Phoenix, Mesa, and Glendale Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney
Each year, thousands of people are injured in accidents that result in life altering traumatic brain injuries. Not only can severe head and brain injuries lead to concussions, loss of consciousness, skull fractures, paralysis or even death, survivors often need lifelong medical care. Sadly, the emotional burden for victims and family members can be unbearable. When an injury is caused by another person’s reckless or negligent conduct, the struggle can be made far more difficult.
At Arizona Lawyers, we can help to lift that burden by pursuing a personal injury lawsuit. With over 25 years of experience, we have a proven track of helping our clients obtain meaningful compensation. If you or a loved was has suffered a brain injury due to another’s negligence, our team will fight for your rights and make sure you get the care that you need.
What is a traumatic brain injury?
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the result of an external force – a violent blow or jolt to the head or body, that causes a brain dysfunction. Generally, there are two types of TBIs: closed or open:
- A closed head injury occurs when a blow to the head causes the brain to bang against the skull, often involving swelling in the brain or blood clots.
- An open head injury involves a skull fracture after a fall or collision, or an object penetrating the skull, such as a bullet or falling debris.
Additionally, TBIs can be classified as mild, moderate, or severe. A mild TBI involves a period of lost consciousness, confusion or disorientation that lasts for less than 30 minutes. Further, a moderate TBI can lead to unconsciousness for up to 6 hours as well as memory loss. Finally, a severe TBI often results in a much longer period of unconsciousness, cognitive impairments, and comatose states.
Some of the common types of traumatic brain injuries include:
- Concussions – Due to a direct blow to, or violent shaking of the head
- Contusions – A blow to the the head that leads to bruising or bleeding
- Diffuse Axonal Injury – The result of strong shaking or rotation of the head
- Penetration Injury – Caused by a sharp object such as a knife
- Anoxic Brain Injury – Caused by oxygen deprivation to the brain
- Hypoxic Brain Injury – The brain receives insufficient oxygen to maintain function
Common Symptoms of a Traumatic Brain Injury
The symptoms of a TBI can range from mild to severe and are commonly marked by:
- Headache
- Confusion
- Light-headedness
- Loss of consciousness
- Memory loss
- Blurred vision
- Sensitivity to light or sound
- Sleep and balance problems
- Nausea or vomiting
- Irritability, anxiety, and depression
Treating Brain Injuries
Although a mild traumatic brain injury can be treated with rest and over-the-counter pain medication, injury victims need to be closely monitored for persistent or worsening symptoms. In some cases, side effects and symptoms may not appear until long after the initial accident. Therefore, physical activities should be avoided until the victim is cleared by a doctor to resume normal activities. Moderate to severe injuries, on the other hand, require immediate emergency care to ensure that adequate blood and oxygen are being supplied to the brain. In some cases, surgery may be needed to prevent further injuries and to minimize damage from inflammation, bleeding or reduced oxygen to the brain.
The Impact of Traumatic Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries can have long lasting consequences as victims may experience cognitive impairments and memory loss, weakness in the extremities, loss of balance and coordination, hearing and vision loss. A severe TBI can even result in changes to a victim’s personality.
TBI victims often find their ability to interact socially or perform work they once did is impaired, and often require rehabilitation to relearn basic skills such as walking or talking in order to improve. In some cases, a victim’s ability to concentrate declines and mood swings and depression are not uncommon.
In the worst cases, those who are severely injured may no longer to able to care for themselves, and need assistance with basic functions such as dressing, eating, and bathing. In the end, many brain injury survivors require prolonged medical treatment, physical therapy, and rehabilitation, and those who are left with permanent disabilities will need lifelong care.
Experienced Phoenix Brain Injury Lawyer
Arizona Lawyers has extensive experience handling brain injury claims. We are keenly aware of the complexities involved in these cases. In sum, a successful claim requires showing that there was a causal connection between the accident and the injury. We routinely rely on the testimony of respected medical experts and work diligently to collect evidence to substantiate these claims.
We have the skills and resources that are necessary to significant compensation for past and future medical expenses – including rehabilitative and long-term care, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, loss of enjoyment, and pain and suffering. If the injury was due to another’s intentional conduct or malice, punitive damages may also be awarded.
If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury, it is vital to immediately obtain medical treatment, otherwise, the injury can worsen and lead to permanent brain damage and even death. The next thing to do is speak to an experienced personal injury attorney. Call our office today for a free consultation or complete the contact form on our website.