Any injury has the potential to disrupt life and health, but brain injuries, and especially traumatic brain injuries, are unique in the level of trauma they can inflict on a person.

Who you are—your personality, temperament, what you like and don’t like—is held in the brain. An injury there can drastically alter your personality, remove you from your career, and bury you under a mountain of medical debt.

san diego brain injury lawyer

If you have suffered a brain injury due to the negligence of another person, then you deserve to be cared for, medically and financially, on your road to recovery. And the San Diego brain injury lawyers at Shea & Shea are here to help you succeed at getting the help you need.

These cases are complex. From determining liability to calculating long-term care costs, brain injury litigation demands a depth of legal knowledge that few firms can offer. As one of the most respected brain injury law firms in San Diego and beyond, Shea & Shea is here to stand by your side. We’ll help you understand your rights, build a strong case, and fight relentlessly for the compensation you deserve.

Our San Diego personal injury lawyers can help victims overcome the legal and financial challenges that victims often face. If you are in need of an experienced brain injury lawyer in San Diego, contact Shea & Shea today for a free case consultation.

Why Shea & Shea for Brain Injury Cases?

When you’re facing the life-altering consequences of a traumatic brain injury, choosing the right legal team can make all the difference. Don’t sell yourself short—you deserve to have the best brain injury attorney in San Diego at your side to fight for maximum compensation.

At Shea & Shea, our San Diego head injury attorneys are widely recognized for their success in brain injury litigation. With decades of experience and a track record of multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements, we’ve earned a reputation as a trusted authority in this highly specialized field.

As a premier brain injury law firm in San Diego, we understand that no two cases are alike. That’s why we approach every client’s story with care, respect, and a strategic mindset backed by deep legal knowledge and medical insight. Our attorneys work closely with neurologists, neuropsychologists, life care planners, and other medical experts to fully understand the impact of your injury—and to build a case that accurately reflects the harm you’ve suffered.

We’ve represented brain injury victims throughout California and across the globe, handling complex cases involving catastrophic injuries from motor vehicle accidents, workplace incidents, defective products, and more.

What sets us apart:

  • Access to Top Medical Experts: We bring in specialists to help prove the extent of your injury and its long-term consequences.
  • Aggressive Litigation Strategies: As experienced trial attorneys, we don’t shy away from the courtroom. We prepare every case as if it will go to trial—and insurance companies know it.
  • Compassionate Advocacy: We understand the human side of brain trauma. We’re here to support you through every step of your recovery and legal journey.

If you’re looking for a brain injury attorney in San Diego, turn to Shea & Shea. We’re not just your legal team—we’re your advocates, your investigators, and your partners in the fight for justice.

Types of Brain Injury Cases We Handle

At Shea & Shea, our San Diego traumatic brain injury lawyers have extensive experience representing victims of all types of brain trauma. No matter the cause or severity, we know that every brain injury carries the potential for lasting harm—and each case deserves thorough, individualized attention. As a leading brain injury law firm in San Diego, we help clients pursue justice and compensation for a wide range of traumatic and acquired brain injuries, including:

Concussions (Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries)

Often referred to as mild TBIs, concussions can still result in significant cognitive, emotional, and physical symptoms. Whether caused by a car accident, a fall, or a blow to the head, concussions can lead to chronic headaches, memory issues, mood changes, and more. Many of our clients come to us after realizing their symptoms haven’t resolved, and they need help from a San Diego brain injury lawyer who understands the long-term implications of these “invisible” injuries.

Diffuse Axonal Injuries (DAIs)

One of the most severe forms of traumatic brain injury (TBI), diffuse axonal injuries occur when the brain is shaken or rotated violently—often in high-impact vehicle collisions. This shearing damage to brain fibers can lead to coma, persistent vegetative state, or permanent disability. Our San Diego TBI lawyers have worked with top neurologists to prove the extent of harm in these devastating cases and fight for full and fair compensation.

Penetrating Brain Injuries

When an object pierces the skull and damages brain tissue, the consequences can be catastrophic. Victims may experience paralysis, loss of speech, or cognitive impairment, and often require lifelong medical care. If you or your loved one has sustained this type of injury due to a shooting, industrial accident, or another violent incident, our San Diego brain trauma lawyers are prepared to help.

Anoxic and Hypoxic Brain Injuries

These injuries occur when the brain is deprived of oxygen—commonly due to near-drowning, birth complications, or medical malpractice. Even short periods of oxygen deprivation can lead to permanent brain damage, affecting movement, memory, speech, and emotional regulation. Our traumatic brain injury attorneys in San Diego have handled complex cases involving anoxia and hypoxia, especially when linked to medical negligence or preventable emergencies.

