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 type of 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 the injury was caused by someone else’s negligence.

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?

At Neale & Fhima, we bring more than 40 years of litigation experience to fighting for brain injury victims and their families in Southern California. We have recovered millions of dollars for our clients’ losses; and < a href="/about-us/">our legal team will impress you with their compassion and professionalism. If someone else is to blame for your or your loved one’s injury, we will fight to recover maximum compensation for your losses. We take a thorough, aggressive, and personal approach to representing our clients, and we want to make sure you have the money needed for a meaningful life after your traumatic brain injury. Attorney Aaron Fhima has an exceptionally great legal track record, and Neale & Fhima is proud of our outstanding record of success in winning cases.

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:

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

At Neale & Fhima, our skilled personal injury attorneys will fight to get the highest payout possible in your case. Call us at 888-407-2955.
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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 the questions you may have. 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 just 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 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 that a brain injury case can take to reach a resolution. 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. To get a better estimate of the time involved in your unique situation, talk to an Orange County brain injury lawyer.

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 the money you’re entitled to. 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 amount of compensation you’re entitled to receive will be reduced by a percentage that represents 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 were driving 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 the truck accident lawyer could argue that the truck driver was 85% at fault. If the total payout was $600,000, then you would receive $510,000 (the total 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 come to 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, feel free to call our Orange County brain injury lawyer for a free consultation at 888-407-2955.

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 attorney 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 Anoxal Injury – A diffuse anoxal injury is a type of TBI that involves tearing of nerve tissue 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 anoxal injuries can cause death.
• Hematoma – Subdural, epidural, and intraparenchymal hematomas occur when the brain slams against the interior of the skull, 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 life. As a result, they don’t exercise their legal rights; or, they accept minimal settlements from the insurance companies, while not realizing that their total losses will be far greater than the amount that 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.

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, then 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!

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

If you would like 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. To find out if you have a claim and learn how much you may be entitled to recover for your losses, call 888-407-2955 or contact our attorneys online today.

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Client Testimonial

”Aaron went above and beyond to advise me and help me come up with a plan of attack to resolve the issues I was experiencing and arrive at a more than satisfactory outcome. I could always count on him for sound advice. After working with him I now know why he was recommended to me.” – W Cole (Google Review)