California Injury Attorney Blog

What is Traumatic Brain Injury?
Traumatic brain injury (TBI), a form of acquired brain injury, occurs when a sudden trauma causes damage to the brain says California Personal Injury Lawyer Steven Peck. TBI can result when the head suddenly and violently hits an object, or when an object pierces the skull and enters brain tissue. Symptoms of a TBI can be mild, moderate, or severe, depending on the extent of the damage to the brain. A person with a mild TBI may remain conscious or may experience a loss of consciousness for a few seconds or minutes. Other symptoms of mild TBI include headache, confusion, lightheadedness, dizziness, blurred vision or tired eyes, ringing in the ears, bad taste in the mouth, fatigue or lethargy, a change in sleep patterns, behavioral or mood changes, and trouble with memory, concentration, attention, or thinking.

A person with a moderate or severe TBI may show these same symptoms, but may also have a headache that gets worse or does not go away, repeated vomiting or nausea, convulsions or seizures, an inability to awaken from sleep, dilation of one or both pupils of the eyes, slurred speech, weakness or numbness in the extremities, loss of coordination, and increased confusion, restlessness, or agitation.

Is there any treatment?
Anyone with signs of moderate or severe TBI should receive medical attention as soon as possible. Because little can be done to reverse the initial brain damage caused by trauma, medical personnel try to stabilize an individual with TBI and focus on preventing further injury. Primary concerns include insuring proper oxygen supply to the brain and the rest of the body, maintaining adequate blood flow, and controlling blood pressure. Imaging tests help in determining the diagnosis and prognosis of a TBI patient. Patients with mild to moderate injuries may receive skull and neck X-rays to check for bone fractures or spinal instability. For moderate to severe cases, the imaging test is a computed tomography (CT) scan. Moderately to severely injured patients receive rehabilitation that involves individually tailored treatment programs in the areas of physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech/language therapy, physiatry (physical medicine), psychology/psychiatry, and social support.

Continue reading "Traumatic Brain Injuries Can Cause Serious Personal Injury" »

Symptoms of a Concussion To Discuss With Your Brain Injury Attorney

Dizziness
Upset Stomach
Being Knocked Out
Repeating the Same Question or Answer
Forgetting Things Easily Remembered
Agitation
Change in Personality
Blurred Vision
Sensitivity to Light
Headaches
Seeing Stars
Slurred Speech
Saying Things That Don't Make Sense
Being Overly Tired

Your doctor may perform a variety of test. You may be asked to perform balance test, coordination tests, and a test of your reflexes. A CAT scan or MRI may be performed to make sure you are not internally bleeding. If the concussion is more severe, then other tests such as memory tests may be required. Call a your Atlanta brain injury attorney for a consultation. You owe it to yourself and those who depend on you. Post concussion syndrome and brain injuries are serious matters.

If you have not recovered in a few months, you may have post-concussion syndrome. This would require additional therapy.

Continue reading "California Personal Injury Lawyer Steven Peck Discusses Brain Injury" »

A 55-year-old man presents with a 2-day history of nausea and vomiting. Laboratory analysis reveals a normochromic normocytic anemia and hyponatremia. A cranial MRI is obtained.

An apathetic appearance coupled with a history of unexplained hypoglycemic episodes, weakness, nausea, vomiting, and fine peri-oral skin wrinkling.

Vehicle accidents, slip and fall, spinal cord, brain injuries and nursing home abuse and neglect often result in serious, life altering injuries. The Peck Law Group has the resources and experience to pursue compensation for expenses and damages sustained as a result of a catastrophic accidents and neglect leading to serious personal injury,We have lawyers and office locations throughout the State of California, and our legal team is ready to assist you in handling the complicated legal aspects of all accident lawsuits. We are familiar with the laws on personal injury and can work to ensure that you receive the justice you deserve

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can be life-altering after you have been in a car accident. Even if you have the slightest symptom of a traumatic brain injury after a car accident, these symptoms can get worse and cause major damage to your brain says California Personal Injury and Accident Attorney Steven Peck.

Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injury

TBI happens when there is a sudden impact to the head or brain, such as those that happen in a car accident.

