Los Angeles Brain Injury Lawyer
Suffering a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in Los Angeles can be the most isolating experience you’ve ever known. In an instant, your life changed. Yet the world as you knew it became harder to relate to and more challenging to function in.
The invisible wounds of a TBI often bring relentless pain, emotional turmoil, and cognitive shifts that steal away the life you once knew. If you suffered a brain injury in a car accident caused by a negligent driver or another kind of accident, you don’t just need an experienced Los Angeles brain injury attorney. You need someone who sees beyond the diagnosis to the individual you are. Someone dedicated to guiding you through this difficult time toward a more hopeful future.
At Best Law, we understand the profound impact a TBI has on victims and their families. And while no amount of money can restore life to the way it used to be, we believe the right compensation can make your journey forward a little easier.
Call Best Law today to learn how we can help you. We offer free consultations, and we don’t accept any out-of-pocket payments from you. Our fees come out of the settlement or verdict we obtain for you, not your pocket.
Why Choose Best Law for Your Los Angeles Traumatic Brain Injury Case?
Choosing the right legal partner after a TBI is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. At Best Law, we combine compassionate legal guidance with unwavering dedication to your case and relentless advocacy.
Our mission is not just to obtain maximum compensation for you, but to earn your complete satisfaction throughout the process. When you choose Best Law, you’re choosing a firm that puts your needs first.
Here’s why we stand out:
- Proven track record: Our history of success speaks for itself. We’ve secured substantial settlements and verdicts for our clients, helping them rebuild their lives after serious injuries.
- Client-centered approach: We treat every client with compassionate, personalized service from start to finish. We create a strong partnership with you, ensuring your voice is heard and your needs are met.
- No win, no fee guarantee: We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay unless we win your case.
- Experienced advocacy: Our team is deeply knowledgeable about the specific challenges of personal injury law in Los Angeles. Elissa Best, our founder and principal attorney, has extensive experience representing plaintiffs in various civil matters, ranging from automobile accidents to wrongful death claims.
- Trial-ready leverage: Elissa Best has acquired substantial experience representing both plaintiffs and defendants in high-value and complex civil litigation matters. Her background working with prominent defense firms and insurance companies provides unique insight into their strategies, giving us significant leverage in obtaining favorable settlements for our clients.
Our Commitment to You
What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury?
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when a sudden, external force causes damage to the brain. This can happen from a direct blow to the head, a jolt, or even a penetrating injury. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that 2.8 million people in the U.S. suffer a TBI in one single year.
Traumatic brain injuries are usually invisible. Damage to the brain isn’t always apparent on standard medical imaging like MRIs or CT scans, unless there’s bleeding or a penetrating injury. This leads doctors to rely on reported symptoms and behaviors to diagnose most brain injury cases, even when initial symptoms don’t reveal the full scope and picture of the injury.
Regardless of the initial diagnosis, TBIs are complex and unpredictable. Standard medical terms like “mild,” “moderate,” or “severe” describe initial TBI symptoms, not long-term outcomes. A “mild” diagnosis doesn’t accurately predict how long or how severely symptoms will affect you. Likewise, someone with a more moderate or serious TBI might fully recover.
These facts underscore the importance of skilled legal representation when a TBI occurs due to someone else’s negligent or wrongful act. At Best Law, we recognize the substantial costs involved in TBI cases. We are committed to helping brain injury victims secure the compensation they and their families need for their immediate and long-term care.
Common Causes of TBIs Due to Negligence in Los Angeles
When a TBI occurs due to someone else’s carelessness, you have the right to seek justice. Many accidents that cause TBIs are preventable and stem from negligence. These include:
- Motor vehicle accidents: Car accidents are a leading cause of TBIs. The sudden impact, rapid deceleration, or violent shaking of the head in collisions, including truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, and pedestrian accidents, can lead to significant brain trauma.
- Slip and fall accidents: Falls are the leading cause of TBI in the U.S. Slip and fall accidents are especially dangerous among older adults who are more prone to developing a brain hemorrhage after a blow to the head. Property owners have a duty to maintain safe premises, and their failure to do so can lead to negligence claims.
