Public awareness of the dangers of concussions, also known as mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI), has increased recently due to publicity and research on the effects of concussions suffered by athletes. Minami Tamaki has vast experience in this area, and represents former National Football League and youth soccer players in nationwide class actions involving tens of millions of dollars in settlements arising from traumatic brain injuries they suffered while playing their sports.
Car accidents and falls resulting in head trauma are by far the most common causes of traumatic brain injury. In car accidents, mTBI can occur with or without a direct blow to the head or loss of consciousness, due to the rapid acceleration and deceleration the brain experiences in a “whiplash”-type event. Victims of brain injury can suffer symptoms such as depressed mood, changes in personality, problems with short-term memory, headaches, loss of focus, vision and hearing changes, and many more. Due to its limitations, medical imaging often cannot verify the existence of a mTBI – leading victims to feel helpless and unsupported.
Through the use of diagnostic tools such as neurological and neuropsychological testing, as well as advanced medical imaging such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), we are able to help our clients identify the more subtle signs and symptoms of mTBI. We work hard to document the presence of traumatic brain injury when it exists, and help our clients get the care they need when the diagnoses are less obvious. We also use recent research findings to argue that clients who suffer severe brain injuries are at increased risk of premature development of neuropsychological vulnerabilities, including acute stress disorder, depression, and dementia—which increases the amount of damages for their pain and suffering.
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury, contact us online or call us at 415-788-9000 to set up a FREE consultation to discuss your legal options.