The symptoms of traumatic brain injury are listed below:

• loss of consciousness for a period of time;
• headache;
• confusion;
• lightheadedness;
• dizziness;
• blurred vision;
• ringing in the ears;
• bad taste in the mouth;
• fatigue;
• sleep disabilities;
• mood changes;
• memory loss;
• concentration problems;
• migraine headache;
• vomiting;
• nausea;
• convulsions;
• seizures;
• pupil dilation;
• slurred speech;
• weakness;
• numbness;
• loss of coordination; and
• restlessness.

The dangerous thing about traumatic brain injuries is that symptoms may be similar, regardless of the severity of your car accident. This means that symptoms such as migraines or nausea may result after just a mild concussion or even after severe trauma for which you need emergency treatment. It's for this reason that your lawyer will tell you it's always imperative to seek treatment, regardless of the severity of your symptoms.

Treatment for Traumatic Brain Injury

Unfortunately, there is not much medical professionals can do after the damage is already done. Instead, emergency medical care will first focus on preventing any further damage from traumatic brain injury. Then long-term care will focus on rehabilitation and re-learning any basic skills lost. Treatments may include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, psychotherapy, social support and medicine (in some cases).

Since this kind of medical care can get expensive, you'll want to make sure to save all your treatment records and medical bills to give to your lawyer to use when putting a value to your claim.

The nature of a traumatic brain injury may cause you to lose your ability to perform daily tasks, including raising your family, performing at your job and enjoying a good quality of life. When this happens, your lawyer will take into consideration all the ways your life has been impacted when building your claim.

If you suffer from a traumatic brain injury, your lawyer in will work with you in efforts to seek compensation for your injuries, medical bills and anything that will affect you in the future because of your car accident. While you focus on recovery, your Peck Law Group lawyer can address all such matters, so that your claim gets the attention it deserves.

Continue reading "Traumatic Brain Injury Accidents Are Life Changing Events says Los Angeles California Personal Injury and Accident Lawyer Steven Peck" »

Brain injuries are one of the most traumatic injuries that a person can suffer. The lives of the victim and his or her family can be permanently changed in an instant. The victim may lose their job and may not be able to participate in the normal and every day activities. Family members often become caregivers for the rest of the victim's life. Approximately 1.4 million people in the United States suffer a traumatic brain injury every year, and 235,000 of those people require hospitalization. In many instances, these injuries are the result of someone else's negligent conduct, whether it is from an automobile accident or an intentional assault. If you or a loved one has suffered a brain injury caused by the negligence of another person, it is essential to retain a Peck Law Group personal injury attorney as soon as possible.

Continue reading "Brain Injuries Are Serious and Traumatic" »

Head injuries can be very serious and in cases where the brain has been affected, the injury can have a significant impact on how you are able to live your everyday life.

The symptoms of brain injury can be very subtle and the fact that someone has a brain injury is not always obvious to others which is why it is often called the "hidden disability" says California Serious Injury Attorney Steven C. Peck.

Even minor head injuries can cause long term problems which might include:
Cognitive problems:

Memory problems
Difficulties with attention and concentration
Difficulties with planning and problem-solving
Taking longer to think
Difficulties multi-tasking
Inability to understand and communicate with others
Loss of skills in managing day-to-day affairs
Physical and sensory problems:

Persistent headaches
Nausea / vomiting
Visual disturbances (double vision, blurred vision and difficulties with bright lights)
Inability to cope with loud noise
Loss of hearing
Feelings of dizziness / vertigo
Loss of physical feeling or movement
Altered sexual drive or function
Sleep Disturbances:

Altered sleep patterns
Fatigue
Behavioral and personality changes:

Inappropriate behavior
Being irritable or easily angered
Feeling depressed, tearful or anxious
Impulsiveness and self-control problems
Feeling frustrated or impatient
Important to gain access to the very best medical experts

These are only a few of the most common symptoms that can occur but there are also many other possible problems. It can be frightening and distressing for anyone dealing with this wide range of problems.

Because of the wide array of symptoms it is important to gain access to the very best medical experts who will assess you and provide their recommendations for your treatment, rehabilitation and care.

Because of The Peck Law Group experience we will hire only the most appropriate experts in a range of disciplines who will not only be able to provide detailed evidence about your injuries but also provide their recommendations for your future treatment, rehabilitation and care.

If you or someone you know has suffered a serious injury due to someone else's negligence, telephone us now for accurate claim advice.

There are strict time limits in place to make any personal injury claim including claims involving serious injuries. For further information, contact us immediately.

Continue reading "Head Injuries Can Be Very Serious And Deserve Just Compensation" »

Head injury is a general term used to describe any trauma to the head, and most specifically to the brain itself.

