Glendale Brain Injury Lawyers
Brain injuries are unpredictable and potentially catastrophic. After a Glendale accident, brain function can be temporarily or permanently compromised by the actions of a negligent party, such as a drunk driver. Survivors of brain injuries often experience significant financial setbacks related to the costs of treatment and the interruption of their income. The Glendale brain injury lawyers at Lerner and Rowe believe the far-reaching consequences of a brain injury deserve to be compensated in a personal injury lawsuit.
Our team of Glendale personal injury lawyers has been trusted by Arizonans and their families for the better part of two decades to champion their claims and secure fair settlements. You can schedule a free consultation by calling us at 602-977-1900 or completing a free online case review today.
Why You Should Hire Our Glendale Brain Injury Lawyers
As experienced personal injury lawyers, our team at Lerner and Rowe understands that the process of choosing a law firm to manage a claim is intimidating to many clients. No one wants to be treated as “just another case.” Our team knows that brain injury lawsuits are often as nuanced as the injuries themselves, requiring the skills of a personal injury lawyer who has the ability, resources, and commitment to handle such a case. At Lerner and Rowe, our brain injury attorneys can offer you this kind of robust legal support.
We maintain a smaller caseload than competitors to ensure that we can provide each client with the attention they deserve. Not only has this earned us the respect of Arizonans, but we believe that our attention to detail has contributed to our long history of exceptional results.
There are a number of ways a Glendale resident may sustain a brain injury, such as a rear-end car accident on Camelback Road, a struck-by accident on a construction site, or a slip and fall accident after a Cardinals’ game. Our familiarity with brain injuries, the personal injury claims process, and Glendale itself are proven assets in negotiating claims for maximum compensation for our injured clients.
Understanding Traumatic Brain Injury Cases in Glendale, Arizona
While traffic accidents involving cars, pedestrians, motorcyclists, and other road users are not the only source of brain injuries in Arizona, they are a leading cause, along with slip-and-fall accidents. Together, motor vehicle accidents and falls accounted for approximately 70% of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) in 2021. In 2021, there were 65,396 traumatic brain injury cases reported in Arizona, resulting in 1,716 deaths.
Glendale brain injuries are often costly to both the state and the individual. The Brain Injury Alliance of Arizona reports that the state spent $1.4-billion in revenue on medical bills, lost wages, and other costs related to brain injuries in the span of a year. For an individual Arizonan, the costs of rehabilitation, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and other expenses can quickly become overwhelming. A Glendale brain injury lawyer can help you obtain a fair settlement in order to cover these expenses.
Types of Accidents Our Glendale Brain Injury Lawyers Handle
Although the brain is protected by the skull, the force exerted in a collision or the impact of a sharp or heavy object can inflict harm. For example, a speeding driver who hits a pedestrian, a business that fails to keep its store aisle clear of tripping hazards, or a medical provider who does not follow the standard of care while delivering a baby could all potentially be considered negligent in an Arizona brain injury lawsuit. Glendale residents are at risk of sustaining a brain injury in situations like:
Types of Injuries Our Glendale Brain Injury Lawyers Handle
Understanding what type of brain injury occurred can provide insight into the injured party’s likelihood of recovery and general prognosis, as well as inform treatment options. Categorizing brain injuries by their cause distinguishes traumatic brain injuries from non-traumatic brain injuries. A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is caused by a hit to the head or a harsh jolting motion. The extent of the injury is usually confined to the area of impact.
The brain can be damaged when the skull is compromised, as in the case of a penetrating TBI. A TBI can also be considered a closed brain injury if the internal damage results from external force rather than a direct external impact. Examples of brain injuries include:
- Concussions
- Diffuse axonal injuries
- Brain bleeds
- Second Impact Syndrome
- Coup-contrecoup injuries
- Intracranial hemorrhages
- Brain contusions
Personal injury lawsuits often pertain to TBIs as opposed to non-traumatic brain injuries, although there are cases where negligence leads to non-traumatic brain injuries. Non-traumatic brain injuries develop internally, whereas a TBI is inflicted by an external source. A personal injury claim involving a non-traumatic brain injury could look like a premises liability lawsuit against a hotel where a child suffered brain damage from oxygen deprivation after nearly drowning in an unattended pool.
Identifying the Signs of a Brain Injury
After someone is in a collision or experiences a blow to the head, they should be carefully monitored for behavioral changes and physical symptoms associated with brain damage. Signs of a TBI may present immediately after the incident has happened, while others can manifest over time. Brain injuries can present differently in each person, but common signs of a brain injury include:
- Slurred speech
- Confusion
- Fatigue
- Loss of consciousness
- Vomiting and nausea
- Headache
- Sensitivity to light
- Balance issues
- Seizures
- Vision problems
- Irritability
The possibility of a brain injury should not be dismissed because there is no visible head wound. In situations where a person experienced a sudden jolting of their head, even if they did not sustain a direct hit to the head, it should be assumed that there is a risk of a closed brain injury. A common example of this is in a rear-end car accident, where rapid acceleration and deceleration can cause the brain to ricochet against the skull and damage both sides of the brain.
