Los Angeles Brain Injury Lawyers

Los Angeles Brain Injury Lawyer

When a traumatic brain injury changes everything, legal help shouldn’t add to the burden. Taking timely, informed action with the help of experienced Los Angeles brain injury lawyers can protect access to the care, resources, and stability for the road ahead.

Since 1972,Jacoby & Meyers has represented injured clients across California.
Our firm has recovered over $2 billion in verdicts and settlements statewide.
We work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning you pay no attorney fees unless we obtain a recovery for you. Please note that while attorney fees are contingent, clients may still be responsible for certain court costs regardless of the outcome.

Why You Need Established Representation

For more than five decades, Jacoby & Meyers has represented the rights of injured Californians. With 14 locations statewide, our firm has the reach and resources to take on even complex personal injury cases against corporations, insurers, and government entities. Beyond medical diagnosis, a brain injury is a life-changing event that requires an evidence-driven legal response.

What sets our firm apart:

Over 50 years of experience representing seriously injured clients across California
Statewide presence with 14 offices, providing local insight backed by firm-wide resources
Experience handling catastrophic injuries and high-value claims
Evidence-focused advocacy built on thorough investigation and expert testimony
Client-centered representation designed to protect your legal interests while you focus on recovery

Personal Injury Awards

Can I Afford a Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer in Los Angeles?

Many victims hesitate to contact an attorney because they fear the cost. Brain injury claims often involve long-term medical needs and future costs that may not be immediately clear. Early legal guidance can help ensure these issues are properly evaluated and documented.

At Jacoby & Meyers, we work on a contingency fee basis, allowing clients to pursue legal representation without upfront attorney fees. This means:

No Upfront Attorney Fees: You do not pay retainers or hourly fees to begin your case.
Contingency Fee Representation: Attorney fees are contingent upon obtaining a recovery. Case-related costs may be separate.
Aligned Interests: Our firm’s compensation depends on achieving a recovery, consistent with the terms of the fee agreement.

What To Do After a Brain Injury

Seek immediate medical care. Brain injuries can worsen without warning. Follow all treatment and monitoring plans prescribed by neurologists or other specialists, even if symptoms seem mild at first.
Watch for delayed symptoms. Headaches, confusion, memory problems, mood changes, or dizziness may appear days or weeks later. Report new or worsening symptoms to your doctor immediately.
Document the injury and incident. Take photos of visible head injuries and the accident scene if possible. Keep a journal noting symptoms, medical visits, and how the injury affects daily life.
Avoid recorded statements. Consider consulting with an attorney before providing statements to insurers.
Preserve physical evidence. Save helmets, headgear, or damaged personal items involved in the incident, as they may help demonstrate the force of impact.
Consult a Los Angeles traumatic brain injury lawyer early. Speak with an attorney before accepting any settlement offers. Brain injuries often involve long-term medical needs that may not be clear right away.

Expert Legal Tip from Our Attorneys

Traumatic brain injuries are sometimes difficult to detect in early stages. Insurance adjusters may argue that the absence of visible injuries or negative imaging means no serious harm occurred. Consistent medical documentation linking symptoms such as memory loss or fatigue to the incident can be important when evaluating a claim.

Common Causes of Brain Injuries in Los Angeles

Approximately 2.9 million TBI-related emergency department visits occur annually in the United States.

In Los Angeles, the risk is amplified by daily realities, from heavy congestion on the Hollywood Freeway and the 101 to the nonstop activity in neighborhoods like Hollywood and Koreatown. In a city that never slows down, a serious accident can happen in a matter of seconds, often when you least expect it.

According to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, some of the leading causes of TBI include:

Motor Vehicle Crashes: Car, motorcycle, bicycle, and pedestrian accidents are a leading cause of traumatic brain injury. The force from collisions can cause the brain to strike the inside of the skull, leading to serious injury.
Falls: Falls from ladders, stairs, or at heights, or slip-and-fall incidents, are a frequent cause of brain injuries, especially among older adults and young children.
Being Struck by or Against an Object: Accidents where a person’s head is hit by or thrown against an object, such as in sports, workplace incidents, or construction site accidents, can cause traumatic brain injuries.
Sports and Recreational Activities: High-impact sports (football, soccer, skateboarding, etc.) and recreational activities can lead to concussions and more severe brain injuries.