Skull fracture: A skull fracture is a break in the bone surrounding the brain and other structures within the skull.

* Linear skull fracture: A common injury, especially in children. A linear skull fracture is a simple break in the skull that follows a relatively straight line. It can occur after seemingly minor head injuries (falls, blows such as being struck by a rock, stick, or other object; or from motor vehicle accidents). A linear skull fracture is not a serious injury unless there is an additional injury to the brain itself.

* Depressed skull fractures: These are common after forceful impact by blunt objects-most commonly, hammers, rocks, or other heavy but fairly small objects. These injuries cause "dents" in the skull bone. If the depth of a depressed fracture is at least equal to the thickness of the surrounding skull bone (about 1/4-1/2 inch), surgery is often required to elevate the bony pieces and to inspect the brain for evidence of injury. Minimally depressed fractures are less than the thickness of the bone. Other fractures are not depressed at all. They usually do not require surgical treatment unless other injuries are noted.

* Basilar skull fracture: A fracture of the bones that form the base (floor) of the skull and results from severe blunt head trauma of significant force. A basilar skull fracture commonly connects to the sinus cavities. This connection may allow fluid or air entry into the inside of the skull and may cause infection. Surgery is usually not necessary unless other injuries are also involved.

Intracranial (inside the skull) hemorrhage (bleeding)

* Subdural hematoma: Bleeding between the brain tissue and the dura mater (a tough fibrous layer of tissue between the brain and skull) is called a subdural hematoma. The stretching and tearing of "bridging veins" between the brain and dura mater causes this type of bleeding. A subdural hematoma may be acute, developing suddenly after the injury, or chronic, slowly accumulating after injury. Chronic subdural hematoma is more common in the elderly whose bridging veins are often brittle and stretched and can more easily begin to slowly bleed after minor injuries. Subdural hematomas are potentially serious and may require surgery.

* Epidural hematoma: The skull is made up of a variety of bones; the dura, the thick membrane that wraps around the brain, attaches at the suture lines where the bones come together. If bleeding occurs in the enclosed space between the dura and the bone, and a hematoma (blood clot) forms, there is nowhere for it to accumulate and pressure within the epidural space can build quickly. The increasing pressure pushes the hematoma against the brain tissue and may cause significant damage.

Tiny epidural hematomas potentially may be observed without surgery, but often surgery is indicated to removed the hematoma and relieve the pressure on the brain. The earlier the operation, the better, because the death rate increases if the patient is in a coma at the time of operation.
An epidural hematoma may often occur with trauma to the temporal bone located on the side of the head above the ear. Aside from the fact that the temporal bone is thinner than the other skull bones (frontal, parietal, occipital), it is also the location of the middle meningeal artery that runs just beneath the bone. Fracture of the temporal bone is associated with tearing of this artery and may lead to an epidural hematoma.
* Subarachnoid hemorrhage: Subarachnoid hemorrhage can be caused by trauma and often does not require surgery. Blood accumulates in the space beneath the arachnoid layer that surrounds the brain. While this can irritate the brain and cause symptoms of headache, vomiting, and stiff neck, treatment may be watchful waiting without surgery unless symptoms worsen.

* Intraparenchymal hemorrhage/cerebral contusion: These terms describe bleeding into the brain tissue itself. A contusion is like a bruise to the brain tissue and usually requires no special intervention, much like a concussion. Most doctors admit people with cerebral (brain) contusion to the hospital for observation since there may be rare complications such as brain swelling. An intraparenchymal hemorrhage is a pool of blood within the brain tissue. Minor bleeding may stop without any treatment and cause no serious problems. More serious or large bleeds usually require surgery.

Closed head injuries: This broad term describes any injury to the brain or structures within the skull that is not caused by a penetrating injury (such as a gunshot wound or stab wound). They range from very minor to potentially fatal injuries.

Continue reading "Head Injuries A Descriptive Personal Injury Overview" »

Long-term Effects of Traumatic Brain Injury

The long-term outcome of traumatic brain injury (TBI) is difficult (and sometimes impossible) to predict. While new breakthroughs are made every day, still, very little is actually known about the brain. Some patients make a rapid and full recovery, even from severe injuries, while others may experience permanent impairment from a minor concussion. says California Serious Injury Attorney Steven C. Peck.

