Scottsdale Brain Injury Lawyer
Brain Injury Lawyer Scottsdale, AZ
As a brain injury lawyer Scottsdale, AZ victims trust from SL Chapman Trial Lawyers can attest, traumatic brain injury (TBI) is unfortunately a very common condition, and is often quite serious. These types of injuries can result in permanent damage to the brain or disability. Each year, millions of people are ushered to the emergency room for traumatic brain injury related symptoms, and thousands of others succumb to their injury and pass away.
Table Of Contents
- Common Misconceptions About Brain Injuries
- Common Misconceptions About Brain Injuries Infographic
- Long-Term Effects
- FAQs About Brain Injury
- Schedule A Consultation With SL Chapman Today
Our team has experience assisting clients with brain injuries and their families for many years, and we understand to what extent a person’s life may be changed forever. We have seen firsthand how brain injuries can affect victims and their loved ones, and we are dedicated to seeking justice and restitution for our clients. If you or a loved one has suffered from a traumatic brain injury and another person was at fault for the accident, we urge you to contact us right now for support.
Traumatic brain injury is classified as any injury to the brain that is caused from a traumatic incident, and can happen from a sudden blow, jolt of force, or object penetrating the skull which then can damage the brain. By comparison, acquired brain injuries (ABI) result from a condition or pre-existing illness, including tumors, brain cancer, strokes, brain inflammation, brain infection, or lack of brain oxygen.
Symptoms of a mild traumatic brain injury can include feeling confused, dazed, losing consciousness for a few seconds to several minutes, nausea or vomiting, headaches, loss of balance, fatigue, changes in sleeping habits, ringing in the ears, blurred vision, sensitivity to light and sound, or a bad taste in the mouth. As a Scottsdale brain injury lawyer can explain, symptoms of a moderate to severe brain injury can entail symptoms like a persistent headache, loss of consciousness, persistent nausea and vomiting, seizures, convulsions, clear fluid draining from the ears or nose, dilation of the pupils in both eyes or just one, numbness or weakness in the fingertips, severe confusion, loss of coordination, combativeness, or other changes in behavior and temperament.
There are many scenarios in which a traumatic brain injury can occur, such as car accidents, workplace accidents, pedestrian accidents, medical malpractice, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, and much more. The victims of moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries may experience disability or deficits for the long-term, hindering their motor functions. When someone is at fault for why a traumatic brain injury happened in the first place, the victim and their family members can come forward and sue to seek restitution for what happened.
Trust us when we say we are not afraid to advocate relentlessly for our clients and the suffering they have endured because someone else was being reckless and caused an accident. If this information sounds like something you or a loved one has been through recently, please do not hesitate to reach out to our Scottsdale brain injury lawyer from SL Chapman Trial Lawyers now.
Common Misconceptions About Brain Injuries
As a brain injury lawyer Scottsdale, AZ residents trust can confirm, people can suffer brain injuries from various accidents, from car crashes to slip and fall accidents. If you have recently sustained a brain injury in an accident, an experienced lawyer from SL Chapman Trial Lawyer can help you better understand the the intricacies of this injury in the legal context of personal injury law.
There are many untruths surrounding brain injuries. Here are a few common misconceptions about brain brain injuries:
If you don’t lose consciousness after an accident, you don’t suffer a brain injury
Many people assume that a brain injury is always followed by a loss of consciousness. However, this is not always the case. It is entirely possible to sustain a brain injury and never lose consciousness. Even if you do not lose consciousness after an accident, you should still seek medical attention.
Helmets prevent brain injuries
Wearing a helmet is definitely a wise move in certain situations, like when you are riding a motorcycle or working in construction. It can prevent you from suffering life-threatening injuries in the event of an accident. However, that does not mean that you will not sustain a brain injury.
Mild brain injuries are nothing to worry about
Just because a brain injury is considered mild, does not mean that you should make light of it. Even mild brain injuries can cause changes to your cognitive abilities, memory and personality.
If you don’t have a headache, you don’t have a brain injury
A headache is a common symptom of a head injury. However, as a Scottsdale brain injury lawyer can attest, not all people who sustain brain injuries experience headaches. In fact, some will not experience any symptoms initially. That does not mean that a brain injury is not there. If you don’t have symptoms of a brain injury after an accident, you should still see a doctor.
You have to receive a blow to the head to sustain a brain injury
Even if you did not hit your head against an object during an accident, you could still have a brain injury. If your head jolts back and forth rapidly, you could still suffer a brain injury.
All brain injuries are the same
There are actually multiple types of brain injuries one can sustain in an accident, such as concussions, hematomas, skull fractures and diffuse axonal injuries. The treatment you receive will depend on the type of brain injury and severity.
All brain injuries eventually heal
Although this would be nice if it were true, it is not always the case. Some people may make a full recovery while others may never be the same again. Your chances of making a full recovery can depend on various factors, such as your age, the type of brain injury you sustained and your overall health.
If you have suffered a brain injury in an accident caused by someone else, you should contact a Scottsdale brain injury lawyer from SL Chapman Trial Lawyers.
COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT BRAIN INJURIES INFOGRAPHIC
Long-Term Effects
A Scottsdale, AZ brain injury lawyer from SL Chapman Trial Lawyers knows that a brain injury is one of the most potentially devastating injuries an accident victim can suffer is a brain injury. Even an apparent minor brain injury can end up leaving the victim with long-term health issues. These issues can leave the victim struggling for years. There have been multiple studies that reveal that brain injury is a risk factor for several neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease.
