Signs of a Brain Injury
A brain injury can be devastating to deal with whether you've suffered the injury yourself or if you're helping a loved one recover from one. Brain injuries have the power to completely transform the way you live your life.
Most people think that brain injuries occur from serious accidents like car accidents or motorcycle accidents, but the fact is, a brain injury can occur from any blow to the head. People have suffered brain injuries from slip and fall accidents, construction accidents, and even medical malpractice.
Brain injuries can be very difficult to diagnose, and some people may even receive a blow to the head without considering the ramifications of it. Some of the most common symptoms of a brain injury are:
- Nausea
- Headaches
- Changes in Personality
- Slurred Speech
- Confusion
- Seizures
If you or a loved one has experienced any of these symptoms after any kind of accident, it is very important you see a doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor will be able to determine if you've suffered a brain injury and how you should treat it.
If you have suffered a brain injury due to the negligence of another, you may be eligible to receive compensation for your damages. It is important to consult an experienced brain injury lawyer to ensure that your rights are properly defended in court.
If you have a brain injury claim in the Jacksonville, Florida area, please contact the Law Offices of Hardesty, Tyde, Green & Ashton, P.A. today to schedule a consultation.
Labels: brain injury
Blood Tests May Replace CT Scans for Brain Injury Patients
A recent study published in the Journal of Emergency Nursing indicates that a blood screening, called an S-100B blood test, may be a safe and viable alternative to a CT scan for individuals who have suffered a brain injury. This blood test can be used to evaluate the severity of a brain injury and determine whether or not the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is functioning properly.
The blood-brain barrier acts as an entryway between brain tissue and peripheral circulation. After a brain injury, the BBB frequently will not function properly, which could limit the effectiveness of medication treating the brain.
After a brain injury, S-100B serum protein biomarker levels rise drastically. If the S-100B blood test is administered within four hours of a brain injury, it can accurately identify any abnormalities in the brain, including hemorrhages and skull fractures. This can lead to a significant improvement in brain injury detection, since CT scans appear normal in 95% of mild brain injury patients.
Brain injuries often result in serious health consequences that may severely impact the quality of your life. It is important to consult an experienced brain injury lawyer to find out if you are eligible to receive compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and reduced quality of life.
If you have suffered a brain injury in the Orlando, Florida area, please contact the Law Offices of Michael Barszcz, M.D., J.D. today to schedule a consultation.
Labels: brain injury
Brain Injuries Aren't Always Immediately Apparent
The recent death of actress Natasha Richardson after a seemingly minor ski accident underscores the importance of seeking medical attention immediately if you have received any type of blow to the head. Richardson died from a condition that many neurosurgeons commonly call "talk and die" syndrome.
Richardson fell Monday afternoon while taking a ski lesson. The fall seemed relatively ordinary, not anything to be concerned with. Her behavior after the fall seemed normal as well, so she did not think to get examined by a doctor for the presence of a brain injury. However, she began to develop symptoms indicative of a serious brain injury later that evening. By the time she received medical attention, she had suffered fatal brain damage.
It is very common for brain injury victims to experience a similar progression to Richardson's, where symptoms do not become apparent until several hours or possibly even several days after the accident. Unfortunately, by the time these symptoms appear, it is often too late to prevent permanent brain damage or potentially even death.
These latent onset brain injuries are caused by an epidural hemorrhage, a condition occurring when blood builds up between the skull and the layer of skin between the bone and the brain, called the dura matter. When a blow to the head ruptures an artery, the resulting hemorrhaging causes a build-up of pressure in the skull. This pressure impacts the brain, causing it to swell, further reducing blood flow to the region.
Over time, symptoms will begin to develop from the injury. The longer the injury persists without medical attention, the more serious the consequences. In Richardson's case, the damage was done quickly. She received medical attention several hours after the injury, but it was already too late to save her life.
If you have been injured in an auto accident, sports accident, or slip and fall accident, it is important to seek medical attention immediately, even if you feel fine. You may have sustained a serious brain injury that will not become apparent until later. If your injury was caused by the negligent actions of another, you should consult an experienced brain injury lawyer as well. You may be eligible to receive compensation for your damages.
If you have suffered a brain injury in the Orlando, Florida area, please contact the Law Offices of Michael Barszcz, M.D., J.D. today to schedule a consultation.
