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BRAIN INJURY ATTORNEYS IN SAN FRANCISCOMaximize Your Brain Injury Compensation

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is not like any other injury. Since many symptoms of “mild” to “moderate” brain injuries are subtle, they are often difficult to detect. It is common for victims to go undiagnosed, even after going through the most sophisticated hospital imaging equipment. Unfortunately, this is especially true in the emergency room. The longer your injury goes undetected and without treatment, the greater your risk of long-term or permanent damage.

Multi-Million Dollar Results for Brain Injury Clients

At the Scarlett Law Group, our San Francisco traumatic brain injury lawyers have earned some of the largest verdicts in history on behalf of clients in California who have suffered these types of debilitating injuries.

A few examples of these verdicts include:

  • $49,123,375.87 verdict for TBI resulting from a big rig accident
  • $26,053,000.00 verdict for failure to diagnose meningitis
  • $22,800,000.00 verdict for a moderate brain injury
  • $10,651,423.13 verdict for TBI resulting from an auto accident

You Don't Pay Unless We Win Your Case

Brain injury cases tend to involve a tremendous amount of loss for innocent people, so recovering maximum compensation on behalf of our clients is of the utmost importance to our legal team. At the Scarlett Law Group, we represent injured victims on a contingent fee arrangement. This means that we do not receive any fee or payment unless money is recovered on behalf of the injured person.

This also means that you have the ability to hire a qualified attorney who specializes in traumatic brain injury cases – like those at the Scarlett Law Group. You do need not settle for an inexperienced lawyer. This is a powerful position to be in. Do not underestimate your position. After all, the results of your personal injury lawsuit will have an important and long-term impact on your quality of life.

If you or a loved one has suffered a brain injury in California, contact the Scarlett Law Group today to schedule a FREE initial consultation. Our firm can be reached at (415) 352-6264.

HOW TO CHOOSEThe Right TBI Lawyer for Your Claim

The truth is that not all lawyers are created equal – especially when it comes to complex TBI cases. Many brain injury survivors fail to receive adequate recompense because their lawyer did not have the experience to analyze, prepare and present a legitimate claim. Many times, the blame can be traced to an attorney who was not forthright regarding their lack of experience handling TBI cases.

When choosing a TBI attorney, make sure to look at:

  • Qualifications: Be prepared to question prospective lawyers about their qualifications. For example, you should ask:
    • How many TBI cases they have handled over the last three to five years?
    • What percentage of the lawyer’s practice is devoted to TBI cases?
    • What are the settlements/verdicts they have obtained?
  • Contingency Fee Arrangements: Through a contingency fee arrangement, you can retain experienced legal counsel without having to pay anything up-front. Ensure that you are comfortable with the counsel you choose, and that your counsel has the confidence and experience to properly handle your case.

The path is a difficult one, and your choice of counsel can make all the difference. When you work with Scarlett Law Group, we will spend time with you and your family to gain a deeper understanding of how your injury has affected your life. We will also help you understand your rights and keep you updated on the progress of your case. Our staff is committed to making your life easier, and will connect you with support groups and doctors as your case may require.

Do I Have A Case?

If you’d like to speak with an attorney, fill out the form below or call us at (415) 352-6264 or (800) 262-7576 (Toll Free)

    To learn more about how we can protect your rights, please contact our San Francisco office.

    $1.2 BILLION

    Catastrophic Injury

    $49 MILLION

    Brain Injury

    $26 MILLION

    Medical Malpractice

    $18.6 MILLION

    Wrongful Death

    Common Causes Of Traumatic Brain Injuries

    A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a condition that can cause severe mental and physical impairments to an individual. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 1.5 million people suffer from TBI every year in the United States, and 50,000 people die as a result of TBI.

    If you or a family member has suffered from a TBI, you should seek out the help of a brain injury attorney as soon as possible. Experienced TBI lawyers understand the complexity of these injuries. They will look at your case and help determine if the injury was caused due to the negligence of another.

    There are a number of factors that can cause TBIs, but here are some of the most common ones:

    Car Accidents

    Individuals in car accidents can receive serious head trauma resulting in TBI. This can occur when the head is slammed violently against an object such as concrete or the interior of the car. The force of the neck jerking from a sudden stop can also cause the brain to slam against the inside of the skull.

    Firearms

    Gunshot wounds are another common cause of some of the most severe brain injuries. While most individuals who receive gunshot wounds to the head succumb to their injuries, a small number survive. Of that number, about 50% are left with a TBI.

    Falls

    The CDC reports that slip and fall injuries cause the most number of TBIs. In many cases, this happens to elderly people. This can take place when a person falls down stairs or even slips when doing household activities.

    Effects of TBIs

    TBI can be mild or severe. If it is mild, this means that you may have lost consciousness for a short period of time. You may exhibit signs of disorientation, confusion, and even mood swings. While this is classified as mild, it can still be devastating to the individual.

    If your TBI is severe, this often means you have been unconscious for a longer period of time after an accident. You could have a penetrating skull injury. You will also have a higher level of cognitive deficits and even lapse into a coma. The TBI could affect the function of your limbs, speech, and even ability to think clearly.

