Suffering a traumatic brain injury (TBI) can change your life in an instant. If you or someone you love suffered a brain injury caused by an accident in Phoenix, you need an experienced Phoenix brain injury lawyer by your side.
At Gallagher & Kennedy, we understand how overwhelming this time can be. Our compassionate team of attorneys is here to stand by your side, guide you through the legal process, and fight for the justice and compensation you deserve. With over 45 years of experience, we have the resources and dedication to help you rebuild your future.
The dedicated legal team at Gallagher & Kennedy can assist you in holding all at-fault parties legally and financially accountable for their actions. Contact us today at (602) 492-9467 to request a free brain injury consultation.
WHY YOU SHOULD CHOOSE OUR PHOENIX BRAIN INJURY LAWYERS
Gallagher & Kennedy has served the Phoenix area and all of Arizona since 1978. Our attorneys have more than 210 years of combined legal experience, and we have won awards and received honors for our remarkable professionalism and unmatched client service. As evidence of our commitment to our clients, consider the following:
- Our approach to personal injury law begins and ends with you. Our Phoenix brain injury attorneys will listen carefully to your story and tailor a legal strategy to accomplish your specific goals.
- We have obtained hundreds of millions of dollars for past clients, including many catastrophic brain injury cases.
- Our law firm does not charge a cent in attorney or legal fees if we do not obtain a settlement or an award for damages in your case.
You can rely on us to take an active interest in your case and arm you with the information you need to make the most informed decisions. We are dedicated to helping you get the full and fair compensation you need to cover all your injuries and losses, and we are ready to take your case to trial, if necessary, and fight for the justice you deserve.
If you suffered a traumatic brain injury caused by someone else's negligence, call Gallagher & Kennedy today at (602) 492-9467 or contact us online to request a free brain injury consultation from one of our experienced brain injury lawyers.
COMMON CAUSES OF TBIs
TBIs can result from a wide range of accidents. While each case is unique, some common causes of severe traumatic brain injuries include the following:
- Vehicle Accidents: Car accidents, truck accidents, and motorcycle crashes are some of the leading causes of TBIs. These incidents often involve sudden impacts or rollovers that can cause head trauma.
- Falls: Slip and fall accidents, particularly from heights or on dangerous surfaces, are a frequent cause of brain injuries. These accidents can occur in workplaces, public spaces, or even at home.
- Sports-Related Accidents: High-impact sports or recreational activities can sometimes lead to head injuries, especially without proper safety gear.
- Aviation Accidents: Serious aviation crashes or other air travel incidents can lead to catastrophic brain trauma.
- Workplace or Construction Accidents: Falling equipment, unsafe scaffolding, and other job-related hazards can result in TBIs.
- Defective Products: Faulty products, including defective helmets, airbags, seat belts, or automotive parts, can fail to protect individuals and contribute to traumatic brain injuries.
- Acts of Violence: Assault or other intentional acts of harm can also result in devastating brain injuries.
Determining the exact cause of your injury is a critical step in building a strong personal injury claim. Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate your accident, consult with experts, and collect the evidence necessary to prove liability and secure the compensation you need.
WHEN YOU SHOULD CALL A TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY ATTORNEY IN PHOENIX, ARIZONA
It is extremely important to protect your rights if you are in an accident where you suffer any type of brain injury. Even a minor injury to the brain could impact all aspects of your life, both personally and professionally. Living with brain injury may require significant changes for you and your loved ones.
For example, a brain injury may require you to undergo expensive surgeries or temporary rehabilitation therapies. You may have to stay home from work and miss out on earning opportunities. A brain injury may also result in a permanent disability.
The physical pain and mental anguish you may suffer are also worth conversing with an injury attorney. You may be eligible to collect compensation for the parties who caused your brain injury for not only your current medical expenses and financial losses, but any future economic hardships your injury will cause.
