Orange County Brain Injury Lawyers

Experienced Attorneys Fighting for TBI Victims in Southern California, Including the Irvine, Dana Point, and Orange County Areas

Suffering a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a life-changing experience. Scientists are continuing to research the long-term effects of brain injuries, but current research shows that even less severe brain injuries can have lasting consequences over time. As a result, if you or a loved one has suffered any brain injury in a vehicle collision or other type of accident, it is critical to make sure that you recover the compensation that you deserve. This is especially true if someone else’s negligence caused the injury.

A skilled and experienced Orange County brain injury lawyer can assess your situation, explain your legal options, and estimate what your case might be worth. The more information you have, the better prepared you’ll be.

Why Choose Us as Your Brain Injury Lawyer?

Choosing the right legal representation is crucial when dealing with the aftermath of a brain injury. Our commitment to excellence and client satisfaction sets us apart, and here’s why you should trust us with your brain injury case:

1. Experience and Expertise

With over 40 years of combined litigation experience, Neale & Fhima has established itself as a trusted advocate for brain injury victims and their families throughout Southern California. Our legal team possesses in-depth knowledge of brain injury law and has successfully recovered millions of dollars in compensation for our client’s losses. Our firm, led by Attorney Aaron Fhima, has a proven track record of excellence in handling complex brain injury cases.

2. Aggressive Representation

We take a thorough, aggressive, and personal approach to representing our clients. Our TBI lawyers leave no stone unturned in investigating the circumstances surrounding your brain injury, gathering compelling evidence, and building a strong case for maximum compensation. Whether through negotiation or litigation, we relentlessly pursue justice on your behalf.

3. Proven Track Record

Attorney Aaron Fhima boasts an exceptional legal track record, with a history of successful outcomes in brain injury cases. Neale & Fhima is proud of our outstanding record of success in winning cases and securing favorable settlements for our clients. You can trust our firm to deliver results and advocate vigorously for your rights and interests.

4. Personalized Attention

Every brain injury case is unique, and we treat it as such. We take the time to understand the full impact of your injury on your life, both now and in the future. By providing personalized attention and crafting customized legal strategies, we aim to secure the compensation you need to rebuild your life and cover all necessary medical and rehabilitative treatments.

How Our Brain Injury Lawyers Can Help

Our brain injury attorneys are experienced in helping victims navigate an often-complicated legal system. We understand that it can feel overwhelming, and our Orange County brain injury lawyer will walk beside you every step of the way. You don’t ever have to feel alone. Following are the ways we can help. We will:

• Explain your legal rights and your options for compensation
• Interview injury witnesses
• Review and analyze police reports, if applicable
• Gather evidence
• Conduct an accident scene investigation
• Hire expert witnesses, if needed
• Construct a powerful and convincing lawsuit
• File all motions and documents with the court
• Use medical tests and treatment plans to prove your injuries
• Negotiate aggressively with insurance companies on your behalf
• Argue your case in front of a judge and jury, if required.

At Neale & Fhima, our skilled personal injury attorneys will fight to get your best payout possible. Call us at 888-559-4904.

Common Causes Of Brain Injuries

Brain injuries can stem from various sources, often resulting from a blow to the head or another form of significant trauma to the head or body. The extent of such injuries varies based on factors like the force of impact and the nature of the trauma itself. Some common events leading to traumatic brain injuries include:

• Falls: Whether from a bed, ladder, stairs, bathroom, or slips in stores, falls rank as the primary cause of brain injuries, particularly among older adults and children.
• Vehicle accidents: Traffic collisions are a leading contributor to traumatic brain injuries, involving incidents between vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles, and pedestrians.
• Sports injuries: Many high-impact sports like football, basketball, boxing, skateboarding, and hockey frequently result in severe head injuries, especially among younger individuals.
• Violence: Acts of violence such as child abuse, domestic violence, assaults, and gunshot wounds often lead to traumatic brain injuries. Shaken baby syndrome, resulting from the violent shaking of an infant by adults, stands as a significant cause of such injuries among infants.

FAQs: Answers From an Orange County Brain Injury Attorney

We’ve represented hundreds of victims over the years, and our Orange County brain injury attorney understands your questions. Following are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.

What if I’m reluctant to file a claim because I’m not the suing kind?

It’s important to remember that you’ll be suing someone’s insurance company, not suing a person to get revenge. The purpose of insurance companies is to provide financial protection for individuals and/or businesses. That’s why insurance exists. We encourage clients to think of a lawsuit as a way of ensuring that medical bills are paid and that an injured person and their family have financial resources to live on in the future.

How long does a brain injury claim take?

Every case is different, so there is no “average” amount of time a brain injury case can take to resolve. Generally, settling a case takes much less time than taking a case to trial. Sometimes, a settlement can be achieved within months, or it could take a year or longer to resolve your case.

Will I have to testify in court?

The vast majority of brain injury cases are settled before a case goes to trial. Only a fraction wind up in front of a judge and jury. However, if a defendant does not negotiate in good faith, you may be forced to go to court to get your entitled money. If so, you will probably have to testify, but your Orange County brain injury attorney will prepare you and be close at hand.

What if the accident that caused the injury was partially my fault?

