Los Angeles Brain Injury Attorney
Over 25 Years of Experience · Over $100 Million Recovered
A traumatic brain injury can change every part of a person’s life — work, relationships, memory, mood. Bedford Law Group represents TBI victims across Los Angeles County, from mild concussions with lasting cognitive effects to catastrophic injuries requiring lifetime care. Your first consultation is free, and you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
How Common Are Traumatic Brain Injuries?
Traumatic brain injury is a leading cause of death and disability in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were approximately 214,110 TBI-related hospitalizations in 2020 and 69,473 TBI-related deaths in 2021. Many survivors live with permanent cognitive, physical, or emotional impairment.
Closed head injuries — where the skull is not penetrated — are the most common and often the most deceptive. Damage inside the skull can be severe even when external injuries are minor, which is why early medical evaluation matters.
Common Causes of Traumatic Brain Injury in Los Angeles
- Falls — the leading cause of TBI-related emergency visits, especially for older adults and young children.
- Motor vehicle crashes — the leading cause of TBI-related death for adults ages 15–44.
- Being struck by or against an object — common in construction, retail, and sports injuries.
- Assaults — including dog attacks and violent crimes.
- Premises liability — slip-and-fall incidents at stores, hotels, and restaurants.
Recognizing the Symptoms of a Brain Injury
Doctors classify TBI as mild, moderate, or severe. A concussion is a mild TBI and should never be dismissed: symptoms can emerge days or weeks after the incident, and repeated mild injuries have cumulative effects. The symptom pattern depends on which region of the brain was damaged.
Physical Symptoms
- Persistent headaches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Blurred vision, tinnitus
- Dizziness and fatigue
- Seizures
- Loss of muscle control or paralysis
- Loss of sensation
- Sleep disturbances
Cognitive Symptoms
- Impaired concentration
- Short- or long-term memory loss
- Reduced verbal fluency
- Difficulty with non-verbal communication
- Impaired problem-solving
- Slowed processing speed
Emotional & Behavioral Symptoms
- Mood swings
- Depression and anxiety
- Lowered self-esteem
- Irritability, agitation
- Personality changes
- Sexual dysfunction
Proving a TBI Claim in California
Insurance carriers routinely deny or undervalue brain injury claims because damage is frequently invisible on standard imaging. Proving a TBI typically requires a combination of:
- Advanced neuroimaging such as Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) or SPECT scans
- Formal neuropsychological testing by a qualified neuropsychologist
- Contemporaneous medical records showing onset and progression of symptoms
- Lay witness testimony from family and coworkers documenting behavioral changes
- Vocational assessment and forensic economic analysis of earning-capacity loss
Recoverable damages in a California TBI case typically include past and future medical expenses, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. In cases involving egregious conduct, punitive damages may also be available.
Talk to a Los Angeles Brain Injury Attorney — Free
Severe TBI cases involve years of medical care and life-altering financial consequences. We handle every injury and wrongful death case on a contingency basis: no fee unless we recover for you.
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Los Angeles Brain Injury Lawyer FAQs
How do I prove a TBI in California if my MRI or CT scan is normal?
Standard CT and MRI imaging frequently misses the microscopic axonal shearing that causes mild TBI symptoms. To establish a mild TBI, attorneys rely on Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI), SPECT scans, and formal neuropsychological evaluations that objectively document cognitive deficits.
free consultation with Los Angeles Brain Injury LawyerWhat is the average settlement for a severe brain injury in Los Angeles?
There is no reliable “average” — severe TBI outcomes vary widely based on liability strength, insurance policy limits, and projected future care costs. California places no cap on compensatory damages in standard personal injury cases, so settlement value is driven by a detailed Life Care Plan and lost-earning-capacity analysis.
free consultation with Los Angeles Brain Injury LawyerHow long do I have to file a brain injury claim in California?
Under California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1, you generally have two years from the date of injury. The Delayed Discovery Rule may extend that deadline if cognitive symptoms were not reasonably discoverable until later. Claims against public entities require a government tort claim within six months under Government Code § 911.2.
free consultation with Los Angeles Brain Injury LawyerCan my family claim compensation for personality changes after my head injury?
Yes. A spouse can file a Loss of Consortium claim for the loss of companionship, affection, and intimacy caused by the injury. The injured person’s own non-economic damages can reflect personality changes, depression, and loss of enjoyment of life.
free consultation with Los Angeles Brain Injury LawyerWhy do I need a specialized brain injury lawyer instead of a general personal injury attorney?
TBI cases require neurologists, neuropsychologists, vocational rehabilitation experts, life care planners, and forensic economists. A firm that handles TBI regularly already has those relationships and knows which defense tactics insurers use to minimize “invisible” injuries.
free consultation with Los Angeles Brain Injury LawyerWhat if I didn’t hit my head but still suffered a brain injury?
Direct head impact is not required. Sudden deceleration — common in rear-end collisions — can cause the brain to strike the interior of the skull (Coup-Contrecoup injury) or stretch nerve fibers (Diffuse Axonal Injury).
free consultation with Los Angeles Brain Injury LawyerWill my brain injury case go to trial in Los Angeles Superior Court?
Most cases settle, but insurers tend to undervalue TBI. We prepare every case for a Los Angeles jury; that posture typically produces stronger pre-trial settlement offers.
free consultation with Los Angeles Brain Injury LawyerCan I recover damages if I wasn’t wearing a helmet in a motorcycle accident?
Yes. California’s pure comparative negligence rule lets you recover even if partially at fault — your award is reduced by your percentage of fault. (Note: California Vehicle Code § 27803 still requires helmets.)
free consultation with Los Angeles Brain Injury LawyerWho pays for my neurological care while my lawsuit is ongoing?
Many California providers treat TBI patients on a medical lien, meaning they’re paid from the eventual settlement. This lets you access rehabilitation immediately without upfront cost.
free consultation with Los Angeles Brain Injury LawyerWhat damages are included in a Life Care Plan for a TBI victim?
A certified life care planner projects future surgeries, attendant care or assisted living, cognitive and speech therapy, prescriptions, home modifications, and adaptive transportation — priced at Los Angeles-area healthcare rates and adjusted for inflation.
free consultation with Los Angeles Brain Injury Lawyer