    There’s no doubt a severe form of TBI can be devastating to a family. There is no clear way to know how or when the person will recover. This is why you need to find a brain injury attorney. An attorney can help you explore your options and help you better understand what you and your family are up against.

    The Invisible Injury Can Delay Diagnosis & Treatment

    Due to the invisible nature of traumatic brain injuries, victims only rarely receive prompt treatment for their physical and cognitive impairment. Not uncommonly, victims’ early medical charts are devoid of any mention of “head injury” or “cognitive impairment.” It is only later, if they are lucky, that a healthcare professional validates the injury, and treatment finally ensues.

    As with most misunderstood injuries, society and “old school” health care practitioners, are apt to label the TBI victim a malingerer or worse. Because victims of traumatic brain injury appear outwardly just as they did before the injury, it should come as no surprise that many victims describe their post-injury experience as including progressive social isolation in addition to alienation from even immediate family.

    Signs of a Traumatic Brain Injury

    Victims of TBI often experience mental symptoms that can affect how they process information at the speed they would have prior to the injury, and a limited range of subject matter they are able to process.

    Some of the most common signs that someone has suffered a TBI include:

    • Inaccurate judgment
    • Lack of communication
    • Inability to conform behavior
    • Frustration and inability to respond in a pre-morbid (pre-injury) manner (which can trigger violent behavior)
    • Headaches
    • Issues with smell and taste
    • Difficulty with memory and recall

    “Left to fend for themselves, the victims of traumatic brain injury, already confused by their inability to be the people they were prior to the injury, now face the daunting task of demonstrating that an injury they do not understand and cannot comprehend is producing the confusion they cannot communicate” – Dr. Antoinette R. Appel

    Behavioral & Mental Health Disorders After Sustaining a TBI

    Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) often have severe and long-term physical consequences. A traumatic brain injury often involves a strong concussive force or an object penetrating the skull, resulting in loss of consciousness, brain hemorrhage, coma, cognitive impairment, and other negative effects. The brain is a complex organ that is still not well understood by medical professionals. However, there have been several studies that point to a correlation between behavioral/mental health changes and TBIs.

    Types of behavioral and mental health problems that may result from a TBI include:

    • Anxiety
    • Depression
    • Mood swings
    • Temper outbursts
    • Irritability
    • Bipolar disorder
    • Personality changes

    There are a variety of behavioral and mental health issues that may affect TBI patients. While not all patients exhibit such personality changes, others are severely affected by their brain injury. Each patient’s situation is different, and an experienced physician can recognize signs of behavioral and mental health disorders and provide safe and effective treatment methods to the patient.

    Research Shows Link Between TBI & Behavioral Disorders

    Recent studies have revealed a possible cause for behavioral and mental health disorders in TBI patients. Specifically, a study done by ES Wohleb & Jean-Christophe Delpech in 2017 has researched the effect of neuroplasticity (the brain’s ability to recognize and form synaptic connections for learning and memory) on mental health problems in TBI patients. A traumatic brain injury can cause damage to a person’s neurological functions, which may impair the brain’s neuroplasticity. This is a significant factor in causing mental health and behavioral changes after a TBI.

    The study determined that immune-related brain cells may become inflamed and activated during times of stress. This means that a traumatic brain injury could cause these brain cells to become inhibited, which may hinder their neuroplasticity. This can lead to anxiety and depression in TBI patients.

    While the specific neurological and structural causes of mental health problems after a TBI are not fully known, the role of immune brain cells may provide future revelation into this phenomenon. Traumatic brain injuries cause severe stress and injury to a person’s brain. As research shows, this inhibited neuroimmune function may be a direct cause of behavioral and mental health disorders in patients who have suffered from a TBI. Behavioral therapy, medication, and other forms of treatment may help relieve certain physical and emotional symptoms, but more research is needed to determine the specific causes and treatments of mental health problems resulting from a TBI.

    Long-Term Effects & Prognosis for a Traumatic Brain Injury

    The recovery prognosis for a traumatic brain injury depends on the severity of the injury. Many mild traumatic brain injuries (where the victim was only unconscious for a short amount of time) may resolve themselves within days to weeks after the injury. Severe traumatic brain injuries, on the other hand, often present distressing symptoms for decades.

    Sadly, many severe traumatic brain injury victims experience the following symptoms for a significant duration of time after their accident:

    • Difficulty with memory and recall
    • Difficulty with speech and communication, along with other cognitive functions
    • Difficulty with movement, coordination, and balance
    • Overall inability to care for themselves and earn an income

    It’s an unfortunate truth that in many cases of severe traumatic brain injuries, the victim is rendered unable to care for themselves or live independently. They often require long-term, live-in care to help them perform basic daily functions, such as feeding and cleaning themselves. The level of treatment that many severe traumatic brain injury victims require often amounts to hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills.

    If you or someone you know has suffered traumatic brain injury, you need the assistance a San Francisco brain injury attorney from the Scarlett Law Group. Call (415) 352-6264.