Los Angeles Brain Injury Attorney
[Page updated on 08-04-2023]
Derek Pakiz at the Reeves Law Group is a distinguished Los Angeles-based brain injury attorney.
Derek and our firm focuses on helping clients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) cases, and have successfully represented many brain injury clients, including several high-profile TBI (traumatic brain injury) cases, one that was won for $32.5 million.
Additional, Derek is the only one out of than 250,000 personal injury attorneys in California to be certified in both Civil Trial and Truck Accident law. This is important for serious injury cases such as brain injuries where car accidents, truck accidents, slip and falls, pedestrian vs car accidents and a myriad of other scenarios can result in a TBI.
Our well-regarded and experienced personal injury law firm has the resources, experience, clarity and proven legal processes required to help you file a successful brain injury claim in Los Angeles and help recover damages owed to you.
Call (800) 644-8000
For a Free Consultation
Can you afford our services? Yes! Our law firm operates on a contingent fee basis where you won’t pay unless we win your brain injury case.
If you or a loved one have suffered a traumatic brain injury that was caused by someone else’s negligence, we are a experienced Los Angeles brain injury lawyer who can provide you a free consultation and start your path towards healing.
WHY HIRE THE REEVES LAW GROUP for a brain injury case in your family?
- $250,000,000+ Recovered for our clients
- 10/10 Avvo rating and 5 star average reviews across many online platforms
- Newsweek’s 10 Best Personal Injury Attorneys
- No Fee Guarantee – No Fees Unless We Win
More About us: The Reeves Law Group is notable and and highly-regarded Los Angeles brain injury and personal injury firm, featured in Newsweek’s 10 Best Personal Injury Attorneys, specializes in traumatic brain injury claims and overall has recovered over $250,000,000 in verdicts and settlements. The firm has an outstanding reputation and has successfully represented thousands of injured clients throughout the Los Angeles area for over 30 years.
Why is it important to hire a lawyer that is a specialist in brain injury?
The complex legal and medical issues surrounding traumatic brain injuries demand that you speak with an experienced brain injury attorney, who can evaluate your case and advocate on your behalf. Brain injury cases can require up to millions of dollars in investment on behalf of the law firm representing the plaintiff, due to the hiring of outside expert witnesses, brain surgeons, private investigators, accident scene recreationists and more.
A knowledgeable brain injury lawyer such as The Reeves Law Group can help guide you to maximize the compensation you receive, allowing you to deal with the financial, physical, and emotional challenges that can accompany a severe traumatic brain injury.
Call us today for a free consultation.
A Testimonial of The Reeves Law Group
The Reeves Law Group came to my defense after my accident in Los Angeles. Everyone was really compassionate and relatable. This was a serious injury and this is the team you need on your side. I highly recommend The Reeves Law Group.
Cherilyn C. via Google
Review Rating: 5 / 5
Date Published: 03-10-2022
What is a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)?
A traumatic brain injury is brain damage caused by an injury through a blow to the head or penetration of the brain by a foreign object, such as a bullet or knife.
In the United States, slip and fall accidents are the most common causes (35%), with motor-vehicle accidents following close behind (17%). TBIs are also caused by falling objects, fall accidents, or by physical assaults.
Males are about 1½ times more likely than females to suffer trauma to the head, and children under four years old, along with teenagers between the ages of 15 and 19, are the age groups with the highest incidences.
Although some injuries may cause only temporary harmful effects, of the 1.4 million people the Center for Disease Control and Prevention say will suffer an injury to the head each year, 1.1 million will require emergency department visits, 235,000 will require hospitalization, and 50,000 are deaths.
In most cases, the harmful effects of traumatic brain injuries are most apparent soon after the injury occurs, when the brain may swell or have fluids build up around it or be damaged by oxygen deprivation.
Once these problems are alleviated, many people will recover functions that were temporarily impaired. Even when damage is permanent, other uninjured areas of the brain may be able to “take over” the functions of the impaired area, allowing the injured person to recover some normal functions.
For some, however, certain abilities will never return or will only recover with intensive rehabilitation and therapy. In those cases, an attorney’s help may be the only way to secure the funds needed to pay for life care and future medical costs.
What Are the Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injuries?
Traumatic brain injury symptoms include:
- Dizziness or loss of balance
- Diminished senses of hearing, taste or sight, or ringing in the ears
- Gross motor function impairment
- Inability to find words to convey thoughts
- Slurred speech
- Emotional trauma
- Paralysis of any body part
- Inability to plan body movements to perform simple tasks
- Inability to focus thoughts, or too much focus on one or a few ideas
- Lack of hand/eye coordination
- Inability to understand written or spoken words
- Persistent sleepiness or wakefulness
- Unexplained weakness
- Physical or mental suffering
- Chronic head or neck pain
- Mood changes, like uncalled-for anger or sadness
- Increased sensitivity to sensory stimuli
- Nausea
Who May Be Liable for Causing Your Brain Injury?