Major Veteran Study
One major study involved the medical records of more than 326,000 veterans. Half of those subjects have suffered a brain injury. Researchers then took each of these brain injury victims and matched them to a veteran who was of similar age but had never suffered a brain injury. The results were jarring.
There was a significant difference in the number of veterans who had sustained brain injuries and later developed Parkinson’s disease and veterans who had never had brain injuries.
Veterans who had sustained moderate to severe brain injuries had almost 85 percent higher risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. Veterans who had sustained mild brain injuries had a 56 percent higher risk of developing the condition. Veterans who had never lost consciousness – which are considered the least serious type of brain injury – still had a 35 percent higher risk of developing the condition.
Understanding Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative condition that develops gradually over time. When a person is suffering from Parkinson’s, the neurons that are in the brain breakdown or completely die off. The lack of neurons in the brain then prevents it from producing the amount of dopamine the body needs. Dopamine is a chemical that acts as a messenger to the brain that signals the control of the body’s coordination, movement control, and other key body functions.
Symptoms
A Scottsdale brain injury lawyer knows that when a person is suffering from Parkinson’s, they may be suffering from the following symptoms:
- Changes in speech
- Impairment of balance
- Impairment of posture
- Loss of automatic movements
- Slow movement
- Stiffness of muscles
- Tremors
Treatment
Currently, there is no known cure for Parkinson’s disease. Some sufferers can get some relief through medications that enhance or mimic the effects of dopamine and this helps alleviate some of the symptoms. Nutrition and physical therapy can also help with symptoms. For people who have advanced cases of Parkinson’s disease, some relief may be found through implants that send signals to electronic sensors in the brain.
Legal Help
Brain injuries can mean long-term or permanent effects that require continued medical and rehabilitative care. In many cases, the victim’s life is never the same. These complex cases require the skill and experience of a dedicated Scottsdale brain injury lawyer who has the experience and knowledge of just how much a traumatic brain injury impacts the victim’s life. Call SL Chapman Trial Lawyers to schedule a free and confidential consultation to find out what legal recourse you and your family may have.
Scottsdale Brain Injury Statistics
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 2 million people in the U.S. suffer some type of brain injury each year. Approximately 70,000 victims die from their injuries. Over 200,000 of those injured end up admitted to hospitals, while more than 1 million are treated in emergency rooms and released.
Even a minor brain injury can have a significant impact on a victim. To learn what legal options you may have for the losses you have suffered, call our office for a free consultation.
FAQs About Brain Injury
If you have sustained a brain injury due to someone else’s negligence, you may want to consult a Scottsdale, AZ brain injury lawyer. You may be entitled to compensation for your losses. A lawyer from SL Chapman Trial Lawyers can help you pursue a timely claim against the negligent parties.
What Types of Accidents Can Result in Brain Injuries?
Brain injuries are one of the most serious injuries someone can endure and have a number of different causes. Car accidents, for example, can result in a brain injury if you hit your head against a steering wheel, glass or other object. You may also be at risk of a brain injury if your head jolts back and forth suddenly. Likewise, if you are in a motorcycle accident and you don’t wear a helmet, you could suffer a brain injury.
Other accidents that can cause brain injuries include slip and fall accidents, medical malpractice and sports accidents.
If the Insurance Company Offers a Settlement, Do I Still Need a Lawyer?
Yes. The at-fault party’s insurance company may contact you after your accident and offer you a settlement fairly early. However, that does not mean you should not hire a lawyer. The insurance company’s initial offer is rarely a favorable one. An experienced Scottsdale brain injury lawyer can evaluate the extent of your injuries and determine if you will need long-term care or not. Then, he or she can negotiate with the insurance company and help you obtain the settlement you deserve.
What Information Will I Need for My Brain Injury Claim?
If you are planning to file a brain injury claim, you will need sufficient evidence. For example, if you sustained a brain injury in a car accident, you may want to obtain a copy of the police report and witness contact information. It’s also important to obtain your medical records promptly to demonstrate the type of brain injury you have and the types of treatments you will need. Consider writing about your injury in a journal. Describe your symptoms and how your injury has affected your life so far.
Will a Brain Injury Affect Me Forever?
The answer depends on the severity of your brain injury and overall health. Some people may recover from their brain injury fairly quickly while others may experience long-term physical, cognitive and behavioral changes. That is why it is important to seek medical care as soon as possible. The sooner you start treatment, the better chance you have at making a recovery.
Will I Have to Go to Trial?
Again, the answer largely depends on the circumstances of your case. However, like most personal injury cases, the majority of brain injury claims get settled out of court. Your lawyer will try to negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance company. However, if the insurance company isn’t willing to offer you a fair settlement, it may be necessary to go to court.
Schedule A Consultation With SL Chapman Today
At SL Chapman, we recognize the profound and often life-altering consequences of brain injuries. Our team is deeply committed to advocating for those affected by such injuries, understanding the intricate complexities these cases entail. At SL Chapman, we bring a wealth of expertise and empathy, ensuring that our clients receive the highest level of legal counsel and support. We are dedicated to securing the necessary resources and compensation for our clients to facilitate their recovery and adaptation to new challenges. Our approach combines thorough legal knowledge with a compassionate understanding of the physical, emotional, and financial tolls of brain injuries, underlining our commitment to stand by our clients throughout their journey towards justice and healing.