At Sette Law in Sacramento, our personal injury attorneys read an August news report that causes concern for local parents. Two young athletes from Union High School in nearby El Dorado County were hospitalized with serious brain injuries after a weekend game. As Sacramento personal law injury attorneys it is our collective job to monitor the developments involving brain injuries – unfortunately on the rise across the nation and in Sacramento. Personal injury attorneys at Sette Law have families living across our region. It’s only natural that our Sacramento injury law firm attorneys pay special attention to the emerging issue of brain injury and sports. As the Union High incident illustrates, greater safety in high school sports should be a national priority for parents.

At the time this blog was written our personal injury lawyers say that one of the injured boys, Nick Brown, is recovering from serious brain surgery and the outcome of his condition still to be determined. The family has established a Facebook page for updates and also a fund to help with ongoing medical expenses.

Brain Injuries Raise Concern in Sacramento
Personal injury Law attorneys know the lifetime damage that can be caused by a brain injury. Whether because of a sports accident, industrial accident or a Sacramento car crash, injury to the brain often alters a person’s destiny – taking the victim from mainstream to the ranks of the disabled. At Sette Law our Sacramento personal injury attorneys know that, unlike some accident injuries, damage to the brain can effect biological and neurological systems. For example, a Sacramento car crash injury may cause broken bones, lacerations and internal injury that promise to, one day, heal. Recovered victims may be able to return to work or continue to earn a living. But if a brain injury is suffered in a Sacramento car accident, attorneys explain that these injuries can prevent individuals from ever again being fully independent.

 Although brain injuries can and do happen in a variety of circumstances, a recent focus has been on the field of sports. Our Sacramento personal injury attorneys are particularly concerned about this trend because it’s often young people who become victims nationally and in Sacramento. Our personal injury attorneys consulted CDC statistics that show reports of brain concussions have doubled from 2002 to 2012. About 47 percent of these concussions happen in high school football. Soccer and Ice hockey present the next greatest risk of personal injury. Attorneys in Sacramento are aware that our region has also experienced an increase in concussion and traumatic brain injury.

We are aware that there is a national spotlight on this problem, but as Sacramento personal injury law attorneys we urge local parents, coaches and athletic leagues to quickly embrace safety measures, those which become required and those which may be optional, to protect young athletes in Sacramento.
Personal injury law obligates our lawyers to be educated about the details of a wide variety of accidents – from Sacramento car accident injuries, to accidents on private property and even large transportation accidents. However, it’s the devastating effects of TBI on young people that has our Sacramento personal injury law attorneys very concerned. We want to help our community understand the severe consequences of TBI in developing brains and bring enhanced awareness to Sacramento.

Personal Injury Attorneys Grasp medical aspects of TBI
Unlike a Sacramento car crash injury, sports related concussions are often cumulative – there can be several events over time. Our Sacramento personal injury attorneys cite medical experts who report that repeated concussions can lead to a 39 percent greater chance of traumatic brain injury and permanent disability. And, seemingly minor concussions might go unnoticed by coaches and parents in Sacramento. Car crash injury, although dangerous and often severe, is seldom experienced more than once. In addition, brain injuries are often not as visible as Sacramento car accident injuries. Our attorneys explain that, although skin may not be broken, there can easily be bleeding inside the brain.

In addition, our Sacramento personal injury attorneys say that symptoms of a concussion might not immediately be obvious. That’s why is critical that any young athlete receiving a blow to the head get immediate medical attention. Those symptoms include dizziness, inattention, headache, irritability and difficulty with memory. But for families in Sacramento, our personal injury attorneys recommend that youngsters who have experienced a jolt or blow to the head be examined and carefully observed immediately.

Sacramento personal injury law attorneys say the national data indicates that one in five high school athletes will experience a concussion in a single season of play. About thirty-three percent of young athletes reported having two or more concussions within a year and, sadly for young sports participants in Sacramento, personal injury attorneys know that four to five million head injuries happen every year – and kids in middle school are experiencing the greatest increase of head injury.