Identifying responsible parties involving someone’s negligence depends on the circumstances surrounding the brain injury. Serious or catastrophic brain injuries can occur from a multitude of incidents.
These incidents include car accidents, truck accidents, skiing accidents, train accidents, slip and falls and assault and battery (among many others).
How to Know if you had a traumatic brain injury?
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is often indicated by symptoms such as confusion, disorientation, headaches, nausea, problems with balance, mood changes, sensitivity to light or sound, difficulty with concentration, memory issues, or loss of consciousness following a head injury.
However, these symptoms can vary in severity and duration, and in some cases, they may not appear immediately. Therefore, if you suspect a TBI, it’s critical to seek immediate medical attention for an accurate diagnosis, typically involving a neurological examination and imaging tests like CT or MRI scans.
What are some specific situations in which brain damage may occur?
- An anesthesiologist who administered an anesthesia overdose;
- An employer who did not provide protective gear or proper training in the safe handling of dangerous industrial chemicals;
- A negligent driver, vehicle owner, or employer in a motor vehicle accident
- A frustrated nanny who shook a baby, causing shaken baby syndrome;
- A manufacturer of a pharmaceutical product that causes a stroke;
- An apartment landlord who allowed lead paint chips to accumulate around the building;
- A municipality that runs a public swimming pool where a lifeguard fails to rescue a submerged child;
- A school board that failed to do anything about a class bully before he threw a schoolmate to the classroom floor
What to do if you had a traumatic brain injury
Above all, seek prompt medical attention and a brain injury diagnosis if you suffered a severe injury to the head. Doing so may lessen the likelihood of permanent damage and may provide an opportunity to accelerate treatment and cognitive brain injury rehabilitation.
In addition to seeking immediate medical help after an accident, make sure that the injured person:
- Does not engage in activities that might cause further injury, such as playing contact sports, because the cumulative effect of successive brain injuries can severely aggravate the condition;
- Avoids driving, operating heavy equipment, and other potentially dangerous activities until the doctor has given approval;
- Contacts an experienced Los Angeles TBI attorney who will hire investigators, preserve evidence, consult experts, and communicate with witnesses, to help protect the individual’s rights if a case for compensation is found to exist.
Attributes to look for in a brain injury lawyer
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Experience
A brain injury attorney’s experience isn’t just about the number of years they’ve been in practice. It’s about the type of cases they’ve handled and how effectively they’ve managed them. Look into their case outcomes, as their win/loss ratio can be a telling indicator of their skill. Don’t overlook their education and certifications either. An attorney who has pursued higher education or additional legal certifications may bring an extra layer of understanding to your case.
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Specialization
When dealing with something as serious as TBI, you’ll want a brain injury attorney who specializes in this area. Check their field of law and any relevant courses or training they’ve undergone. Certifications can also signal specialization, as can their publications. If they’ve written articles or given talks on TBI, it’s a good sign they’re well-versed in the intricacies of these cases. Ensuring they are local in your state and area (such as Los Angeles) is also important due to the professional relationships they have.
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Reputation
A brain injury attorney’s reputation can speak volumes. If they’ve received awards or accolades from legal bodies, it suggests they’re recognized for their work. Reviews from previous clients and peers can give you a sense of their reliability and effectiveness. Positive media coverage is another positive sign. Also, consider their court records – their conduct and performance in court can be a testament to their professional reputation.
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Communication Skills
Effective communication is key when working with an attorney who specializes in brain injuries. Listen to what their clients say about their communication. Reviewing legal documents they’ve prepared can give you an idea of their ability to communicate complex matters clearly. Pay attention to how they communicate in court – their courtroom articulation is important. Even the initial consultation can reveal much about their communication style and approach, and how responsive they are to correspondence can demonstrate their commitment to effective communication.
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Client Testimonials
Previous clients’ testimonials can provide valuable insights into the attorney’s effectiveness. Look at online reviews and social media mentions. Take note of the success stories from their previous cases, as these can serve as strong testimonials. Even feedback provided directly to the lawyer can offer valuable insight into their skills and conduct. Also, consider word-of-mouth referrals – a high number of referrals is a strong testament to a lawyer’s capabilities.
How to prove a brain injury?
By their very nature, head trauma poses problems of proof for attorneys. Although the cause may sometimes be evident from physical harm to the brain’s tissues, many brain injuries are not readily identifiable, even with an X-ray or CAT scan..
