San Diego Concussion Lawyer

Have you or family member suffered a blow to the head that may have been a concussion? While this injury is quite common, it should not be ignored. A concussion is a form of traumatic brain injury (TBI) that may result in serious and costly conditions if not properly addressed. In fact, the Brain Injury Association of America warns that “brain injury is unpredictable in its consequences and can change everything about us in a matter of seconds.”

If your head injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be able to claim compensation to cover your medical bills and related expenses. In the San Diego area, we at Hamparyan Injury Lawyers can help you. We have successfully obtained compensation for numerous Californians who have since recovered from their head injuries. Let’s talk about what we can do for you.

Why A Concussion Can Be Dangerous

A concussion happens when the brain is violently shaken inside the skull. In most cases, the injured person may feel fine or experience only a slight wooziness. If the concussion is more serious, it can show immediate symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, or loss of consciousness. It is best to see a doctor when a strong blow to the head has occurred, whether or not there are outward signs of a concussion.

Most concussions are mild without any lasting consequences, but there are plenty of cases where patients suffer symptoms for weeks or months. These symptoms may include:

• headaches
• dizziness
• sensitivity to light
• lack of coordination
• sleeping difficulty
• cognitive difficulty
• concentration issues
• memory issues
• fatigue or loss of energy.

Concussions may also trigger personality changes such as becoming more irritable or aggressive, as well as psychological or mood disorders such as depression.

Collectively, these persisting symptoms constitute a condition called post-concussion syndrome. Post-concussive headaches symptoms, for example, are so debilitating that they force workers to step back from their jobs or halt their career altogether. Memory problems and cognitive issues can hinder children at school. And mood disorders can negatively impact a person’s relationships and social lives.

Because of these, doctors advise that if you experience post-concussion symptoms for more than a few days, you should have it checked by your physician.

The Cost Of Treatment For Concussions

A mild concussion can heal after some rest, but in severe cases, some medical interventions are necessary. The treatment of post-concussion syndrome can be a mix of different methods, as it’s all about managing each symptom. For instance, your doctor may prescribe medication for persisting headaches, then refer you to a specialist for neurological care or a psychotherapist to address developing depression.

Here are some medical treatments that may be needed after a concussion, and how much they might cost:

• Head MRI – $1,000 to $5,000
• Brain CT scan – $1,200 (average)
• Pain medication – $10 to $1,200 per prescription
• Functional neurology five-day intensive treatment – $5,550 to $7,500
• Occupational therapy – $50 to $400 per hour
• Speech therapy – $48 to $215 per session
• Psychotherapy – $251 per session (private practice).

On top of these, a serious concussion may involve ambulance fees and hospital stays. For patients who have developed an impairment from their head injury, other long-term costs could accumulate as well, such as wheelchairs, home modifications (like ramps and railings), and caregivers.

Overall, experts estimate that the lifetime cost of a traumatic brain injury can reach a staggering $85,000 to $3 million.

Can You Be Compensated For Your Head Injury?

Given the potential mountain of expenses that could stack up from a concussion, victims and their families often seek compensation. Under the law, an injured person may be compensated if their injury resulted from another party’s negligence. Numerous head injuries occur this way, in negligent accidents such as:

• Motor vehicle crashes – caused by someone’s drunk driving, distracted driving, speeding, running a red light, etc.
• Work site accidents – occur when an employer fails to keep the workplace reasonably safe or fails to provide adequate safety equipment to workers.
• Slips and falls in unsafe premises – a property owner may be liable if their guest got injured due to an unsafe condition in the property.
• Aggressive sports and games – while athletes are often blamed for unnecessary violence, coaches and sports officials may also be responsible for lack of supervision, lack of safety precautions, and poor injury response.

To prove that someone’s negligence caused your concussion injury, you’ll need to establish that this person had a duty of care towards you, and that they failed to uphold this duty. For example, car drivers have a duty to drive safely and obey traffic rules to keep the road safe for everyone. But when a driver runs a stop sign or fails to yield the right-of-way, they have breached their duty of care and could be held liable for ensuing injuries.

A personal injury lawyer can help you establish these elements of negligence and claim compensation from the party responsible for your accident.

Concussion Settlement Value In California

Many people ask, “How much could I get as car accident head injury compensation? What is the average post-concussion syndrome accident settlement in California?”

There is no true average when it comes to head injury compensation because settlements vary widely. Some settle for several thousand dollars while others go up to millions. To understand concussion settlement value in California, know that there are two types of damages you may be entitled to: special damages (economic) and general damages (non-economic).

Special damages are those that are quantifiable in dollar amounts, such as medical bills, rehabilitation costs, lost income, lost ability to earn, and long-term care. General damages are less tangible but are still compensable by law. They typically include pain and suffering, mental or emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, disfigurement, and the like.

If you’re suing for special damages only, you can probably get an idea of the amount you are entitled to, based on the bills and receipts you’ve acquired related to your injury. If you’re seeking general damages as well, determining the settlement amount may be more subjective. A formula is sometimes used to come up with an estimate: your general damages amount may be 1.5 to 5 times your special damages, depending on the severity of your injuries.

However, this formula is not final, as the other party will likely negotiate the amount based on the circumstances of your case. For instance, they may argue that your head injury is not that severe, that your concussion symptoms are too vague to matter, or that you have a pre-existing condition that should be factored out of your pain and suffering settlement.

A skilled San Diego concussion attorney is crucial for you to determine and fight for the full amount you deserve. Choose a lawyer who is experienced in handling head injury cases, as these are rarely straightforward particularly when insurance negotiations are involved.

Consult With Us For Free

If you would like to pursue compensation for a concussion injury in the San Diego area, contact the Hamparyan Injury Lawyers. Your initial consultation with us is completely free and confidential. Call us today at (619) 550-1355 or use our online contact form.