Brain injuries in Concord can happen after vehicle collisions, workplace falls, or public accidents. A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can change your life instantly.
Your brain injury may cause serious long term health issues or permanent impairment. Recovery often requires time away from work, expensive medical care, and in some cases, long-term treatment.
If negligence caused your brain injury, you deserve to hold the party at fault accountable. But brain injury claims are complex and require expert medical evidence to prove fault and show the full impact.
That is why having an experienced Concord brain injury lawyer fight your case is so important, giving you the ability to focus on recovery.
GJEL Accident Attorneys has recovered millions for brain injury clients in Concord and throughout Contra Costa County. We know how to build strong brain injury case in local courts, work with medical experts, and fight to get you the maximum compensation you deserve.
Call GJEL Accident Attorneys 24/7 or Visit Our Concord Office
Our Concord brain injury lawyers are available 24/7, day or night, to provide a free consultation and start working on your injury claim right away.
What to Do After a Suspected Brain Injury in Concord, CA
If you or a loved one suffers a head injury in Concord, quick action is critical. The steps below can help protect your health and your legal rights.
Step 1: Call 911 Immediately
If you suspect a brain injury in Concord, dial 911 right away. Get emergency help on the scene if you or a loved one loses consciousness, suffers sudden head pain, has seizures, slurred speech, or shows confusion.
Step 2: Notify the Police
Ask Concord police to respond and file a report at the accident scene. Reporting it where it happened helps document what led to the injury and who may be at fault.
Step 3: Document the Scene
Use your phone to take photos of hazards, vehicles, and your visible injuries. Exchange insurance details and witness contacts, but do not admit fault.
Step 4: Get Emergency Medical Care
Go to John Muir Health in Concord for evaluation, including CT or MRI scans if needed. Doctors may check for concussion, vision problems, memory gaps, or loss of balance. Serious cases may be transferred to Walnut Creek, and children can be taken to UCSF Benioff. Watch for delayed symptoms like dizziness, nausea, or ongoing head pain, and keep copies of all medical records.
Step 5: Follow Up With Specialists
Remember: a “normal” CT or MRI does not always rule out a brain injury. If symptoms continue, ask for neuropsychological testing, balance assessments, or detailed cognitive evaluations.
Step 6: Track Symptoms Daily
Keep a journal of ongoing problems such as headaches, dizziness, memory lapses, mood changes, sleep disturbances, or difficulty concentrating.
Step 7: Save Medical and Financial Records
Preserve every record related to your injury, including test results, treatment notes, prescriptions, and receipts for medications or rehabilitation.
Step 8: Contact GJEL Accident Attorneys
Call our Concord office at (925) 676-1330. Our Concord brain injury lawyers will protect your rights, preserve vital evidence, and pursue compensation for treatment, rehabilitation, and long-term care if needed.
Step 9: Notify Your Insurer Carefully
Tell your insurer about the accident, but avoid giving recorded statements before talking to a lawyer. Insurance companies often downplay ongoing head pain, dizziness, or cognitive issues that follow a traumatic brain injury. Save every letter or email you receive.
Step 10: Protect Your Legal Rights
California generally allows two years to file a personal injury lawsuit (Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1). Claims involving government entities require a government claim within six months.
How We Prove TBIs That Do Not Show on CT or MRI
Advanced Testing Beyond Standard Imaging
Many brain injuries in Concord don’t appear on initial CT scans or MRIs, but that doesn’t mean they’re not real or compensable.
At GJEL Accident Attorneys, we work with leading neurologists and neuropsychologists throughout the Bay Area to document “invisible” brain injuries through specialized testing.
This includes comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations that measure cognitive function, memory, and processing speed; diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) that can detect microscopic brain tissue damage; vestibular and balance assessments; and detailed cognitive testing that reveals deficits in attention, executive function, and information processing.
We also utilize computerized neurocognitive testing and collaborate with experts who can perform advanced imaging techniques that standard emergency room scans often miss.
Building Your Case Through Expert Documentation
Our Concord brain injury legal team understands that proving a TBI requires more than medical records. It requires showing how the injury impacts your daily life and future earning capacity.
We work with life care planners who calculate the long-term costs of cognitive rehabilitation, occupational therapy, and ongoing medical care.
