Did you or a family member sustain a brain injury in Salinas, CA? Our team at Mercado Kramer, LLP is here to handle the fight for financial compensation. If someone else caused your injuries, call an experienced Salinas brain injury lawyer at (888) 311-4050 for a free consultation today. You may deserve money for medical bills, lost wages, and more.
Our attorneys have over 18 years of experience handling complex personal injury cases. We’re ready to help you hold the responsible parties accountable for your losses.
For more information about your options, call our law offices in Salinas, California, for a free case review today.
How Can Mercado Kramer, LLP Help Me Recover Financial Compensation After a Brain Injury in Salinas, CA?
If someone else was responsible for your suffering, they should be held accountable–at least financially. That’s often easier said than done.
Securing top-quality legal representation is the best way to ensure you receive a financial award that protects your future.
At Mercado Kramer, LLP, we’ve dedicated our careers to helping innocent victims fight for justice. We know the road to recovery can be long. When we take on a client, we commit ourselves to obtaining the top results they deserve.
Satisfied clients have recognized our Salinas personal injury attorneys with a five-star Google rating. We’ve also been recognized by prestigious lawyer rating companies, including The National Trial Lawyers and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
After an injury, you can trust that our Salinas personal injury lawyers will put the full weight of our experience to work for you. Call us today to get started.
What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?
Traumatic brain injuries are typically caused by some type of piercing object, violent jolt, or blow to the head. They’re different from congenital or degenerative brain injuries because, as the name suggests, they occur because of some type of traumatic event.
Most personal injury cases involving brain injuries are related to an accident or traumatic event.
Two primary types of traumatic brain injuries exist:
- Closed-head injuries, where the brain damage occurs because of a violent movement of the brain within the skull
- Open-head injuries, where the brain is damaged by an external object that pierces the skull
Both types of TBIs have the potential to be life-threatening and life-changing.
How Common Are Brain Injuries?
According to research published by the Brain Trauma Foundation, about 2.5 million Americans suffer traumatic brain injuries each year.
Roughly 80,000 of those individuals suffer a permanent disability. Unfortunately, about 50,000 brain injuries result in death.
What Are Some Signs That You’ve Suffered a Brain Injury?
Various symptoms can indicate that you’ve sustained a brain injury, including:
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Loss of consciousness
- Tingling in the hands and feet
- Problems with balance
- Behavioral changes and mood swings
- Memory loss and confusion
- Sensitivity to light and sound
- Trouble waking from sleep
- Persistent headache
- Ringing in the ears, or tinnitus
- Slurred speech and trouble with language
- Dilation of the pupils
- Seizures or convulsions
Not every brain injury produces all–or even most–of these symptoms.
Seeking medical attention quickly is important after any type of head trauma or traumatic accident. Brain injuries can be tricky in that they aren’t always obvious immediately. Some don’t show symptoms for days or even weeks. If you or a loved one were injured, pay close attention to the signs that emerge in the time after the event.
What is My Salinas Brain Injury Case Worth?
The value of your brain injury claim depends on a variety of factors, including:
- The overall severity of the injury
- The types of long-term consequences you’re likely to experience
- Your current medical bills
- Anticipated future medical expenses, rehabilitative costs, and other expenses
- Your prospects for suffering a long-term disability
- Your current lost wages
- The injury’s impact on your future earning capacity
- The impact of California’s shared fault laws
- The strength of the evidence
- The circumstances of the injury
Brain injuries can vary dramatically in severity. Some victims go on to live a relatively normal life. Others will need constant care and assistance. Some injuries can be fatal.
When you’re dealing with these types of uncertainty, it’s important to have experienced lawyers representing you throughout the legal process. Our attorneys deal with insurance companies every day. We know the lengths they’ll go to in attempting to avoid paying a fair amount. You can count on us to go the extra mile in fighting for the compensation you need to secure your future.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Brain Injury Victims in Salinas?
