Brain Injury Lawyer Archives - The Beliz Law Firm

What Can I Expect from My Traumatic Brain Injury Settlement in California?

Jul 29, 2022 | By Michael Beliz | Read Time: 4 minutes

Overview of TBI Lawsuit Settlements in California Traumatic brain injuries can uproot lives. Depending on the severity of the injury, they can result in days, weeks, months, or, in severe cases, years of rehab or hospital stays. Accident victims must wrestle with the financial, social, and psychological cost of the event. While they juggle medical bills and presenting to various medical providers, they must also heal physically and mentally. For those wondering, What can I expect from my traumatic brain injury settlement in California? contacting an experienced attorney is your best bet for understanding your legal options. Because California personal injury claims can have a short statute of limitations, involving an attorney early on is critical. If you file your claim after the legal deadline passes, you may be barred from bringing the claim at all, but exceptions may apply. An experienced brain injury lawyer can help you find out if you have a valid claim. They can also help you meet your deadline by filing a claim or lawsuit on your behalf. How Can I Get a Fair Traumatic Brain Injury Settlement in California? Filing a traumatic brain injury lawsuit may sound daunting, but it can be necessary for victims and their families to get the compensation they deserve. A fair settlement for a traumatic brain injury takes into consideration the past, current, and future costs of the accident and your injury. Compensation might include reimbursement for medical expenses, lost wages, and rehabilitation services for both past and future costs. Additionally, you may be eligible to receive money for your pain and suffering. While nothing can turn back the clock, a financial award can help to alleviate your burden, so you can continue on your healing journey. Often, insurance companies contact victims to try to persuade them to accept quick-fix traumatic brain injury settlement offers. The insurance company may even tell the victim that this is the best offer that they can give. Oftentimes, this is not the case. The insurance companies’ goals are to resolve the case as quickly as possible and for as low as possible. At the end of the day, their bottom line is top of their mind. Your best defense against these tactics is having an experienced lawyer that you trust. Your TBI lawyer performs many vital functions. They serve as your advocate, protector, and legal counselor. They work for you and your best interests—not for the insurance company. Michael Beliz at The Beliz Law Firm has helped hundreds of clients successfully maximize their personal injury settlement. Michael founded The Beliz Law Firm with the express purpose of enriching the community and helping personal injury victims recover. A fierce legal advocate, he’s who you want on your side. What Happens During Settlement Negotiations? TBI settlement negotiations typically begin with your attorney sending a demand to the at-fault party’s insurance company outlining the liability, your damages, and the details of your brain injury. The insurance company may then send you an offer. Many insurance companies also perform their own investigation into what happened. Investigators and insurance adjusters review the evidence, check the policy limits, and calculate their estimate of the accident and your injuries. Based on this, they submit to you an amount of money that they say is fair under the circumstances. Best practice after receiving a TBI settlement offer from an insurance company is to talk to an attorney. The attorney can review your case, the evidence, and the law to decide what they believe a fair settlement offer is. From there, they talk to you about your legal options and work with you to propose a counteroffer. Ideally, the back and forth continues until everyone agrees on a settlement offer. In some cases, however, the parties can’t reach an agreement out of court. In that situation, filing a traumatic brain injury lawsuit and going to trial may be your best option. A brain injury lawyer can file the lawsuit on your behalf and gather additional evidence needed to prove your case. What Happens If My Case Goes to Trial? If your case goes to trial, then a brain injury lawyer can represent you in court. In the months—or, sometimes, years—before trial, the parties engage in activities like discovery. During discovery, both sides ask the other side for key information about the accident, such as medical records, financial statements, and other important documentation. The parties use this information to prove their case (or disprove the opposing party’s case). During discovery, the parties may also interview witnesses outside of court (called a deposition). Discovery is a long but crucial process, paving the way to trial. In some cases, parties agree to settle the case after they complete the discovery process. At trial, both parties present their case to the jury (if a jury trial) or the judge (if a bench trial). They may call their witnesses to the stand and question the opponent’s witnesses. After both sides present evidence at trial, they give a closing argument. After this occurs, the jury (or judge, if a bench trial) considers the evidence, law, and arguments for each side. Then, they issue a decision. If the losing party does not agree with the decision that the jury or judge made, then they may be able to appeal. The Beliz Law Firm Understands Your Hurt and Wants to Help Suffering from a traumatic brain injury can take an immense toll on you and your family. At The Beliz Law Firm, we understand the pain endured by TBI victims and their families. We live to serve our clients—to help them heal and recover the compensation they need to move on. Michael Beliz lives and serves the public in Long Beach, California. For over a decade, The Beliz Law Firm has provided clients with small firm attention and big firm results. We take pride in treating our clients like people, not dollar signs. We regularly give back to the community because we care and want to make it a better...