Our attorneys collaborate with vocational experts to demonstrate how cognitive deficits affect your ability to work in your chosen field, whether you’re a tech professional in nearby Walnut Creek or work in Concord’s industrial sector. We gather testimony from family members, coworkers, and friends who can document personality changes, memory problems, and functional limitations that weren’t present before your accident on Highway 4, I-680, or elsewhere in Contra Costa County.
Trial-Tested Strategy for Complex Brain Injury Cases
When insurance companies deny claims for brain injuries that don’t show on standard imaging, we’re prepared to take your case to trial with compelling evidence. Our legal team has successfully proven TBI cases by presenting before-and-after evidence of cognitive function, using day-in-the-life videos that show real-world impacts, and working with expert witnesses who can explain complex neurological concepts to juries in understandable terms.
We’ve secured substantial settlements and verdicts for clients with post-concussion syndrome, diffuse axonal injury, and mild TBI cases where initial scans appeared normal. From our Concord office at 2801 Concord Blvd, we fight to ensure that invisible injuries receive the recognition and compensation they deserve under California law.
Types of Brain Injury Litigation in Concord We Take On
Here are the types of brain and head injury cases in Concord we handle for you when negligence, unsafe conditions, or medical errors change your life.
| Case Type | How We Help |
| Concussion / Mild Brain Injury Cases | We document concussion symptoms and represent you in Concord when negligent parties cause a mild brain injury. |
| Motor-Vehicle-Related Brain Injury Claims | We document concussion symptoms and represent you in Concord when negligent parties cause a mild brain injury. |
| Pedestrian & Bicycle Head Injury Cashes | We represent you in Concord when a pedestrian or bicycle crash causes a serious head injury. |
| Falls & Workplace Brain Injury Claims | We hold employers or property owners accountable in Concord when a fall leads to a workplace brain injury. |
| Moderate to Severe Brain Injury Cases | We hold at-fault parties accountable in Concord when a severe brain injury leaves you with permanent disability. |
| Diffuse Axonal Brain Injury Claims | We prove liability and represent you in Concord when a diffuse axonal brain injury results from negligence. |
| Head Contusions & Hematoma Cases | We link Concord accidents to brain bleeds and fight for you when trauma causes head contusions or hematomas. |
| Skull Fracture Head Injury Claims | We represent you in Concord when negligence causes a skull fracture and related head complications. |
| Post-Concussion Brain Syndrome Cases | We fight insurers in Concord when post-concussion syndrome keeps you from returning to work. |
| Hypoxic / Anoxic Brain Injuries Claims | We hold hospitals and providers accountable in Concord when oxygen loss leads to hypoxic or anoxic brain injury. |
What Your Compensation Can Cover in California
Immediate and Long-Term Medical Expenses
Brain injury compensation in California covers the full spectrum of medical care you’ll need, from emergency treatment at John Muir Health in Concord to specialized rehabilitation that may continue for years.
This includes all hospital bills, neurological consultations, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and cognitive rehabilitation services. For severe TBIs, compensation also covers the cost of life care plans that detail decades of future medical needs, including adaptive equipment, home modifications, and round-the-clock care if necessary.
California law allows you to recover costs for experimental or cutting-edge treatments that insurance companies might deny, ensuring you have access to the best possible care regardless of location—whether you’re receiving treatment in Concord, San Francisco, or specialized facilities throughout the Bay Area.
Lost Income and Diminished Earning Capacity
Beyond covering your current lost wages, California brain injury settlements account for your reduced ability to earn income in the future. Our Concord legal team works with economists and vocational experts to calculate how cognitive deficits, memory problems, and other common signs and symptoms of traumatic brain injury will impact your career trajectory.
This is particularly important for professionals in Contra Costa County’s tech and business sectors, where cognitive function directly affects job performance and advancement opportunities.
Whether you’re unable to return to work completely or need to transition to a lower-paying position due to signs and symptoms of head injury in adults, compensation covers the economic difference between your pre-injury and post-injury earning potential.
Pain, Suffering, and Life Impact Damages
California recognizes that brain injuries cause profound non-economic damages that extend far beyond medical bills and lost wages. Compensation includes payment for physical pain, emotional suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and the impact on your relationships with family and friends.