California recognizes two primary forms of compensatory damages in personal injury cases: economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages are awarded to reimburse you for tangible financial losses after an injury, including:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning potential
- Physical therapy
- Rehabilitation
- Property damage
- Out-of-pocket expenses
Non-economic damages represent the more personal losses associated with an accident, injury, and disability, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Anxiety
- Depression
- PTSD
- Diminished quality of life
- Loss of independence
- Loss of consortium
Punitive damages are also a possibility in California, although they’re much more rare. Punitive damages are awarded in cases where punishment is warranted. If the defendant’s acts were intentional or shockingly reckless, the court may award punitive damages.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Lawyer to Handle a Brain Injury Claim in Salinas?
Most brain injury attorneys in Salinas work on a contingency fee basis. Rather than paying an initial retainer or hourly rates, we take a fixed percentage of your settlement or verdict. That way, you can secure legal representation without worrying about the cost–and the amount you pay is directly tied to your lawyer’s success.
What Should I Know About California Comparative Fault Laws and My Salinas Brain Injury Claim?
Shared fault is a common issue in personal injury cases. While allegations aren’t always legitimate, insurance adjusters commonly blame victims for their own injuries.
A pure comparative negligence law applies in California. If the defense can prove that you were partly responsible, your compensation will be reduced by your share of blame.
That’s a big “if.” Our lawyers will fight fiercely against any unfair accusations that you caused your own injuries. We’ll be prepared for this defense strategy from the outset.
Our Attorneys in Salinas Will Fight to Recover Compensation for All of Your Brain Injuries
Our Salinas brain injury attorneys are equipped to handle all types of brain injury cases, including cases where the victim has suffered:
- Concussions
- Contusions, or brain bruises
- Hematomas
- Hemorrhages
- Diffuse axonal injury, or DAI
- Coup-contrecoup brain injuries
- Encephalitis
- Edema
- Penetrating brain injuries
- Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)
- Brain damage related to hypoxia, or oxygen deprivation
- Skull fractures
The time after a brain injury can be incredibly overwhelming and frustrating. Your physical recovery should be your top priority. While you’re dealing with the medical issues, our attorneys will be handling the legal issues. Call our law offices in Salinas today to learn how we can fight for you.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Brain Injuries in Salinas, CA?
Some of the most common causes of brain injuries include:
- Falls, including slip and fall accidents
- Motor vehicle accidents, including car accidents, truck accidents, and motorcycle wrecks
- Falling objects
- Dangerous property conditions and premises liability matters
- Assault and domestic violence
- Sports accidents
- Accidents involving recreational vehicles
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Bus accidents
- Uber and Lyft accidents
- Boating accidents
- Construction accidents
- Workplace accidents
- Falls from heights
- Toxic exposure
- Defective products
- Medical malpractice
In reality, brain injuries can be caused by nearly any type of traumatic event.
What Do I Have to Prove to Recover Compensation After a Brain Injury in California?
Negligence is the root cause of most personal injury cases.
To prove negligence, a victim must establish four separate legal elements:
- The defendant owed you a duty of care
- They breached their duty through a failure to exercise reasonable caution
- The breach of duty caused your injury
- You sustained damages as a result
Conducting a thorough investigation soon after an injury can be vital to your claim for compensation. Evidence is strongest soon after an event occurs. When you hire our legal team, we’ll start working immediately to build your case. We know how to locate the strong evidence you’ll need.
How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit if I Suffered a Brain Injury in California?
The deadline depends on how you were injured and the legal basis for your claim.
In most California personal injury cases, a two-year statute of limitations applies. You won’t be able to seek compensation if you wait more than two years to take legal action.
Contact an Experienced Salinas Brain Injury Lawyer for a Free Consultation
After a brain injury, you don’t have to handle the legal battle alone. An experienced Salinas brain injury lawyer can handle the complex insurance and legal issues you’re likely to face. Call Mercado Kramer, LLP today to arrange a free case evaluation with an attorney who can fight for you.