To prove that an injury has caused trauma to the brain, witnesses who knew the victim before the brain injury occurred are often called on by attorneys. Some of these witnesses are usually spouses, close relatives, and friends who are more likely to notice the brain injury symptoms exhibited by the victim such as personality changes due to cognitive impairments.
In addition, your lawyer will arrange for the testimony of experts, some of whom may already be treating the traumatic brain injury through rehabilitation such as physical therapy.
what expert witnesses or outside experts are typically called on for a brain injury lawsuit?
- A neurologist – a medical doctor or osteopath expert in evaluating injuries and treating diseases and disorders of the brain, spine, muscles, and nervous system;
- A neurophysiologist – an expert in the workings of the nervous system;
- A neuropsychologist – whose skills combine psychology and neuroscience, studying how brain function affects psychological processes and controls behavior;
- A respiratory therapist – who evaluates how injury to the brain affects breathing capabilities;
- An occupational therapist – who helps injured or disabled victims return to work;
- A physical therapist – who helps injured victims recover physical function;
- A physiatrist – a medical doctor who helps a person identify and treat pain with the purpose of recovering their mobility;
- A cognitive therapist – who re-teaches lost skills such as problem-solving;
- A life-care planner – who assists attorneys in determining the forms of assistance victims will need to achieve maximum functioning.
Treating TBIs that include future medical expenses can be expensive. It’s not unusual to find yourself with medical bills in the millions, which is why your best bet is to find an attorney with a successful record of helping brain injury victims and their families as well as working with the above specialists and expert witnesses.
What Types of Compensation is a Brain Injury Victim Entitled to Receive?
Here are a few examples of brain injury damages that may be obtained:
- Medical Bills – compensation for anything from initial emergency care to continuing life-support services;
- Medical Monitoring – compensation to detect future effects of the damage sustained that may become apparent only over time;
- Pain and Suffering – compensation for the short or long-term impairments that affect your enjoyment of life, such as chronic headaches, incontinence, or paralysis;
- Lost Wages – compensation for the time that you had to take off of work to recover;
- Impairment of Earning Capacity – compensation for the diminishment in what you can earn in the limited work you can do after the accident;
- Lifestyle Changes – compensation for the activities you have had to give up, impairing your ability to play with your children, take a hike in the woods, or perform other normal activities that added to your quality of life before your injury;
- Future Damages – compensation for the likely additional problems that will come up in the future. For example, people who suffered head trauma are more likely to develop clinical depression and Alzheimer’s disease;
- Life-Care – compensation for the home care and other non-medical needs you will be unable to meet because of brain injuries, such as cooking, cleaning, and driving;
- Punitive Damages – compensation if the person who caused your injury acted with recklessness, malice, or intent to do harm.
Overall, there are untold ways in which the resulting brain damage could affect that person’s life. Immediately after an accident, some people may have no current symptoms but may be in real danger of developing them later.
Others may have been left comatose by a brain injury and will need a lifetime of constant medical care, with ongoing assistance with everyday living needs.
In fact, the Centers for Disease Control estimates that at least 5.3 million Americans with TBIs are currently in need of life-long help with their daily needs and activities.
A strong and trustworthy personal injury attorney can help determine the types of damages TBI victims may be entitled to receive, especially when insurance companies make attempts to avoid paying fair compensation.
Why Do I Need a Los Angeles Brain Injury Attorney?
You may need to hire a brain injury attorney if you’ve suffered some level of brain injury and you want to increase your chances of a positive medical outcome and want maximum compensation by winning or settling your case with the at-fault party or parties.
A brain injury attorney is important because they help navigate complex legal processes, negotiate with insurance companies, and advocate for you in court. An attorney specialized in brain injuries can ensure the individual is adequately compensated for their medical bills, lost wages, pain, suffering, and any long-term disabilities resulting from the injury.
Remember to always look for a lawyer who displays professionalism in all aspects of their work, from how they treat clients to how they conduct themselves in court.
Contact Our Los Angeles Brain injury law firm
Acting quickly to secure the services of a law firm may be necessary to help protect your rights.
If you or a loved one’s brain injury was caused by the negligence of someone else, call (800) 644-8000 or contact us for a free consultation with The Reeves Law Group.
We are accessible (we make home and hospital visits), offer full confidentiality, and have a contingency fee basis for all clients we take on, guaranteeing a stress-free experience.
CONTACT US
Sources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Glasgow Coma Scale
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Jaundice & Kernicterus
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Traumatic Brain Injury in the United States
[Written by Derek Pakiz. Article updated on 09-19-2023]
