Despite how serious they are, brain injuries are sometimes overlooked when they occur.
Whether it’s a mild concussion or severe blunt trauma, brain injuries have the potential to have a lasting negative impact on a person’s life.
When left unchecked, even some mild forms of traumatic brain injury (TBI) may develop into an impairment or disability.
If this happens to you because of the negligent actions of another, let an experienced Phoenix brain injury lawyer fight for your recovery.
At Tawney, Acosta & Chaparro P.C., our attorneys provide a free consultation to prospective clients and help with every aspect of your case.
Why Choose a Phoenix Brain Injury Attorney from Tawney, Acosta & Chaparro P.C.?
With brain injuries, it’s essential that you build a strong foundation for your claim.
However, this is very difficult if you’re trying to recover at the same time, especially if the injury does significant cognitive damage.
Our brain injury lawyers in Phoenix understand what’s at stake for victims of traumatic brain injury, so we aren’t afraid to aggressively advocate for them.
Using our decades of combined experience and extensive resources, we help manage the different parts of your claim, including but not limited to:
- Collecting evidence from the scene of the incident,
- Contacting potential witnesses for their testimony,
- Calculating the total value of your damages,
- Finding quality medical care for your injuries,
- Negotiating with the defense or insurer on your behalf, and
- Preparing your case for trial if the defendant’s insurance company refuses to settle.
For us, it’s not enough to just push paperwork. Our goal is to provide passionate service while also achieving the best possible outcome for our clients.
With recognition from Super Lawyers and The National Advocates, we understand the importance of professionalism, compassion, and results.
U.S. Brain Injury Statistics
Traumatic brain injuries are more common than one might think.
According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), there were more than 64,000 TBI-related deaths in the United States in 2020. This number equates to about 176 fatalities every day.
While suicide is the leading cause of traumatic brain injury deaths, other unintentional incidents lead to injury.
For example, another study from the CDC in 2022 found that 32,638 people died from an unintentional brain injury from 2018 to 2019.
Around a third of these deaths resulted from motor vehicle accidents, while nearly half occurred due to falls.
Are the Statistics for Arizona Any Different?
So, how do the national statistics compare to those of Arizona? Based on data from the Arizona Department of Health Services, about 2.5% of all TBI-related deaths in the country occurred in Arizona.
When broken down into age demographics, children less than one-year-old were the most at risk for a brain injury. However, individuals between the ages of 20 and 24 who suffered TBI had a 17.76% fatality rate, the highest of any age bracket.
In addition, the primary mechanism of injury was slightly different from the national statistics. In Arizona, approximately 50% of auto-pedestrian collisions had a reported TBI during 2020. In contrast, only 33% of falls involved a brain injury.
Based on this data, it’s clear that brain injuries are a common occurrence in both Arizona and the U.S. as a whole. Unfortunately, these injuries often cause lifelong disability for victims.
The seriousness and long-lasting impact suffered after these accidents is why we encourage you to seek the help of a Phoenix brain injury attorney if you sustain a TBI due to the negligent actions of another party.
Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries
Not all traumatic brain injuries have the same symptoms. Doctors usually measure brain injuries using the Glasgow Coma Scale or GCS.
Basically, this 15-point scale tells the doctors how conscious a person is following a TBI incident. The higher the score is, the less severe the injury.
Injuries like concussions typically have a score somewhere between 13 and14, while more severe injuries—particularly those that involve the loss of consciousness—result in a score less than 10.
Some of the most common brain injuries tested for on this scale include:
- Concussions,
- Contusions,
- Brain hemorrhages,
- Hematomas,
- Coup-contrecoup injury,
- Diffuse axonal injury (DAI), and
- Penetrating brain injury.
Treatments for these injuries vary greatly. Some brain injuries simply require some rest and a gradual reintroduction to activities.
However, other brain trauma may require more time and effort just to manage symptoms.
For example, some brain injuries might cause aphasia, a communication disorder that affects one’s ability to speak and understand language. This type of injury often improves with consistent speech therapy and other types of cognitive training.
Potential Damages in a Brain Injury Claim
Although brain injuries vary in severity, a brain injury attorney in Phoenix usually pursues two categories of damages: economic and non-economic.
In short, economic (also known as specific) damages are financial losses of the victim, while non-economic (also known as general) damages are emotional and physical losses.
Some examples of potential damages include:
- Current and future medical expenses,
- Lost wages during the recovery process,
- Reduced earning capacity due to job loss or transfer,
- Property damage from the injury-causing incident,
- Mental and emotional anguish from the injury,
- Loss of quality of life and enjoyment, and
- Pain and suffering.
The total value of your claim depends on several factors, such as the seriousness of your injury and its overall impact on your day-to-day life.
This is why we encourage you to speak with a brain injury lawyer in Phoenix if you have any questions about a potential settlement or judgment.
Our Phoenix Brain Injury Lawyers Are Here for You
If you or a loved one sustains a brain injury due to the negligent actions of another, know that you’re not alone.
At Tawney, Acosta & Chaparro P.C., we understand the consequences of these injuries and the lifetime of complications that come with them. For us, your immediate recovery is just as important as your future comfort.
To schedule a free consultation with a Phoenix brain injury attorney, contact us online or call us at 575-222-1000.