COMPENSATION AVAILABLE TO PHOENIX BRAIN INJURY VICTIMS
Brain injuries can have a profound and lasting impact on many aspects of your life. If another party’s negligence caused your injury, you have the right to pursue compensation to help ease the financial and emotional burdens. Depending on the specifics of your case, the following types of compensation may be available to you:
- Medical Expenses
This includes both current and future medical bills, such as hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation, prescription medications, and assistive devices. - Lost Income and Future Earning Capacity
If your brain injury has caused you to miss work or will prevent you from returning to your previous job, you may be entitled to recover lost income or compensation for reduced earning potential. - Pain and Suffering
Beyond physical injuries, TBIs often come with emotional and mental challenges, including anxiety, depression, or loss of enjoyment of life. These non-economic damages can also be taken into account. - Ongoing Care and Support
For severe TBIs, you may require lifelong care, whether from medical professionals or family members. Compensation can help cover these extensive costs. - Other Out-of-Pocket Expenses
This could include travel costs for medical appointments or modifications to your home to accommodate your new circumstances.
Every case is unique, and the compensation you may be entitled to will vary depending on the details of your situation. At Gallagher & Kennedy, we’ll carefully assess your needs to demand the comprehensive financial recovery you need to move forward.
WHEN YOUR FAMILY MEMBER SUFFERS A BRAIN INJURY
When a loved one suffers a brain injury in an accident, it can significantly impact not only their life but yours also. You may need to transport them to medical appointments and therapy, handle their personal and financial affairs, and even provide them with full-time care. At the same time, you may be suffering from the loss of your previous life that you enjoyed with your loved one.
Your family could be eligible to recover compensation from the parties responsible for causing your family member a brain injury. A Phoenix brain injury lawyer can help you seek restitution from the at-fault parties for your relative's injury, whether the defendant is a drunk driver or an incompetent anesthesiologist.
WHEN YOUR CLIENT SUSTAINS A CATASTROPHIC TBI
The brain is a delicate and complex organ. When victims sustain brain injuries, they can suffer from many different symptoms, ranging from memory loss to motor function challenges to personality changes. Catastrophic injury cases involving brain injuries can be complicated and require the extensive use of medical experts.
Some brain injury patients fully recover over time, while others sustain permanent damage and require lifelong medical care. The necessary medical treatments and care are costly. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that the average annual cost of treating brain injuries in the United States is more than $40.6 billion.
When your client suffers a brain injury in an accident, we are here to help. We gladly accept referrals from other lawyers whose clients find themselves in this devastating situation. Contact our office today to see how we can assist your client.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT HEAD AND BRAIN INJURIES
Any injury to the scalp or skull is a head injury. Any head injury that affects the brain is classified as a brain injury, whether there are external or only internal injuries to the brain. No two brain injury victims are the same because no two injuries are identical.
OPEN HEAD INJURY VS. CLOSED HEAD INJURY
Medical professionals classify head injuries as either open or closed. Open head injuries involved skull fractures or penetrating injuries to the skull. Closed head injuries are those where the skull remains intact. The brain can smash into the insides of the skull after a sudden impact, causing serious damage.
TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) comes from external forces. Common causes of traumatic brain injuries include car accidents, sports impacts, violent crimes, and falls.
ACQUIRED BRAIN INJURIES
An acquired brain injury (ABI) happens internally. Common causes of ABIs are suffocation, drowning, birth injuries, and anesthesia mistakes.
CONCUSSIONS
One of the most common types of brain injuries is a concussion. Concussions typically go away on their own, as long as the patient does not sustain a second concussion while the first is still healing.
BRAIN HEMORRHAGE
Hemorrhage is uncontrollable bleeding in the brain or the space surrounding the brain. Bleeding in the brain can cause pressure to build inside the skull, or the bleeding itself can damage brain tissue, affecting normal brain function.
BRAIN SWELLING
Swelling of the brain causes the brain to press against the inside of the skull. Injuries that cause swelling to the brain are more serious than those that cause swelling to its surrounding tissues.