Second-Impact Syndrome

Second-impact syndrome happens when a person sustains a second concussion before the first one has fully healed. A rare condition, it is most likely to strike young athletes and can result in rapid, fatal brain swelling. At Shea & Shea, we hold negligent coaches, sports organizations, and schools accountable when proper concussion protocols aren’t followed.

Contusions and Hematomas

Brain contusions (bruising of brain tissue) and hematomas (bleeding in or around the brain) can cause pressure buildup, brain swelling, seizures, and loss of consciousness. These injuries often require surgical intervention and extensive rehabilitation. Our brain injury settlement lawyers in San Diego work closely with medical teams to calculate the cost of long-term care and future needs.

No matter the diagnosis—concussion, DAI, or brain hypoxia—our attorneys are ready to investigate the cause, build your case, and hold the responsible parties accountable. When you need a serious brain injury attorney in San Diego with proven results and unwavering dedication, Shea & Shea is here for you.

Common Causes of Brain Injuries

Individuals of any age, from all walks of life and any profession, can become victims of brain injuries. While some occupations or recreational hobbies may place you at a greater likelihood of sustaining a TBI, it’s important to remember that virtually every San Diego resident is at risk of suffering a brain injury.

Here are some of the most common causes of traumatic brain injuries that our San Diego attorneys see.

  • Vehicle collisions (car or motorcycle)
  • Trauma to the head
  • Slip and fall injuries (very commonly occurring in the shower among adults)
  • Severe whiplash
  • Cycling or pedestrian accidents
  • Exposure to harmful chemicals and neurotoxins
  • Anoxia
  • Explosions
  • Construction accidents
  • Longshoremen accidents
  • Defective equipment or machinery
  • Falling objects striking an individual

There are many other causes of traumatic brain injuries and even the safest seeming activity can result in a brain injury. If you have been involved in an accident that is not on this list but still suspect that you’ve received a brain injury, you should still seek out professional medical and legal services.

Common Signs & Symptoms of a Traumatic Brain Injury

If you suspect that you or someone you know has sustained a traumatic brain injury, here are some of the most common TBI symptoms to be on the lookout for.

Bear in mind that victims may display several of these symptoms and that TBI symptoms may not show up for some time following an accident (there have been instances of brain injury victims not showing symptoms for days or even weeks following their accident).

  • Nausea and/or vomiting
  • Balance and coordination issues
  • Headaches and migraines
  • Ringing in the ears and sensitivity to sound
  • Memory loss and disorientation
  • Slurred speech and other intoxicated-like symptoms
  • Increased sensitivity to light
  • Mood swings and disturbances in normal behavioral patterns
  • Anxiety, depression, paranoia, restlessness
  • Altered vision (tunnel vision, fuzzy vision, etc.)
  • Unconsciousness for several seconds or minutes

Symptoms such as the ones listed are very serious and should be addressed immediately. Neglecting to seek out medical help or care for a head injury could have fatal results. If you have recently been involved in an accident that you suspect has resulted in a brain injury but you aren’t showing symptoms, ask friends, family members, or roommates to monitor your behavior and be on the lookout for these symptoms.

What Should Victims of Traumatic Brain Injuries Do?

Victims of brain injury need to take action to protect themselves, physically as well as financially and legally. An unfortunate reality of living in San Diego is that often the cost of legal representation and medical care deter victims from seeking adequate care for their condition.

You should never be forced to put your health and very life on the line due to the high cost of medical care. As a victim of a brain injury, you shouldn’t be made to pay for medical costs that would never have been there if it hadn’t been for the willful or neglectful actions of another. Here are some practical steps for what you should do as a victim of brain injury in order to protect yourself, legally and financially.

  1. Get the help your condition requires: This is the first and most important thing to do following an injury. Make an appointment with a medical professional and follow their instructions for therapy or any other care your doctor thinks you are in need of. Not only will medical care ensure that you have not suffered a critical injury, medical records also serve as evidence in brain injury claims.
  2. Consult a San Diego brain injury attorney: This will increase your chances of getting the maximum compensation from the person or company who caused your injury. Here at Shea & Shea, we are passionate about representing brain injury victims in San Diego and making sure that they get the legal services necessary to build a strong brain injury claim.
    We know that the average person doesn’t have the finances for expensive brain injury treatments and don’t think that as a victim you should be held responsible for paying for an injury that you weren’t responsible for. Contact Shea & Shea’s TBI attorneys in San Diego to schedule your first consultation today.
  3. Follow doctor’s orders: Take leave from work, attend therapy, and avoid stress. Do whatever your doctor has advised as that will lead to the fastest recovery possible. While facing medical expenses and legal matters, it’s essential to still prioritize your health above all else.

If you are especially concerned with protecting your financial and legal health, contact Shea & Shea today to schedule a consultation with a seasoned brain injury attorney in San Diego.

