems: Feeling lightheaded, unsteady or having trouble with coordination.
  • Nausea or vomiting: Feeling nauseous or vomiting without a clear cause
• Sleep disturbances
  • Insomnia: Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
  • Excessive sleepiness: Feeling unusually tired or sleeping more than usual
  • Sleep-wake cycle changes: Altered patterns of sleeping and waking
• Sensory changes
  • Sensitivity to light or noise: Increased sensitivity to bright lights or loud sounds
  • Blurred vision: Difficulty focusing or experiencing blurred or double vision
  • Ringing in the ears: Persistent ringing or buzzing sounds in the ears (tinnitus)
• Speech and language issues
  • Slurred speech: Difficulty articulating words clearly
  • Word-finding problems: Trouble recalling words or names
  • Understanding issues: Difficulty comprehending spoken or written language
• Changes in routine activities
  • Difficulty with daily tasks: Struggling with routine activities such as cooking, cleaning or personal hygiene
  • Reduced initiative: Lack of motivation to engage in activities or social interactions

It is important to note that these signs can vary widely depending on the individual and the severity of the injury. If you or someone you know has experienced a head injury and is showing any of these symptoms, seek medical attention promptly. Early diagnosis and intervention can significantly improve outcomes and help manage symptoms effectively.

Contact McMurray Henriks, LLP, For A Free Consultation

It will not cost you money to speak with a brain injury lawyer at McMurray Henriks, LLP, in Los Angeles. In fact, our team handles personal injury claims on a contingency basis. This means you do not pay legal fees unless we win your case. We have a wide network of expert witnesses, including medical experts, investigators and financial professionals to assist us with developing a strong case for you. Call 323-931-6200 or send an email to start the process.