These damages account for personality changes, depression, anxiety, and the frustration of cognitive limitations that affect daily activities you once took for granted. Our brain injury pain and suffering settlement examples demonstrate how California courts and juries value these life-altering impacts. From our Concord office, we’ve helped families throughout Contra Costa County secure compensation that reflects the true scope of how a brain injury changes everything—from career aspirations to family dynamics and personal independence.
FAQ: Concord Brain Injury Cases
How do I know if I have a brain injury after a car crash in Concord?
Brain injuries don’t always cause immediate unconsciousness or visible symptoms. Watch for persistent headaches, dizziness, confusion, memory problems, nausea, sensitivity to light or noise, and changes in sleep patterns or mood. Even if you felt “fine” at the scene of your Highway 4 or I-680 accident, symptoms can develop hours or days later. If you’re experiencing any of these issues after a crash in Concord, seek medical evaluation immediately at John Muir Health Concord’s Emergency Department at 2540 East St. or the Level II Trauma Center in Walnut Creek. Document your symptoms and get professional medical assessment even if initial scans appear normal.
Can I have a traumatic brain injury if my CT scan or MRI looks normal?
Yes, absolutely. Many concussions and mild traumatic brain injuries don’t show up on standard emergency room CT scans or MRIs. These “invisible” brain injuries can still cause significant symptoms and long-term problems. If you’re experiencing cognitive difficulties, persistent headaches, balance problems, or personality changes after a head injury in Concord, follow up with specialists who can perform more detailed testing like neuropsychological evaluations, balance assessments, or advanced imaging techniques. Normal initial scans don’t mean you don’t have a compensable brain injury under California law.
What is the deadline to file a brain injury lawsuit in California?
Most personal injury cases in California, including brain injury claims, must be filed within two years of the injury date under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1. However, claims against government entities like the City of Concord, Contra Costa County, or public transportation have much shorter deadlines. You typically have only six months to file a government claim, with additional short windows if your claim is rejected. Don’t wait to contact a Concord brain injury attorney, as crucial evidence can disappear and witnesses’ memories fade. Call GJEL at (925) 676-1330 for immediate guidance on your specific situation.
Will a brain injury lawyer help me get proper medical care in Concord?
Yes, experienced brain injury attorneys often help clients connect with appropriate medical specialists and ensure you receive comprehensive care. We work with neurologists, neuropsychologists, and rehabilitation specialists throughout the Bay Area who understand how to properly diagnose and document brain injuries. This is especially important when insurance companies try to minimize your injuries or deny coverage for specialized testing. Our Concord office can help you access the medical care you need while we handle the legal aspects of your case, ensuring your recovery remains the top priority.
How much does it cost to hire a brain injury lawyer in Concord?
GJEL Accident Attorneys works on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no attorney fees unless we win your case. There are no upfront costs, and we advance all case expenses including medical record retrieval, expert witness fees, and investigation costs. This arrangement allows Concord families to access experienced legal representation regardless of their financial situation after a brain injury. We offer free case consultations where we’ll evaluate your situation and explain your options with no obligation. Contact our Concord office at 2801 Concord Blvd or call (925) 676-1330 to discuss your case today.
What factors affect the value of a brain injury settlement in California?
Settlement values depend on the severity of your injury, the impact on your daily life and career, your age and earning capacity, the strength of evidence proving the other party’s fault, and the quality of medical documentation. Factors specific to Concord cases might include the type of accident (freeway crashes on I-680 often involve higher speeds and more severe injuries), the defendant’s insurance coverage, and how well your legal team can demonstrate the long-term effects of your brain injury. California’s recognition of both economic and non-economic damages means compensation can include medical expenses, lost wages, future care needs, and payment for pain, suffering, and diminished quality of life.
California Deadlines You Need to Know
Two-Year Statute of Limitations for Most Cases
In California, you generally have two years from the date of your brain injury to file a personal injury lawsuit under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1. This deadline applies whether your injury occurred in a car accident on Highway 4, a slip and fall at a Concord business, or any other incident caused by someone else’s negligence. However, brain injuries present unique timing challenges because symptoms don’t always appear immediately. The “discovery rule” may extend this deadline if your brain injury wasn’t reasonably discoverable right after the accident, but don’t rely on this exception without consulting an experienced attorney. For comprehensive guidance on timing your claim, review our detailed information about how long you have to file a brain injury claim after a car accident to understand all the factors that could affect your specific situation.