Common Injuries in TBI Cases

Brain injury can have life-altering effects. A 10-year study (2005–2014) analyzing California patient data found that about 4 in 10 people returned to the ER within a year, often at a different hospital, with some requiring hospitalization.

Brain injuries vary in severity, but all require serious medical evaluation.

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Ranging from concussions to severe penetrating injuries.
Spinal Cord Injuries: Often occurring alongside head trauma in high-impact collisions.
Skull Fractures: Breaks in the cranial bone that can cause bleeding or infection.
Internal Injuries: Bleeding or bruising of the brain tissue (contusions).
Soft Tissue Injuries: Whiplash, which can cause the brain to strike the inside of the skull.

Who May Be Liable in a Brain Injury Case?

A traumatic brain injury rarely occurs without preventable failures. Under California law, any party whose negligence contributed to the injury may be held responsible. In many brain injury cases, liability may be shared among multiple parties.

Depending on how the brain injury occurred, liable parties may include:

Drivers: Speeding, distracted driving, driving under the influence, or violating traffic laws can result in severe collisions leading to concussions or brain damage.
Employers: Companies may be liable if they fail to properly vet drivers, enforce safety policies, or maintain safe work environments, particularly in industries like transportation and construction.
Property Owners:Landlords and businesses are responsible for addressing hazards. Issues like poor lighting, broken stairs, or uneven flooring can cause serious falls and head injuries.
Manufacturers: Defective helmets, airbags, seatbelts, or vehicle parts may fail and contribute to preventable injuries.
Government Entities: Poor road design, inadequate maintenance, or accidents involving public transportation may involve entities such as the City of Los Angeles, Caltrans, or LA Metro. Special legal rules and deadlines often apply in these cases.

Why Brain Injury Cases Are Especially Complex

Brain injury claims differ from standard personal injury cases. The damage is not always visible, but the effects can be significant.

Invisible and delayed symptoms: Cognitive impairments such as memory loss, concentration problems, and personality changes may worsen over time and can be more difficult to prove than visible injuries.
Long-term and future damages: Brain injuries often require ongoing treatment, therapy, and support. Accurately projecting these costs typically involves medical specialists and economic experts.
Disputed causation: Insurance companies may argue that symptoms are related to aging, stress, or pre-existing conditions rather than the traumatic event.
Claims involving government entities:Lawsuits against public agencies involve shorter deadlines and strict notice requirements.
Insurance policy limitations: The cost of a severe brain injury can exceed standard insurance limits, requiring investigation into additional coverage or responsible parties.

Because legal, medical, and financial issues are closely connected, these cases require careful documentation and preparation.

Damages You May Be Entitled To in a Brain Injury Case

A traumatic brain injury affects more than immediate health. A legal claim may seek to address both financial and personal impacts.

Economic Damages

Economic damages cover the specific financial losses you have suffered due to your injury, which may include:

Medical Expenses: Costs for emergency care, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, and specialist visits.
Future Medical Care: Support for long-term rehabilitation, cognitive therapy, in-home assistance, and ongoing monitoring.
Lost Income: Reimbursement for the wages you lost while unable to work during your recovery.
Reduced Earning Capacity: Compensation if your injury prevents you from returning to your career or earning at your previous level.
Property Damage: Costs to repair or replace vehicles or personal items damaged in the incident.

Non-Economic Damages

These damages address the personal and emotional impact of a brain injury and may include:

Pain and Suffering: You may be able to pursue a recovery for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by your injuries. This includes compensation for the ongoing impact an accident has on your daily life and well-being.
Emotional Distress: Support for the anxiety, depression, and personality shifts often caused by brain trauma.
Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Recognition of how cognitive or emotional changes may interfere with your hobbies and relationships.
Permanent Impairment: Compensation for lasting disabilities or cognitive deficits that affect your daily function.