Brain Injury Lawyer

Difficulties in Dealing with Brain Damage from a Car Accident

May 18, 2018 | By Michael Beliz | Read Time: 3 minutes

The sheer force created by a car collision can leave devastating injuries such as broken bones and spinal cord damage. However, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are another injury that can forever change a victim’s life. If you or a loved one has suffered a severe TBI, you might face years of rehabilitation that can cost tens of thousands of dollars—or more. To see what compensation is available, please reach out to a Long Beach car accident lawyer today. Complications from Moderate and Severe TBIs Unlike a concussion, which is a mild TBI, moderate and severe TBIs often do not clear up in a couple of weeks. Instead, victims deal with significant symptoms for months or years later. For example, you might experience the following: Cognitive impairment. Victims struggle to process information and problem solve. Memory problems. In particular, short-term memory is often affected. Impaired communication. Those with severe TBIs often struggle to speak or to understand the language of other people. Diminished mobility. You might experience weakness in your limbs and problems with balance, coordination, or movement. Sensory deficits. Victims might experience a decline in their ability to see, hear, touch, taste, or smell. Physical pain. Patients can suffer from headaches for years after a collision. Emotional or behavioral changes. Patients might become more irritable or struggle to control anger. They also can experience mood swings. The precise symptoms you suffer will depend on the severity of the TBI and the part of the brain that has been affected. Treatment and Rehabilitation In the immediate aftermath of a traumatic injury, the focus will be on stabilizing the patient. You might have to spend time in the hospital where doctors can help you breathe and also monitor your vital signs. If your skull was a fracture, or if you develop blood clots or bleeding, then you might need to have surgery. Once stabilized, victims undergo an assessment to gauge how the TBI has impaired them. Generally, doctors only treat the symptoms associated with the TBI. For example, you might participate in rehabilitation to recover functioning: Speech therapy can help you relearn how to talk and how to understand other people speaking. Physical therapy can increase strength and mobility. Occupational therapy can teach the tasks of daily living, such as bathing and cooking. Behavioral therapy helps manage mood swings and negative emotions. Family members, along with their injured loved one, might also benefit from meeting with a support group. These groups, comprised of other TBI patients and family members, can serve as a welcome sounding board for complaints and fears about living with the brain injury. Injured in an Accident? Contact a Long Beach Brain Injury Lawyer Many victims of severe TBI are permanently disabled and unable to work. They might also need an at-home aid or attendant to take care of them, which will cost thousands of dollars a month. TBI victims and their families should seek financial compensation if someone else is at least partly to blame for the injury. If successful, you can receive compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. To check whether you have a case, meet with a Long Beach brain injury lawyer at the Beliz Law Firm. Call 562-452-3772 or submit our contact form. Initial consultations are free.

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Recognizing a Traumatic Brain Injury

