HIGHLY SKILLED AND EXPERIENCED ATTORNEYS FOR BRAIN AND SPINAL CORD INJURIES

Brain and spinal cord injuries are some of the most significant and devastating injuries a person can suffer. They are life altering for the injured person as well as for his or her family and loved ones.  Brain and spinal cord injuries often require surgery and a lifetime of medical care and rehabilitative services.

Due to the significant, lifelong affects of brain and spinal cord injuries, special knowledge, skill and expertise are required of an attorney handling these types of cases. The attorney must have the contacts and resources required to coordinate the specialized and necessary medical and rehabilitative treatment.  The attorney must have the knowledge and expertise to retain the numerous highly trained and specialized experts required to assist the injury victim during his or her treatment, and to properly prepare and present the case to a jury.

BRAIN INJURIES

It is estimated that over 1.5 million people sustain brain injuries every year in the United States alone. That is more than six times the number of people diagnosed with brain injuries than are diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries, contract HIV/AIDS, and are diagnosed with breast cancer, combined each and every year. According to national statistics, more than 5 million Americans are living with the effects of a brain injury and require some sort of assistance in their day-to-day lives. Brain injuries are responsible for over 50,000 deaths each year in the United States.

According to the national Center for Injury Prevention and Control, auto accidents are responsible for causing 20% of the known brain injuries, and falls account for causing 28% of the known brain injuries. Since auto accidents and falls account for causing almost 50% of the brain injuries, almost every one is at risk for the possibility of suffering a brain injury in these types of accidents.

Permanent brain injuries are especially devastating to the victim and his or her family because of the wide-ranging disabilities that result. There is no replacement or prosthesis that can take the place of a properly functioning brain. The best a victim of a brain injury can do is attempt to become accustomed to his or her diminished capacity and hopefully learn some coping skills.

There are two types of brain injuries: acquired and traumatic. An Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) results from oxygen deprivation to the brain.  ABI can be caused by medical conditions such as strokes, aneurysms and heart attacks. Traumatic events such as near drowning, lack of oxygen during surgery, and blocked airways are also causes of ABI.  Exposure to toxic or hazardous materials are also known sources of ABI.

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) occur when a person’s brain is damaged by a sudden trauma.  A TBI can occur when the head makes violent and sudden contact with an object or when something penetrates the skull and goes into the brain.  A TBI can also occur when the brain comes into contact with the inside of the skull, or when there is internal axonal damage to the makeup of the brain due to a traumatic event such as an automobile collision or fall.

Brain injuries are classified as mild, moderate or severe.  The classification is typically determined by initial diagnosis that includes determining if there was a period of unconsciousness. If there was a period of unconsciousness, the length of the unconsciousness is a key factor in classifying the type of brain injury. What the attorney representing a brain-injured individual must understand is that the classification does not correlate to the extent of the injury, disability and loss of function caused by the brain injury. That is why it is absolutely critical that an individual who suffered a brain injury retain an attorney who is knowledgeable and experienced in handling brain injury cases.

In many instances, modern diagnostic tools such as MRIs and CAT scans are incapable of visualizing the brain injury. As a result, the diagnosis of a brain injury is often very difficult and goes undiagnosed until severe behavioral problems are reported by the victim’s family and loved ones. Due to the difficult nature of diagnosing mild brain injuries, an attorney must utilize the services of a neuropsychologist. A neuropsychologist is a clinical psychologist that specializes in analyzing brain behavior. Often a neuropsychologist, a life care planner, and a team of medical professionals must coordinate their efforts to fully assess, treat and accommodate brain injury victims.

Your choice of an attorney is one of the most significant decisions you will make in pursuing a brain injury claim. Due to the importance of this decision, it is necessary to consider several factors. Due to the unique nature and complexity of brain injury cases, you must choose an attorney with skill and experience in brain injury cases. You must also choose an attorney with whom you are comfortable and in whom you are confident. This is not a “one call, that’s all” situation.  At Murphy & Murphy, we have the skill and experience required, and we understand that you and your family have special needs and concerns about your care, your treatment and your future. Murphy & Murphy places your interests and concerns first and foremost in all of our efforts on your behalf.

SPINAL CORD INJURIES

There are many forms of spinal cord injuries. Auto accidents, falls, and leisure activity injuries commonly cause spinal cord injuries. As a result, almost everyone in the United States is at risk for suffering the devastating effects of a spinal cord injury due to an accident. Spinal cord injuries can range from minor whiplash to the severing of the spinal cord. Treatment can range from chiropractic care and physical therapy to complete paralysis and the need for a full-time ventilator.

Spinal cord injuries are devastating and affect all areas of the victim’s life.  Spinal cord injuries can require multiple surgeries. Victims of spinal cord injuries often have impaired mobility, loss of use of their legs and/or arms, and a multitude of related medical issues and problems. Spinal cord injuries are also psychologically devastating to the victim and his or her family and loved ones. Currently there is no known cure for a spinal cord injury. The injuries and disabilities are permanent. The victim’s life is radically changed. He or she faces a lifetime of confinement in a wheelchair and must confront a lifetime of medical care and rehabilitation.

If you or a loved one has sustained a Brain Injury or Spinal Cord Injury due to the negligence of someone else, it is a very serious matter. Do not trust your future to just any lawyer. You require a lawyer who can coordinate the multitude of medical resources, expert witnesses, and rehabilitative specialists to properly provide for your future needs and to ensure that you are properly compensated. Choosing an attorney to represent you is one of the most important decisions you will make about your case and about your future. Murphy & Murphy is uniquely qualified by our training and experience for these serious cases. Call or contact us today to determine how the skill and expertise of Murphy & Murphy can best serve your interests and needs.