Brain Injury


How Can a Lawyer Help After a Brain Injury?

by Staff Blogger | July 9th, 2018

Brain injuries are unique. They’re the only type of injuries that can permanently change victims’ cognitive abilities and personalities. Even minor brain injuries can cause enough damage to result in profound effects on victims’ abilities to work and live independently. At Berg Injury Lawyers, we know that many traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are caused by accidents—and those accidents are often due to other people’s or parties’ negligence. When victims and their families come to us for help after they’ve suffered from TBIs, it’s our goal to do two things for them:
  • Investigate the cause of the TBI—To file an injury claim, we must prove that the injury occurred due to another party’s negligence or carelessness. That involves collecting and presenting compelling evidence to the insurance company.
  • Calculate how much the TBI will cost over a lifetime—When victims suffer serious damage to brain cells and neurons, they may never recover what was lost—and that can mean permanent disability. We’ll find out how much the TBI will cost you and your loved ones, and we’ll make sure the insurance company knows how much it owes you.
We’re personal injury lawyers, and we know that all injuries have the potential to be devastating and life-changing. But brain injuries can be particularly devastating, especially when they change the core being of who people are. Don’t go it alone—get the experienced legal representation you deserve. Call our California brain injury lawyers today for a free consultation.

3 Common Accidents That can Cause Brain Injuries

by Staff Blogger | April 23rd, 2018

The potential for serious accidents is all around us. And when people are involved in serious accidents, they face the risk of suffering injuries that can lead to prolonged pain, disability, and even life-threatening complications. Injuries to all parts of the body have the potential to be debilitating, but there’s one type of injury that can have the most lasting and profound impacts on victims: brain injuries. Despite being protected by the skull, the human brain is extremely vulnerable during accidents, and even relatively minor impacts can cause significant damage. Although virtually any type of accident can cause a brain injury, that specific trauma is commonly found in victims of the following accidents:
  1. Car accidents—Brain injuries can occur during auto accidents in two ways: victims’ heads impacting objects inside their vehicles, or victims’ brains moving inside their skulls due to sudden deceleration.
  2. Motorcycle accidents—People who ride motorcycles face high risks of brain injuries. In fact, a study of motorcycle crashes between 2007 and 2010 found that 36 percent of helmet-wearing passengers suffered brain injuries, while 31 percent of drivers suffered brain injuries.
  3. Work-related accidents—Industrial and construction jobs are the livelihood of many families in California, but they also come with many risks, including brain injuries. Improper use or maintenance of heavy machinery, dropped tools, and falls can all cause workers to suffer serious head injuries.
At Berg Injury Lawyers, our California brain injury attorneys have helped victims and their families get compensation for many years, and we know what it takes to win. Call today for a free consultation.

Compensation for Brain Injury Victims

by Staff Blogger | November 6th, 2017

At Berg Injury Lawyers, we’re proud to provide legal representation to victims of a variety of accidents and injuries, including auto accidents, truck accidents, drug injuries, and drunk driving accidents, just to name a few. And while every accident or injury has the potential to be serious and even life-threatening, we know that accidents that affect the brain can be especially devastating. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can range from mild concussions to permanent brain damage. Victims who suffer TBIs can be left with profound physical and mental disabilities, and some even permanently lose their ability to live independently. If you or someone you love suffered a brain injury because of another person’s negligence, we want to speak with you. It’s our goal to help you get maximum compensation for a variety of expenses, including:
  • Medical bills – TBIs require extensive medical treatment and intervention that health insurance may not fully cover—which can leave victims and their families in a financial bind.
  • Lost wages – Because TBIs can affect victims physically and mentally, it’s common for people who suffered brain injuries to be unable to go back to work.
  • Pain and suffering – TBIs can make it impossible for victims to enjoy their hobbies, and their quality of life and the quality of life of their caregivers can decrease dramatically.
If you or a loved one suffered a brain injury, don’t wait to get the experienced legal representation you deserve. Call our California brain injury lawyers today for a free consultation.