DIFFUSE AXONAL INJURY
This type of injury damages the brain's cells without causing bleeding. It can cause permanent brain cell death and brain damage. Brain swelling may accompany a diffuse axonal injury.
BRAIN INJURY SYMPTOMS
Since your brain controls virtually every aspect of your body, you can suffer a wide range of symptoms following a brain injury. Some of the most common include:
- Headaches
- Confusion or disorientation
- Memory loss
- Blurry vision or other vision issues
- Other sensory problems, including hearing, smell, touch, and taste
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sleeping problems
In cases of mild traumatic brain injury, the symptoms may may be manageable. However, in some cases, victims can experience seizures or unconsciousness. Brain injuries can also cause abrupt changes in a person's mood or personality. In severe cases, brain injuries can cause a victim to fall into a coma or die.
Also, some brain injuries do not manifest symptoms right away. You may feel all right after the accident but notice symptoms hours, days, or sometimes weeks, later.
You should always have any head injury examined immediately after the accident, and your doctor should order tests to determine whether you suffered a traumatic brain injury, such as MRIs, CT scans, or PET scans.
If someone else caused your brain injury due to their negligence or careless actions, you should also consult an experienced brain injury lawyer as soon as possible to find out your options for obtaining compensation.
PHOENIX BRAIN INJURY FAQs
Below are frequently asked questions regarding brain injury claims:
How much does it cost to hire a personal injury attorney?
At Gallagher & Kennedy, we work on a contingency fee basis for personal injury cases, including those involving brain injuries. This means you won’t pay upfront fees, and we only get paid attorney’s fees if we successfully recover compensation for you. Our goal is to make the legal process as stress-free as possible so you can focus on your healing while we handle your case.
What happens if I’m partly to blame for the accident?
You can still potentially recover damages, even if you’re partly at fault for the accident that caused your brain injury. Arizona follows a legal rule known as “pure comparative negligence,” meaning your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you’re found 20% responsible, your recovery would be reduced by 20%. Our attorneys will carefully investigate your case to minimize any allegations of fault and fight for the compensation you deserve.
What is the statute of limitations for filing a brain injury lawsuit in Arizona?
Arizona’s statute of limitations for personal injury cases is generally two years from the date of the injury. However, certain circumstances, such as cases involving minors or government entities, may have different timelines. It’s crucial to act quickly and consult with an attorney to ensure you don’t miss any deadlines, as failing to file in time can prevent you from recovering damages.
How long does a brain injury case take to resolve?
The timeline of a brain injury case varies based on factors like the complexity of the case, the severity of the injury, and whether or not the case goes to trial. While some cases may settle in several months, others can take years, particularly if litigation is involved.
Do I need to go to court for my brain injury case?
Not all brain injury cases go to court. Many are resolved through negotiations with the at-fault party or their insurance company. However, if we believe going to trial is in your best interest, our experienced trial attorneys are fully prepared to advocate for you in the courtroom. We’ll guide you through the entire process, so you always understand your options and feel confident in our strategy.
ASK A PHOENIX BRAIN INJURY ATTORNEY ABOUT YOUR TBI LAWSUIT TODAY
If a negligent or reckless party caused you or a loved one's brain injury in Arizona, you may have grounds for a civil claim for damages. A successful brain injury claim may result in payment for:
- Current and future medical bills
- Physical or occupational therapy
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Lost wages
- Wrongful death
Gallagher & Kennedy's brain injury attorneys have the experience and knowledge to build a strong case on your behalf. Our lawyers have successfully handled many brain injury cases throughout Phoenix and Arizona, and we will fight hard to help you get the maximum financial recovery possible so you can focus on your physical recovery.
Speak to a Phoenix personal injury lawyer today about your brain injury claim during a free consultation. Call Gallagher & Kennedy at (602) 492-9467 or contact us online to request legal advice from a local brain injury attorney who has your best interests at heart.