The Process of a Brain Injury Lawsuit in San Diego

Filing a brain injury lawsuit can feel overwhelming—especially when you’re focused on healing or caring for a loved one with life-altering injuries. At Shea & Shea, our job as your San Diego brain injury lawyers is to make the legal process as clear, manageable, and effective as possible. We take care of the complexities so you can concentrate on recovery.

Here’s how the brain injury litigation process typically unfolds when you work with our experienced team:

1. Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation

Your journey begins with a free, confidential case evaluation with one of our San Diego head injury attorneys. During this conversation, we listen carefully to your story, review any available medical records or incident reports, and assess whether you may have grounds for a brain injury lawsuit in San Diego. This step helps us understand the cause of your injury and determine who may be held legally responsible.

2. Thorough Investigation

Next, we launch an in-depth investigation into the facts surrounding your injury. This may involve:

  • Gathering medical records and imaging scans (MRI, CT)
  • Reviewing police reports, accident scene evidence, or workplace safety records
  • Interviewing witnesses
  • Obtaining video footage (from traffic cams, security cameras, etc.)
  • Consulting with brain injury specialists and accident reconstruction experts

Our legal team works diligently to uncover every piece of evidence that supports your claim. As a highly experienced brain injury law firm in San Diego, we know what to look for—and how to preserve evidence before it disappears.

3. Working with Medical and Financial Experts

One of the most critical parts of your case is proving the full scope of your injuries and losses. We collaborate with leading experts to help explain:

  • The medical nature of your brain injury (e.g., concussion, DAI, or anoxic injury)
  • The expected timeline and challenges of your recovery
  • Long-term medical care needs (rehabilitation, therapy, assistive devices)
  • Cognitive and emotional impairments
  • Loss of earning capacity or ability to work
  • Future medical costs and life care planning

These insights help our catastrophic brain injury lawyers in San Diego calculate the total value of your claim—and build a strong foundation for negotiating on your behalf.

4. Filing the Brain Injury Lawsuit

Once we’ve gathered the necessary documentation, we formally file your claim in the appropriate court. We follow all procedural requirements and handle every aspect of litigation, from filing motions to managing discovery.

5. Settlement Negotiations or Trial Preparation

Many brain injury lawsuits are resolved through settlement. Insurance companies may try to settle early and for less than your case is worth—but we won’t let that happen. As seasoned San Diego TBI attorneys, we negotiate from a position of strength, ensuring that any settlement offer truly reflects the damage you’ve endured.

If the other side refuses to offer fair compensation, we’re fully prepared to go to trial. Our attorneys are known for their powerful courtroom presence and commitment to securing justice for our clients.

6. Types of Damages We Pursue

In a brain injury case, we may pursue a wide range of damages, including:

  • Medical expenses (past, current, and future)
  • Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Emotional distress
  • Loss of consortium (impact on family relationships)
  • Punitive damages (in cases of extreme negligence or misconduct)

At every stage of your case, your San Diego brain injury lawsuit attorney will be there to explain what’s happening, answer your questions, and guide you through the next steps.

The road to recovery after a traumatic brain injury is long—but you don’t have to walk it alone. With Shea & Shea’s brain damage lawyers in San Diego, you’ll have a team of knowledgeable, compassionate, and battle-tested legal professionals fighting for your future.

Get the Support You Deserve—Contact Shea & Shea Today

If you or someone you love has suffered a traumatic brain injury, it’s time to take action—and take back control. The effects of a brain injury can last a lifetime, but you don’t have to face the physical, emotional, and financial burden alone. At Shea & Shea, our brain injury compensation lawyers in San Diego are here to provide more than just standard legal representation—we’re here to offer guidance, strength, and a path forward.

With our reputation for results and a deeply rooted presence in California, Shea & Shea is the brain injury law firm in San Diego that clients and colleagues alike trust. From the moment you contact us, you’ll benefit from the professionalism that sets us apart.

You have the right to seek justice—and the compensation needed to rebuild your life. Don’t delay. Time limits apply to all personal injury claims in California, including those involving traumatic brain injuries—generally two years from the date of the incident, but some cases have shorter deadlines. The sooner you get legal help, the stronger your personal injury case will be.

Free Case Evaluation with a San Diego Brain Injury Attorney

Let us help you understand your options and determine the next best step for your recovery and your future. Call Shea & Shea today at (408) 292-2434. Or fill out our online contact form to schedule your free consultation; a brain injury lawyer in San Diego will be happy to review your case.

We don’t charge any legal fees unless we win your case. Let a compassionate, knowledgeable, and results-driven TBI attorney in San Diego fight for you.

 

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Shea & Shea - A Professional Law Corporation 2007 West Hedding Street
#100
San Jose, CA 95128

P.: 408-292-2434
Fax: 408-292-1264
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