As Sacramento personal injury attorneys we are obligated to understand the details of brain injury. Whether concussion or TBI happens due to a Sacramento car crash injury or on the football field, the effects on the human brain are the same. The soft-tissue brain is protected by spinal fluid inside the skull. A blow or violent jolt to the head can cause the brain to crash into the skull, harming neural pathways, and the brain itself can swell and bleed. When this happens to young athletes in Sacramento our injury attorneys say that permanent, life altering damage can result.

Of course, prevention of these accidents is a goal encouraged by our Sacramento personal injury law lawyers. Many people are calling for better education for coaches and for improvement of protective equipment. Clearly, there is plenty of room for changes that will make sports safer in Sacramento. Personal injury attorneys point to the many laws that have been passed to protect people in vehicles. Data shows, for example, that Sacramento car crash injuries can be minimized by adhering to seat belt laws – a mandate that was once widely opposed but today saves lives. Our Sacramento personal injury law attorneys support the introduction of new regulations and equipment that will do the same for youth sports.

Spring came very early this year, inviting bicyclists to the streets of Sacramento. Personal injury attorneys at Sette Law want local riders to adopt proven safety habits that that help to prevent Sacramento accidents. Our lawyers, of course, support bike riding as a good alternative to driving and for recreation as well. However, injury attorneys find themselves dealing with too many preventable bicycle accidents. Facing lawyers for defendants of automobile drivers who have hit bicyclists can be challenging and frustrating for our injured plaintiff. Attorneys at Sette know that victims of a car verses bike accident, often suffer very serious injuries, and court proceedings can add extra stress. Consequently, our personal injury lawyers offer advice from some of the nation’s most prominent experts about how to safeguard against Sacramento bicycle accidents.

Attorneys Tap NHTSA for Bicycle Safety Data
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration monitors vehicle accidents across America, including car vs. bicycle accidents. Lawyers point out that the NHTSA acknowledges that many such accidents are caused because of the bicyclist’s actions – such as ignoring important safety measures -  like always wearing a helmet, or failing to observe common traffic rules. Our Sacramento personal injury attorneys have direct experience that verifies the NHTSA statement. That’s why we reiterate some simple bicycle safety practices – as a reminder that bicyclists can help prevent accidents that often leave the bicyclist with the most serious injury.

Our lawyers remind riders that traffic laws apply equally to motorized vehicles and bicycles. Actions like running through stop signs and riding against traffic are common contributors to Sacramento bicycle accidents. Our lawyers point out that motorists are simply not expecting bicyclists to ride on the wrong side of a roadway, or to speed through a stop sign. This kind of behavior simply isn’t anticipated by motorists, and our Sacramento personal injury attorneys think bicyclists must be aware of the risks they take when disobeying traffic laws. Yet another practice that surprises motorists, according to the NHSTA and our Sacramento personal injury lawyers, is when bicyclists swerve in and out of traffic. It’s so important to remember that, in a car verses bicycle collision, it’s usually the bicyclist who ends up with the most severe injury. Attorneys at Sette Law emphasize this most fundamental rule for bicyclist safety – follow traffic laws as if your life depends on it!

Some Good Bicycle Habits for Riders in Sacramento
Personal injury lawyers urge all bike riders to wear regulation helmets, and then to develop some additional safety habits. The NHTSA says that the street is actually the safest place to ride a bicycle. Our accident and injury attorneys assume this is because the rules of the road apply to cars and to bicycles as well. When riding, bicyclists are advised to make themselves stand out – wear brightly colored clothing, equip bikes with proper reflectors and make eye contact with drivers to avoid an accident. Injury attorneys further encourage bicyclists to ride consciously – that means thinking ahead about automobile traffic. For example, bicyclists should notice parked cars with doors that might suddenly open and cause a serious bicycle accident on the street of Sacramento. Injury lawyers know it’s hard for any rider to monitor multiple elements in the traffic environment. But our Sacramento personal injury lawyers also know that it’s the bicyclist who has the most to lose in an accident.

