Newport Beach Brain Injury Lawyer

Traumatic brain injuries, better known as TBIs, are wounds that affect how the brain works. More common than many people realize, TBIs are a major cause of death and disability in the United States. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 223,000 Americans were hospitalized for TBIs in 2018, and 166 Americans died each day from TBI-related injuries.

If you or someone you care about has suffered a TBI, an attorney at Younglove Law Group Personal Injury & Accident Attorneys may be able to help. Our award-winning team of traumatic brain injury lawyers can make sure you get the right kind of treatment for your injury so you can heal as quickly as possible and get the settlement you deserve. We have seen the devastating impact TBIs can have, and we know how to maximize the value of our clients’ claims.

How to Know If You Could Be Suffering from a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Identifying and documenting a brain injury as early as possible is vital to your health, but even a medical exam can miss the signs of a TBI. Brain injuries can manifest themselves in many ways, but some of the more common symptoms to look out for include:

• Vomiting
• Dizziness
• Memory loss
• Nausea
• Persistent headaches
• Sleep deprivation
• Slurred speech
• Fatigue
• Loss of consciousness
• Loss of coordination
• Loss of balance
• Light or sound sensitivity 
• Blurred vision
• Mood swings
• Clear fluid draining from the nose or ears 
• Pupil dilation
• Weakness or numbness in the fingers 

If you were involved in an accident and are suffering from any of the above symptoms, you may have suffered a TBI. Consult your physician right away to identify the cause of your symptoms.

Multiple types of tests and measures are often needed to diagnose a TBI and determine its severity. Below are some testing and tools used to detect or establish a TBI’s severity in Newport Beach.

Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)

The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is a tool healthcare providers use to assess functioning in three key areas. The GCS measures a person’s ability to:

• Speak
• Move
• Open their eyes

The sum of your GSC assessment scores can help determine the presence and severity of a TBI. The maximum combined score is 15, but a score of:

• 13 or more indicates a mild TBI
• 9 to 12 indicates a moderate TBI, and
• 8 or below indicates a severe TBI. 

Your doctor will be able to explain how these assessment scores are calculated in more detail.

CT Scan

A CT scan (or CAT scan) is a diagnostic in which X-rays are taken from many angles to create a complete picture of the brain. They can quickly reveal whether your brain is bleeding or bruised. However, there are other diagnostics that produce even more detailed results for physicians to examine.

MRI Scan

An MRI scan uses magnets and radio waves to produce more detailed images than a CT scan. Although they can help your doctor more accurately identify a TBI, MRI scans are expensive and time-consuming. Therefore, these scans usually are not given until a patient endures ongoing symptoms.

EEG Test

During an electroencephalogram (EEG), electrodes are attached to your head and used to gauge electrical activity in your brain. EEGs chart the electrical charges detected in your head over time, measuring your brain activity.

ERP Test

An Event-Related Potential (ERP) is similar to an EEG, except during the procedure, an external stimulus is given, such as a photograph. The ERP will record your brain activity as you are exposed to varying external stimuli, allowing a TBI to be diagnosed.

The California claims process can be overwhelming, especially after you or a loved one has suffered a brain injury. When you partner with a Younglove Law Group California traumatic brain injury attorney, an award-winning attorney will help you through every step of the claims process. We are proud to provide the dedicated, trusted legal counsel that TBI victims deserve.

To schedule a free review of your brain injury claim and discuss your options with a Younglove Law Group attorney, fill out our contact form or call (949) 691-3660.