Los Angeles Head Injury Lawyer

Head injuries can affect your life in many ways. They can cause serious short-term and long-term effects. The physical pain is often compounded by confusion, memory loss, and the terrifying uncertainty of how you will pay for the extensive medical care you now require.

If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) due to someone else’s negligence, you don’t have to face insurance companies alone. For over 50 years, the Los Angeles head injury lawyers at Jacoby & Meyers have fought to protect injured Californians. Our attorneys understand the complexities of TBI cases and build claims carefully so your losses are fully considered.

• Founded in 1972: We have over five decades of experience in California personal injury law, backed by real client testimonials. Client testimonials reflect individual experiences. Results vary depending on the facts of each case.
• Proven Results: We have recovered over $2 billion for our clients, as seen in our case studies. Past results depend on the specific facts of each case and do not guarantee a similar outcome. Amounts listed are gross recoveries before attorney fees and costs.
• Contingency Fee Basis: This means there are no upfront attorney’s fees, and legal fees are only paid if compensation is recovered. The fee structure is explained clearly during your free case evaluation.

Guidance You Can Trust After a Traumatic Brain Injury

When the brain is damaged, the effects often reach far beyond the initial accident, impacting memory, personality, independence, and a family’s future. These cases are medically complex, aggressively defended, and demand a deep understanding of both California law and long-term neurological harm.

Since 1972, Jacoby & Meyers has built a trusted reputation for handling California’s most serious injury claims. With statewide offices and decades of experience in catastrophic cases, we have the resources to thoroughly investigate brain trauma, partner with leading medical experts, and confront powerful insurance companies. We work to ensure every detail is documented, from immediate medical bills to lifelong consequences like ongoing care and lost earning capacity, so you can focus on your recovery.

Our dedicated team is here to support you. Let us review your case with a free expert assessment and consultation today.

Can I Afford a Head Injury Lawyer?

The financial strain of a head injury is immediate and overwhelming. Between emergency room visits, scans, rehabilitation, and lost wages, the costs can spiral into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Many victims hesitate to contact a lawyer because they fear they cannot afford high hourly legal fees on top of their medical bills.

At Jacoby & Meyers, we operate on a contingency fee basis. This means:

• Our representation costs you nothing upfront.
• You do not pay hourly legal fees.
• We only collect a legal fee if we successfully recover fair compensation for you.

This ensures that every injured person in Los Angeles has access to high-quality legal representation, regardless of their financial situation.

Contact us today for a free evaluation of your case.

What To Do After a Head Injury

• Seek immediate medical attention: Even if you feel “fine,” head injuries often have delayed symptoms. Follow all doctors’ orders and treatment plans.
• Document everything: Take photos of the accident scene, your injuries, and any property damage. Keep a journal of your symptoms and how the injury affects your daily life.
• Avoid recorded statements: Insurance adjusters may try to get you to downplay your injuries on a recorded line. Decline to give a statement until you have legal counsel.
• Preserve evidence: Keep the clothes you were wearing, save dashcam footage, and do not repair your vehicle until it has been inspected.
• Speak with a Los Angeles head injury lawyer: Contact an experienced attorney before accepting any settlement offers.

Expert Legal Tip from Our Attorneys

In head injury cases, medical records created within the first 72 hours are often the most critical evidence. Insurance companies look for “gaps in treatment” to argue that your injury isn’t serious or wasn’t caused by the accident. If you wait a week to see a specialist because you hoped the headache would go away, the defense may claim your injury happened elsewhere. Seeing a neurologist or TBI specialist immediately not only ensures your safety but also establishes a verified medical timeline that significantly strengthens your claim.

Common Causes of Head Injuries in Los Angeles

Traumatic brain injuries are a serious threat, with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reporting over 69,000 TBI-related deaths in 2021 alone. In a bustling metropolis like Los Angeles, heavy traffic and active construction zones pose constant risks of life-altering accidents.

• Motor Vehicle Accidents: The 405, the 101, and the I-5 are notorious for high-speed collisions. Sudden deceleration in a car crash can cause the brain to slam against the skull, resulting in coup-contrecoup injuries.
• Slip and Fall Accidents: Unsafe property conditions in grocery stores, office buildings, or apartment complexes can lead to falls where the victim strikes their head on hard concrete or tile.
• Bicycle and Pedestrian Accidents: Pedestrians and cyclists in Los Angeles are extremely vulnerable. Without the protection of a vehicle frame, impacts with cars often result in direct trauma to the head.
• Workplace Accidents: Construction sites and industrial zones pose risks from falling objects, scaffolding collapses, and machinery malfunctions.
• Violence and Assault: Intentional acts of violence can cause severe penetrating or blunt force trauma to the brain.