Labels: brain injury
Man Dies Due to Delayed Treatment after Motorcycle Accident
A 69-year-old Japanese man was turned aside by 14 hospitals before finding a one that would treat him after being involved in a motorcycle accident. The man was riding his bicycle at the time of the crash. The driver of the motorcycle sustained injuries as well but was only denied treatment by two hospitals before one agreed to take him. He is expected to make a full recovery.
Unfortunately, the bicyclist did not fare as well. He sustained severe brain injuries and back injuries in the bicycle accident. While at first it appeared that he would pull through, his condition declined while he was waiting to find a hospital that would admit him. He died shortly after arriving at the hospital.
According to medical experts, the man most likely would have survived had he received medical treatment in a more timely manner. The 14 hospitals that refused to admit him claimed that they were not properly equipped to treat him due to a lack of specialists, equipment, beds, and staff.
This is a very common problem in Japan. In 2007, more than 14,000 emergency room patients were denied treatment by at least three hospitals before finally being admitted by one. In one instance, an elderly woman was turned aside 49 times before finding a hospital to treat her.
In the United States, such actions on the part of a hospital would be unacceptable. In the case of the man on his bicycle, the 14 hospitals who failed to admit him would all be liable for medical malpractice and possibly wrongful death.
When delayed treatment by a medical facility causes serious complications that otherwise would not exist with prompt treatment, the hospital must be held liable for their negligence. It is important to consult an experienced medical malpractice attorney to ensure that you receive proper compensation for your damages.
If you have a medical malpractice claim in the Chicago, Illinois area, please contact the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C.
today to schedule a consultation.
Labels: brain injury, medical malpractice, motorcycle accident, wrongful death
Ex-NFL Players Struggle with Life after Concussions
For an NFL player, getting hit in the head comes with the job. Many players will receive hundreds of serious blows to their head over the course of their career, and often they just get back out there right away to do it all over again.
For quite some time, there has been growing evidence that many NFL players suffer from serious medical issues after sustaining multiple concussions during their career. Many report experiencing severe depression, sleep disorders, chronic headaches, and mental fatigue as a result of these concussions.
However, recent evidence has made it clear that the brain injuries caused by concussions may be far more serious than we had previously believed. The Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy (CSTE) has been conducting studies using the brains of dead former NFL athletes. The findings reveal that the health of many NFL players has been seriously jeopardized as a result of sustaining frequent concussions.
Previously, doctors considered concussions to be an invisible injury which would not show any damage on a brain scan such as an MRI or CT scan. However, this new study by the CSTE has demonstrated that concussions deliver widespread brain damage to those who suffer them. This brain damage is called chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
CTE was present in all six former NFL players' brains examined for this study. The damage did not just affect superficial areas of the brain; it was found throughout the deeper brain layers as well. Many of the former NFL players who have died at a young age (30's and 40's) contained brown tangles throughout their brain tissue. These tangles are generally found in elderly people suffering from Alzheimer's disease. The brain damage caused by CTE affects the brain centers responsible for controlling emotion, rage, hypersexuality, and breathing. Over time, CTE will begin to kill brain cells as well.
Unfortunately, while many NFL executives and coaches are fully aware of the damage inflicted by concussions, many frequently fail to take the proper steps to ensure the safety of their players after they have suffered a concussion. If you have sustained a serious brain injury while playing in the NFL, you may be eligible to receive compensation for your damages. It is important to consult an experienced brain injury attorney to find out if you have a valid claim.
If you live in the New York City area and have a brain injury claim, please contact the Law Offices of Silberstein, Awad, & Miklos, P.C. today to schedule a consultation.
