Brain injury patient lying in hospital bed traumatized.
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    The effects of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) can permanently impact a person’s memory, personality, movement, coordination, and critical bodily functions. Beyond the physical and emotional consequences of a TBI, brain injury treatment can cost millions of dollars over a survivor’s lifetime. You and your loved ones should not have to pay the price of an injury someone else caused — and the Glendale brain injury attorneys at Mushkatel, Robbins & Becker, PLLC want to help you pursue the money you need from the at-fault party(s).

    Our personal injury attorneys have more than 50 years of experience helping injured Arizonans and have first-hand knowledge of the catastrophic effects of a traumatic brain injury. Let us put our skills and resources to work on your behalf, investigating the case, determining all sources of compensation, and fighting aggressively for the money you need to preserve your quality of life and prepare for the future. Contact us today for a free consultation with a Glendale traumatic brain injury lawyer.

    How Common Are Traumatic Brain Injuries?

    Every day, 611 hospitalizations and 176 deaths in the U.S. are due to traumatic brain injuries. According to the most current national statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 223,000 people were hospitalized for TBIs in a single recent year. Brain injuries accounted for over 64,000 deaths in another year.

    Arizona brain injury statistics are no less disturbing. The state recorded more than 58,000 traumatic brain injury cases in just one year. Around 10 percent of people with major TBIs died from their injuries.

    What Are Common Causes of Traumatic Brain Injuries?

    Common causes of traumatic brain injuries include:

    How Are Traumatic Brain Injuries Evaluated and Classified?

    Doctors use several scales to assess the severity of a traumatic brain injury (TBI). The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is a clinical scale that evaluates the level of consciousness and brain function after a head injury. Other diagnostic tools used to assess the severity of a TBI include the Rancho Los Amigos Scale, which evaluates cognitive function, and the Disability Rating Scale, which measures the functional impact of a TBI.

    The severity of a TBI varies widely, mainly because brain function may improve or decline in the period after the initial injury. It is also important to note the severity of a TBI does not necessarily correlate with the severity of external physical injuries or the length of time a person is unconscious.

    What is the Glasgow Coma Scale?

    The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is a clinical assessment tool used to evaluate the level of consciousness and brain function after a head injury. The GCS assesses three key aspects of brain function: eye opening, verbal response, and motor response. Each aspect is scored on a scale of three to 15, with a lower score indicating a more severe injury.

    The scores for each aspect of the GCS are as follows:

    Eye opening:

    • 4 points: Spontaneous
    • 3 points: To speech
    • 2 points: To pain
    • 1 point: No response

    Verbal response:

    • 5 points: Oriented and converses normally
    • 4 points: Disoriented and converses normally
    • 3 points: Inappropriate words
    • 2 points: Incomprehensible sounds
    • 1 point: No response

    Motor response:

    • 6 points: Obeys commands
    • 5 points: Localizes to pain
    • 4 points: Withdraws from pain
    • 3 points: Abnormal flexion to pain
    • 2 points: Abnormal extension to pain
    • 1 point: No response

    The overall GCS score is calculated by adding the scores for each aspect of brain function.

    What is the Rancho Los Amigos Scale?

    The other method doctors use to evaluate brain injuries is the Rancho Los Amigos Scale (RLAS). The RLAS method, sometimes known as the Ranchos Scale, differs from the Glasgow Coma Scale because it measures a patient’s progress beyond their initial injury. It measures the progress of a person’s cognitive recovery over time and can guide treatment decisions.

    The Rancho Los Amigos Scale consists of eight levels of cognitive function, ranging from complete unconsciousness (Level 1) to full independent functioning (Level 8). Each level is characterized by a set of behaviors and abilities that reflect the person’s level of cognitive function. For example, at Level 1, a person may be completely unresponsive, while at Level 7, a person may be able to communicate and follow simple commands.

    brain ct scan

    How Are Brain Injuries Treated?

    The treatment for a brain injury depends on the type and severity of the injury. Common treatments for TBIs include:

    • Medications to control symptoms and prevent complications like seizures and infections
    • Rehabilitation to help the person regain functions lost due to the injury, such as speech, mobility, and cognitive skills
    • Surgery to remove blood clots, repair skull fractures, or relieve brain swelling
    • Supportive care to manage symptoms and ensure the person’s comfort, such as providing nutrition and helping with activities of daily living

    Always seek medical attention as soon as possible after a brain injury. The earlier the treatment begins, the better the chances of a full recovery.

    What Are the Long-Term Side Effects of Brain Injuries?

    The potential long-term effects of a traumatic brain injury include:

    • Memory problems
    • Lost sense of time and space
    • Shorter attention span
    • Paralysis or other motor coordination problems
    • Impaired problem-solving skills
    • Muscle tremors
    • Changes in the senses of vision, smell, hearing, touch, and taste
    • Ability to speak or process language
    • Loss of bowel and bladder control
    • Depression and anxiety
    • Seizures
    • Coma
    • Persistent vegetative state

    How Can I Recover Compensation for My Brain Injury?

    Depending on the circumstances, you could seek compensation for a brain injury by:

    • Filing a personal injury claim: If your TBI resulted from a car accident or other incident caused by someone else, you could seek compensation from the responsible party’s insurance company.
    • Filing a brain injury lawsuit: It may be possible to file suit against the person or entity responsible for your brain injury. You must prove that the at-fault party’s negligence caused your TBI.
    • Applying for disability benefits: If your brain injury prevents you from working, you may be eligible for disability benefits through the Social Security Administration.

    Speak with a lawyer at Mushkatel, Robbins & Becker, PLLC before filing a traumatic brain injury claim. An experienced TBI lawyer from our firm can review your case and place an appropriate value on the case so you don’t settle for less than you deserve.

    What Compensation Can I Recover?

    A traumatic brain injury lawyer can help you pursue compensation for a wide range of financial and non-financial losses, including:

    • Medical bills
    • Lost wages
    • Loss of future earnings
    • Therapy and rehabilitation costs
    • Medical devices or home modifications (if disabled)
    • Long-term care costs
    • Pain and suffering
    • Diminished quality of life

    Is There a Deadline for Filing My Brain Injury Claim?

    The deadline to file a brain injury lawsuit in Arizona is typically two years from the date of the injury. The time limit differs slightly in medical malpractice cases. If you suffered a traumatic brain injury because of a healthcare provider’s improper medical care, you have two years from when you discovered (or reasonably should have discovered) the injury to file suit.

    Contact a Glendale Brain Injury Attorney Now

    A brain injury often has a ripple effect on the lives of the victim and their family, causing significant physical, emotional, and financial stress and strain. The Glendale brain injury lawyers at Mushkatel, Robbins & Becker, PLLC will fight for justice and maximum compensation if someone else’s carelessness harmed you. Call us or contact us online for a free consultation today.