Fractures, hairline fractures, bone chips, complete fractures, and compound fractures can be extremely painful and disruptive to a client's daily personal and professional life. Whether by automobile accident, truck crash, a dangerous condition, an intentional attack, or any accident, bone fractures and bone chips can lead to permanent problems lasting for the rest of a client's life. They can also lead to nerve damage which can have serious lasting consequences. Our personal injury lawyers understand both the medical and the personal impact fractures and breaks impose on a person's quality of life.
- Brain Injury
- Burn Injury
- Nerve and Joint Injury
- Paralysis
- Spinal Injury
- Tinnitus
Brain Injury
Brain and cerebral injuries are considered some of the most severe and traumatic injuries resulting in complete life-changes affecting all aspects of the client. Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries result when the impact to the head, skull, and brain is relatively mild (compared to usually traumatic impacts), but damage and injury to the brain cells and tissue causes traumatic deficits in motor skills, behavior, speech, senses, and other functions controlled by the brain. Lavelle Law Group has successfully represented several coma and permanent brain damage clients. Brain injury cases require a higher level of strategy to explain and prove the true and full effect of the injury on the victims life and activities. We really get to know our clients and their families, and work with them in order to understand to full extent of their loss so we can present that to the jury.
Burn Injury
All burns are painful and severe burns can impose lasting health problems on any client experiencing these burns. Lavelle Law Group recently represented a client who was in a medically induced coma due in part to 3rd degree burns over significant portions of the client's body, and we understand the significant impact burn injuries have on someone's life. Often, crashed involving trucks (trucking accidents) can cause traumatic brain injury, head injury, significant Permanent scars, disfigurement, disability, and the impact on the client's life and the lives of those around the client must all be understood for proper representation.
Nerve and Joint Injury
Automobile accidents and dangerous conditions on business properties often cause very severe and permanent nerve and joint injuries. Often clients are frustrated because they suffer severe pain but feel they don't have a broken bone “to show for it.” Nerve damage can be a complicated and difficult issue to diagnose, and our personal injury lawyers understand vigorous representation is required. Joint damage often continues to cause pain for years, if not for the life of the client.
Paralysis
Paralysis is the medical condition that causes complete loss of use of muscle and control of part or all of a person's body, caused by damage to the nervous system, including the brain and the spinal cord. Paralysis can be permanent or temporary and can affect a person's life beyond the loss of use of a part of their body. Where paralysis is permanent, a person's life is dramatically altered for the rest of their life, and their ability to perform the simplest of tasks is diminished. Quadriplegia and paraplegia each have their own set of challenges and life plan solutions, and our personal injury lawyers have experience and knowledge in paralysis cases.
Spinal Injury
Spinal cord injuries are some of the most devastating injuries that a person will encounter. Paralysis, paraplegia, quadriplegia, and other debilitating injuries can permanently impair any accident victim. Our personal injury lawyers have extensive experience and knowledge with all spinal cord injuries including the cervical spine, thoracic spine, and lumbar spine, and sacral spine regions. Acute spinal cord injury is often associated with severe vertebral injuries and our personal injury lawyers understand the medical and bodily connection between the spine and vertebrae.
Tinnitus
What Is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus s the perception of sound in the absence of an external auditory stimulus. In other words, you are truly hearing sounds that are not physically there. Typically it presents as ringing or “thumping” in the ears. Tinnitus may be anything from a soft whistle to a loud whine. Some people describe it as the sound of a jet engine or being in a wind tunnel. The ringing or sound may either be intermittent or continual. Tinnitus also causes loss of effective hearing.
Hidden Hearing Loss
Tinnitus is often called a “hidden hearing loss” because it is not always detected by conventional hearing tests. Frustrating, victims are often told their hearing is “just fine”. But the suffering is very real. Often, the problem is exposure to loud noises damages the brain's ability to listen selectively and decode words or trauma in an accident.
Challenges Tinnitus Brings
While many learn to ignore and compensate for the phantom sounds, tinnitus impacts quality of life. Tinnitus has been shown to be associated with sleeping disorders, depression, and anxiety. It may affect concentration and the ability for attentional focusing and working memory and is a condition difficult to treat. Struggles with tinnitus can vary from a few days to unfortunately a lifetime. Hearing and labyrinthine dysfunction sometimes occur with tinnitus. This is a particularly common consequence of head injuries due to damage to the auditory nerve, the cochlea, or middle ear conducting. For some, noise-canceling headphones and cognitive behavioral therapy help some of the pain and suffering from tinnitus. But for others, treatment has little or no effect.