Our Sacramento personal injury lawyers, however, add that the NHTSA believes that children under the age of 10 should not ride in the street. Experts say that riders that young do not yet have the maturity to monitor the complexities of street traffic. But to avoid injury, attorneys say that riders on sidewalks must also be very aware. Motorists backing out of driveways are a particular danger and present the threat of grave injury to children. Of course, motorists must be responsible when entering or exiting driveways for this very reason.

Sacramento personal injury lawyers are monitoring local policies regarding riding bikes on sidewalks. There is some belief that local ordinances are not clear about the limits of riding bicycles on sidewalks in Sacramento. Accident attorneys recall that a pedestrian injured by a bicyclist highlighted the issue when she challenged a city code and filed suit for compensation for serious injury. Attorneys say, bike riders, whether riding in a street or on a sidewalk, must exercise focus as well as awareness.
Personal injury attorneys work with bicycle accident victims who might have avoided accidents by simply making a habit of thinking ahead and monitoring traffic. Motorists often are not aware of bicyclists and may change lanes or turn unexpectedly. As Sacramento accident and injury lawyers, we know this puts the onus on the bicyclist – perhaps unfairly. Nonetheless, personal injury attorneys at Sacramento’s Sette Law say this kind of constant vigilance is required for bicycle riders to protect themselves from grave injury.

Lawyers Quote Disturbing Data on Bike Accidents
Our attorneys refer to Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Center statistics that clearly show the hazards faced by bicyclists. The organization’s 2012 study showed that about two bicyclists were killed each day of that year and a whopping 29,000 bicyclists suffered various degrees of injury. Attorneys know that this latter figure is likely skewed low due to the fact that many bicycle accidents go unreported.

What to Do After a Sacramento Bicycle Accident
Attorneys at Sette Law suggest that bicycle accident victims adopt the same practices used in any vehicle accident. It’s critical that while people involved exchange information, they do not engage in extra conversation that might later be used in court. Personal injury lawyers for a defendant may quote parts of a verbal exchange that might imply the bicyclist admitted culpability! Our Sacramento accident attorneys know that people often say unintended things when under stress, so it’s best to limit conversation. In addition, our personal injury lawyers advise bicycle accident victims to document events and the environment with a cell phone camera or texting details to themselves. Also, it’s critical to seek immediate medical attention, according to our Sacramento personal injury lawyers. Delaying medical care could harm any claim of an accident related injury. And, attorneys  advise seeking legal representation to minimize any financial and personal losses caused because of a bicycle accident.

Accident attorneys at Sette Law in Sacramento are well aware of the sobering statistics – in car crashes and solo accidents the biggest loser is almost always the rider of a motorcycle. Injury lawyers personally deal with the pain and disabilities inherent in most vehicle verses motorcycle accidents and we feel the time is now, as early as April, to remind all drivers to be aware of the risks faced by Sacramento motorcycle riders.

Attorneys work with statistics compiled by state law enforcement and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Unfortunately, our Sacramento accident lawyers report that motorcycle riders experience much higher accident rates than do drivers of automobiles. The NTHSA reports that out of 100,000 car accidents in 2006 – 13.10 involved fatalities. Our Sacramento injury attorneys say the comparison to motorcycle deaths in crashes is staggering – 72.34 percent per 100,000 crashes.

As Sacramento injury lawyers who also appreciate and participate in the recreational sport of motorcycle riding, we want to offer a few more sobering statistics. In 2012 motorcycle accidents rose 7.1 percent over the previous year with 4,957 deaths due to motorcycle accidents. Furthermore, injury lawyers say the NHTSA calculates bike riders are 26 times more apt than vehicle occupants to die in a motorcycle accident. Our injury attorneys also point out that motorcyclists face a five-fold greater risk of injury in an accident. In fact, in 2012, 93,000 people recorded injuries due to a motorcycle accident. Our Sacramento injury lawyers think these statistics are pretty compelling.