- Assault and violence: Acts of violence, such as physical assaults and gun violence, can cause severe TBIs.
- Sports injuries: While some sports injuries are inherent risks, negligent coaching, inadequate safety equipment, or improper supervision can contribute to TBIs in athletes.
- Workplace accidents: Certain occupations carry a higher risk of head injuries. Employers who fail to provide a safe working environment or proper safety equipment can be held accountable for resulting traumatic brain injuries.
- Pedestrian accidents: The streets of Los Angeles are becoming increasingly dangerous for pedestrians. Even low-speed impacts can seriously injure or kill a person on foot.
- Bicycle accidents: Like pedestrians, cyclists are also extremely vulnerable on the road and can suffer TBIs even while wearing a helmet.
- Construction accidents: Falls from heights, falling objects, and equipment malfunctions on construction sites are common causes of severe head trauma.
Do I Have a Traumatic Brain Injury Case?
Proving negligence in a traumatic brain injury case involves establishing four key elements. This means showing that another party’s carelessness directly caused your injury.
- Duty of care: The at-fault party had a legal obligation to act reasonably to avoid injuring others. For example, drivers must by law obey traffic laws, and property owners have a duty to maintain a safe environment for visitors.
- Breach of duty: Next, your lawyer must show that the at-fault party failed in that responsibility.
- Causation: This is a critical link. Your lawyer must demonstrate that the at-fault party’s failure directly caused your injury–that your injury wouldn’t have occurred if not for their negligent actions.
- Damages: Finally, we must show that you suffered actual damages, such as physical injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering as a result of the TBI.
Why Should Best Law Handle the Insurance Companies?
After a traumatic brain injury, dealing with insurance companies can be incredibly stressful and confusing. Their primary goal is to minimize payouts, not to ensure you receive full compensation for your injuries and losses.
Insurance adjusters may seem friendly, but they are trained to protect the insurance company’s bottom line. They use several tactics to undervalue your claim, make lowball offers, or even deny valid claims outright. They might try to get you to make statements that could hurt your case, or pressure you into accepting a quick settlement that doesn’t even come close to covering your long-term needs.
This is precisely why it’s so important to hire an experienced Los Angeles traumatic brain injury lawyer with Best Law. We understand the inner workings of insurance companies, and we can handle all communications with them. If they refuse to make you a fair offer, we are fully prepared to take your case to court.
The Impact of Traumatic Brain Injuries
A traumatic brain injury can dramatically alter every facet of your life, extending far beyond the immediate physical wounds. It can disrupt your ability to work, enjoy hobbies, maintain relationships, and even impact your personality. The effects are profound and deeply personal, reshaping your daily existence in ways you might not have anticipated.
Physical Effects
The physical repercussions of a TBI can range from persistent headaches and dizziness to seizures and extreme fatigue. You might experience problems with balance and coordination, making simple tasks challenging.
Sensitivity to light and sound is also common, as are changes in sleep patterns. In severe cases, a TBI can lead to paralysis or coma. These physical challenges can significantly limit your independence and quality of life, requiring extensive medical care and rehabilitation.
Emotional Effects
The emotional toll of a TBI is often as devastating as the physical injuries. Many TBI survivors experience mood swings, irritability, anxiety, and depression. You might find yourself struggling with feelings of frustration, sadness, or anger due to changes in your abilities or circumstances.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is also a common emotional consequence, stemming from the trauma of the accident itself. These emotional shifts can strain relationships with loved ones and make it difficult to cope with daily life.
Cognitive Effects
A TBI can impair a wide range of cognitive functions, affecting your memory, concentration, and problem-solving skills. You might struggle with attention, decision-making, and organizational abilities. Communication can also become difficult, with challenges in finding the right words, speaking clearly, or understanding conversations.
These cognitive impairments can impact your ability to work, learn new things, and engage in everyday activities, leading to significant frustration and a diminished sense of self.
