Brain stem injuries can be devastating. An injury to the brain stem can inflict tremendous pain and even leave you with a disability. The most severe injuries can be fatal. If you or someone you love has suffered a brain injury in a San Diego accident, you have the right to take legal action. Filing a personal injury lawsuit can help you to recover the money you need and deserve.
At Injury Trial Lawyers, APC we are here to help you navigate your case and maximize your award. Call San Diego injury lawyer Richard Morse III today to schedule your free case evaluation.
Brain Stem Injuries Overview
Any traumatic brain injury can do a lot of damage. Injuries to the brain stem tend to be particularly severe. The brain stem, which is only 3 inches long, connects the brain with the spinal cord. Thanks to the brain stem, different parts of the body are able to communicate with the brain. If the brain stem becomes injured, the body’s internal communication system is put in jeopardy. As a result, injuries to the brain stem can have severe and long-lasting consequences.
Function of the Brain Stem
The brain stem is actually made up of three different parts: the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata. Each section of the brain stem is primarily responsible for a different function. Some functions may overlap.
Midbrain: The midbrain is responsible for:
- Relaying signals related to vision, hearing, and motor function; and
- Regulating autonomic body functions, including heart rate, breathing, and digestion. Autonomic functions are those that occur without thought.
Pons: The pons is responsible for:
- Regulating breathing rate; and
- Relaying signals related to hearing, balance, taste, and sleep.
Medulla Oblongata: The medulla oblongata is responsible for:
- Regulating heart rate, blood pressure, and other autonomic functions
- Relaying signals related to reflexes, coughing, sneezing, swallowing, and sweating.
The extent and type of brain stem injury that a person suffers will often depend on which part of the brain stem is damaged.
Symptoms of a Brain Stem Injury
The brain stem is a vital component of the body’s communication system. It relays signals to and from the brain, and is chiefly responsible for regulating involuntary bodily functions. When the brain stem becomes damaged or injured, the consequences can be dire. Signs and symptoms of a brain stem injury can include:
- Dizziness
- Slurred speech
- Nausea or vomiting
- Impaired vision or nystagmus
- Insomnia
- Balance issues
- Difficulty performing basic tasks (e.g., eating, drinking, bathing, typing, swallowing)
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Decreased motor function
- Paralysis, or
- Coma.
It is important to seek medical attention immediately if you experience any of the signs or symptoms of a brain stem injury.
Causes of Brain Stem Injuries in San Diego
The brain stem is only 3 inches long, but it plays a big role in our lives. The brain stem can become injured if you are involved in a traumatic incident. Damage can occur if the brain stem becomes compressed, twisted, or suffers blunt force trauma. In San Diego, commonly reported causes of brain stem injuries include:
- Falls
- Assault
- Car accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Truck accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bike accidents
- Construction accidents
- Elder abuse, and more.
Have you been involved in a San Diego accident and suffered a brain stem injury? Call Injury Trial Lawyers for help. We can help you recover the money you need after your accident. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means that we don’t get paid until we recover money on your behalf.
Recovering Compensation For Your San Diego Brain Stem Injury
The cost of a brain stem injury can be overwhelming. In the weeks alone after your accident, you may be faced with thousands of dollars in medical bills. Over the course of your lifetime, the cost of your brain stem injury can range from between 5 and 15 million dollars. That’s a lot of money for an unexpected injury. Most Americans don’t have enough saved away to cover a $500 emergency, let alone a million dollar emergency. Fortunately, you have the right to file a lawsuit against the person who is responsible for your injury.
At Injury Trial Lawyers, we will aggressively pursue compensation on your behalf. We will seek both economic and non-economic damages, including those for:
- Hospitalization
- Medical expenses
- Necessary home-alterations to accommodate disability
- Therapy and rehabilitation
- Nursing care
- Property damage
- Lost wages and disability
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement
- Emotional distress
- Embarrassment, and
- Loss of enjoyment of life.
We are here to help you get the money you deserve. Our careful and thorough investigation into your accident will allow us to create a persuasive argument for damages. Call us today to get started on your personal injury case.
Shared Fault For Your Brain Stem Injury
Do you share some of the blame for the accident that caused your brain stem injury? Don’t worry. You can still recover compensation as long as someone else is also at fault. In California, anyone who contributes to an accident can be on the hook for damages. However, fault can also reduce the amount of money you can recover. Your recovery will be reduced by whatever percentage of fault you share. So, if you are 50 percent to blame, you can only recover 50 percent of your damages. Fault can also make you responsible for some of another victim’s damages. If you share fault, it’s important to hire an attorney to handle your case.
At Injury Trial Lawyers, APC we will investigate your accident to:
- Determine all causes, and
- Identify anyone who is to blame.
In our investigation, we will uncover evidence that shifts blame away from you and onto others. The less fault you share, the more money you’ll be able to get.
Call Our San Diego Brain Stem Injury Attorneys
Have you or someone you love suffered a brain stem injury in a San Diego accident? If so, you may have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, you only have a short period of time to act. The statute of limitations for personal injury cases is only two years. If you don’t file your claim on time, you won’t be able to get the money you deserve. Take action today and call our San Diego brain stem injury lawyers for help.