How is Testing for Tinnitus Done?
Tinnitus Assessment is performed using a variety of test signals from pure tones to narrowband and white noises.
What Kind of Doctor Treats Tinnitus?
Typically an ear, nose, and throat doctor (ENT) is the type of physician that diagnoses treats tinnitus. ENTs (formerly known as otolaryngologists) specialize in medical conditions involving or relating to the ears, noses/sinuses, mouth, and throat. Some ENTs focus specifically on the ears and treatment of hearing problems, such as tinnitus.
What Causes Tinnitus?
The most common cause of tinnitus is excessive high-level noise exposure. Employees who work in construction, production lines, automobile assembly lines, and the military are at risk. Military and police thought they had the problem covered with acoustic earmuffs in their training programs in firing chambers to avoid that noise exposure. But it turns out that some of these noise blockers were defectively built with a design flaw which has led to a number of Tinnitus-related lawsuits involving the Combat Arms Ear Plugs. Tinnitus can also be caused by random noise exposures like a siren, railroad engine whistle, motorcycles, loud equipment, and firearms. Victims of traumatic brain injuries, even mild TBIs, are also at great risk for tinnitus. There are also cases of late-onset of tinnitus that have confused healthcare providers. The working theory is that tinnitus in these cases is secondary to the muscular postures patients may utilize to avoid neck pain after whiplash or other neck injury, usually after a motor vehicle accident. Approximately 15% of individuals with a history of whiplash develop tinnitus and one or more of the following symptoms: vertigo, headache, instability, and nausea, and hearing loss. It doesn't take a major impact to get tinnitus as a result of a car accident. You do not even need any contact with the head. The mechanical shearing of the head back can impact the inner ear and cause tinnitus. The inner hair cells are analogous to vertical spaghetti stalks. They are fragile and if you shear your hand through those stalks, they can fragment in all different layers.
Can You Get Tinnitus from Trauma?
YES. Tinnitus is usually caused by exposure to high noise levels which damages the inner ear. However, certain types of head and traumatic brain injury can sometimes cause hearing loss and tinnitus.
Can I Sue for Getting Tinnitus?
You can sue for getting tinnitus if your injury was caused by the negligence of another person. This commonly occurs in car crash cases where the property damage is significant. To prove your case, you need a medical doctor who can link your tinnitus to the defendant's negligence.
How Much Compensation Can You Get for Tinnitus and Hearing Loss?
Most personal injury claims for tinnitus arise in car accident cases. The is no magic payout calculator where you can punch in your injuries and get a settlement amount. But average settlement compensation payout range for tinnitus or hearing loss claims in an auto tort case seems to be in the $50,000 to $250,000 range. The average value of a tinnitus or hearing loss claim in a product liability (like the Combat Arms litigation), premises liability or malpractice case will likely be higher. Expect workers' comp settlement payouts to generally be lower. (Of course, a VA or other disability claim will usually be much less.). Have you been injured and suffer tinnitus in San Diego or California – call us to help.
Truck Accidents and Car Accidents can also Cause Tinnitus and Head Injury
Tinnitus, or ringing of the ears is an often overlooked symptom arising after a truck accident. Often the tinnitus will go away in a few days or a few weeks. However in some cases the symptoms do not seem to go away. After an auto accident the accident victim who starts to have ringing in the ears may not, at first, associate it with the accident. Many people who have not studied tinnitus and auto accidents “assume” that tinnitus comes from a direct trauma to the ears or head. Often in a truck or car accident there is no direct trauma to the ears. However, studies have shown a high correlation between tinnitus in auto accidents, particularly associated with the onset of whiplash. The symptoms of whiplash may take hours or days to develop after the accident. In addition to not making the “self-diagnosis,” a patient will often see a doctor after the accident and assume the doctor will be attending to his or her bodily injuries, such as neck, shoulder and back pain. The person assumes that if the ringing in the ears does not go away, they will have to see an ear doctor, so the patient often does not report the tinnitus to the initial medical providers. The connection between an auto accident, Tinnitus, and the onset of whiplash was reported in the International Tinnitus Journal, vol. 15 no. 2 July- December, 2009. Also, see article in the Mayo Clinic official website: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/whiplash/symptoms-causes/syc-20378921. Also see related information in the Northern Brain Injury Institute website: http://nbia.ca/tinnitus/ The International Tinnitus Journal report stated, in part: Very well known is that after head and neck trauma, many patients complain of various types of tinnitus. Therefore, we prepared a specific, detailed analysis of the background of head and neck trauma. The majority of patients (consistent through all age groups) reported so-called whiplash-related tinnitus problems after a car accident. They also reported posttraumatic complaints of whiplash injury (also consistent through all the age groups but especially frequent in the age group 30-40 years). Car accidents and whiplash occur more frequently in the younger age groups, whereas reports of cerebral concussions are more frequent in the old-age group (> 70 years).