Punitive Damages

In limited circumstances involving particularly reckless conduct, punitive damages may be available under California law. These are not intended to compensate the victim, but to punish particularly reckless or egregious conduct and deter similar behavior in the future. Punitive damages may apply when a brain injury is caused by actions such as drunk driving, extreme negligence, or intentional misconduct.

Compensation depends on the specific facts, supporting evidence, and applicable insurance coverage.

California Statute of Limitations for Brain Injury Claims

Under California law, you generally have two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. If a government entity is involved, such as the City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, Caltrans, or LA Metro, you typically must file a formal claim within six months.

Missing these deadlines may bar recovery. This is why it is important to seek legal guidance promptly. An experienced Los Angeles brain injury lawyer can assist with managing these deadlines and help preserve evidence in brain injury cases, where symptoms may change over time.

Why You Need a Lawyer for Brain Injury Cases

A traumatic brain injury can leave you struggling with memory loss, fatigue, mood changes, or difficulty concentrating, while insurance companies move quickly to evaluate claims. In high-value brain injury cases, insurers may challenge the seriousness of the injury or argue that symptoms are exaggerated, pre-existing, or unrelated to the accident.

Trying to manage a complex legal claim while coping with a brain injury can be overwhelming. It can be useful to consult with a legal team that understands both the medical realities of brain trauma and the legal strategies insurers use to minimize payouts.

An experienced brain injury attorney can assist by:

Shielding you from insurance pressure and aggressive negotiation tactics
Ensuring your injury is properly documented and understood, even when symptoms are not visible
Managing complex legal procedures and deadlines
Allowing you to focus on recovery

When you work with Jacoby & Meyers, your case is handled with the attention a serious brain injury demands.

Preparing for Mediation in a Brain Injury Case

Mediation can be a pivotal moment in a brain injury claim. Because symptoms may be long-lasting or difficult to see, preparation is essential to ensure the full impact of the injury is clearly presented.

Mediation Preparation Checklist

Understand the goal. Mediation is a guided negotiation, not a trial, and you are not required to accept an offer.
Have complete medical records. Include neurologist reports, imaging, and neuropsychological evaluations that document cognitive and emotional effects.
Document daily impact. Be ready to explain how the brain injury affects work, memory, mood, and daily life.
Know the value of your claim. Review medical costs, future care needs, lost income, and non-economic damages with your attorney.
Expect insurance pushback. Insurers may question symptoms or point to pre-existing conditions. Rely on medical evidence and documentation.
Let your lawyer lead. Your brain injury attorney can handle negotiations and protect your legal interests, allowing you to focus on recovery.

Careful preparation helps ensure mediation reflects the long-term reality of a brain injury, not just short-term medical bills.

How to Choose the Best Brain Injury Lawyer in Los Angeles

Not all lawyers are equipped to handle catastrophic brain injury cases. When vetting attorneys, consider the following:

Does the lawyer have experience with brain injury cases?

Brain injuries are medically and legally complex, often involving subtle or delayed symptoms, long-term treatment, and disputes over future care and earning capacity. Your lawyer should have experience handling brain injury claims from car accidents, falls, workplace incidents, or other traumatic events.

Our firm has decades of experience in brain injury cases and has recovered over $2 billion for injured clients across California. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Is the firm respected within the legal community?

Reputation can be important in serious injury cases. Recognition from peer-reviewed legal organizations and industry publications may signal professional standing.

Do they understand Los Angeles–specific legal challenges?

Local knowledge may impact how brain injury cases are handled. An experienced legal team should be familiar with Los Angeles courts, judges, filing requirements, and insurer practices in California.

With over 50 years of experience serving Los Angeles and statewide communities, our firm combines local insight with the resources needed for complex brain injury claims.

Are they prepared to take your case to trial?

Some firms prioritize settlement. Trial preparation may strengthen negotiation posture if litigation becomes necessary.

At Jacoby & Meyers, we prepare cases for litigation when appropriate, whether resolved through settlement or trial.

How Jacoby & Meyers Prepares Brain Injury Cases for Settlement or Trial

We prepare every brain injury case thoroughly. This level of preparation may influence how insurers evaluate settlement discussions.