Sacramento Injury Lawyers note Disproportionate Injury Rates
In addition, older riders seem to be disproportionally represented in motorcycle accidents. Our attorneys point out that NHTSA data from 2011 indicates 56 percent of bike riders killed were over 40 years old. One reason may be the popular of bigger heavier bikes among more mature riders. Large ‘touring’ type bikes have a greater tendency to roll over in a motorcycle accident. Our Sacramento accident lawyers also attribute the increase of injury to older riders to more fragile physical condition that can come with age. Our Sacramento injury lawyers say the data supports the heightened risk for mature riders – between 2002 and 2011, there was a 78 percent increase in deaths to riders over the age of 40 in motorcycle accidents. Injury attorneys compare this to deaths over the same period to younger riders, which declined.

However, our Sacramento accident lawyers point out that there is an exception. In 2007, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety says that riders of “Super Bikes,” that can reach speeds of 190 mph, had a four times higher rate of death rate in motorcycle accidents. Lawyers say this may be due to a couple of factors – speed, of course, and inexperienced young riders.
Our Sacramento injury attorneys understand the allure of motorcycles – our region is a great place to enjoy the freedom and excitement of riding a motorcycle. Accidents, both our attorneys and safety officials say, are preventable, and conscientious riders can enjoy the freedom of motor bikes by employing effective safety measures.

For example, helmets can significantly reduce the severity of injury or of death in a motorcycle accident. Injury lawyers know that head injuries are the number one cause of death in motorcycle accidents. Compared to a rider wearing a helmet, a rider not wearing an approved helmet faces a 40 percent greater chance of death in a Sacramento motorcycle accident. Attorneys also point to a 15 percent increase of a serious injury to riders with no helmet. Our Sacramento accident lawyers see this mitigation as both easy and affordable for motorcycle riders throughout our community.

Our Sacramento injury attorneys also look to motorcycle associations for tips about safe riding. One group states that most accidents are caused by a car turning left in front of a motorcycle. Accident attorneys point out that motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable on this kind of crash. Avoiding this situation calls for extreme awareness on the part of the motorcyclist in order to avoid a Sacramento accident. Our attorneys say this is also true when it comes to lane changes. Automobile drivers may not notice a motorcyclist and precipitously dart over into the bike rider’s lane. Again, our Sacramento injury lawyers say it’s in the motorcyclist’s best interest to survey traffic constantly and anticipate movements that could lead to a motorcycle accident.

Injury attorneys know that it seems a bit ‘unfair’ that so much responsibility be placed on the motorcyclist. However, considering the statistics on death and injury it’s clear the rider has the most to lose in a Sacramento motorcycle accident. Our injury attorneys also want to highlight another very serious threat to motorcyclists, one that can easily be avoided! NHTSA figures for 2012 that show about 27 percent of fatalities were legally drunk at the time of their motorcycle accident. Injury lawyers say that 2,000 of those fatalities were due to single-car crashes. An astounding 43 percent of riders were alcohol impaired. Sacramento injury lawyers add that the incidence is even higher on weekend evenings when authorities recorded an increase of 64 percent of rider fatalities registering inebriated at the time of the motorcycle accident.

Sacramento injury attorneys may be pointing out the obvious – but drinking alcohol and driving a motorcycle is a high risk recipe for disaster. When alcohol plays a role in a motorcycle accident, lawyers know that judgment is impaired and the rider may be the actual cause of the motorcycle accident. Attorneys say that following vehicles too closely or pushing the bike to excessive speed, can lead to the bike rider being held liable for a Sacramento motorcycle accident.

Our injury attorneys at Sette Law, like so many people in our region, appreciate the thrill of riding a motorcycle. However, our profession also highlights the serious nature of any motorcycle accident. Lawyers regularly work with the often painful aftermath of accidents. Our injury attorneys are consequently involved in the details and statistics about motorcycle accidents. Thus, we know that riders are vulnerable and bear great responsibility for their own safety.

