Phoenix Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney
Attorney Representation in Phoenix, Arizona Since 1996
Proving TBI
What is TBI?
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is any damage to the brain from a traumatic incident. Falls are the leading cause of traumatic brain injury. Car accidents are the second most common cause of traumatic brain injury, but the top cause of fatal incidents involving brain injury. Assault is another common cause of TBI. Often, these incidents are caused by the actions, or inaction, of another. Whatever the cause, traumatic brain injury in Phoenix can lead to permanent brain damage and lifetime neurological complications.
What tests and technologies do doctors use to assess and diagnose brain injury?
Neurologic testing falls into one of two categories: those that look at the brain and those that look at its functions. The first tests assess the brain's physical structure and are used to look for physical evidence of traumatic injury, such as blood or focalized damage. Computerized Tomography (CT) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are among these types of tests. CT scans are better suited to detecting new blood around the brain while MRI's are more capable of finding smaller areas of damage.
In the second category are tests that assess the brain's functions. An electroencephalography, or EEG, is used to monitor the electrical impulses in the brain, or brain activity, which, if abnormal, can be indicative of injury. Positron emission tomography, PET, scans measure the brain's use of glucose to determine if certain areas are not receiving or using sufficient amounts. A SPECT, or Single Photon Emission Computerized Tomography, scan assesses the blood flow to the brain through a similar process. The results of any or all of these tests may be used as evidence of traumatic brain injury.
Who might be called as a witness to prove TBI?
After a severe traumatic brain injury, a patient will see many different health care professionals with different specialties. His or her first contact will likely be with emergency responders. At the emergency room, he or she will see a regular physician and possibly a neurologist, a neuropsychologist or neurosurgeon. As part of recovery and ongoing treatment, a patient may be treated by physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech therapists. Any of these experts may be called to testify about the extent of injuries.
How should an attorney approach proving TBI?
It is essential that your attorney have experience in neurolaw. A skilled Phoenix personal injury attorney will know which experts to call upon, anticipate the defense's responses and gather all the appropriate evidence to prove your claim for compensation.
If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury, call The Breyer Law Offices today for a free and confidential case assessment to find out whether you have a legitimate claim for compensation.
