SANTA CLARITA BRAIN INJURY ATTORNEY

If you or a loved one suffered a brain injury due to someone else's negligence, you need guidance from someone who understands the complex medical and legal issues involved. Robert M. Mansour helps families across Santa Clarita, Valencia, Canyon Country, Newhall, Castaic, Stevenson Ranch, and Saugus understand their rights after a traumatic brain injury (TBI), concussion, or head trauma, and connects clients with a trusted network of attorneys experienced in these cases. Call or text today for a free consultation.

What Is a Brain Injury?

A brain injury occurs when sudden trauma damages the brain, disrupting its normal function. You do not need to lose consciousness to suffer a brain injury — even closed head injuries can cause significant, lasting damage
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Brain injuries range from mild concussions to severe traumatic brain injuries that cause permanent disability. The damage can be visible on imaging scans or "invisible," with symptoms that don't appear until days or weeks after the accident.
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Common causes of brain injuries in Santa Clarita:

• Car, truck, and motorcycle accidents
• Slip-and-fall accidents
• Pedestrian and bicycle accidents
• Sports injuries
• Workplace accidents
• Product liability (defective helmets or protective equipment)

Brain Injury Symptoms You Should Never Ignore

Brain injury symptoms vary widely and may appear immediately or develop over time. Seek medical attention immediately if you experience:

• Physical symptoms: headaches, dizziness, fatigue, nausea or vomiting, sensory impairment, vision or hearing problems, seizures
• Cognitive symptoms: memory loss, difficulty concentrating, confusion, poor judgment, slurred speech, difficulty learning, inability to focus
• Emotional symptoms: mood swings, depression, anxiety, irritability, personality changes, sleep disturbances, aggression

Symptoms sometimes don't surface until long after the injury occurred. This is why brain injuries often go undetected initially — but that does not mean they did not occur.

Types of Brain Injuries

• Concussion (mild TBI): caused by a blow to the head or violent shaking of the head and body; symptoms may include headache, dizziness, confusion, nausea, and temporary loss of consciousness
• Contusion: a bruise on brain tissue from direct impact, which can result in headache, vomiting, memory loss, and changes in mood or behavior
• Diffuse axonal injury (DAI): occurs when the brain's nerve fibers are stretched, torn, or sheared due to rapid acceleration or deceleration, such as in high-speed car accidents; can cause widespread damage, coma, cognitive impairment, and permanent disability
• Penetrating injury: an object such as shattered glass or debris penetrates the skull and directly damages brain tissue
• Hematoma: a collection of blood outside blood vessels, within the brain or between the brain and skull, which increases pressure inside the skull
• Cerebral edema: swelling of brain tissue due to fluid accumulation, which can compress brain structures and impair blood flow
• Hypoxic-ischemic brain injury: occurs when an accident disrupts blood flow or oxygen supply to the brain, leading to widespread damage if not promptly treated

Why Brain Injury Cases Require Specialized Guidance

Brain injury cases involve complex medical and legal issues:

• Medical complexity: these cases often require input from neurologists, neuropsychologists, and life-care planners
• Diagnostic challenges: symptoms aren't always visible on standard imaging, and insurance companies may use that to downplay a claim's severity
• Long-term impact assessment: future medical needs, lost earning capacity, and quality-of-life effects must be carefully documented
• Insurance company tactics: because head injuries aren't always immediately obvious, insurers may attempt to minimize the significance of the injury

Robert Mansour brings a unique perspective: he spent years working as a defense attorney for a major insurance company before representing injury victims. That experience helps clients understand how insurance companies evaluate and often try to minimize brain injury claims.