At Sette Law, our Sacramento car accident lawyers watch in amazement as GM recalls continue to mount and some responsibility is shared with federal regulators. A spotlight now falls upon the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) with allegations it was aware of some GM defects years before GM issued a nationwide recall that includes owners in Sacramento. Injury lawyers are concerned that NHTSA’s vigilance fell short of reporting failures in ignition switches that failed and cut off power to airbags in some GM models. Sacramento car accident lawyers have long looked to the NHTSA for reliable information about safety on the streets and freeways of Sacramento. Now, personal injury attorneys learn that a congressional report faults the agency for not making public their findings in 2007.

This revelation comes as GM recalls in 2014 mount to 39 million, impacting drivers everywhere, including Sacramento. Car accident lawyers at Sette Law note that the NHTSA continued to investigate crashes of GM cars related to faulty ignition switches without highlighting the issue until GM itself finally went public.  Our Sacramento personal injury lawyers point out that an NHTSA deputy administrator claims GM cloaked problems by not using the term “defect” in its reporting to NHTSA about the switches. Nonetheless, Sacramento car accident lawyers understand that, as a government agency, the NHTSA has the responsibility of public trust and must live up to that for car owners in Sacramento.

Car accident lawyers also note that the NHTSA had also bestowed a “five Star” crash safety rating on the Chevy Cruze which was later recalled for airbag defects.  This is not the quality of service expected of the NHTSA by drivers in Sacramento.

Injury Lawyers watch Settlement Challenge
Further complicating the GM saga is a recent court decision that was decided in favor of the family of a young woman killed in the 2010 crash of her Chevy Cobalt. Sacramento injury attorneys say the family had arrived at a settlement with GM a few months before the ignition switch defect was made public and recalls were launched. The recent lawsuit sought to overturn the settlement so that the family could move forward with legal action. According to our Sacramento injury lawyers, it was the family’s accident attorneys that hired an expert engineering firm to analyze the mechanics of the Cobalt switch. They discovered the switch had been redesigned to prevent failure, substantiating the family’s claim that GM was aware of the defect leading to their daughter’s death. The court agreed and, Sacramento car accident lawyers say the family is moving forward toward a trial that could impact similar claims in Sacramento. Our injury lawyers say that GM expressed disappointment with the court ruling and claimed they had made the earlier settlement “…in good faith.”

GM Fights to Minimize Liability
Parties suffering injury and loss due to GM defects should be aware that GM mounts its own defense against liability, according to Sacramento car accident lawyers at Sette Law. For example, the company refuses to accept responsibility for the death of a back seat passenger in the 2006 crash of a Cobalt. GM injury attorneys limit their liability only to the young woman driving the vehicle because the Cobalt had front seat, not back seat, airbags. Our Sacramento personal injury attorneys believe this corporate approach is grossly unfair to both families who loss of daughters is equal, regardless of where they were seated in the deadly accident caused by the ignition switch defect.

Victims and their families, according to Sacramento personal injury attorneys, will have to be prepared for a vigorous legal battle as GM seeks to minimize its costs and responsibility.

As Sacramento Personal injury lawyers, we’ve watched as head injuries as the result of high school and college sports have increasingly made headlines. The good news about this development is that finally public awareness about this serious risk to young athletes is rising in Sacramento. Personal injury attorneys once had to battle to get recognition that traumatic brain injury is, in fact, associated with some of the most popular youth and college sports in Sacramento. Head injury lawyers at Sette Law may now refer to many high profile cases of brain injury lawsuits that have brought financial assistance to victims as well as spurred changes in safety on athletic fields. 

We now know that traumatic brain injury is the most frequent cause of death in sports-related injuries. Our Sacramento head injury attorneys say that, although this awareness is growing, some sports organizations have been slow to support injured athletes. Protection such as reducing physical contact in practices and regulating when an injured athlete can return to play are yet to be implemented by national organizations, leaving that responsibility to individual colleges including those in Sacramento. Head injury attorneys believe this policy creates an uneven patchwork of regulations. Our Sacramento injury attorneys hope that such reasonable protections will be implemented throughout the country and in Sacramento.