Labels: brain injury
Bull Riders Reluctant to Don Safety Helmets
Bull riders are ten times more likely to get injured than players of major contact sports like hockey and football, but that could be changing. One of the main changes that could improve the injury rate is the swapping of the ornamental cowboy hat for a protective helmet. Since over half of bull riding injuries are head traumas and brain injuries, with spinal injuries coming soon after, helmets could make a big difference. Although some riders complain that helmets are bulky, block their vision, and are ineffectual or even harmful, the same study that showed the frequency of injury among bull riders also showed that a helmet could cut the rate of injuries in half. Currently, rodeo association rules do not require riders to wear helmets, and that's unlikely to change for a while, but the current is alternating from negative to positive, as high-profile riders are putting on helmets to keep themselves competitive. Both the bull-riding champion and the rookie of the year from 2006 now wear helmets. And the Professional Bull Riders association plans to offer scholarships to youth leagues that require helmets, once they meet the full standards applied by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). This may be too slow, and the association's reluctance may encourage many young riders to ride without protective gear. Rodeo is an essential part of Texas culture, and it will always be risky, but it doesn't need to be unnecessarily risky. If you know someone who suffered brain injury because they were encouraged to ride without a helmet, contact the Houston, Texas law firm of Kennedy Hodges, LLP today. Litigation may be the only way to inspire the rodeo associations to adopt an ethic of safety so that our favorite cowboys can take their lumps, but get up to ride again.Labels: brain injury, rodeo, Texas
Illinois to Offer Brain Injury Assistance to Returning Vets
Illinois is trying to take the characteristic injury of the Iraq war, traumatic brain injury, head on, as it launched a new program designed to give special assistance to veterans who have suffered the injury or have symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This comes after a recent study which suggests that the memory loss, irritability, difficulty sleeping, and other problems suggests that these are related to the psychological, rather than the physical injury suffered during war. The study also showed that soldiers who lost consciousness were most likely to suffer PTSD, about 44% of soliders who lost consciousness during time at the front suffered PTSD, as compared to 16 % of soldiers who never lost consciousness. The US Army estimates that as many as 20% of soldiers sustain traumatic brain injury during their deployment. The Illinois Warriors Assistance Program offers a PTSD help line and free phone screening for traumatic brain injury for all Illinois veterans. It also mandates that all returning Illinois National Guard soldiers returning from overseas undergo brain injury screening. The army studies and the state acknowledgement that these people need assistance does much to validate the severity of even mild traumatic brain injuries, which many insurance companies try to diminish. If you have suffered a brain injury in Chicago as a result of an auto accident or other cause, you need an experienced Chicago brain injury lawyer. Don't suffer in silence, please contact The Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. today for a free consultation. Labels: brain injury, Illinois, military
Head Impact Monitoring Helmets to Deploy
The army technology that was developed to track traumatic brain injuries suffered by troops in the field as a result of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) is ready for deployment and will soon see service in Afghanistan. Soldiers equipped with this device, which we have discussed here in some detail, will be deployed to Afghanistan this spring, even as calls for greater NATO involvement in the area seem to be falling on deaf ears and Taliban-aligned insurgents are gaining in strength. The new head impact monitoring system, which was developed by New Hampshire company Simbex, is similar to helmets used to monitor impacts suffered by college and high school football players on the field. IEDs are responsible for almost 80% of all casualties and 60% of all fatalities suffered by US troops in the Iraq and Afghanistan theaters. It is hoped that the helmets will help Army commanders determine exactly how IEDs cause traumatic brain injury. This program precedes a new $ 150 million TBI study authorized by Congress as part of the most recent appropriations bill for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. As we have discussed in previous posts, concussions can be far more dangerous when suffered in succession. Soldiers who return to combat after suffering a minor concussion may be setting themselves up for more serious injury next time. It is hoped that the new helmet monitors will be able to inform medics when to keep soldiers off patrol for a couple weeks. If you have suffered a TBI, chances are you were not wearing a specially-equipped helmet that can measure the level of trauma you suffered. In that case, you need an experienced brain injury lawyer to prove to your insurance company the level of your suffering and help you receive the compensation you deserve. If you are in Texas, contact Jim Adler & Associates to get the representation you need. Labels: brain injury, military
Army to Help Injured Soldiers Apply for Benefits
The Army is dispatching support specialists to counsel injured servicemen and –women who are applying for benefits under the Traumatic Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance. Although every injured servicemember who cannot perform the normal tasks of daily life for a period of at least 30 days is eligible for up to $100,000 dollars. However, currently only about 40% of the claims for this benefit are approved, not because the claims are not valid, but because they do not have the level of documentation the army requires for proof. Some cases are easy to prove, such as the loss of a limb, severe burns, traumatic brain injury, or spinal-cord injuries. However, servicemembers who suffer severe wounds to limbs that are saved, or that suffer more mild forms of brain injury but are still dependent on others for dressing, bathing, toileting, or eating, often do not provide the level of documentation necessary for approval. The counseling specialists have been dispatched to Walter Reed Army Medical Center (AMC), Brooke AMC, William Beaumont AMC, Womack AMC, and Eisenhower AMC, and will soon be in place in almost another half-dozen AMCs across the country. This move is an attempt to help the large number of wounded, especially the number of troops with head injuries, to get the help they need to adjust back after their injuries. The Army feels a responsibility for those who are injured on duty, but unfortunately for most of us when we are injured, no one steps forward to help. If you have suffered a life-impairing injury, consult the personal injury lawyers at the Glick Law Firm, P.A, who are prepared to stand up against the powerful interests that hurt you. Labels: brain injury, military
Tragedy in the Ring II?
