Brain Injury Lawyer for All the Victims
Attorney Adam Krolikowski, the founder of Krolikowski Law, is a respected Orange County brain injury lawyer with over 20 years of experience handling all types of personal injury claims. Brain injuries are extremely serious. People who suffer a brain injury may not ever fully regain their ability to work or live their life in the way that they want to live it. The fact that most brain injuries are entirely preventable can add frustration to what was already a tragic accident.
At Krolikowski Law, we can help people who suffered a brain injury due to another party’s negligence pursue a claim for compensation. With his help, accident victims can seek to hold those responsible for their injuries accountable so that they can focus on their recovery and start to move forward with their lives.
Brain Injury: Types and Causes
Brain injuries can occur in a variety of ways. Doctors classify head injuries into two categories: open and closed head injuries. Open head injuries involve some type of penetrating force that breaches the outermost layer of the brain. Closed head injuries, on the other hand, do not involve a penetrating force, and they result from the brain striking the inner wall of the skull, often due to a sudden blow to the head. The most common example of a closed head injury is a concussion.
Various types of accidents can cause a brain injury. The leading causes of brain injuries are falls and motor vehicle accidents. For children and young adults, sports-related injuries are also a significant cause of brain injuries. Workplace accidents and assaults are also responsible for a large number of brain injuries. Orange County brain injury attorney Adam Krolikowski can help a victim bring a claim in any of these situations.
What Are the Most Common Symptoms of a Traumatic Brain Injury?
Recognizing the signs of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) as early as possible is crucial both for prompt treatment and improved outcomes. Depending on the severity of the injury, symptoms might appear right away or may gradually surface over several hours. If you or a loved one has experienced a blow to the head, it’s important to monitor for any changes.
Common symptoms of traumatic brain injuries often include:
- Brief or prolonged loss of consciousness
- Persistent or worsening headaches
- Nausea or vomiting
- Problems with balance or dizziness
- Unusual tiredness or difficulty staying awake
- Difficulty with coordination or clumsiness
- Noticeable changes in pupil size (often one is larger than the other)
- Mental confusion, irritability, or sudden changes in mood
- Seizures or convulsions
For infants and young children, signs may be less obvious. A child who has suffered a brain injury might cry continuously, show unusual fussiness, be difficult to console, or refuse to eat.
Understanding these symptoms can help you act quickly if a brain injury is suspected.
Recognizing Brain Injury Symptoms in Young Children
Spotting brain injuries in young children can be challenging, as little ones are sometimes unable to verbalize exactly what they’re feeling. After a child experiences a bump, blow, or jolt to the head, it’s crucial for parents and caregivers to be alert for possible signs of trouble.
Some of the most common symptoms to watch for in infants and young children include:
- Crying that can’t be soothed, especially if it’s unusual or more intense than normal
- Refusing to eat, nurse, or take a bottle
- Loss of interest in favorite toys or activities
- Unusual sleepiness or trouble waking up
- Vomiting more than once
- Sudden changes in behavior, such as increased irritability or fussiness
- Difficulty with balance or trouble walking
- Lack of coordination when reaching for objects
If you notice any of these symptoms—even if they seem mild at first—it’s better to err on the side of caution and consult a healthcare provider promptly. Early detection can help prevent complications later on.
Compensation for Brain Injuries
Brain injuries are among the most expensive injuries to treat. Thus, brain injury victims often rack up massive medical bills that may be unaffordable. In addition to medical treatment, head injury victims often require ongoing physical and occupational therapy. Even with the best medical treatment, some brain injuries will heal only up to a certain point, potentially leaving accident victims with lifelong symptoms.
People who suffer a preventable head injury can pursue a claim for compensation against those responsible for their injuries. California law provides for two main types of damages in brain injury cases: economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are those that can be easily determined, often by reviewing medical bills and using forecasting formulas. For example, past and future medical expenses and lost wages are common types of economic damages. Non-economic damages are those that involve some element of subjectivity. Examples of non-economic damages include emotional distress, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. The amount of non-economic damages may depend greatly on the skill of the brain injury attorney who helps an Orange County victim bring their case.
Complexities in Brain Injury Cases
Brain injury cases involve the same basic legal theories as other personal injury cases. They usually require proving that the defendant violated a duty of care that was owed to the victim and establishing that the defendant’s violation of that duty caused the victim’s injuries. However, cases involving a brain injury often raise additional issues. For example, many brain injury claims will require an expert witness to explain to the judge or jury the extent of the brain damage and how it will affect the accident victim’s life. An expert may also be necessary to prove that the victim’s injuries resulted from the accident, rather than from some other pre-existing condition. Thus, experts may be crucial in establishing a defendant’s liability and maximizing an accident victim’s compensation.
Contact an Experienced Brain Injury Lawyer for Immediate Assistance
Brain injuries can forever change a person’s life. If you or a loved one recently suffered a head injury in a serious accident, you should consider pursuing compensation with the assistance of a brain injury lawyer in Orange County. Attorney Adam Krolikowski skillfully represents accident victims throughout Southern California. To learn more, contact Krolikowski Law at (949) 274-9915 to schedule a free consultation today.