Left unaddressed, treatable brain injuries can spiral into debilitating conditions or become fatal. Further, insurance companies will want to see that there is a record of you seeking treatment for your brain injury as proof that you were accurately describing your symptoms to ensure they are consistent with the damages you are seeking.
When an injured party fails to seek prompt medical treatment, especially in the case of something as serious as a brain injury, it casts doubt on the validity of their claim, which can result in it being dismissed or diminished. This is why it is vital to seek medical treatment as soon as possible after an accident, along with contacting a Glendale brain injury lawyer.
What Types of Compensation in a Glendale Brain Injury Lawsuit
Sustaining a brain injury can have a domino effect on your life in terms of your financial stability, ability to live independently, and your mental health. Although the harm cannot be undone, pursuing a Glendale personal injury lawsuit can relieve financial stress and recognize the value of your emotional losses.
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Punitive damages
- Loss of consortium
Recovering from a brain injury is a non-linear process for many survivors. Symptoms may persist for months or years after the initial trauma, or be exacerbated under certain circumstances. This can prove incredibly disruptive and frustrating for survivors who can no longer care for themselves, enjoy their lives, or financially contribute to their households. Brain injury survivors may need to take a leave of absence from work, shift to lighter duties, or switch occupations, all of which can harm their careers.
Their families may lose a critical source of income, and experience a shift in their relationship with the survivor, as they require additional support as they recover. In some cases, TBI survivors may require a full-time caretaker. For many families, this means scrambling to afford a home healthcare aide or taking on the responsibility themselves, which can be physically and emotionally draining. If a TBI is fatal, the deceased family still pays a price in the form of damages like funeral costs, medical bills, and the loss of a parent. These damages can be compensated in a Glendale wrongful death lawsuit with proper documentation.
Glendale Brain Injuries: Frequently Asked Questions
To start, you should report it to your employer immediately and seek medical attention. Keep a record or notes when you report your injury and save any medical bills you receive from your provider. Unless your employer was negligent, your option for compensation is likely limited to an Arizona workers’ compensation claim.
This will reimburse you for a portion of your economic expenses like medical bills and lost wages for a certain amount of time, even if you are at fault for your brain injury. Job retraining may also be offered if your brain injury prevents you from returning to your previous role. You should still seek the help of a workers’ compensation attorney to help you document your damages so you receive the full benefits available to you.
Arizona law provides plaintiffs with two years to file a personal injury claim alleging the negligence of another party. This statute of limitations also applies to wrongful death lawsuits brought by the estate of the deceased. Failure to file a brain injury claim within the allotted time frame can result in your case being rejected.
How a Brain Injury Attorney Can Help You Recover Compensation
Under the best of circumstances, filing a personal injury claim is not the kind of legal situation where you should try to represent yourself. Plaintiffs often struggle to keep up with the demands of the legal process, as they have other time commitments, lack the resources of a personal injury attorney with years of experience, and still need time to recover from their injury. This is especially true for brain injury clients, who are more likely to be experiencing issues with memory, concentration, and speech.
A personal injury lawyer’s skill set is not just useful but essential in navigating Arizona brain injury claims. They will lay the foundation for demonstrating the defendant’s liability using their investigative resources, access to expert witnesses, and understanding of Arizona law. Additionally, personal injury lawyers are key to ensuring that a plaintiff’s damages are documented and accurately quantified, including those that the plaintiff has yet to incur.
Plaintiffs and their personal injury attorneys should always carefully consider the damages that the plaintiff is likely to sustain in the future, but this is especially relevant in brain injury lawsuits. Given that brain injuries can impact virtually every aspect of your functioning, you can’t afford to jeopardize your opportunity to recover maximum compensation by failing to hire a qualified Arizona brain injury lawyer to represent you.
Contact the Glendale Brain Injury Lawyers at Lerner and Rowe
Brain injury survivors often require long-term support as they recover, which can prove expensive and emotionally taxing. Our highly capable team of Glendale brain injury lawyers are here to help you navigate the aftermath of your injury, as we have done for countless other Arizonans.
We take pride in the reputation we have built based on excellent customer service, a strong work ethic, and exceptional results. If you have reason to believe that your brain injury is the result of someone else’s negligence, don’t delay seeking legal assistance to secure the settlement you deserve. We provide 24/7 support. You don’t owe us anything unless we win your case, thanks to our “no win, no fee” policy.
Book your free case evaluation today by calling 602-977-1900, filling out a free online form, or reaching out through LiveChat.