Head Injury Lawyers monitor Multiple Sports
Traumatic brain injury is not limited to football in Sacramento. Our personal injury lawyers also track sports such as soccer, ice hockey, wrestling and more. There is even an increase in brain injuries to cheerleaders! Sacramento head injury lawyers say that cheerleading has changed from shaking pom poms to highly athletic routines that involve gymnastics. Falls related to risky stunts have led to head injuries and concussions that account for approximately 20 percent of cheerleading injuries. At Sette Law, our Sacramento personal injury lawyers are also tracking the growing popularity of soccer for youngsters, adults and professional players in Sacramento. Head injury attorneys say that a McGill University study revealed that over 60 percent of college players showed symptoms of a concussion in a single season.

Head Injury Lawsuit Settlement is Insufficient
Sacramento injury attorneys believe brain injuries will continue to rise across the spectrum of sports so long as national governing organizations fail to step in with clear regulations to protect athletes. A settlement in a brain injury lawsuit recently announced by the NCAA only raises our concern for athletes in Sacramento. Personal injury lawyers applaud some elements of the class-action lawsuit settlement but point out there is no fund for damages suffered by athletes across America or in Sacramento. Instead, a personal injury lawyer must sue on behalf of individuals with serious brain trauma. In addition, colleges throughout the nation retain discretion in returning players to the game after they’ve experienced brain injury. Our Sacramento personal injury attorneys believe that significant changes are necessary to protect athletes from brain injury and, sadly, that change seems slow in coming.

California legislators recently approved a bill that will provide funds to develop state-of-the-art treatment for traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). The San Jose Mercury Newsreports that on Tuesday, East Bay veterans signed a ceremonial copy of the bill – applauding the attention given to this significant and often debilitating – even fatal – condition.

Traumatic brain injuries are typically caused by a sudden blunt force or blow to the head, such as occurs in a car accident, a bike accident, a fall or even at a sporting event.

Symptoms may be difficult to detect and vague and may include mild headaches, confusion and slurred speech. However, without treatment these symptoms worsen and may affect motor skills, cognitive function, and the ability to communicate.

For veterans, brain injuries are called “invisible wounds of war” with service members returning from duty and not recognizing the symptoms for weeks, even years.

The new bill will provide training and education programs specifically designed to help medical professionals recognize the symptoms of TBIs and begin treating these injuries as soon as possible.

As a California personal injury attorney I support this legislation. Too often these debilitating injuries go undetected. With proper medical attention and treatment, brain injuries can be treated and the effects minimized or eliminated.

For more information, please call the Law Office of Frederick J. Sette. For over 15 years we have helped individuals who have suffered brain injuries obtain the compensation they deserve.

Recent news has contained numerous stories of the dangers of concussions and how helmets have been inadequate to prevent serious injuries. Further, as evidenced by numerous lawsuits, many believe that the NFL as well as coaches and others charged with the safety of our athletes have ignored concerns about brain trauma in an effort to win games. Despite mounting evidence of the long-term effects of concussions, little has been done to improve the quality of helmets designed to protect players from brain injuries.

Indy racing icons Bill Simpson and Chip Ganassi have now developed a company that applies their knowledge of racing equipment safety in the design of a new football helmet.

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) such as concussions are the result of blunt force trauma to the head. Although TBIs resulting from football injuries have been getting a lot of press recently, similar brain injuries occur frequently as the result of a car accidents, motorcycle accidents and slips and falls. Any time you experience a sudden jolt or blow to your head, you are in danger of suffering a brain injury. Although the severity of a brain injury can vary, even the most mild bran injury should be evaluation by a medical professional. Mild brain injuries, left untreated or undiagnosed can worsen over time.

