Helping Clients After TBIs, Paralysis & More
AgnewBrusavich provides experienced legal help to those who need it the most– those suffering from serious injuries. They could have many causes, but what our clients have in common is that their lives have been deeply affected due to the negligence of others. They could be suffering severe, lifelong physical and intellectual disabilities that changed them from productive, active people supporting their families to those who may have significant limitations and need long term care and medical treatment.
Our Torrance serious injury attorneys have more than 100 years of combined experience that we can use to investigate your accident and secure the compensation you need to cover both the costs of emergency care and future costs. Whether you've suffered a traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury such as paralysis, amputation, or burn, you can trust our team to understand the unique nature of your case and work tirelessly to get the results you deserve.
Whether you were injured in a car accident or by a defective product, you can contact us online or by phone at (310) 793-1400 knowing our team can handle the details while you focus on healing.
How Traumatic Brain Injuries Happen
A brain injury can occur in an accident where there is no apparent head wound and the victim may even appear to be coherent for a time. These types of injuries can result in severe physical and intellectual disabilities as well as changes to personality.
According to the Brain Injury Association of America:
- 5.3 million Americans are disabled due to a traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- The annual cost to society due to TBI is an estimated $76.5 billion
- 35% of TBIs are caused by falls with 17% caused by motor vehicle accidents
Why Are Spinal Cord Injuries Serious?
A spinal cord injury, depending on the severity and location, could disable a person for life. It could result in the loss of feeling and function of one's body, leaving one totally dependent on others to survive.
The spinal cord, the central bundle of nerves extending from the brain and branching across the body, transmits signals between the brain and the rest of the body, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It is located within the spinal column and any damage to it could affect the spinal cord and result in temporary or permanent neurological impairments.
The CDC states that:
- Motor vehicle accidents cause 46% of spinal cord injuries with 22% caused by falls
- Use of seatbelts and airbags in a vehicle can reduce the chances of such an injury by 80%
- The estimated lifetime cost of a spinal cord injury can range from $500,000 to $3 million
If the spinal cord injury is severe enough, paralysis can result. The extent of the paralysis would depend on the severity and location of the injury. The farther up the injury is on the spinal cord, the greater the extent of paralysis. About six million Americans live with paralysis, according to the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, which would be about the equivalent of more than half the population of Los Angeles County. About 27% of cases of paralysis are caused by traumatic brain or spinal cord injuries, and the foundation states average yearly expenses due to paralysis can range from $228,566 to $775,567 in the first year. The estimated lifetime costs to a 25-year-old suffering from paralysis can range from $681,843 to over $3 million.
Amputations Can Be Caused by a Traumatic Event
There are nearly two million Americans who have survived the amputation of a limb, according to the Amputee Coalition, with 45% of those amputations resulting from some traumatic event. The event itself may cause the amputation or damage the limb so severely that medical treatment would not be effective and amputation would be necessary for the overall health of the person.
About 185,000 amputations occur annually with the estimated annual medical costs of amputations at $8.3 billion.
Burns Can Result in Permanent Physical Limitations
You could be severely burned at work, in your home, or in your car. If the burn is serious enough, it could result in permanent physical limitations and severe scarring. In 2013 about 450,000 Americans needed medical treatment due to burns, according to the American Burn Association. About 40,000 of those people needed to be hospitalized.
The breakdown of burn-related deaths in 2013 includes:
- 2,550 in residential fires
- 150 in non-residential fires
- 300 motor vehicle accidents
- 400 due to exposure to electricity, scalding liquids, or hot objects
For client-focused service in the South Bay, call us at (310) 793-1400. Our Torrance serious injury attorneys can work to ensure you don't have to pay a dime for your medical expenses and property damage.