Spine, Neck & Vertebrae Injury
Because the vertebrae and the spine are so intimately related to each other and a person's entire back, our personal injury lawyers understand the severity of a person's vertebrae injury and medical treatment. Several vertebrae injury patients will endure a long and complicated treatment process to repair the vertebrae bones. Our personal injury lawyers have successfully litigated complex vertebrae cases and understand the future treatment a patient must plan for when making decision about their legal case.
Accidents
Asbestos
Asbestos exposure can cause chronic and serious disease such as malignant mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. Asbestos is toxic and has been used in materials to withstand heat and chemicals. When someone has been exposed to asbestos, they can also suffer from other asbestos related diseases such as asbestos warts.
Auto Accidents
Automobile accidents are among the most common and most deadly types of accidents causing severe lifetime injuries. Our personal injury lawyers have recovered some of the largest monetary awards in certain areas of California for injured car accident victims. Our personal injury lawyers use the best forensic experts and medical experts to help prove cases. And, our personal injury attorneys are experts in automobile insurance law, covering areas such as uninsured motorists, underinsured motorists, insurance policies, and bad faith insurance.
Aviation Accidents
Although relatively rare, aviation accidents can be extremely complex, difficult cases involving several responsible defendants. If there is an error with the equipment, then products liability may exist. If there is an error with inspection or maintenance, then negligence may exist. If there is pilot error, then expert aviation evidence may be required. Representation from lawyers at Lavelle Law Group will include extensive understanding of all the complexities of an aviation accident.
Bicycle Accidents
Bicycle accidents are very common and very deadly. Our personal injury attorneys have successfully recovered for injured victims and, unfortunately, for the families of those wrongfully killed while riding a bicycle by a negligent 3rd person. Our personal injury attorneys' knowledge of the California Vehicular Code and of forensic accident reconstruction is excellent and thorough. Bicycle riders have rights, just as pedestrians, and car drivers' negligence can create truly tragic results.
Boating Accidents
Boating in California is a common past time favorite for all ages. However, boating can also be extremely dangerous and lead to tragic results when boat operators are negligent. Similar to drunk driving on California Highways, operating boats under the influence of drugs or alcohol leads to horrific results. Our personal injuries lawyers have successful experience enforcing justice when a negligent or wrongful boat operator injures our clients, ending or changing their lives forever.
Construction Site Injury & Death
The complexity of the negligence, product liability, user error, and standards of care in construction site injuries is extensive. Our personal injury attorneys have the extensive knowledge of both personal injury law and construction law. Our firm has several construction lawyers and our personal injury lawyers draw upon the firm's extensive resources to prove the best possible case for our clients. When deaths occur on construction sites, our personal injury lawyers engage the best experts to help prove their clients' cases.
Dog Bites
Dog bites are sometimes mischaracterized as relatively minor injuries. In reality, dog bites and dog attacks can be utterly devastating, causing permanent disfigurement, scarring, ligament injury, broken bones, and serve emotional distress related to a developed fear of dogs and animals. Our personal injuries attorneys handle dog bite cases with incredible seriousness and vigor. Dogs are the responsibility of their owners, who should be held responsible when owners' negligence causes injury.
