A brain injury can change how you think, work, and live, and the effects are not always visible right away. A brain injury lawyer can work with your doctors to document the injury, show who caused it, and pursue compensation for both current and future needs. Abramson Labor Group represents people with traumatic brain injuries caused by crashes, falls, and defective products across California. Our case reviews are free and confidential, and we work on contingency.
According to the CDC, “A traumatic brain injury, or TBI, is an injury that affects how the brain works.” A mild TBI or concussion can be caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head, or a hit to the body that makes the head and brain move quickly back and forth. The CDC says the resulting changes can affect how a person “thinks, learns, feels, acts, and sleeps.”
Many brain injuries leave no visible mark. The CDC notes that a scan such as a CT “is not needed to spot a mild TBI or concussion,” and that “Even if the injury doesn’t show up on these tests, you may still have a mild TBI or concussion” (CDC). Insurers may use a clean scan to argue you were not hurt.
Strong claims are built on records over time.
Tell your doctor about every symptom, even ones that seem minor, and follow up with every referral.
Brain injuries often come from someone else’s carelessness. We handle claims arising from car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, bus accidents, pedestrian accidents, slip, trip, and fall accidents, and defective products like helmets or vehicle parts.
California law makes everyone responsible “for an injury occasioned to another by his or her want of ordinary care or skill” (Civil Code section 1714). Fault can be shared. In Li v. Yellow Cab Co. (1975), the California Supreme Court held that a person’s own negligence “shall not bar recovery,” but reduces the award by their share of fault.
Workers’ compensation usually covers job injuries, including brain injuries. Our guide to traumatic brain injury and workers’ comp in California explains the benefits. For specific benefits, see our pages on temporary disability benefits, return to work and job displacement, and, when a worker dies, workers’ comp death benefits. If someone other than your employer caused the injury, such as another driver or a product maker, your workers’ comp claim “does not affect” your right to recover damages from them (Labor Code section 3852).
| Situation | General rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Lawsuit for your injuries, or for a death | 2 years | Code of Civil Procedure 335.1 |
| Claim against a city, county, or state agency | 6 months (written claim to the agency) | Government Code 911.2 |
| Injured child, or a person lacking the legal capacity to make decisions | That time generally does not count toward the deadline | Code of Civil Procedure 352 |
Brain injury symptoms can take time to understand, but the deadlines keep running. If you or a family member was hurt, consider speaking with a brain injury lawyer early.
California law measures damages as “the amount which will compensate for all the detriment proximately caused” by the wrongful conduct (Civil Code section 3333). For a brain injury, that can include medical bills, therapy and rehabilitation, future care, lost wages, reduced ability to earn, and pain and suffering. When an injury takes a life, certain family members can bring a wrongful death claim.
See all of our practice areas, or read our personal injury FAQ.
We represent people with brain injuries and their families in Los Angeles, Burbank, Glendale, Pasadena, and throughout California from our Burbank office.
We work on contingency, so you do not pay anything unless we win. The case evaluation is free. Our fee is a share of any recovery, and if there is no recovery, you owe no attorney fees.
Possibly. The CDC says a CT scan “is not needed to spot a mild TBI or concussion,” and that you may still have one even if it does not show on tests (CDC). Your doctors’ findings and records of your symptoms matter.
If the injury left you unable to make decisions, a family member or other representative may need to act for you. The time you lack legal capacity generally does not count toward the filing deadline (Code of Civil Procedure section 352).
You do not have to. Brain injuries can take months to fully understand, and early offers often come before the full cost of care is known. Have the offer, and any release you are asked to sign, reviewed before you agree.
If you or a loved one has a brain injury caused by someone else, we can review what happened and explain your options. Request your free case evaluation, contact us, or call us at (213) 493-6300.
You do not pay ANYTHING unless we win!
Last updated: October 2026
This page is general information about California law, not legal advice. Every situation is different. For advice about your specific case, talk to a licensed California attorney.
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