California follows a “pure comparative negligence” rule in shared fault injury cases. This means that the compensation you’re entitled to receive will be reduced by a percentage representing your portion of fault for the accident. For example, let’s say you are injured in a car accident, and it’s essential to consult with an experienced car accident lawyer to navigate this complex legal process. You drove 10 miles per hour over the speed limit when a truck ran a red light and smashed into your vehicle. A judge could find that you were 15% responsible for the accident (because you were speeding), and your truck accident lawyer could argue that the truck driver was 85% at fault. If the total payout was $600,000, you would receive $510,000 (less 15%, or $90,000). An Orange County brain injury lawyer can explain pure comparative negligence in greater detail.

Should I talk to an insurance representative if they visit my home?

It’s best not to talk to an insurance representative or to say as little as possible to an insurance representative until after you’ve hired an attorney to represent you. That way, your lawyer can handle all communication on your behalf. Sometimes, insurance representatives will work overtime to get you to accept a settlement amount that is significantly less than what you’re entitled to, even showing up at your house with a check. Do not accept or cash any check without speaking to your Orange County brain injury lawyer first.

If you have additional questions about your unique situation, call our Orange County brain injury lawyer for a free consultation at 888-559-4904.

Brain Injury Cases We Handle

We represent clients who have suffered traumatic brain injuries in all types of accidents – including falls and auto accidents, which are two of the leading causes of TBI. Our experienced attorneys for slip and fall incidents are here to help you navigate the legal complexities of such cases. Our Orange County brain injury attorneys handle cases involving closed and open head injuries, including:

Concussion

Concussions are among the most common types of traumatic brain injuries and can result from a direct blow to the head, violent shaking, or whiplash. Concussion victims may or may not lose consciousness, and individuals who experience severe concussions often face lasting consequences. Suffering a concussion can put you at increased risk for other brain injuries and complications, as well.

Contusion (Brain Bruise)

A contusion is a bruise that leads to bleeding in the brain and most commonly results from a direct blunt-force impact. In severe cases, contusions may need to be surgically removed.

Diffuse Axonal Injury

A diffuse axonal injury is a type of TBI involving nerve tissue tearing in the brain. This tearing disrupts the brain’s regular processes and can release unexpected chemicals, leading to other serious types of brain injuries. In the most severe cases, diffuse axonal injuries can cause death.

Hematoma

Subdural, epidural, and intraparenchymal hematomas occur when the brain slams against the skull’s interior, usually because of a blow to the head or a sudden stop in head movement (as occurs with whiplash). Hematoma patients also frequently require surgery.

Penetrating Brain Injury

A penetrating brain injury (also called an “open” brain injury) occurs when an object – such as a bullet, knife, or metal shard – pierces the skull. Penetrating brain injuries are among the most dangerous forms of TBI because foreign objects entering the skull can cause damage to structures and systems throughout the brain.

Compensation Available for Traumatic Brain Injuries

Victims of TBI often suffer substantial losses. This includes not only the immediate financial losses – mounting medical bills and falling behind on credit card and other payments while you are in the hospital – but a wide variety of long-term effects as well. In traumatic brain injury cases, we frequently help victims recover compensation for the following types of losses:

Medical Expenses

• Emergency room treatment
• Hospital stays
• Surgery
• Prescription medications
• Follow-up doctor visits
• Rehabilitative therapy
• Psychiatric or psychological care

Other Financial Losses

• Lost wages while you are receiving treatment
• Lost future earning capacity if you are unable to return to work
• The need to hire help for household chores

Emotional and Other Non-Financial Losses

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of consortium

Most people do not understand the full impact that a brain injury can have on their lives. As a result, they don’t exercise their legal rights. They accept minimal settlements from the insurance companies, not realizing that their total losses will be far greater than the amount they have recovered. Don’t make this mistake. Contact Neale & Fhima today so that we can pursue full financial compensation for your TBI-related losses.

How to Prove Liability in a TBI in Orange County

You must establish how those damages occurred to obtain compensation for damages. Succeeding with your brain injury claim in Orange County hinges on demonstrating precisely how your injury transpired and pinpointing the responsible party or parties.

Your traumatic brain injury (TBI) attorney in California can assist in gathering both physical and digital evidence, as well as witness testimony, to help establish fault. Additionally, they play a crucial role in substantiating the full extent of your claimable losses. You can file your claim once the party responsible for your injury is identified. Multiple defendants can share fault in a personal injury case; in some instances, the plaintiff may also bear partial responsibility.

Statute of Limitations for a Brain Injury Claim

The statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim (including traumatic brain injury) is two years in the state of California. (California Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1.) The clock starts on the day the injury occurred. If the injury was not discovered promptly, the deadline for filing a lawsuit is one year from the date the injury was discovered. For a wrongful death claim, the statute of limitations is two years from the date the person died — in some cases, this could be weeks or months after the injury occurred. It’s important to file your lawsuit before the deadline. If you don’t, a judge can dismiss your case, and you will have no way to recover financial damages. Time is of the essence!

Don’t delay. Contact a skilled Orange County brain injury lawyer today. The sooner you file your claim, the sooner you can receive financial compensation.

Schedule a Free Brain Injury Consultation with a Brain Injury Attorney Today

If you want to speak with an Orange County brain injury attorney about enforcing your legal rights, we invite you to contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation. At Neale & Fhima, we fight hard to get the maximum payout possible for every client.

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