Phoenix Brain Injury Attorney

Fighting for Victims With Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)

The human brain is immensely complex, and though it is capable of impressive feats and functions, it is also highly susceptible to injury. When injuries to the brain do occur, they pose the potential for profound and life-altering consequences.

As attorneys with extensive experience representing clients who suffer preventable injuries, our team at MayesTelles PLLC knows traumatic brain injuries (TBI) can make for difficult and unpredictable recoveries, unclear prognoses, and considerable damages for victims and their families. As advocates, it’s our job to help clients fight for compensation that is so very critical to their futures.

Did you or a loved one suffer a brain injury due to another’s negligence? MayesTelles PLLC can review your case during a FREE consultation, and help you explore your rights to recover compensation for:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Long-term or permanent disabilities
• Lost income / lost future earnings
• Rehabilitation costs
• Emotional pain and suffering

Call our team 24/7 to speak with an attorney.

TBI Explained: Brain Injuries & Symptoms

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are a type of acquired brain injury, meaning they are not hereditary or present at birth. Instead, they typically result from external trauma to the brain – such as a blunt force impact, or due to medical negligence, unsafe medications, and toxic exposure.

Although there are various terms used to describe specific types of brain injuries (including contusions, coup-contrecoup, diffuse axonal, and penetration injuries) brain injuries are generally categorized as one of the following:

• Mild: Mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI) are concussions. The word “mild” in mTBI does not necessarily describe the symptoms victims’ experience, but rather the severity of the initial injury. Concussions can occur in a range of accidents, and may result from a direct blow to the head, or the rapid acceleration and deceleration of the brain within the skull (such as in the case of car accidents and whiplash). Concussions can occur with or without loss of consciousness.
• Moderate: Brain injuries are classified as “moderate” TBIs when the initial trauma results in more than 30 minutes of unconsciousness, but less than 24 hours of unconsciousness.
• Severe: Severe traumatic brain injuries are those which result in a loss of consciousness (or coma) that exceeds 24 hours, as well as post-traumatic amnesia (PTA) for more than 24 hours. Severe TBIs may result in a vegetative state, or a minimally responsive state.

According to the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA), someone in the U.S. suffers a brain injury every 9 seconds, and at least 2.5 million adults and children suffer brain injuries each year. Unfortunately, many of these victims require hospitalization and extensive treatment for lasting deficits and long-term disabilities. At least 50,000 people die from these injuries each year.

While there are a number of symptoms associated with brain injuries – it is important to remember that TBIs are notoriously unpredictable, and that the presence of symptoms and their severity can range from person to person. Still, all forms of TBI pose potential symptoms that may affect a victim’s cognitive, emotional, and physical well-being.

Cognitive or Mental:

• Memory or concentration problems
• Disorientation or confusion
• Decreased ability to process / decreased awareness
• Decreased executive function (i.e. organization, problem solving)
• Impulsiveness

Emotional Symptoms:

• Anxiety or depression
• Changes in mood
• Dependent behavior
• Irritability / anger
• Apathy / decreased motivation

Physical Symptoms:

• Dizziness and / or loss of balance
• Physical paralysis or weakness
• Problems with speech (aphasia)
• Fatigue, drowsiness, excessive sleeping
• Headaches, nausea and / or vomiting
• Vision changes, including partial or total vision loss
• Increased sensitivity to light or sound / ringing in the ears (tinnitus)

• Blurred vision or double vision
• Difficulty with depth perception, involuntary eye movement (nystagmus)
• Diminished sense of smell (anosmia) or taste

Brain injury symptoms may not be immediately or readily apparent, and may become worse over time. Additionally, some brain injuries can become medical emergencies when there is bleeding in the brain – which is why an immediate medical evaluation is always advised.

Brain Injuries: Common Causes

As personal injury lawyers, our team represents clients who suffer brain injuries in a range of preventable accidents, including those involving some of the most common causes of TBI:

• Falls & Falling Object: Falls are the leading cause of brain injuries, particularly among the elderly and children. When brain injuries result from premises accidents involving slip and falls, falling objects, workplace accidents, or other preventable incidents, victims may seek compensation from the responsible party.
• Commercial Truck Accidents: Commercial trucks and tractor-trailers are massive machines, and they pose incredible risks to public safety. Serious injuries such as TBI are common in truck accidents, and experienced attorneys can help victims determine if they have grounds for injury claims against trucking operators, maintenance companies, product manufacturers, or others involving in commercial trucking.
• Auto, Pedestrian & Bicycle Accidents: While passengers in standard vehicles can and often do suffer TBIs, pedestrians and bicyclists are the most vulnerable individuals on our roads, comprising a category of victims who routinely suffer brain injuries due to the negligence of others. Because these victims can face exorbitant medical bills and damages, obtaining full compensation is of the utmost importance.
• Assault & Physical Violence: Physical altercations can cause brain injuries, most often among adults (roughly 3% of TBIs suffered by children). Depending on where an altercation, accidental shooting, or third-party assault took place, victims may have rights to seek compensation from a liable party, such as a premises owner that failed to take reasonable measures to protect guests, employed negligent security, or committed some other breach of duty.
• Sports Injuries: Brain injuries in sports are exceedingly common, which is why many jurisdictions across the country are adopting laws and policies that ensure players are promptly removed from practice or play, and appropriately evaluated, whenever a head injury is suspected. Though the facts of cases will determine potential liability, victims may have claims against sporting organizations, youth athletic leagues, and / or schools that were negligent in supervising athletes, or ensuring they obtained the medical attention they required.

Call 24/7 to For a FREE Consultation

MayesTelles PLLC is available 24/7 to help injured victims and families understand their rights and options for pursuing personal injury lawsuits – including those involving brain injuries. If you have a potential claim, trust a team with nearly 200 years of experience. Call (602) 428-7104 24/7 to speak with an attorney.