Santa Clarita Brain Injury Lawyer
Both open and closed head injuries can result in severe brain trauma, which can have devastating consequences for the victim and their loved ones. If you or a loved one has suffered a brain injury as a result of another person’s negligence, The Mason Law Firm can help you. Mason Rashtian, our experienced attorney, has been helping injury victims in Valencia, Santa Clarita, and Los Angeles for over 25 years.
Open Brain Injuries
An open head injury, also called a penetrating head injury, results when an object penetrates the skull and enters the brain. Open head injuries are very serious, and usually affect a specific area of brain tissue. They can cause permanent disability, even death. One of the most common causes of open brain injury is a skull fracture, where a piece of bone from the skull penetrates the brain. Skull fractures can be caused by:
- Motor vehicle accidents – including accidents involving motorcycles, bicycles or pedestrians
- Falls – whether from a height, such as during construction work, or on someone’s property, such as an icy walkway
- A blow to the head – either from falling debris or a physical attack
- Sports injury – a single major injury, though repeated blows to the head can also cause closed head injuries
Surviving victims of open brain injury generally have issues in the damaged area of the brain. Approximately 50% of such victims experience post-traumatic epilepsy.
Closed Head Injuries
In a closed head injury, no object actually penetrates the brain. Such trauma occurs where the brain is injured as a result of a blow to the head or as a result of a sudden and violent motion that causes the brain to knock against the skull. A closed head injury can affect cells and tissues throughout the brain or it can damage only one area of the brain. Closed head injuries range from mild to severe (incapacitating or death).
In the United States, the incidents of closed head injuries are estimated to be approximately 200 cases per 100,000 persons annually. In a population of 314.156 million people, this rate approximately equates to more than 628,000 victims annually:
Symptoms of severe closed head injury usually show up immediately, while symptoms of mild head injury can show up days or weeks after an injury. Symptoms of closed head injuries usually include:
- Loss of consciousness
- Headaches
- Dilated pupils
- Dizziness
- Respiratory problems
- Convulsions
- Nausea and vomiting
- Problems with speech such as slurred speech
- Vision problems
- Inability to concentrate
- Emotional and behavioral changes
Treatment for a traumatic brain injury can vary depending on the level of severity. In the most severe closed head injury cases, treatment can include surgery, rehabilitation and medication. If you are injured in an accident and lose consciousness or exhibit any of the symptoms described herein, seek immediate medical attention.
We Are Prepared To Take On Your Case
At The Mason Law Firm, we handle many personal injury matters, including all types of severe injuries. When faced with a closed head injury victim, we are cognizant of the fact that a jury may need to hear from treating physicians and expert witnesses, who can explain the injury and the injury-causing mechanism to the jury. We know how to prepare and present a winning case on your behalf. Whether you want to negotiate a settlement or take your case to trial, we will help you make each important decision along the way.
Start Preparing Your Case
If you or a loved one is suffering from a head or brain injury, and you are looking for an honest assessment of the case, please give us a call. We can educate you as to your options for free. We never charge a fee unless we achieve a monetary recovery. Call us today at 661-270-5677 or reach out online to start preparing your case.