Symptoms can take months or even years to surface, and many people with TBI experience improvements followed by setbacks, making recovery a slow and frustrating process.

Overwhelming personality and behavioral changes can make TBI frightening and confusing for victims and their friends and family. More than anything, TBI victims need the understanding and support of loved ones.

Post Concussion Syndrome (PCS)

PCS is a combination of disorders from which TBI victims often suffer. Although recognized for over 100 years, PCS is still a controversial subject within the medical community, making support, treatment, and therapy difficult for many victims to obtain. Symptoms of PCS include:

· Headaches

· Dizziness

· Nausea

· Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)

· Sensitivity to noise

· Sensitivity to light

· Vision problems

· Sleep disorders

· Fatigue

· Irritability

· Personality changes

· Apathy

· Depression

· Confusion

· Difficulty concentrating

· Impaired attention

· Memory problems

· Slowed mental processing

· Difficulty with abstract thinking

Alzheimer's Disease

AD is a progressive, neurodegenerative disease characterized by dementia, memory loss, and deteriorating cognitive abilities. Recent research indicates an association between head injury in early adulthood and the development of Alzheimer's later in life. The more severe the head injury
, the greater the are the chances of developing AD later in life.

Parkinson's Disease (and other motor problems)

Movement disorders as a result of TBI are rare but do occur. Parkinson's may develop years after TBI as a result of damage to the basal ganglia. Symptoms of PD include tremor or trembling, rigidity or stiffness, slow movement, inability to move, shuffling walk and stooped posture.

Continue reading "Long-Term Effects of Traumatic Brain Injury" »

Three very common injuries reported after an truck / auto accident are whiplash, back injuries and head trauma. These injuries are all potentially serious and suffering from any of them can be extremely painful. They also can take a very long time to heal. On top of this they are expensive and disrupt one's quality of life. Due to this, an Peck Law Group truck / auto accident lawyer can be very helpful to you. This article will describe the injuries and why it is important to seek legal counsel for your injries and pain and suffering.

Whiplash is an injury that occurs when the muscles and ligaments of the neck over-extend and tear. This is due to being hit from behind. The head moves slower than the rest of the body after and impact, and takes slightly longer to catch up. The head moves forward with its momentum after the crash and over extends neck muscles during this motion. Whiplash is a very painful injury that makes head movement difficult and restricted

Back injuries can be more serious than back pain. A back injury is very debilitating and restricts a person from certain movements and tasks. Even many exercises and walking will be impacted. Back injuries are present as the result of an accident and are identified as sharp twinges or excruciating pain in the neck and back when you move around. You can also experience severe discomfort while sitting or lying down. Back injuries can make normal life extremely difficult for a long time as the injury heals.

Head trauma is can be the most serious of the injuries. Even though the brain is well protected inside the skull the rapid deceleration of the vehicle causes the brain to hit the inside of the skull. Injuries to the brain can cause a loss of motor skills and speech, coma, or death. Studies show that 50 G's of force can cause brain damage. This is the force that you may experience in an auto accident. Even accidents with fewer G's can cause brain damage. Brain injuries can be very disruptive to normal life and take a long time to recover from.

It is important to remember that these injuries can result from an truck / auto accident and can be very difficult and expensive to deal with. It is important to consult with an Peck Law Group truck / auto accident attorney . The road to recover is long and painful and it helps to have someone on your side that will work for you.

Continue reading "Whiplash, Back Injury and Head Trauma Caused By Catastrophic and Serious Truck / Auto Accidents" »

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is severe damage caused to the brain that can result from any head injury. Head injuries that can result in TBI not only occur from blows to the head, but can also occur from violent jolting of the head, such as whiplash. Damage to the brain can affect a person's psychological and physiological functioning since the brain is the central command center of the body. TBI is often difficult to detect and the long-term consequences are often not noticeable until much later after an accident. Therefore, it is important to seek medical attention immediately after any head injury and monitor the effects of what may appear to be a minor head injury on a person's behavior over time.

cognition (thinking, memory, and reasoning),
sensory processing (sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell),
communication (expression and understanding), and
behavior or mental health (depression, anxiety, personality changes, aggression, acting out, and social inappropriateness).

Severe head trauma may also result in stupors, comas and vegetative states. All of this can severely impact an individual's way of life. If someone you love has been involved in an accident, it is imperative that you seek medical attention and keep an eye on your loved one's behavior, noting any unusual behavior.