In mild brain injury cases, symptoms may be vague. You may experience headaches, dizziness, forgetfulness and confusion. Symptoms of severe brain injuries are often more recognizable and include vomiting, seizures, dilated pupils and extreme fatigue. All brain injuries have the potential to result in long term difficulties such as mood swings, personality changes, loss of memory and confusion.

In the instance of football players, current lawsuits have alleged that although the NFL and others knew of the dangers of concussions, they ignored these dangers, putting the health of players in peril in order to win more games.

The new helmet design created by Simpson and Ganassi seeks to eliminate this danger. So far the helmet has met with success. Last year, of the 20 players who wore the helmet during games none suffered a concussion. However, there were some complaints – such as that the padding becoming “soggy and smelly.”

The helmets are made of new materials such as carbon fiber, Kevlar and “other exotic materials,” and looks like a regular football helmet. However, the feel of the helmet is different and provides significantly more cushioning. As stated in the Sports Illustrated article, “The ultimate test for the new helmet isn’t going to be done in a lab. It’s going to be whether this helmet will get out to players and reduce the numbers and severity of concussions.”

For more information about brain injuries, or if you have suffered a concussion or other brain injury, contact a top Stockton brain injury lawyers at the Law Office of Frederick J. Sette for an immediate consultation.

A new lawsuit has been filed by 72 former football players against the National Football league alleging that the league was responsible for their injuries and damages – including brain injuries and head trauma. The lawsuit – Richards et al v. National Football League – claims that the league conspired “to prevent players from having accurate an correct scientific information about head traumas in the NFL in order to prevent knowledgeable and informed collective bargaining on behalf of the plaintiffs.

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can arise from a variety of situations but generally occur as the result of a sudden blow to the head. Common situations that cause TBIs include car accidents, slips and falls and sports accidents. If you believe that you or a loved one has suffered a brain injury as the result of another person’s actions, it’s important to speak to an experienced Stockton brain injury lawyer. Where someone’s negligent or wrongful conduct causes a head injury – such as a TBI – it may be possible to recover compensation.

In the football players brain injury lawsuit, the players allege that the NFL was legally responsible for causing neurological problems and other harm as the result of playing football and that the complaint “arises from the pathological and debilitating effects of head injuries and concussions.” The players also assert that the NFL was aware of “the evidence and the risks associated with repetitive traumatic brain injuries and concussions for decades, but deliberately ignored and actively concealed the information.”

Additionally according to the lawsuit, rather than warning the players about the risk for permanent brain damage from returning to play to soon after receiving a concussion, the “NFL actively deceived players by misrepresenting to them that concussions did not present serious, life-altering risks.”

If you believe you have suffered a brain injury seek immediate medical attention. Even mild brain injuries if left untreated or undiagnosed can worsen over time.

Where you believe another person, company or governmental entity may be responsible for your injuries, you may be able to recover damages for physical and mental pain and suffering, medical bills and economic damages for time off from work or lost wages.

For more information about brain injuries, contact the topStockton brain and head injury lawyers at the Law Offices of Frederick J. Sette for an immediate consultation.

Stockton news reports that a California teenager was killed in a bicycle v. vehicle accident this past week. Unfortunately, the incidence of California pedestrian accidents remains high, with two California cities – San Francisco and Los Angeles – having some of the highest rates of pedestrian v. vehicle and bicycle v. vehicle accidents in the country. According to the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, pedestrian traffic fatalities in Los Angeles are nearly triple the national average.

Further, National Public Radio (NPR) reveals that in 2012, the LAPD recorded more than 2,500 motor vehicle vs. pedestrian incidents.

If you have been injured in any type of roadway accident, including a pedestrian accident or bicycle accident, it is important to contact an experienced Stockton personal injury lawyer right away. A knowledgeable Stockton accident lawyer can begin an investigation into all of the factors that may have caused or contributed to an injury accident and ensure you receive all the compensation you deserve.

Common injuries in pedestrian accidents.