Financial Effects
The financial burden of a TBI can be immense. Medical expenses, including emergency care, surgeries, hospital stays, rehabilitation, and ongoing therapy, can quickly accumulate. You might face lost wages due to an inability to work, either temporarily or permanently.
These costs, coupled with a potential loss of income, can create significant financial hardship for you and your family.
Compensation Available to TBI Victims in Los Angeles
If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury due to someone else’s negligence in Los Angeles, you may be entitled to various types of compensation. Every case is unique, and the specific damages you can claim will depend on numerous factors, including the severity of your injury and its impact on your life.
These cover quantifiable financial losses such as medical expenses, lost wages and earning capacity, property damage, vocational rehabilitation, and necessary home modifications.
These cover less tangible losses that impact your quality of life, including pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of consortium, disfigurement, and inconvenience.
In tragic cases where a TBI leads to death, surviving family members may claim compensation for funeral expenses, lost financial support, and loss of companionship.
In rare instances of exceptionally reckless or malicious conduct by the at-fault party, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar future behavior.
It is essential to consult with an experienced Los Angeles traumatic brain injury lawyer from Best Law to thoroughly evaluate your case and determine all potential damages you may be entitled to receive.
Financial Toxicity After a TBI
Many individuals and families experience “financial toxicity” after a traumatic injury. This is a condition that follows a serious illness or injury. High healthcare costs, lost wages, and unemployment create a financial strain that’s associated with worse physical and emotional long-term outcomes.
One recent study published in the National Library of Medicine found that 88% of patients suffered financial toxicity within a year following injury, with factors like age, lack of health insurance, and larger household size increasing the risk.
The reality of financial toxicity underscores why it’s so important to hire an experienced Los Angeles traumatic brain injury lawyer to fight for your fair compensation. Best Law is dedicated to helping you lessen these financial burdens and secure the resources you need for your long-term recovery and well-being.
How Can a Lawyer Help with My Los Angeles Traumatic Brain Injury Claim?
A traumatic brain injury claim involves many moving parts, and it’s a lot to manage while you’re recovering. Your Los Angeles brain injury lawyer at Best Law will be your active partner, handling every step and keeping you informed along the way. Some of the responsibilities we take on include:
- Case Evaluation and Investigation: We thoroughly evaluate your case, gathering all relevant evidence like police reports and medical records.
- Determining Liability: We identify all responsible parties and establish how their negligence caused your TBI.
- Calculating Damages: We work with medical and economic specialists to accurately assess the full extent of your economic and non-economic damages.
- Negotiating with Insurance Companies: We handle all communications and negotiations, leveraging our knowledge to demand fair settlements.
- Filing a Lawsuit: If insurers refuse to make a fair settlement offer, we are prepared to file a lawsuit and proceed to court.
- Litigation and Trial: If necessary, we represent you in court, presenting your case to fight for justice.
- Support and Guidance: We provide compassionate support throughout the entire process, answering your questions and keeping you informed.
Frequently Asked Questions About Los Angeles Brain Injury Cases
In California, the statute of limitations for most TBI claims is generally two years from the injury date. Consult a Los Angeles traumatic brain injury lawyer with Best Law today if you haven’t already obtained legal help to ensure your claim meets this deadline.
The timeline for resolving a TBI case can vary greatly, from quick settlements to litigation that can span a year or longer. Best Law works efficiently toward a fair and just outcome for your case, always with the goal of maximizing your recovery as efficiently as possible.
If you shared some degree of fault for that accident, California law allows you to pursue compensation. Under this rule, known as pure comparative negligence, you may collect compensation if you were partially at fault for the accident, but your total recovery will be reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to you.
Contact the Los Angeles Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyers at Best Law Today
Dealing with a traumatic brain injury is a journey no one should face alone. At Best Law, we offer free consultations to help you understand your options and provide the legal guidance you need. Our dedicated personal injury attorneys are committed to protecting your rights every step of the way.
Your path to justice starts with a simple call or message. We are here to provide the support and representation you need, so don’t hesitate to reach out. Contact us today at (424) 260-4649 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation and discuss your case with one of our skilled attorneys.
