Arizona Brain Injury Lawyers

Sustaining a brain injury can be a devastating and potentially life-changing event for a TBI victim and their loved ones. It is critical that any financial burdens resulting from a brain injury are assumed not by the victim and their family but by those who caused the harm in the first place. Oftentimes, brain injury victims are entitled to significant compensation as a result of the harm they’ve suffered. It is partially for this reason that it is important for TBI victims to explore their legal options with the assistance of an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as they can after an injury has occurred.

The attorneys of Swenson & Shelley have decades of combined experience advocating for brain injury victims in Arizona. If you have recently sustained a brain injury, our firm can explain your rights and options under the law. If you choose to pursue legal action, we can help you hold responsible parties accountable and seek rightful compensation for your losses. Contact us today to learn more during a no-cost, risk-free initial consultation.

Common Causes of Brain Injuries in Arizona

People of all ages are vulnerable to sustaining traumatic brain injuries. Here are some of the most common causes of head and brain injuries in Arizona:

Common Types of Brain Injury Cases That Our Firm Handles

The Arizona attorneys of Swenson & Shelley frequently handle personal injury cases involving the following types of traumatic brain injuries:

Can You File a Personal Injury Lawsuit After a Brain Injury?

In many cases, yes, brain injury victims have strong grounds upon which to file personal injury lawsuits. If you sustain a brain injury as the result of someone else’s negligence, recklessness, or intentionally harmful choices, you can file a personal lawsuit to recover compensation. You’re likely to have grounds upon which to file a personal injury case if the following elements apply to your situation:

• The responsible party had a legal duty to avoid harming you – This could include another driver’s duty to avoid causing an accident, or a medical provider’s duty to provide a patient with proper care.
• The other party was negligent, reckless, or intent on harming you in some way – This could involve a work supervisor failing to provide adequate safety equipment, a negligent driver texting behind the wheel, or a doctor failing to properly diagnose a patient.
• The responsible party’s actions or inactions directly contributed to the cause of your injuries – It is not enough to simply prove that the other party was negligent and you were hurt. You must demonstrate a direct link between their negligence and your injuries.
• You suffered real, measurable losses as a result – Finally, you must show that the injury resulted in measurable losses, such as lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering.

How an Arizona Brain Injury Attorney Can Help

After sustaining a brain injury, it is best to turn to an Arizona personal injury lawyer for guidance and legal support. They will be able to help you navigate your legal options by:

• Explaining your legal rights and reviewing your opportunities for recourse
• Calculating an objective estimate for the value of your brain injury claim
• Conducting an independent investigation into the cause of your brain injury
• Uncovering valuable evidence to support your claim for compensation
• Determining which party or parties could possibly be held liable for your losses
• Managing important case documents and deadlines on your behalf
• Communicating with insurance companies and other third parties on your behalf
• Negotiating aggressively during settlement talks to maximize your compensation
• Representing you in court, if you are forced to sue for fair compensation

Pursuing Full Compensation for a Brain Injury

When you file a personal injury claim after an Arizona brain injury, you may be able to recover compensation for:

What Are the Symptoms of a Traumatic Brain Injury?

The symptoms of a traumatic brain injury can vary widely depending on the severity of the trauma involved. Common symptoms of a relatively mild TBI include:

When moderate to severe TBIs occur, victims may experience the following, more serious, symptoms:

What Treatments Are Available for Traumatic Brain Injury?

Many mild TBIs benefit from rest and over-the-counter treatments. Victims of mild TBIs may not need much more than time and these basic approaches to facilitate their recovery. However, patients with more severe TBIs often require one or more of the following additional types of medical treatment:

• Urgent care – Medical personnel may need to provide emergency treatment to mitigate immediate medical risks, ensure adequate oxygen and blood flow, and prevent additional damage.
• Medication – Anticonvulsants may be administered to prevent seizures. Doctors may also prescribe drugs to induce temporary comas or reduce the amount of fluid in soft tissues.
• Surgery – TBI patients may require surgery to remove blood clots near or within the brain, repair extensive skull fractures, remove foreign objects or skull fragments in the brain, or drain excess fluids inside the skull.
• Rehabilitation – Many patients require extensive therapy and rehabilitation to re-learn how to speak, perform everyday activities, and regain their independence.

How a Brain Injury Can Forever Change an Accident Victim’s Life

A traumatic brain injury can have long-term or permanent effects on an accident victim’s life. Possible complications of a moderate to severe TBI include:

• Changes in consciousness – TBI patients may experience temporary comas or minimally-conscious states, enter vegetative states, or suffer from permanent brain damage.
• Physical complications – Possible physical complications from a TBI include singular or recurrent seizures, cranial infections, cerebrospinal fluid buildup in the brain, damaged blood vessels, frequent headaches, and chronic vertigo.
• Psychological complications – People who suffer significant brain trauma can have psychological complications such as issues with memory, concentration, planning, problem-solving, decision-making, and task completion. Physical and cognitive challenges can contribute to both emotional and mental imbalances manifesting as depression, anxiety, irritability, and insomnia.
• Communication difficulties – Many TBI patients experience a variety of communication problems, including difficulty comprehending speech or text, difficulty writing or forming speech, and difficulty organizing thoughts. These issues can result in frustration and social difficulties for TBI patients and those close to them.

What Can Family Members Do to Help Brain Injury Survivors?

If a family member or loved one has recently survived a traumatic brain injury, you can help them adjust to the challenges that they’re facing by:

• Staying as patient as you can – The aftermath of a TBI can be unpredictable. It’s important to expect the unexpected as your loved one navigates a potentially challenging recovery, and remember, they’ll need as patience and support as you can provide.
• Helping out with organization – Many TBI patients struggle with memory and organization. You can help your loved one by organizing household items, creating labels and lists, and setting up appointment reminders.
• Giving them a sense of structure – A moderate or severe TBI can change many aspects of a person’s daily life. You can help them regain a sense of normalcy by keeping your communication natural, establishing a familiar routine, including them in activities, and creating a highly visible calendar.
• Offering to take care of errands – Even a relatively mild TBI can leave your loved one with a significant lack of energy. They may struggle with many daily tasks for some time, so you can help them by offering to run errands or complete household chores.
• Helping them to feel comfortable – If your loved one is staying in a hospital or rehabilitation center, they may feel confused, uncomfortable, or even frightened by the unfamiliar surroundings. You can help them feel more at ease by providing familiar favorites, such as their preferred blanket and beloved music.
• Encouraging them to get out – Many TBI patients suffer from depression and anxiety, making it difficult to get out of the house. You can help them enjoy a fresh perspective by taking them to a quiet restaurant, a serene beach, or a sunny park.

Arizona Statute of Limitations on Brain Injury Lawsuits

If you believe that you may have grounds for a lawsuit after sustaining a brain injury, learn how the Arizona statute of limitations could impact your case. Under Arizona law, you likely have just two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit.

If you wait to file a brain injury lawsuit until after the two-year deadline expires, the court can dismiss your case. This would effectively eliminate your ability to seek compensation for your losses. A seasoned Arizona lawyer can help you observe important deadlines and prevent your case from getting derailed by avoidable administrative mistakes.

Note that even though the law gives you two years to act, you’ll want to explore your legal options as soon as possible. Being proactive will allow our legal team to preserve evidence that may prove critical to your case.

Talk to an Arizona Brain Injury Attorney Now

When you need experienced legal help with an Arizona brain injury case, look no further than the lawyers of Swenson & Shelley. Accident victims deserve the relentless pursuit of justice that our firm can provide. Don’t hesitate to contact us today to discuss the details of your brain injury circumstances during a free, no-obligation initial case review.