Mar 8, 2018 | By Michael Beliz | Read Time: 2 minutes

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) results when there is a severe bump, blow or jolt to the head that disrupts normal brain functioning, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The injury to the brain might only be temporary, or it could cause permanent damage or even death. TBIs are a major problem in the United States. In 2013, there were 2.8 million TBI-related emergency visits, hospitalizations, and deaths, according to the CDC. In fact, TBIs contribute to almost one-third of all injury deaths. Anyone injured in a car accident, injured while playing contact sports like football, or injured in a bad fall could be at risk of a TBI. A TBI-related death might happen years after the injury, which is why it’s important to be aware of the symptoms. In addition, if you have sustained a TBI due to someone else’s negligence and show any signs of the symptoms below, it is imperative that you reach out to an attorney who can help you file a personal injury claim to recover the compensation that you deserve. Symptoms of a TBI The symptoms of a traumatic brain injury depend on its severity. These are some of the signs and symptoms of a mild TBI, according to the Mayo Clinic: Losing consciousness for a few seconds or minutes; Confusion or disorientation; Headache; Nausea or vomiting; Feeling fatigued or drowsy; Difficulty speaking; Insomnia or sleeping more than usual; Dizziness or balance issues; Blurred vision; Ringing sensation in the ears; Difficulty focusing; Light sensitivity; and Feeling depressed or anxious. The signs and symptoms of a moderate or severe TBI can include any of the symptoms described above, in addition to: Loss of consciousness for several minutes or hours; Coma; Persistent or worsening headaches; Seizures; Weakness or numbness in the fingers and toes; Pupil dilation; Slurred speech; Unusual behavior like combativeness; and Profound confusion. Seek medical attention immediately if you or a loved one experience any of these symptoms after receiving a blow to the head. Keep in mind that these are not the only signs of a TBI, so watch out for any unusual behavior or symptoms. Contact Us Today for Assistance Recovering from a TBI can be a truly difficult process, and often requires consistent medical care. As such, victims of a TBI due to someone else’s negligence may be faced with piling medical bills and other related costs, and may even be unable to work for a period of time. In this situation, it is best to reach out to a skilled legal professional for help filing a personal injury case. Contact our office in Long Beach, California, for a free consultation if you sustained a traumatic brain injury because of another person’s negligence. Our personal injury attorneys will help you recover compensation for past and future medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related damages.

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Treatment for a Brain Injury from a Car Accident

Oct 16, 2017 | By Michael Beliz | Read Time: 3 minutes

What Should You Do if You Suspect a Brain Injury from a Car Accident? Most brain injuries stem from car crashes. They are typically caused by force, such as the skull hitting the windshield, steering wheel upon impact, or the back of the headrest. The brain may continue to move inside the head even after the impact. This can cause internal bruising or bleeding. A brain injury can occur with or without the presence of an open wound. Brain injuries may not heal quickly. They may require various forms of treatment for many years—even for the rest of the victim’s life. Read on to learn more about the types of treatment often required for brain injuries. Initial Treatment Immediately following the accident, the victim will most likely be given a series of tests to estimate the severity of the injury. Based on the category the victim falls in, the victim will need to begin treatment for resuscitation and stabilization. This treatment may range from immediate surgery to relieve the pressure to rest and relaxation within a dark room until the symptoms subside. The more severe the brain injury, the more attention the victim will receive from medical professionals in the beginning. Rehabilitative Treatment The next level of care requires rehabilitation. This is the most important stage of the recovery process. On a very severe case, once the patient regains consciousness, they will move to a facility to help regain physical and mental function. Less serious cases, the victim will do their resting at home and do outpatient treatments. Either way, medical professionals will assist with safety and daily therapy. This includes appointments with neurologist, neuropsychologist, and neuropsychiatrist, in addition to diagnostic exams like MRI and CT-scan. Physical therapy may be used to restore balance, posture, and strength. Mental tests like problem-solving, puzzles, and word games may be helpful in stimulating the brain functions. In many cases, victims will have to adapt to an altered lifestyle. Medical professionals will help in this regard. They will also focus on health and nutrition, ensuring optimal care of the patient. On a serious brain injury case, there is also a focus on preparing the victim to return to the home. This will involve helping him or her with daily skills such as transferring in and out of bed, eating, getting dressed and personal hygiene. The victim will also need to redevelop life skills. Thing like grocery shopping, banking, and budgeting will be crucial. Hopefully, then they can return to the workforce. Ongoing Treatment Treatment may likely continue for many years or even the rest of the victim’s life. It can take many months or years to see an optimal recovery. Frequent doctor appointments are necessary to assess the victim’s health. They also ensure there are no secondary complications from the brain injury. The victim may require multiple medications and physical therapy on a daily basis to help with physical and mental issues caused by the brain injury. Get Compensation for Your Brain Injury Brain injuries can be life-threatening. Those who survive often require lifelong medical care. This can cost hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars. If you suffered a brain injury as a result of a serious car accident, it’s important to understand your legal rights. Then, you can recover the compensation you need to pay for your expenses. The Long Beach car accident lawyers at The Beliz Law Firm can assess your case and help you recover the compensation you deserve. Contact us and schedule a consultation by calling

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