Common Complications of Brain Injuries

by Staff Blogger | August 14th, 2017

When a person’s brain is damaged during an accident, they may experience subtle or profound changes in their ability to do their job, communicate effectively, or even take care of themselves without assistance. Every traumatic brain injury (TBI) is different and has its own symptoms and life-altering effects. People who suffer from TBIs can experience a wide range of complications, but most can be divided into three categories:
  • Cognitive problems – When parts of the brain responsible for cognition are injured, victims can experience difficulties with things like memory, learning and reasoning, and communication issues such as difficulty understanding speech or writing.
  • Behavioral problems – Some TBI victims may act differently than they did before their accidents. They may suddenly have difficulty with self-control, lack behavioral awareness, or engage in risky behavior. In addition, their emotional states may change rapidly, and they may be prone to depression, anxiety, and anger.
  • Physical problems – Because the brain is responsible for so many bodily processes, TBI victims can experience a host of physical symptoms. They may suffer nerve damage—especially in their eyes or facial muscles—and they may develop problems with their senses, including altered taste, ringing in their ears, blurry vision, and difficulty keeping their balance.
When TBIs are severe, victims can even experience altered consciousness, including fainting spells, coma, and even brain death. At Berg Injury Lawyers, our California brain injury lawyers know that people can suffer TBIs in a variety of circumstances, including car accidents, boat accidents, motorcycle accidents, and more. If you or someone you love suffered a TBI because of another person’s negligence, you may be eligible to file a claim for compensation. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your options.

Traumatic Brain Injury Risk for San Francisco Car Accident Victims

by Staff Blogger | September 26th, 2016

Football season is in full swing, which means weekend tailgating and Friday night lights are once again a part of our lives, at least for a short while. If you’re a parent of a football player, beyond the enthusiasm and pride you feel for your teenager’s participation in the sport, there’s probably always an underlying anxiety for their safety. That’s understandable. With the increase of reported concussions in full-contact organized sports, the possibility of a traumatic brain injury is always there. Nowadays, we’ve become better at spotting the signs and symptoms of concussions on the field, but what about after a car accident? Many victims leave the scene of their accident believing they escaped without sustaining any injuries, only to discover otherwise hours later. That’s why it’s vitally important that you seek medical attention after your accident, even if you don’t show any signs of injury initially. Sleeper injuries, such as concussions, are one of the most dangerous types of injuries you can sustain in an accident, so get checked out by a medical professional no matter what. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, you need the right legal help as well. Call our experienced San Francisco car accident attorneys today for a free consultation. Let us put our more than 30 years of experience to work for you.

University of California Football Player Sues Over Repeat Traumatic Brain Injuries

by Staff Blogger | August 18th, 2015

Playing football and other contact sports can lead to numerous opportunities both on and off the field. But along with opportunity to advance educational and professional goals comes the risk of serious injury. Our California brain injury attorneys at Berg Injury Lawyers explain one of the greatest dangers athletes can face on the playing field is trauma to the head, such as a concussion. A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) that occurs when force is exerted on the head, causing the brain to strike the inside of the skull. This impact can cause damage to the grey and white matter of the brain, which can affect cognition, behavior, and even mobility. A growing number of these injuries have led to greater awareness of the dangers TBIs can pose. As a result of this awareness, some injured athletes have held the leagues they played in liable for the injuries they suffered. The National Football League (NFL) recently reached a multimillion-dollar settlement with dozens of current and former players who claimed the league didn’t warn them of the long-term risks TBIs could pose to their health. Now, a former University of California football player has filed a similar suit against his alma mater. NBC Bay Area News reports the former Golden Bear played for the university between 2004 and 2008. During that time, he claims he suffered several concussions and permanent neurological damage. The suit goes on to claim the school and its coaching staff didn’t take the actions that were necessary to prevent such injuries from occurring and failed to warn players of the risks TBIs could pose to their health. At Berg Injury Lawyers, we are aware of how difficult overcoming a TBI can be and our Alameda personal injury lawyers are hopeful a decision in this case will help bring closure to the matter for the young athlete who was injured.

