The Brain Injury Law Center of New Mexico
The personal injury attorneys at the Brain Injury Law Center of New Mexico came to develop their professional interests in the brain and traumatic brain injury (TBI) by different routes. Yet, underlying John Tiwald’s and Scott E. Borg’s individual stories is a unified motivation: the desire to address what is often called “the silent epidemic” and to provide compassionate legal support to those who must live with the destructive and frightening effects of brain injury.
John Tiwald’s Story
My first brain injury case of which I was aware (many lawyers are unaware their clients even have a traumatic brain injury) occurred over 20 years ago. I represented a university student who suffered an injury when scaffolding fell on his head. Not a single doctor from whom he sought medical attention would recognize his symptoms — I was unable to line up professional expertise. From that experience, I learned just how important it was to delve deeply into this area of personal injury to understand the legal and medical factors that impact those who suffer from TBI.
I was invited to serve on the board of directors for the Brain Injury Association of New Mexico when they were going through an organizational crisis. As a result, I soon became president and was handling brain injury cases on a much larger scale. Through my frustration in trying to give voice to a misunderstood condition, as well as my professional affiliations, I have learned more targeted ways of assisting clients and providing resources that meet needs personally and effectively.
Scott Borg’s story
My initial interest in representing brain injured clients is personal. My son was struck by a car at age two, briefly losing consciousness. A friend, John Tiwald, urged me to consider that my son might have suffered a closed head injury, something I knew little about beyond casual familiarity with the word “concussion.” As I soon learned, all too often TBI goes undiagnosed by doctors and emergency room personnel. This eye-opening experience impressed upon me just how important proper medical, and legal, help can be in facing traumatic brain injury. It also showed me how delicate and amazing is the brain. With my curiosity about the brain and brain injury stimulated, I soon developed an ongoing interest in the science and medicine of the brain.
My legal career started in the field of Indian law, representing Indian tribes, which frequently took me to various Native American communities where I soon learned how deficient are the healthcare systems on most Indian reservations. Institutions such as the Indian Health Service woefully lack the resources needed to diagnose and treat head injuries effectively. Head injuries regularly go undiagnosed and, even if diagnosed, TBI treatment is often negligible or unavailable. As Native American clients from the Pueblos and the Navajo Nation started coming to me with TBI cases, my interest in the brain converged with my interest in Indian law. Today, my law partner Paul Barber and I have a branch office in Yatahey, New Mexico, where we serve persons who live on and near the Navajo Indian Reservation. Much of my legal work involves representing both Indian and non-Indian clients with TBI in the Four Corners area.
The Brain Injury Law Center of New Mexico builds on the long-standing friendship between John Tiwald and Scott E. Borg and allows our two law firms to team up in handling brain injury cases. We believe the synergy will prove effective in better representing brain injured persons and their families.
We invite you to contact the Brain Injury Law Center of New Mexico today to speak with John or Scott about your situation. We look forward to hearing from you.