After winning his December 25 WBO Intercontinental championship bout against Indonesian challenger Heri Amol, South Korean boxer Choi Yoi-Sam collapsed of traumatic brain injuries. He was rushed to Sonchunhyang University Hospital, where he was diagnosed as being in a coma. Yoi-Sam won the bout by decision after twelve rounds, but was knocked down in the last round of the fight, although officials could not say whether the blow that put him down was related to the brain injuries that caused the coma. Doctors performed surgery to stop brain swelling, but it is unclear whether the boxer will survive. Yoi-sam's collapse calls to mind the collapse of another South Korean boxer, Duk Koo Kim, who suffered brain injuries in a fight with Youngstown, Ohio boxer Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini, injuries that led to his death five days later. Although Sports Illustrated called Kim's death "Tragedy in the Ring," Warren Zevon reminds us in his song on Mancini that boxing is about being hit, so the consequences of it should never surprise us. Modern spectators are different from the Romans only in that once they have seen the Christians thrown to the lions they want to be able to wash their hands of guilt. If we want to enjoy bloodsport, we have to accept the stain. Labels: boxing, brain injury
Golf balls rain regret on house purchase
A family in Ventura County, California, is trying to get their purchase of a $2.1 million house rescinded because the house suffers a daily rain of potentially deadly golf balls. When the man mows his lawn, he dons a suit of improvised gear to protect himself against severe brain and spinal injury from falling golf balls. He points out that his ability to work would be seriously impaired by any such injury. In addition, the family does not let their dog or children out into the yard—which had been one of the selling points for the house—because of the as many as 28 balls which fall into their lawn on a daily basis. Although some may blame the family for buying the house near the fairway of a tight hole without properly evaluating the slice of the course's average golfer, misrepresentation of a property is a serious problem when one is considering purchasing real estate. If you feel you have been mislead as to the character of a property you purchased in the Denver, Colorado area, contact the experienced real estate lawyers at Zakhem | Atherton, LLC today to learn what options you might have. Labels: brain injury, personal injury, real estate
If no-one is at fault, who should pay for serious accidents?
The case of a Hartford, Connecticut man brings up an interesting ethical dilemma at the heart of defective product litigation. The man, a 51-year-old carpenter with 20 years of experience was injured in early 2003 in a nail gun accident. The man was working on the rafters of a church when a nail rebounded off a subsurface layer of metal. The 3 1/2 –inch nail went through his cheek and into his brain. Now the man is partially paralyzed and has seizures as a result of his catastrophic brain injury. He will never be able to work or drive again, and he needs constant supervision. He sued the toolmaker Stanley Works and the retailer Home Depot, for their part in the accident. In response, the toolmaker and retailer said that the nail gun meets all industry standards, is used countless times each day, and that it has adequate warnings to prevent just such an accident. Therefore, they charge that the carpenter is wholly responsible for the accident. Really, it seems that in this case neither party is at fault. The man had sufficient experience with the tool that he can reasonably be expected to have been using it in a manner consistent with best safety practices. The toolmaker made a product that was as safe as possible given its effective design parameters. Who, then, should pay? It seems unreasonable to expect the man to bear the full penalty for the accident, since it was, after all, an accident. No matter what the toolmaker and retailer say, they share a part in this accident. They made the tool that carries with it some inherent risk. Therefore, it seems that injuries as a result of the tool are inherent in their business, and, ideally, they should accept it and voluntarily offer compensation for those injured by their tools. Since they do not volunteer to pay their fair share of responsibility, the only way for injured workers to receive compensation is through litigation. In this case, a Connecticut jury saw the shared responsibility, and parceled out responsibility. The toolmaker and retailer were ordered to pay $3.4 million to cover their portion of responsibility. The man has already paid out part of his share in blood, flesh, and bone, and he will pay the rest through his declining years as his injuries worsen and he shrinks into the hollow shell of a man. If you have been injured in an accident that is partly your fault, you know what your cost is in pain, in grief, and in a diminished life, but it is important that others pay their share of what happened to you. If you or a loved one has suffered as a result of a defective product in the Phoenix, Arizona area, contact the product liability lawyers at Snyder & Wenner, P.C. You don't have to bear the burden alone any more. Labels: brain injury, defective product
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