Common Injuries in Head Trauma Cases

“Head injury” is a broad term that covers a spectrum of damage, ranging from mild concussions to permanent brain damage. We handle cases involving:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): Ranging from mild to severe, these disrupt normal brain function.
• Skull Fractures: Breaks in the cranial bone, which can lead to bleeding or infection in the brain.
• Concussions: Often dismissed as “minor,” repeated or severe concussions can lead to long-term cognitive issues.
• Hematomas: dangerous clotting or collection of blood outside the blood vessels in the brain.
• Diffuse Axonal Injury: Tearing of the brain’s long connecting nerve fibers (axons) that happens when the brain is injured as it shifts and rotates inside the bony skull.
• Secondary Injuries: Swelling or lack of oxygen that occurs after the initial impact, often causing further damage.

Who May Be Liable for Your Head Injury?

A serious head injury can change how you think, feel, work, and connect with the people you love. Determining who is legally responsible for that harm is rarely simple. In California, liability often extends beyond a single person or entity.

Liable parties may include:

• Negligent Drivers: Motorists who were speeding, distracted, intoxicated, or violated traffic laws are frequently responsible for crash-related traumatic brain injuries.
• Property Owners: Landlords and business owners have a legal duty to maintain safe conditions. Falls caused by broken stair rails, poor lighting, or slick floors can make them liable.
• Employers: If your head injury occurred on the job or was caused by an employee acting within the scope of their work, the employer may be legally responsible.
• Manufacturers: Defective helmets, malfunctioning airbags, or unsafe machinery can expose manufacturers to strict product liability.
• Government Entities: Dangerous road design, unrepaired potholes, or negligent operation of a city bus may give rise to claims against the City of Los Angeles, Caltrans, or another public agency.

Identifying all sources of liability is often the difference between limited compensation and the resources needed for long-term care.

Why Head Injury Cases Are Especially Complex

Head injury claims are unlike most personal injury cases. The brain is complex, and the harm it suffers is often invisible, but no less life-altering.

Key challenges include:

• Invisible Injuries: Cognitive decline, memory loss, emotional changes, and personality shifts don’t show up on an X-ray, requiring expert testimony to explain their impact.
• Delayed Symptoms: Many brain injury symptoms emerge days or weeks after an accident, giving insurers room to dispute causation.
• Long-Term Financial Impact: Calculating the lifetime cost of care, therapy, and lost earning potential requires detailed medical and economic projections.
• Disputed Severity: Insurance companies frequently retain their own doctors to minimize or deny the extent of cognitive impairment.
• Government Immunity Rules: Claims involving public entities carry shorter deadlines and strict procedural requirements that can derail a case if missed.

These complexities demand experienced legal handling from the very beginning.

Our Personal Injury Case Results

Our personal injury attorneys have recovered over $2 billion in settlements on behalf of local accident victims in San Francisco and throughout the Bay Area. Some of our personal injury case results include:

Past results depend on the specific facts of each case and do not guarantee a similar outcome. Amounts listed are gross recoveries before attorney fees and costs.

Damages You May Be Entitled To

While no legal outcome can undo a traumatic brain injury, compensation can provide stability, access to care, and dignity moving forward. A successful claim accounts for both the financial and human costs of the injury.

Economic Damages

These damages are intended to compensate for the measurable financial losses caused by a traumatic brain injury.

• Medical Expenses: Emergency care, hospital stays, surgeries, and specialist treatment.
• Future Medical Care: Long-term rehabilitation, therapy, in-home assistance, and adaptive services.
• Lost Income: Wages lost during recovery.
• Reduced Earning Capacity: Compensation if the injury prevents you from returning to your career or working at all.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are designed to compensate for the intangible losses associated with a traumatic brain injury, those that do not have a direct monetary value but significantly impact an individual’s quality of life.

• Pain and Suffering: For the physical pain and emotional toll of the injury.
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: When hobbies, independence, or daily activities are no longer possible.
• Emotional Distress: Anxiety, depression, PTSD, and emotional trauma tied to the injury.
• Loss of Consortium: Compensation for the strain placed on a marriage or long-term partnership.