Once you have received appropriate medical care for your loved one's injury, you should consider consulting a brain injury lawyer to recover damages (see Types of Damages). If a traumatic brain injury is the result of someone else's negligence, a personal injury lawyer may be able to help you receive compensation for such things as medical bills, pain and suffering, loss of ability to provide/earn income, and the costs of lifelong assistance needed by someone with TBI. A personal injury lawsuit may be your best course of action if your loved one's TBI is due to someone else's behavior (see Understanding Personal Injury Lawsuits).

Since traumatic brain injury can be difficult to detect immediately after an accident and may only become evident with time, it is important to not only seek medical attention right away, but also legal advice. A brain injury lawyer should be able to tell you what documentation you will need to make a strong case for a personal injury lawsuit. Such things would include, an accident report, medical records, a neuropsychological report that details future care needs, a life care plan that will help determine the economic needs of a TBI victim throughout the remainder of their life, and a record of the financial burden a TBI has had on your family. A brain injury lawyer should be able to advise you on the specific information that you will need to pursue a personal injury lawsuit.

Continue reading "Traumatic Brain Injury Deserves Just and Fair Compensation" »

Recovery from a traumatic brain injury or catastrophic head injury is often a lifelong day-to-day process, and in some cases full recovery is not possible. The victim, as well as his or her family and friends, often must permanently adjust to a permanent and often debilitating life-change. If you have suffered a brain injury, you need aggressive and experienced counsel to properly demonstrate your injury and obtain the compensation to which you are entitled.

Continue reading "Traumatic Brain Injury Recovery Could Be a Life Long Process" »

Traumatic brain injury (TBI, also called intracranial injury) occurs when an external force traumatically injures the brain. TBI can be classified based on severity, mechanism (closed or penetrating head injury), or other features (e.g. occurring in a specific location or over a widespread area). Head injury usually refers to TBI, but is a broader category because it can involve damage to structures other than the brain, such as the scalp and skull.

TBI is a major cause of death and disability worldwide, especially in children and young adults. Causes include falls, vehicle accidents, and violence. Prevention measures include use of technology to protect those who are in accidents, such as seat belts and sports or motorcycle helmets, as well as efforts to reduce the number of accidents, such as safety education programs and enforcement of traffic laws.

Brain trauma can be caused by a direct impact or by acceleration alone. In addition to the damage caused at the moment of injury, brain trauma causes secondary injury, a variety of events that take place in the minutes and days following the injury. These processes, which include alterations in cerebral blood flow and the pressure within the skull, contribute substantially to the damage from the initial injury.

TBI can cause a host of physical, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral effects, and outcome can range from complete recovery to permanent disability or death. The 20th century has seen critical developments in diagnosis and treatment which have decreased death rates and improved outcome. These include imaging techniques such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Depending on the injury, treatment required may be minimal or may include interventions such as medications and emergency surgery. Physical therapy, speech therapy, recreation therapy, and occupational therapy may be employed for rehabilitation.

Continue reading "Traumatic Brain Injury Is A Major Cause Of Death and Disability" »

When an injury occurs that is serious, most people do not think about finding a catastrophic injury attorney. Catastrophic injury attorney Steven C. Peck is concerned about getting you or your loved one immediate treatment for the injury and getting well. Unfortunately, in many cases serious injuries have long-lasting effects, even when the injured person seems to be better after initial treatment.

Taking the time after a serious injury to consult with the serious injury attorneys at The Peck Law Group will help a person to get information about the effects of their injury.

People suffer different kinds of injuries in vehicle accidents. Each year thousands of people suffer some type of serious injury that may or may not be immediately visible. However, traumatic brain injury and other types of serious injury are not general and require specialized knowledge about the injury.

Contacting The Peck Law Group catastrophic injury attorneys who know about brain trauma injuries and the kinds of treatment that will be required on a long term basis will be very important for the person who begins to develop serious conditions later in life from the injury.

In many cases, people don't realize the amount of money that can be involved the long-term treatment that covers a serious injury. For instance, a brain injury can have lifetime costs that average almost two million dollars. This is not counting the money that will be lost if a parent or spouse must quit their job to help care for their loved one. The lifetime earnings that will be lost because the injured person will not be able to work in a job that they may have been training for or held prior to the injury must also be taken into consideration.

Continue reading "Get Immediate Medical and Legal Help For Your Catastrophic Personal Injury" »