Our approach includes:

Early investigation. We move quickly to secure surveillance footage, accident data, and witness statements before evidence is lost.
Expert coordination. We work with neurologists, neuropsychologists, vocational experts, and life-care planners to document the severity of your brain injury and its long-term impact.
Comprehensive damage documentation. We develop detailed life-care plans outlining future medical treatment, cognitive therapy, in-home care, and support needs.
Evidence-based strategies: We develop settlement materials that account for future care, inflation, and lost earning potential, based on available documentation.
Trial readiness. If a negotiated resolution cannot be reached, we are prepared to file suit and present your case in court.

A brain injury can change how a person thinks, works, and lives. Legal representation should reflect the seriousness of that reality while you focus on recovery.

Client Testimonials

We take pride in the trust and connection we build with those we represent.

“Best firm there is. This Firm has been very helpful throughout the entire process. Adanhelly was one of the best!!. Very helpful, and she makes me feel valued and cared for. I highly recommend this law firm to EVERYBODY!” –Ali Medrano from Google Review.

Client testimonials reflect individual experiences. Results vary based on the facts of each case.

Case Results

While past results do not guarantee future outcomes, our firm has handled high-stakes litigation involving catastrophic injuries.

$3.75 Million – Traumatic Brain Injury
$9.24 Million – Auto vs. Pedestrian resulting in Spinal Cord Injury
$2.5 Million – Traumatic Brain Injury
$1.15 Million – Auto vs. Auto resulting in Spinal Cord Injury

Past results depend on the specific facts of each case and do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Brain Injury Attorney Near Me

Jacoby & Meyers provides statewide representation for brain injury victims.

While our main office is based in Los Angeles, we represent clients throughout Los Angeles County, including Long Beach, Santa Monica, Glendale, Santa Clarita, and Pomona.

With 14 offices across California, we combine statewide resources with local familiarity.

Orange County
San Jose
San Francisco
San Diego
San Bernardino
Sacramento
Ontario
Oakland
Los Angeles
Fresno
Escondido
Brea
Bakersfield

Frequently Asked Questions

How does comparative fault work in California?

California follows a “pure comparative negligence” rule. You may still recover damages even if partially responsible. Compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault.

Can I file a claim if I had a prior concussion or head injury?

A prior head injury does not automatically prevent a claim if a new incident worsened your condition. Medical documentation is important in these situations.

Can I settle my TBI case before I fully recover?

While you may settle, resolving a claim before long-term effects are known may limit compensation for future care needs.

What happens if the at-fault party doesn’t have enough insurance?

Additional sources of recovery may be evaluated, including umbrella policies, underinsured motorist coverage, or third-party liability.

How much does it cost to hire Jacoby & Meyers?

There are no upfront attorney fees. We work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning attorney fees are contingent upon obtaining a recovery. Clients may remain responsible for certain court costs and litigation expenses.

Traumatic Brain Injuries Lawyer Near Me

We serve the whole of California with 14 satellite offices. You can visit us at our Main Los Angeles Office at Ave of the Stars

Jacoby & Meyers
2000 Ave of the Stars Suite 1150S,
Los Angeles, CA 90067
Call us +12132960792

Fill out a form today for a free case assessment or give us a call to talk to a live legal expert.

Protect Your Future After a Brain Injury

A brain injury can change many aspects of life. If you or a loved one was injured due to another party’s negligence, Jacoby & Meyers can review your case and explain your legal options. We offer a free consultation to evaluate your case and are available to answer your questions.

Our Los Angeles Accident Attorneys can also help with the following:

Michael Akiva is Managing Partner of Pre-Litigation of Jacoby & Meyers. Having started his career as an attorney at Latham & Watkins LLP, a prestigious, global corporate law firm, Michael quickly realized that representing big corporations was not for him. After leaving the firm, Michael dedicated himself to fighting for the rights of the injured. Education J.D. UCLA School of Law, Editor, UCLA Law Review B.S., Finance, University of Southern California, Magna cum laude

Los Angeles Brain Injury Lawyer