San Bernardino Brain Injury Lawyer

Fighting for Victims of Traumatic Brain Injuries in Southern California

Have you or a loved one suffered a brain injury due to someone else’s negligence? If your injury was caused by a slip and fall, or other circumstances outside of your control, you may be able to bring a lawsuit against the at-fault party and receive compensation to cover your medical bills and other relevant expenses.

At Vetchtein Law, our San Bernardino brain injury lawyers, led by head attorney Robert Vetchtein, are available to provide prompt, comprehensive, and personalized legal attention tailored to your specific case and unique needs. Whether you have suffered a minor brain injury or are inquiring on behalf of a relative who is disabled for life, we will do whatever it takes to secure the fair and just compensation you and your family need and deserve.

On This Page

• What Kind of Brain Injury Cases Do We Handle?
• Common Causes of TBIs & Legal Liability
• Signs & Symptoms of a TBI

Our team is available 24/7 for all your legal needs. Call (888) 963-9999 or contact us online to set up a free consultation with a brain injury lawyer today. 

What Kind of Brain Injury Cases Do We Handle?

At Vetchtein Law, we focus primarily on instances of traumatic brain injury, also known as TBI. Traumatic brain injuries are those caused by an outside source, such as a blow to the head, as opposed to an internal issue, such as a stroke. A TBI can also be caused by a sudden jolt, such as whiplash during a car crash, or when an object penetrates the skull and enters the brain.

Our legal team is adept at navigating the complexities of different types of brain injuries, ensuring every possible avenue of compensation is explored. We handle cases involving different degrees of injury severity, from concussions to severe permanent disabilities. Our approach is to provide comprehensive representation that thoroughly examines the incident's details, exploring legal strategies that maximize recovery.

Examples of common TBIs include:

• Concussions: This is probably the most well-known type of TBI. Concussions are minor brain injuries that often heal with time and rest—however, if left untreated, or if more than one is sustained, serious problems can emerge. The effects may include headaches, memory loss, and problems with concentration.
• Coup-contrecoup: These brain injuries are caused when the brain moves in the skull due to a sudden jolt or impact, leading it to strike both the front and back of the skull. Coup-contrecoup injuries are common in car accidents as they can be caused by whiplash or one’s head striking an object, such as a steering wheel.
• Diffuse Axonal Injury: A DAI results when the head moves so violently that tears form in the connections of the brain to the spinal cord. These tears can be microscopic, resulting in a mild injury, or quite large, causing serious, lifelong effects—if not death.

Common Causes of TBIs & Legal Liability

Because traumatic brain injuries are caused by an outside force, often a person or entity can be identified as being at fault for the accident, and therefore can be held legally liable for damages.

Some of the leading causes of traumatic brain injury in the United States include:

• Traffic accidents
• Construction and other work accidents
• Nursing home neglect and abuse
• Diving and pool accidents
• Slip and fall accidents
• Acts of violence
• Sports injuries

For example, if you suffered a coup-contrecoup brain injury because you were involved in a car accident caused by a distracted driver, you can bring a lawsuit against them. If their negligence can be proved, the driver and their auto insurance company will be responsible for your accident-related expenses.

Signs & Symptoms of a TBI

Traumatic brain injuries can be difficult to detect. A victim may be too disoriented to realize they have been hurt or the effects too minor for them to even notice anything. This is why it is important to know the symptoms of a TBI. Since the brain is affected, signs of a TBI may manifest in physical, emotional, or cognitive ways in a victim—or even all three. Typically, the more severe the symptoms, the more severe the TBI.

Physical symptoms of a TBI may include:

• Loss of consciousness
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fatigue
• Difficulty sleeping
• Sleeping more than usual
• Sensitivity to light and sound
• Weakness or numbness in fingers and toes
• Convulsions or seizures
• Clear fluid draining from nose or ears

Emotional symptoms that may signal a TBI can include:

• Mood swings
• Changes in behavior
• Feelings of depression or anxiety

Cognitive symptoms include:

• Trouble retaining new information
• Memory problems
• Slurred speech

If you or a loved one has recently been involved in a slip and fall, motor vehicle crash, or another accident that may have caused a blow or jolt to the head, it is best to visit a doctor right away. A trained medical professional can assess the damage and determine if you have suffered a TBI better than you can and at far less risk. If you wait too long before seeking medical treatment, the injury could get worse over time. Fortunately, many mild to moderate TBIs can heal mostly or entirely over time and even severe TBIs may be effectively treated.

Call Our Brain Injury Lawyers Now!

At Vetchtein Law, our experienced team of San Bernardino brain injury lawyers understands the complexities and challenges of such injuries and how to obtain the compensation you deserve. The long-term effects of a TBI often incur expensive medical costs for the remainder of the victim’s life, but even the short-term effects of a TBI can be costly. We will fight to secure the funds you need to pay for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other relevant expenses now and into the future.

Contact us now to book your free, no-obligation case evaluation. Call (888) 963-9999 today!

Frequently Asked Questions About Brain Injury Claims

How is Negligence Proven in a Brain Injury Claim?

Proving negligence in a brain injury claim involves establishing that the defendant owed the plaintiff a duty of care, the duty was breached through action or inaction, and the breach directly caused the injury. This process often requires collecting substantial evidence, such as accident reports, witness testimonies, and evaluations of the circumstances surrounding the injury. For brain injury claims in San Bernardino, local accident scene conditions, traffic patterns, and weather details may also play a role in demonstrating negligence. At Vetchtein Law, we leverage our in-depth knowledge of Southern California's specific conditions to build strong emotional and factual narratives that underscore the defendant's negligence. This evidence-driven approach is critical in influencing favorable outcomes for our clients.

What Compensation Can I Seek in a Brain Injury Claim?

Victims of brain injuries can seek several types of compensation, including coverage for medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, and in some cases, pain and suffering. The compensation amount may also factor in future medical needs and potential impacts on the victim's lifestyle and earning capacity. In San Bernardino, these compensation claims often consider local medical costs and economic conditions, which may differ from state averages. Working with skilled lawyers like those at Vetchtein Law ensures that all potential compensable losses are effectively presented and pursued. Our detailed negotiation and litigation strategies aim to secure comprehensive financial relief tailored to each client's unique circumstances.

How Long Does a Brain Injury Claim Take?

The duration of a brain injury claim process can vary greatly depending on the complexity of the case, the amount of evidence required, and whether the claim settles out of court or goes to trial. Generally, claims that do not reach a quick settlement could extend over a year or more, especially if liability is contested or if the claim involves substantial damages. The legal process in San Bernardino must also account for the local court schedules and backlogs, which can influence timelines. At Vetchtein Law, we commit to handling each case with due diligence and timely action, keeping our clients informed throughout the process to ease their journey through the legal landscape.