Head & Brain Injuries in Los Angeles

brain imaging Few injuries are as devastating as those involving the head or brain. Even a seemingly mild impact can lead to serious medical complications, long-term disability, or permanent cognitive impairment. Victims often face a lifetime of medical care, therapy, and emotional challenges. In Los Angeles, where motor vehicle collisions, falls, and recreational accidents are common, head and brain injuries occur every day, often due to the negligence of another person or entity.

At Kosnett Law Firm, we represent victims of serious head and brain injuries, helping them obtain the compensation they need to rebuild their lives. Our Los Angeles catastrophic injury lawyers understand the medical complexity of these injuries and the long-term costs they create, and we work tirelessly to hold negligent parties accountable.

The Nature of Head and Brain Injuries

The human brain is a delicate and complex organ, protected only by the skull. When the head sustains a blow, jolt, or penetrating wound, the brain can shift or collide with the inside of the skull, causing bruising, bleeding, or swelling. Depending on the severity of impact, victims may suffer from temporary confusion or life-altering cognitive and physical impairments.

Head and brain injuries are categorized as traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) when caused by external force. TBIs range in severity from mild concussions to catastrophic brain damage. Even minor TBIs can have cumulative effects, especially if a victim suffers repeated injuries over time.

Common Types of Head and Brain Injuries

Every head injury is unique, but certain types occur more frequently and are associated with specific causes and outcomes:

Concussions: Often caused by car accidents, falls, or sports-related incidents, concussions are classified as mild TBIs but can still produce lasting effects such as headaches, dizziness, memory problems, and mood changes.

Contusions: A brain contusion is a bruise on the brain tissue resulting from a direct impact. Larger contusions can cause swelling and pressure inside the skull, requiring surgical intervention.

Skull fractures: The skull can crack under severe force, leaving sharp bone fragments that may damage underlying tissue or cause internal bleeding.

Diffuse axonal injury: Rapid acceleration or deceleration, such as in high-speed car or truck crashes, can tear nerve fibers throughout the brain, leading to widespread brain dysfunction and, in severe cases, coma.

Penetrating brain injuries: These occur when a foreign object pierces the skull and damages brain tissue, often resulting in permanent impairment or death.

Coup-contrecoup injuries: When the brain strikes one side of the skull and then rebounds to hit the opposite side, it can sustain injuries at multiple points and create a cascade of impairments.

Regardless of type, any head injury requires immediate medical attention. Symptoms can worsen over time, and early intervention can make a significant difference in recovery.

Common Causes of Head and Brain Injuries in Los Angeles

Head and brain injuries can occur in many ways, but negligence is a common factor. Victims may be entitled to compensation when someone’s careless or reckless behavior causes harm. Some of the most frequent causes of brain injuries in Los Angeles include:

Motor vehicle accidents: Collisions involving cars, trucks, buses, bicycles, and pedestrians are leading causes of TBIs in Los Angeles. The sudden impact and violent motion of these crashes often cause the brain to strike the inside of the skull.

Slip and fall accidents: Falls on wet floors, uneven pavement, or poorly maintained property frequently lead to head trauma. Property owners may be liable if they fail to address known hazards or provide adequate warnings.

Workplace accidents: Construction workers, warehouse employees, and others in high-risk industries are particularly vulnerable to head injuries from falling objects or equipment.

Sports and recreational injuries: Negligent supervision, lack of proper training, or defective safety equipment can lead to severe head trauma in organized sports, fitness facilities, and schools.

Defective products: Faulty helmets, airbags, or other protective devices can fail when they’re needed most, compounding the harm caused by an accident.

Each of these causes requires a different approach to investigation and proof. A knowledgeable attorney can identify all responsible parties, from negligent drivers and property owners to product manufacturers, and pursue appropriate claims for compensation.

The Long-Term Impact of Brain Injuries

Head and brain injuries are unlike other forms of physical trauma because they can permanently alter a person’s ability to think, move, communicate, and control emotions. Victims often face years of medical treatment, cognitive therapy, and psychological support. Some may never fully recover the abilities they once had.

The consequences extend beyond the individual. Families frequently become caregivers, managing complex medical needs while coping with emotional and financial strain. Lost income, mounting medical bills, and home modifications are common realities after a serious brain injury. In the most severe cases, victims require lifelong assisted care.

Even when physical recovery appears complete, cognitive and behavioral symptoms such as memory loss, depression, irritability, or reduced concentration may persist. These “invisible” injuries can make returning to work or maintaining relationships extremely difficult, adding another layer of hardship.

Proving Liability in Head and Brain Injury Cases

Establishing fault in a head or brain injury case requires careful documentation and expert analysis. Attorneys often work with accident reconstruction specialists, neurologists, and life care planners to build a comprehensive picture of how the injury occurred and how it affects the victim’s life.

In Los Angeles, the legal principles of negligence and comparative fault govern these cases. This means a victim can still recover compensation even if they share some degree of responsibility for the accident. However, insurance companies frequently try to reduce or deny claims by disputing causation or the extent of injury. Having a seasoned personal injury lawyer can make the difference between partial compensation and a full recovery of damages.

Recoverable Damages in a Brain Injury Claim

A successful personal injury claim for a head or brain injury can provide compensation for both economic and non-economic losses, including:

Medical expenses for hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, and medication

Future medical care and in-home assistance

Lost wages and diminished earning capacity

Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life

Long-term disability and loss of consortium

Because the costs of treating a brain injury can extend over decades, it’s critical that any settlement or verdict accounts for the victim’s lifetime needs. Attorneys at Kosnett Law Firm work closely with medical professionals to project future costs and ensure clients are not left with financial burdens years down the road.

The Role of Expert Testimony

Brain injury cases often hinge on expert testimony. Neurologists and neuropsychologists can explain the medical mechanisms of injury and how they relate to observed symptoms. Economists and vocational experts can testify about lost earning potential and the economic impact of disability. Life care planners can describe the ongoing medical and personal care that the injured person will require.

This evidence helps establish both the cause of the injury and its lasting consequences, making expert support essential to a successful outcome.

Why You Need an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer

Brain injury cases are some of the most complex in personal injury law. They require not only a detailed understanding of medical science but also the ability to present technical evidence clearly and persuasively. Insurance companies are skilled at minimizing payouts, often suggesting that a victim’s symptoms are exaggerated or unrelated to the accident.

The attorneys at Kosnett Law Firm know how to counter these tactics. We investigate every aspect of the case, gather strong medical documentation, and present compelling evidence of the harm you have suffered. Our goal is to help you obtain the full compensation necessary to secure your medical treatment, financial stability, and quality of life.

Contact Kosnett Law Firm

If you or a loved one has suffered a head or brain injury in Los Angeles, you do not have to face the aftermath alone. Kosnett Law Firm provides compassionate, experienced representation for accident victims and their families. We fight to hold negligent parties accountable and to recover the compensation our clients need to move forward after life-changing injuries.

Contact us today for a free consultation. We will listen to your story, evaluate your case, and explain your options for pursuing justice and recovery.