Punitive Damages

These are awarded in cases where the at-fault party’s actions were particularly reckless, malicious, or intentional. They serve to punish wrongful behavior and deter similar conduct in the future. Although less commonly awarded, their purpose emphasizes accountability and justice for egregious misconduct.

Having a skilled attorney on your side for head injury cases is invaluable for accurately quantifying losses and recovering compensation. They can assess the full scope of your damages, including those that may not be immediately apparent. They also have the expertise to negotiate with insurance companies and advocate for your best interests, ensuring you receive the full compensation that accounts for both immediate and long-term needs.

California Statute of Limitations

In most California personal injury claims, you have two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit. Missing this deadline usually means losing your right to compensation entirely.

However, if a government entity caused or contributed to the injury, such as an LA Metro bus accident or a fall on public property, you may have as little as six months to file an administrative claim.

Beyond legal deadlines, waiting too long can cost you vital evidence and resources. It is best to seek help from experienced head injury lawyers to build your case as soon as possible.

Why You Need a Lawyer for Head Injury Cases

Brain injury cases are high-stakes litigation. Insurance companies know that TBI claims can result in substantial payouts, so they assign their most aggressive adjusters and defense attorneys to handle these claims. They may attempt to minimize your payout by claiming your cognitive issues were pre-existing or that your recovery will be faster than doctors predict.

Without experienced legal representation, victims are often pressured into settlements that fall far short of the documented cost of care. An experienced head injury attorney protects you from these tactics and helps ensure your case reflects the full reality of what you are facing.

How a Los Angeles Head Injury Lawyer Helps Protect You

• Investigates the Cause Thoroughly: Identifies all liable parties and uncovers evidence that proves how and why the injury occurred.
• Preserves Critical Evidence: Secures surveillance footage, accident reports, medical imaging, and witness testimony before it disappears.
• Works With Medical Experts: Partners with neurologists, neuropsychologists, and life-care planners to document cognitive, emotional, and physical impairments.
• Calculates Lifetime Damages: Accounts for future medical care, therapy, lost earning potential, and long-term support needs.
• Handles Insurance Communications: Prevents insurers from twisting your words or pushing you into premature settlements.
• Builds a Trial-Ready Case: Prepares every claim as if it will be presented to a jury, strengthening leverage during negotiations.
• Meets All Legal Deadlines: Ensures strict filing requirements, especially for government entities, are met without error.
• Advocates for Your Quality of Life: Fights for compensation that reflects not only financial loss, but the personal and emotional impact of the injury.

Head injury cases are complex, evidence-heavy, and aggressively defended. Trying to manage them alone while coping with cognitive symptoms or emotional distress puts you at a serious disadvantage. Legal guidance allows you to step back from the conflict and focus on recovery while your attorney handles the investigation, negotiations, and legal strategy.

How Jacoby & Meyers Builds Your Case

We prepare every case as if it will go to trial. This rigorous approach often forces insurance companies to offer fair settlements because they know we are ready to fight in court.

1. Initial Case Evaluation: We listen to your story, review police reports, and assess the viability of your claim.
2. Evidence Collection: Our team gathers medical records, secures video footage, interviews witnesses, and consults with accident reconstruction experts to prove liability.
3. Damage Documentation: We work with medical professionals, life care planners, and economists to calculate the true lifetime cost of your injury.
4. Insurance Negotiations: We handle all communication with insurers and present claims based on the documented value of your case.
5. Litigation: If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair amount, we file a lawsuit and present your case to a jury.

How to Choose the Right Los Angeles Lawyer for a Serious Head Injury Case

A traumatic brain injury can change a life in an instant. Whether caused by a car crash, fall, or workplace accident, head injuries often bring uncertainty about recovery, long-term care, and financial stability. While you or your loved one focuses on healing, choosing the right head injury lawyer Los Angeles has becomes one of the most important decisions you can make to protect your future.

The right attorney helps ensure that your injury is taken seriously, that your long-term needs are evaluated based on evidence, and that powerful insurance companies are held accountable. As you compare law firms, these are the questions that truly matter.

Do they regularly handle serious head injury and TBI cases?

Head injury claims are not routine personal injury cases. They often involve delayed symptoms, cognitive impairment, personality changes, and lifelong care needs that require careful medical and legal proof. You want a firm that routinely handles traumatic brain injury (TBI) cases, not one that treats them as occasional matters.

Since 1972, Jacoby & Meyers has represented Californians with serious and catastrophic injuries, including complex head and brain injury claims. Decades of focused experience matter when the outcome affects the rest of your life.

