A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can change everything — from your ability to work to how you think, move, and feel. But not all brain injuries are treated the same under the law. The difference between a mild and severe TBI doesn’t just define medical treatment — it also determines how your legal team builds your case, calculates damages, and presents evidence. Understanding this distinction is crucial when working with an experienced traumatic brain injury lawyer in Los Angeles who knows how to prove the long-term impact of any level of brain trauma.
What Doctors Mean by “Mild” vs. “Severe” Brain Injury
Medical professionals classify TBIs based on the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), duration of unconsciousness, and post-traumatic amnesia.
- Mild TBI (concussion): GCS 13–15, brief loss of consciousness (if any), and short-term confusion or disorientation.
- Moderate TBI: GCS 9–12, loss of consciousness from 30 minutes to 24 hours, memory problems, and measurable cognitive decline.
- Severe TBI: GCS 3–8, extended unconsciousness (days or weeks), brain bleeding or swelling, and permanent neurological deficits.
While “mild” may sound reassuring, many victims of concussions or closed-head injuries suffer long-lasting cognitive, emotional, and behavioral changes. A knowledgeable Los Angeles brain injury attorney will ensure these effects are not downplayed by insurance companies.
How Mild TBIs Can Still Have Major Legal Implications
Mild TBIs are often invisible on imaging scans, which insurers use to minimize claims. Victims may experience brain fog, headaches, vision problems, anxiety, or sensitivity to light for months or years. Because these symptoms are subjective, documentation is critical.
A skilled TBI lawyer in Los Angeles will gather neuropsychological evaluations, MRI results, and testimony from medical specialists to demonstrate how even a “mild” brain injury disrupts your quality of life, job performance, and mental health. Proving these subtle effects can significantly increase non-economic damages like pain and suffering or emotional distress.
Severe Traumatic Brain Injuries and Long-Term Compensation
Severe TBIs often lead to partial or total disability, requiring lifelong care, rehabilitation, and accommodations. Victims may lose speech, coordination, or the ability to perform basic tasks. Legal claims in these cases typically include compensation for:
- Future medical care and in-home assistance
- Vocational rehabilitation and loss of earning capacity
- Pain, suffering, and diminished quality of life
- Psychological support for both the victim and their family
A Los Angeles traumatic brain injury lawyer will work with neurologists, economists, and life-care planners to calculate these long-term damages accurately — ensuring your claim reflects the full scope of your needs.
Why the Classification of Your TBI Matters in a Lawsuit
The classification (mild, moderate, severe) impacts every aspect of your legal case:
- Causation: Establishing that the accident directly caused the injury — especially important in mild TBIs where symptoms may develop later.
- Damages: Severity influences the size of your settlement or verdict; courts and insurers weigh long-term effects differently.
- Treatment documentation: A comprehensive medical record strengthens both liability and damages arguments.
- Expert testimony: Your traumatic brain injury lawyer in Los Angeles may call on medical and neuropsychological experts to explain to the jury how even a minor TBI can cause lifelong impairment.
How a Los Angeles Brain Injury Lawyer Proves Invisible Injuries
Because TBIs are internal and often misunderstood, evidence must connect the dots between the event and ongoing symptoms. At Bojat Law Group, experienced Los Angeles brain injury lawyers use a multi-layered approach:
- Gathering medical imaging, neurocognitive testing, and witness accounts
- Using accident reconstruction experts to prove mechanism of injury
- Collecting daily journals from victims and caregivers to show the change in cognitive and emotional function
- Demonstrating financial impact through lost wages and long-term care projections
This evidence transforms an abstract “mild” diagnosis into a concrete demonstration of life-changing damage — one jurors can understand and insurers can’t ignore.
Common Causes of Brain Injuries in Los Angeles
Traffic and urban living make brain injuries common in Southern California. Many clients represented by Bojat Law Group’s traumatic brain injury lawyers suffered TBIs in:
- Car and truck accidents on the 101 or I-405
- Motorcycle and bicycle crashes with inattentive drivers
- Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) collisions
- Slip-and-fall or construction site accidents
- Pedestrian strikes at crosswalks or intersections
Each scenario requires a unique legal strategy to establish liability and recover full compensation.
When to Contact a Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer in Los Angeles
If you’ve been diagnosed with any form of TBI — from a concussion to a severe brain bleed — do not wait to contact an attorney. Early involvement helps preserve medical evidence, witness statements, and financial records before insurers attempt to settle for less.
The Los Angeles traumatic brain injury lawyers at Bojat Law Group understand how classification affects your case value. They’ve helped victims secure compensation that covers the full cost of recovery — not just what appears on a hospital bill.
Speak with Bojat Law Group About Your Brain Injury Case
If you or someone you love suffered a traumatic brain injury in Los Angeles, you deserve representation that treats every symptom seriously. Contact Bojat Law Group today for a free consultation with a dedicated traumatic brain injury lawyer in Los Angeles.
Call (818) 877-4878 or reach out online. You pay no fees unless Bojat Law Group wins your case. Whether your injury is labeled “mild” or “severe,” the consequences are real — and your legal team should fight for compensation that reflects that truth.