Intentional Torts and Misconduct
Our personal injury lawyers have successfully recovered for intentional torts against victims and clients. We work well with the local District Attorney's office, and we know when and how to successfully recover punitive damages for intentional and wrongful conduct. Our experience ranges from victims of attacks, to wrongful transmission of sexual diseases, to egregious and reckless conduct. Our lawyers consider intentional tort cases on an hourly basis as well as on a contingency basis. You can potentially recover punitive damages if you are injured by a drunk driver.
Motorcycle Accidents
Every motorcycle enthusiast knows and understands the dangers and risks of riding. Our lawyers have successfully tried large damage lawsuits to recover for victims of motorcycle accidents. Most recently, a client was severely injured, negatively affecting his entire life- from personal relations to work performance. Some of the worst injuries ever are caused by autos crashing into motorcycles, and our personal injury lawyers know how to recover for motorcycle accident victims.
Negligence
Negligence can incorporate a wide range of improper or substandard activity by a business, individual, government entity, or other person. Complex negligence lawsuits require a deep and wide understanding of issues such as comparative fault, negligence per se (when a statute is violated), contributory negligence, joint and several liability, and many other complex legal doctrines. Our personal injury lawyers are award-winning students and expert practitioners of these complex negligence doctrines.
Injury & Accidents
Pedestrian Accidents
Often fatal and tragic, pedestrian accidents cause serious injuries and death. Wrongful death suits require a careful evaluation of the case and a sensitivity to those who've lost their loved one. Our personal injury lawyers ensure the goals and wishes of the families are paramount. Pedestrian accidents can also include complex situations involving comparative negligence claims from the defense. Our personal injury lawyers know how to anticipate and respond to those claims in order to best serve the goals of the injured client or the grieving family.
Playground Accidents and School Liability
Playground standards are extremely detailed and require a familiarity with the national measurement standards. Our personal injury attorneys litigate using these standards and work with excellent experts to build and prove the negligence of the school. Also, school liability usually means a claim against a government agency, namely a school district. Our personal injury attorneys have extensive experience litigating against school districts and know what it takes procedurally and legally to overcome governmental hurdles.
Pharmaceutical Litigation
Pharmaceutical companies generate new products on a continual basis. When those products ultimately injure or kill the consumer, serious questions must be asked. Pharmaceutical litigation is often very complex and requires experienced litigators to understand which path is the right one for an injured victim. Lavelle Law Group lawyers can help you understand the details and nuances of your pharmaceutical claim.
Premises Liability
Businesses, land owners, and property managers are responsible for maintaining safe properties. Our personal injuries lawyers have successfully litigated many premises liability cases and have recovered millions of dollars for their clients. Slip and fall cases can be very difficult to prove and large corporations will present aggressive defenses. Our personal injuries attorneys have successful litigated through those aggressive defenses and have achieved an excellent reputation for their representation of clients who are injured due to the negligence of a land owner or property manager.
Product Liability
Product liability can include anything from household cleaners, to automobiles, to cola bottles, to construction equipment and beyond. Our personal injury lawyers understand the evidence and experts needed to prove your product liability case. Our trial lawyers can successfully build your case, whether it's a design defect, manufacturer's defect, or warning defect. Our lawyers also understand the very important nuances between strict liability and negligence in these cases and will use their experience and wealth of knowledge to successfully represent you.
Train Injury & Death
Injuries and deaths resulting from train accidents can often include multiple plaintiffs and very large defendants. Negligence of train operators can be deadly and tragic. If you or a loved one was injured due to a train accident or if your loved one was killed by a train, our personal injury lawyers can help you understand your rights and can represent you. Our personal injury lawyers have extensive personal injury success and our team of lawyers will guide you through the litigation process.
Trucking Accidents
Trucking standards and laws in the United States are extensive. Our personal injury attorneys have experience with those standards and have litigated trucking accidents using those standards to prove our client's case. Trucking accidents can also result in very serious injuries. Care in the investigation phase is extremely important in these cases. We have a successful team of personal injury lawyers who will represent you and be sensitive to your personal goals throughout the litigation.
Wrongful Death
Wrongful deaths suits require experienced trial lawyers willing to litigate cases aggressively. Nothing can or will replace the loss of a beloved family member. Ensuring your family is protected and seeking justice when another person has caused a wrongful death to your loved one can be a very confusing process. Our attorneys work in teams to guide you through the entire process to ensure your goals are the most important aspect of your case. Our attorneys are both aggressive for your case and sensitive to your needs as client.
