J. Hartley | August 4, 2026 | Personal Injury
Suffering a brain injury of any sort can mean dealing with more than just temporary symptoms. For people who have experienced multiple instances of head trauma, one of the risks is the development of a condition called chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
If a loved one has sustained this type of harm, it will affect their entire life. It’s a catastrophic condition that can rob them of their livelihood and even their personality. Here’s what you should know about CTE and what legal options may be available in California.
Understanding CTE
CTE is a degenerative brain condition that occurs as a result of multiple blows to the head that are severe enough to cause concussions. CTE causes the death of nerve cells in the brain, leading the condition to get worse as time passes.
One of the most complicated aspects of CTE is that it is not easy to diagnose. The symptoms can be connected to many other diseases and injuries, and the only definitive way of being sure someone struggled with it is after their death, when an autopsy is performed.
What Are the Most Common Symptoms of CTE?
People who have posthumously been diagnosed with CTE may have demonstrated symptoms before their death that included:
- Impulsive behavior
- Aggression
- Memory loss
- Difficulty thinking
- Problems with organizing and planning
- Apathy or depression
- Emotional instability
- Suicidal ideation
- Problems walking
- Speech trouble
- Shaking or slow movements
- Gradual loss of movement control
These symptoms don’t appear all at once after a head injury, and the gradual deterioration associated with the condition can make it difficult to catch early.
What Causes CTE?
Repeated head injuries, such as can occur as a result of car crashes or workplace accidents, and even sports injuries, can cause CTE. Not everyone who has experienced repeated concussions will go on to develop this condition, though.
People who experience CTE display a buildup of a protein called tau around their blood vessels. This buildup causes the brain to begin to atrophy, or waste away.
Personal Injury Claims Involving CTE
CTE is a life-altering condition that can prevent those who experience it from working or living full lives. If your loved one’s condition was the result of negligent or wrongful conduct, filing a personal injury claim on their behalf can help them receive the compensation they deserve.
A personal injury claim involves demonstrating that the other party owed your loved one a duty of care that they breached. If that breach resulted in harm, then your loved one could be entitled to receive damages.
The types of damages available could be economic or non-economic. Economic damages can cover medical expenses, including future care your loved one may need. CTE is a long-term condition requiring indefinite care, and it often makes working impossible. Compensation can also cover their lost wages and reduced earning potential.
Your loved one may be entitled to non-economic damages, too. These address the physical and emotional distress they have experienced, along with compensating them for their loss of enjoyment of life.
Contact Our El Segundo Brain Injury Lawyers at J. Hartley Law Personal Injury Lawyers to Schedule a Free Consultation
Personal injury claims involving CTE are highly complex legal actions. Proving that the person has the condition is key, but because there is no definitive way to diagnose CTE, insurers may do everything they can to label the symptoms as belonging to other conditions. This makes seeking the help of an experienced attorney vital.
A lawyer can gather the relevant evidence to connect the repeated head injuries to your loved one’s symptoms, and they can also negotiate aggressively with insurers to obtain a fair settlement. For families facing such circumstances, these settlements can go a long way in ensuring better futures for all involved.
For more information, call the El Segundo brain injury lawyers at J. Hartley Law Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation in California.
J. Hartley Law Personal Injury Lawyers
880 Apollo St, El Segundo, CA 90245
(323) 284-2834