Government Claims Have Much Shorter Deadlines
If your brain injury involved a government entity such as the City of Concord, Contra Costa County, a public school, or public transportation like BART, you face much stricter deadlines. You typically have only six months from the date of injury to file a formal government claim, and this deadline is rarely extended. After filing your government claim, the entity has 45 days to respond. If they reject your claim or fail to respond, you then have only six months from the rejection date or two years from the incident (whichever is earlier) to file a lawsuit. These deadlines are strictly enforced, and missing them usually means losing your right to compensation entirely, regardless of how severe your brain injury or how clear the government’s liability.
Don’t Wait to Protect Your Rights
Time is critical in brain injury cases because crucial evidence can disappear quickly. Surveillance footage from the accident scene gets deleted, witnesses’ memories fade, and physical evidence deteriorates. Insurance companies also use delays against you, arguing that if your injuries were truly severe, you would have sought legal help sooner. At GJEL Accident Attorneys, we recommend contacting our Concord office immediately after any suspected brain injury, even if you’re still receiving medical treatment. Early legal intervention allows us to preserve evidence, handle insurance communications properly, and ensure all deadlines are met while you focus on recovery. Call (925) 676-1330 today for a free consultation to understand the specific deadlines that apply to your Concord brain injury case.
Get Legal Help in Concord Today
Don’t wait to protect your rights. GJEL Accident Attorneys’ Concord office provides immediate guidance for brain injury cases throughout Contra Costa County. We understand both the medical complexities of brain injuries and the local legal landscape.
Call (925) 676-1330 for a free case review – available 24 hours Visit us at 2801 Concord Blvd, Concord, CA 94519
Our experienced team can help you navigate insurance claims, connect with appropriate medical specialists, and ensure you receive the compensation needed for your recovery and future care.
Related Legal Services in Concord
Brain injuries often occur alongside other serious injuries in accidents throughout Concord and Contra Costa County. If you or a loved one has suffered multiple injuries or need specialized legal representation for related cases, our experienced Concord legal team handles a full range of personal injury matters from our local office serving the Concord community.
Serious Traffic Accidents: Large commercial vehicles on I-680 and Highway 4 can cause devastating injuries including traumatic brain injuries. Our Concord truck collision attorneys understand the complex regulations and insurance issues involved in commercial vehicle crashes that often result in multiple types of severe injuries.
Vulnerable Road User Incidents: Brain injuries frequently occur in accidents involving cyclists and scooter riders on Concord’s busy streets. Whether you were injured while biking near Todos Santos Plaza or in a scooter incident downtown, our bicycle injury lawyers in Concord and electric scooter accident attorneys in Concord have the specific experience needed to handle these cases where head trauma is common.
Catastrophic Injury Cases: Severe accidents that cause brain injuries may also result in limb loss requiring immediate legal action to secure funds for prosthetics and rehabilitation. Our Concord catastrophic injury and amputation legal team works with the same medical experts and life care planners who understand both brain injury and amputation cases.
Each of these practice areas requires specialized knowledge of both the medical complexities and legal strategies needed to maximize compensation for life-changing injuries in Contra Costa County. GJEL is here to help.
Brain Injury Resources in Concord
Where to Get Emergency Care in Concord
John Muir Health – Concord Medical Center, Emergency Services 2540 East St., Concord, CA 94520 Emergency Department: (925) 674-2333 Available 24/7 for immediate head injury evaluation
For Severe Trauma Cases: John Muir Health – Walnut Creek Medical Center (Level II Trauma Center) 1601 Ygnacio Valley Rd., Walnut Creek, CA 94598 Main: (925) 939-3000 Designated Level II Trauma Center for Contra Costa County
For Pediatric Brain Injuries: UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland serves as the regional pediatric trauma center for Contra Costa County cases requiring specialized care.
Educational Resources
- CDC’s HEADS UP on Concussion – trusted information on recognizing and managing brain injuries
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders (NINDS) – comprehensive TBI information
Local Support: For ongoing support and resources, the Bay Area has established brain injury support groups that can provide valuable guidance during your recovery process.