Where pedestrian v. automobile or bicycle v. automobile accidents occur, the potential for serious injury is great.

Common injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Broken bones
•Cuts and bruises

And in the worst-case scenario, death.

An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you or your family recover compensation for your injuries.

Causes of Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents

Pedestrian and bicycle accidents occur for a variety of reasons. In some situations, a pedestrian or bicyclist may be partially responsible for an accident, such as if he or she does not have the right of way or fails to pay attention before entering the roadway (listening to music, walking and texting or biking and texting can be dangerous when it distracts you from paying attention to your surroundings.)

Other times, the driver of the automobile may be at fault. This includes drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents and other situations where the driver of a vehicle drives recklessly or negligently, resulting in an accident. Like many cities across the country, including Stockton, Sacramento and San Francisco, L.A. drivers and pedestrians are increasingly distracted by electronic devices. For many Californians’ the problem is exacerbated due to the amount of time California drivers spend in their cars, commuting back and forth.

It’s also always important to evaluate a potential third factor in the cause of an accident – the roadway itself. Was it adequately maintained? Was the lighting sufficient? Did any obstructions exist making it hard for drivers to see pedestrians or bikers?

Many questions arise in any accident, so it is always a good idea to consult with a top Stockton personal injury lawyer right away to answer your injury accident questions.

While the Stockton bike accident remains under investigation, it serves as a tragic reminder to everyone – from bikers to walkers to drivers – pay attention and share the road!

For more information please contact a dedicated Stockton personal injury lawyer at the Law Office of Frederick J. Sette for an immediate consultation.

A new study published in the most recent issue of Pediatrics reveals an alarming statistic: Bounce houses injure a child every 46 minutes. The number of injuries from inflatable bouncers - including moonwalks, castles and bounce houses - has increased by 15 times since 1995, causing 5+ injuries per every 100,000 American children.

Just a few months ago a similar warning was issued by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) concerning at home trampoline use. In September, AAP issued a statement discouraging the recreational use of trampolines, stating the activity "poses a major injury risk for kids and there's no clear way to reduce chances of getting hurt."

If you or a loved one has been injured on while on a trampoline or bounce house, it's a good idea to consult with an experienced Sacramento personal injury lawyer. Depending on the circumstances of your matter it may be possible to recover compensation for your injuries through a negligence lawsuit based on product liability, premises liability or other theory of recovery.

Like bounce house injuries, trampoline injuries occur far more frequently than many people imagine. According to the study in 2009, the last year of available data, trampoline injury rates were 70 injuries per 100,000 children ages 0- to 4-years-old and 160 injuries per 100,000 5- to 14-year-olds, for a total of 98,000 injuries that year. Older kids were more likely to use a bicycle or other unsafe equipment on the trampoline, while young children under the age of 6 were most likely to get hurt. Between three percent and 14 percent of the injuries required hospitalization.

"Unfortunately, the very forces that make trampoline use fun for many children also lead to unique injury mechanisms and patterns of injury," the statement's authors write.

Trampoline and bounce house injuries include:

• Fractures 

• Dislocations

• Sprains and strains

• Broken bones

• Head and neck injuries

• Spinal cord injuries

The most serious injuries often result from failed attempts at somersaults and flips while bouncing, sometimes resulting in lifelong injuries.

A director of the bounce house study noted: "It is time for us to take action to prevent these injuries ... Ensuring that parents are aware of the potential risks, improving surveillance of the injuries, developing national safety guidelines and improving bouncer design are the first steps."

"Because children are the end users and because companies typically do not provide the supervision on rented inflatable bouncers, the burden of safety falls ultimately on the parents' shoulders." Further while bouncers can be fun and safe when used properly, "Parents should be familiar with the risks and dangers and should receive proper supervision instruction."

For more information about bounce house or trampoline safety, or if you or a loved one has been injured while on a trampoline or bounce house, please contact an experienced Sacramento personal injury attorney at the Law Office of Frederick J. Sette for an immediate consultation.