What You May Be Able to Recover

Depending on the circumstances of your case, a brain injury claim may account for:

• Past and future medical expenses, including neurological testing (MRI, PET, SPECT scans) and neuropsychological evaluations
• Rehabilitation costs (physical, occupational, and speech therapy)
• Lost wages and loss of future earning capacity
• Long-term care costs for permanent disabilities
• Pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life
• Home modifications for accessibility, where needed

Every case is different, and the value of a claim depends entirely on its specific facts — including the severity of the injury, the strength of the evidence, and the degree of fault involved. We don't provide settlement estimates or predicted outcomes on this website, since no two cases are alike, and any such figures would be misleading without a full case evaluation.

California follows pure comparative negligence under Civil Code Section 1714, meaning your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault, but you may still recover damages even if you were partially at fault.

California Brain Injury Statute of Limitations

Time is critical. California law sets strict deadlines for filing brain injury claims:

• Personal injury (including TBI): generally two years from the date of injury (CCP §335.1)
• Wrongful death: generally two years from the date of death (CCP §377.60)
• Claims against a government entity: as short as six months, requiring a formal administrative claim first, under the California Government Claims Act

Because evidence can disappear and memories fade, it's important to speak with an attorney as early as possible after a brain injury.

Caring for a Loved One with a Traumatic Brain Injury

Caring for someone with a TBI can be challenging, but your support significantly impacts recovery:

• Seek professional medical care and ensure all appointments and healthcare recommendations are followed
• Educate yourself about TBI, symptoms, and possible complications
• Create a supportive environment — minimize loud noises and bright lights, since TBI patients are often sensitive to stimuli
• Establish a routine, since consistent daily structure is often beneficial for recovery
• Encourage rehabilitation and support participation in prescribed therapy
• Be patient — behavioral changes and mood swings are common during recovery
• Monitor for complications and report any changes in mental status to medical providers promptly
• Connect with local TBI support groups, which can be valuable for both patients and caregivers

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to have lost consciousness to have a brain injury?

No. You do not need to lose consciousness to suffer a brain injury. Even closed head injuries without loss of consciousness can cause significant brain damage.

Can brain injury symptoms appear later?

Yes. Symptoms sometimes don't surface until long after the injury occurred, which is why brain injuries often go undetected initially.

What tests can help document a brain injury?

MRI scans, PET and SPECT imaging, and neuropsychological evaluations can all help document a brain injury, including injuries that don't show up on standard imaging alone.

How long do I have to file a brain injury claim in California?

In most cases, California law gives you two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury claim. Claims against government entities have much shorter deadlines, so it's important to speak with an attorney promptly.

Can I still recover if I was partially at fault?

Yes. California follows pure comparative negligence, meaning you can recover even if partially at fault, though your award is reduced by your percentage of fault.

What Information to Gather

When discussing your case, it helps to have as much of the following as possible:

• How the accident occurred and what you remember
• Where you were and what you were doing at the time
• Medical treatment received (ER visits, hospitalization, follow-up care)
• Symptoms you're experiencing (physical, cognitive, emotional)
• How the injury has impacted your daily life, work, and relationships
• Any police reports
• Photos of the accident scene or your injuries
• Witness contact information
• Any communications from insurance companies

Talk to a Santa Clarita Brain Injury Attorney Today

Brain injury cases require timely investigation — medical records must be secured, and evidence should be preserved before it disappears. Getting medical care early also helps document the severity of your injury.
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Contact the Law Office of Robert M. Mansour to understand your rights, evaluate your situation, and get honest, straightforward guidance. We serve Santa Clarita, Valencia, Canyon Country, Newhall, Castaic, Stevenson Ranch, Saugus, and the surrounding Santa Clarita Valley. Call or text today for a free consultation.

​​Robert Mansour can help advise you regarding your case.  He serves the entire Santa Clarita Valley including Valencia, Canyon Country, Saugus, Newhall, Castaic, Stevenson Ranch, and surrounding communities. Call Santa Clarita personal injury attorney Robert Mansour at (661) 414-7100 for a free consultation and evaluation of your case.  You can also fill out our Free Case Evaluation form.

Brain injury cases require immediate attention.

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