California Boat Accident Attorneys Discuss Traumatic Brain Injury Risks in Sailing

by Staff Blogger | August 11th, 2015

Due to San Francisco’s close proximity to the Pacific Ocean, sailing is a popular hobby in the Bay Area. It’s important for boaters to be aware of the risk of injury sailing can pose. One of the most common types of injuries reported in sailing are traumatic brain injuries. A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can be the result of a boater coming into contact with the vessel or it’s parts. The boom of a vessel may pose a particular risk because of how heavy and hard the aluminum part can be, coupled with the fact the part moves across the vessel at almost eye level. An article from Scuttlebutt Sailing News points out several ways you can reduce your chances of suffering a TBI. One is to install taller and lighter booms on your vessel. This can reduce the chances of contact with the part and lower the likelihood of injury in the event an accident occurs. Wearing a helmet can also significantly reduce your chances of suffering a TBI while sailing. The article goes on to explain that these changes were adopted at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) sailing events and have been effective in reducing the program’s injury rates. Promoting safety is important to our legal team at Berg Injury Lawyers and our California boat accident attorneys are hopeful that these tips can help you and your loved ones stay accident-free while on the water.

Athlete Gives Back to Prevent Traumatic Brain Injuries in Others

by Staff Blogger | July 13th, 2015

In recent years, scientists have discovered more information regarding the long-term effects traumatic brain injuries can have on athletes. One of the contributing factors to these discoveries is the amount of research being conducted. Our California brain injury lawyers at Berg Injury Lawyers understand that this research couldn’t continue to advance without athletes volunteering to undergo testing. One of the latest athletes to volunteer is former Oakland Raiders quarterback, Ken Stabler. Stabler—better known as “The Snake”—was drafted into the National Football League in 1968. He went on to have an impressive career in the league that didn’t end until 1984. During his time as a professional football player, Stabler suffered several injuries to the head. According to an article from NBC News, he wanted to help prevent such injuries in other athletes. So, Stabler made the decision that when he passed away, his brain would be donated to science. Complications associated with a diagnosis of colon cancer claimed Stabler’s life this past Wednesday and his brain and spinal cord were taken to Boston University to be used in research on the condition known as Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy. At Berg injury Lawyers, we believe in the mission to help prevent traumatic brain injuries in athletes and our California personal injury attorneys applaud the efforts Ken Stabler and his family have made to support this cause.

Traumatic Brain Injuries May Have Long-Term Effects for Car Accident Victims

by Staff Blogger | May 4th, 2015

There are many injuries car accident victims can suffer and some of the most dangerous—and hardest to diagnose—are traumatic brain injuries, often abbreviated as TBIs. The California brain injury lawyers at Berg Injury Lawyers explain that almost half of all young Californians will suffer a TBI if they are involved in a motor vehicle collision. The risks of a TBI resulting from a car accident were recently discussed in an article released by Business Insider. The article told the story of a young man who struggled to overcome a TBI after being stuck by a car while crossing the street. The victim states he was walking in a crosswalk in San Francisco on November 3, 2010, when a passing motorist hit him. The impact of the collision caused the young man to be thrown across four lanes of traffic. The victim suffered a traumatic brain injury and endured months of pain and suffering as he worked to overcome his injuries and rehabilitate his body. His injury adversely affected his professional life and ability to make a living. It also had a profound impact on his personal life. If you’ve suffered a TBI through no fault of your own, the California personal injury attorneys at Berg Injury Lawyers know what it takes to help you get the compensation you deserve. Learn more about how we can assist you with your case and your claim by calling us at (800) 400-2374 today.

What Are the Common Causes of a Traumatic Brain Injury?

by Staff Blogger | November 24th, 2014

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 1.7 million Americans will suffer a traumatic brain injury (TBI) this year. Of those individuals, 1.3 million will seek medical attention, while 275,000 will be hospitalized and another 52,000 will lose their lives. So what are the most common causes of brain injuries today? A new study shows the answer to that question changes with age. According to an article from NPR News, the most common causes of brain injuries are different depending on how old you are. For children younger than age 12, falls from elevation are listed as the cause of a majority of brain-related injuries. As children grow and become teenagers though, assault becomes the leading cause for a TBI. Such injuries accounted for almost one-quarter of all TBIs sustained by teens between the ages of 13 and 17. Sports related injuries and car accidents were also listed as a common cause of brain injuries. So what should you do if you or a loved one has sustained a head injury? The California personal injury attorneys with Berg Injury Lawyers say the first step that should be taken is to seek the medical attention you need. Only then should you attempt to document the case by getting information from witnesses and taking pictures. Finally, discuss your legal options with a qualified legal representative. Our attorneys are available to speak with you about your case, so feel free to reach out to us anytime by calling (800) 400-2374.