Los Angeles Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyers

How Are TBIs Caused?

Traumatic brain injury can happen when an external, blunt force causes the brain to collide with the skull at high acceleration. Most brain injuries are caused by a physical blow to the head, such as those caused by falls, car accidents, and attacks. Sports injuries may also result in mild TBI.

Moreover, the organic injury often causes secondary injuries (or events occurring within minutes and days following the incident). These various complications, which can include variations in cerebral blood flow and relative pressures within the cranium, contribute substantially to the damage from the initial trauma.

Brain Injuries Caused by Defective Products

Brain injuries caused by defective products can result from a variety of consumer goods, industrial equipment, medical devices, or other products that fail to perform safely and effectively as intended. Here are some examples of scenarios where defective products can lead to brain injuries:

• Defective helmets: Helmets designed for sports, cycling, motorcycling, or construction work that fail to provide adequate protection during an impact can result in traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) or concussions.
• Faulty car safety features: Defective airbags, seat belts, or other automotive safety features that fail to deploy correctly during a collision can lead to severe head injuries, including brain trauma.
• Unsafe toys and children's products: Toys and children's products that pose choking hazards, contain toxic materials, or have parts that can break off and cause injury can result in brain injuries, especially in young children.
• Malfunctioning medical devices: Medical devices such as brain stents, shunts, or surgical instruments that fail or malfunction during use can cause brain injuries, including strokes, hemorrhages, or infections.
• Defective machinery and tools: Industrial machinery, power tools, or construction equipment with design flaws or manufacturing defects can cause accidents leading to head trauma and brain injuries for workers.
• Dangerous electronics: Defective consumer electronics, such as exploding batteries in smartphones or tablets, can cause head injuries and burns that may lead to brain damage.
• Unsafe recreational equipment: Recreational equipment like trampolines, amusement park rides, or exercise machines that are improperly designed or constructed can result in falls or impacts causing brain injuries.
• Faulty sporting equipment: Sports equipment such as bats, balls, or nets that break or malfunction during use can cause traumatic impacts to the head, leading to brain injuries.
• Household appliances: Defective household appliances like ceiling fans, kitchen appliances, or garage doors that malfunction can lead to head injuries and potential brain damage.

When a brain injury is caused by a defective product, the injured party may have grounds to file a product liability claim against the manufacturer, distributor, retailer, or other parties involved in the product's supply chain. Product liability claims typically fall into three categories:

• Design defects: Claims based on flaws in the product's design that make it inherently dangerous.
• Manufacturing defects: Claims based on errors or issues that occur during the production or assembly of the product.
• Marketing defects (failure to warn): Claims based on inadequate instructions, warnings, or labeling that fail to inform consumers of potential risks.

To pursue a product liability claim, the injured party must typically prove that the product was defective, the defect caused the injury, and the product was being used as intended or in a reasonably foreseeable manner. Consulting with an experienced brain injury lawyer in Los Angeles can help victims navigate the legal process, gather necessary evidence, and seek compensation for their injuries, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.

No matter how severe the traumatic brain injury, an individual can suffer from side effects that may cause permanent damage. 

These include:

• Memory loss
• Difficulty speaking clearly
• Altered personality
• Impaired fine motor skills

Patients with moderate to severe injuries often require rehabilitation that involves individually tailored treatment in the areas of physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech/language therapy, and psychological and social support. These medical bills add up quickly and may be difficult to pay, especially when the injured party is not capable of returning to work.