Are they prepared to take your case to trial if necessary?

Insurance companies frequently downplay brain injuries, especially when symptoms aren’t immediately visible on imaging. They are far more likely to offer fair compensation when they know a law firm is fully prepared to present expert testimony to a jury.

A trial-ready legal team sends a clear message: your head injury will not be dismissed, rushed, or undervalued.

Do they have a proven record of handling high-stakes injury cases in California?

No attorney can promise results, but a firm’s history shows how they approach serious cases. Jacoby & Meyers has recovered more than $2 billion in verdicts and settlements statewide, reflecting decades of experience handling high-value injury claims that require expert coordination and aggressive advocacy. Past results depend on the specific facts of each case and do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Do they have the resources to prove the full impact of a head injury?

Head injury cases often require neurologists, neuropsychologists, life-care planners, vocational experts, and economists to explain how the injury affects memory, behavior, employment, and independence over time.

With multiple offices across California and deep roots in Los Angeles, Jacoby & Meyers has the resources to fully investigate head injury cases while still providing personal, attentive support to clients and families.

Is there any financial risk to you?

After a serious head injury, medical bills and lost income can be overwhelming. A reputable law firm should never add financial stress. Working on a contingency fee basis means there are no upfront attorney’s fees, and legal fees are only paid if compensation is recovered.

Choosing the right Los Angeles head injury attorney is about trust, experience, and preparation. Asking the right questions now can help ensure your injury is taken seriously and that you have the resources you need to move forward with dignity, care, and security.

What Not to Say to Insurance Companies After a Head Injury

After a head injury, insurance adjusters often reach out quickly and may sound sympathetic or helpful. But their responsibility is to protect the insurance company. With head and brain injuries, what you say early on can be especially damaging, because symptoms are often delayed, invisible, and misunderstood.

To protect your claim, avoid saying:

• “I’m fine” or “I feel okay now.”
  Concussions and traumatic brain injuries don’t always show immediate symptoms. Headaches, memory problems, dizziness, and cognitive changes may appear days or weeks later.
• “It was just a bump on the head.”
  Even seemingly minor impacts can cause serious brain trauma.
• “I’m already feeling better.”
  Improvement can be temporary. Symptoms often return or worsen over time.
• “I don’t need follow-up care.”
  Insurers may use this to argue your head injury wasn’t serious or didn’t require ongoing treatment.
• Anything that sounds like you’re blaming yourself.
  Casual comments such as “I should’ve been more careful” can be used to reduce or deny your claim.
• Agreeing to a recorded statement without legal guidance.
  You are not required to give one, and insurers often use recordings to challenge the severity or cause of a brain injury.
• Speculating about how the injury happened.
  If you’re unsure, don’t guess. Brain injury cases depend heavily on medical evidence, not assumptions.
• Accepting a quick settlement.
  Early offers rarely account for long-term cognitive issues, therapy, lost earning capacity, or lifelong care needs.

What You Should Do Instead

Keep communication brief and factual. Seek medical evaluation from specialists and follow all recommended treatment. Document symptoms as they develop. Most importantly, speak with a lawyer before discussing details or signing anything.

Client Testimonials

At Jacoby & Meyers, we are transparent about our experience and our results. We encourage you to review our track record and past client reviews to see the level of service and dedication we provide.

“I’ve never needed a lawyer before, but this was the best experience I could ever have had. Lucy is helpful, always ready to serve our clients, and just an all-around incredible lawyer. Jacoby and Meyers, best of the best.” – Tony DeSean from Google Review

“I highly recommend Jacoby and Meyers, they offer excellent customer service and care a lot about our symptoms and well-being! They send me to high-end pain management and chiropractors, too. Their reps are amazing; you will not regret hiring them.” – Patty Garcia from Google Review

Disclaimer: Testimonials are voluntary statements from former clients. They are not intended to create expectations about outcomes and should not be interpreted as a guarantee of results.

What Our Clients Have To Say

Case Results Demonstrating Serious Injury Experience

When a catastrophic injury occurs or a family loses a loved one, the legal outcome dictates their access to long-term care and financial stability. While no result can undo the harm, our proven history demonstrates the deep experience required to handle these high-stakes cases effectively.

