In order to maximize your compensation, you must work with an experienced attorney
Brain injuries are some of the most severe injuries that people can suffer in an accident. If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury because of the intentional or negligent conduct of another party, you may be entitled to damages. The precise value of these damages can vary widely depending on factors including the type of injury, severity of the initial injury, severity of any permanent symptoms, and the skill and tenaciousness of your attorney.
Types of Brain Injuries
Brain injuries can range in severity from a mild concussion to permanent brain damage. Some of the most common types of brain injuries include:
- Concussions. A concussion may happen when there is a violent shock to the brain. In many cases, a person who is suffering from a concussion may lose consciousness.
- Brain contusions. This type of injury can bruise a person’s brain.
- Coup contrecoup injuries. If you or a loved one is struck in the head with an object, a coup occurs at the site of the strike, while the contrecoup could occur on the opposite side of the brain. This could lead to a bruising of the brain.
- Penetrating brain injuries. This type of injury occurs when an object punctures the brain. It’s possible for skull fragments to cause penetrating brain injuries.
- Second-impact injuries. These occur when a person suffers a second concussion in a very short period of time after suffering a first concussion.
In general, you can expect to receive a higher amount of compensation for more serious injuries. Remember, your compensation is not only based on the cost of your medical treatment, but also on the impact the injury has had on your life and will have on your future. For this reason, traumatic brain injuries requiring painful treatment, a long recovery time, and/or permanent or lingering symptoms may be awarded significant compensation in jury trials.
Settlements in Traumatic Brain Injury Cases
Here are two examples that show the wide range of compensation that is possible in traumatic brain injury cases.
In Matthew Jensen v Jonathan Coburn, San Diego Superior Court – Vista Case No. 37-2011-0054633, a young man in his early 20’s was inside his disabled car on the emergency shoulder when the defendant rear-ended him. Mr. Jensen suffered a bulging disc and a concussion. He received an occipital block for his concussion in an attempt to be rid of his chronic headaches. The defendant admitted he was at fault and offered $70,000.00 to settle the case. At trial, the jury awarded the plaintiff $160,000.00.
In Sheaffer v NuCO2, San Diego Superior Court Case No. 201200058735, the plaintiff was a 27 year old male who was the third car in a line of five cars that were stopped. A truck struck the rear vehicle causing a chain reaction. Mr. Sheaffer suffered a permanent traumatic brain injury that the defendant disputed in court. The jury awarded Mr. Sheaffer $17.4 million at trial.
Why You Need an Attorney for A Traumatic Brain Injury Case
Jury verdicts can vary greatly, and every traumatic brain injury claim must be evaluated independently. When you choose The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker as your traumatic brain injury attorney, you can rest assured we will fight aggressively for you. We will work with a team of medical experts to build a strong case for liability for you or your loved one. Contact us today for a free consultation.