Representative case results and studies include:

• $3.75 million — Traumatic Brain Injury
• $5.1 million — Auto vs. truck collision involving severe trauma
• $2.6 million — Wrongful death claim against a city entity
• $2.5 Million —  Traumatic Brain Injury

For more than five decades, Jacoby & Meyers has advocated for injured Californians, securing over $2 billion in verdicts and settlements statewide. These recoveries have helped individuals and families pay for critical medical treatment, replace lost income, and secure long-term support after devastating accidents.

Disclaimer: Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

Head Injury Lawyer Near Me

From our main office in Los Angeles, we serve clients throughout Southern California and the entire state. Our network of 14 satellite offices ensures that expert legal representation is always within reach.

Offices and Service Areas Include:

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

Whether you were injured in Downtown LA, Santa Monica, Long Beach, the San Fernando Valley, or anywhere in between, our team is ready to help.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if my symptoms didn’t appear right away?

It is very common for TBI symptoms to be delayed. Adrenaline can mask pain immediately after an accident. If you develop headaches, confusion, or dizziness days or weeks later, seek medical help immediately. Legally, you can still pursue a claim, but you must link the delayed symptoms to the accident through medical evidence.

How does comparative fault work in California?

California follows a “pure comparative negligence” rule. This means you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault for the accident. However, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 20% at fault and your damages are $100,000, you would receive $80,000.

How much is my head injury case worth?

Every case is unique. The value depends on the severity of the injury, the cost of medical care, the amount of lost wages, and the impact on your quality of life. We cannot promise a specific number, but we can give you a realistic assessment based on our experience with similar cases.

What if the at-fault driver is uninsured?

If the person who hit you does not have insurance, you may be able to file a claim under your own Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. This allows your own insurance to step in and cover your damages up to your policy limits.

Can I sue if I signed a waiver?

Waivers are not always enforceable, especially in cases of gross negligence or recklessness. Even if you signed a liability waiver before an activity, you should have an attorney review the document and the facts of your injury.

For more information, visit our FAQ page. 

Directory

Emergency Rooms

• Los Angeles General Medical Center 1200 N State St, Los Angeles, CA 90033
• Harbor-UCLA Medical Center– 1000 W. Carson St., Torrance, CA 90509
• Olive View-UCLA Medical Center -14445 Olive View Dr. Sylmar, CA 91342
• Dignity Health – California Hospital Medical Center– 1401 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90015
• Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center – 1300 N Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Urgent Care Centers

• Care Fast Urgent Care- Burbank – 353 N Pass Ave Ste D Burbank, CA 91505
• First Aid Urgent Care – 7204 Foothill Blvd Tujunga, CA 91042
• Edward R. Roybal Comprehensive Health Center – 245 S. Fetterly Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90022
• H. Claude Hudson Comprehensive Health Center – 2829 South Grand Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90007
• Ladera Urgent Care – 5311 W Centinela Ave Los Angeles, CA 90045

Local Courthouses

• Airport Courthouse – 11701 S. La Cienega Los Angeles, CA 90045
• Central Arraignment Courthouse – 429 Bauchet St., Los Angeles, CA 90012
• Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center – 210 West Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Disclaimer: We do not endorse these companies or profit from listing them on our website.

Pursue the Justice You Deserve

A head injury can steal your independence, but it doesn’t have to steal your future. The Los Angeles head injury attorneys at Jacoby & Meyers are ready to stand by your side and fight to pursue compensation to help rebuild your life. We are available 24/7 to take your call.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case is different and must be evaluated on its own facts.

Attorney Review & Office Information

Attorney Review Disclosure
This content has been reviewed by California-licensed attorneys at Jacoby & Meyers to ensure accuracy and compliance with applicable California law. Legal services are provided by attorneys licensed to practice in the State of California.

Los Angeles Office
Jacoby & Meyers
2000 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 1150S
Los Angeles, CA 90067

24/7 Hotline: (213) 296-0792

Other Cases We Take On

• Car Accidents
• Personal Injury
• Motorcycle Accidents
• Truck Accidents
• Slip and Fall Accidents
• Dog Bites
• Pedestrian Accidents
• Scooter Accidents
• Premises Liability
• Hit and Run Accidents
• Construction Accidents
• Boat Accident
• Bicycle Accidents
• Paraplegia Injury
• Brain Injuries
• Catastrophic Injuries
• Burn Injuries
• Wrongful Death
• Laceration Injury
• Orthopedic Injury
• Whiplash Injury
• Amputations
• Broken Bone Injuries
• Neck Injuries
• Quadriplegia Injury
• Spinal Cord Injury
• Back Injury
• Rideshare Accidents