Sports Accidents, TBI, Paralysis Lawsuit & News Blog

Traumatic brain injury news

Tue, 8 Jul 2008 09:11:51 -0400

TBI is always in the news because of various reasons like:
- Increase in the incidence
- Research activities related to TBI
- Patient stories especially of those affected in Iraq war
- Traumatic brain injury lawsuit

Some of the recent news about traumatic brain injury includes the following:
· Hyperbaric oxygen for traumatic brain injury
Hyperbaric oxygen was initially used to treat disease decompression sickness caused by scuba diving. Now it is has been found to be beneficial in many other medical conditions including traumatic brain injury.
http://www.wptv.com/content/health/mb/story.aspx?content_id=14aac867-377d-4ea1-8ac5-12c6204bfb1a - May 25, 2008

· Audit: Vets with brain injury still not getting proper care
Many Iraq war veterans with traumatic brain injury are not getting adequate health care and job assistance for their long-term recovery despite years of government pledges to do so. This was revealed by Veterans Affairs Department investigators. The study tracked a group of 52 patients who received VA treatment after sustaining brain injury during a seven-month period in 2004. 10 out of 41 veterans who were interviewed said that they weren't getting needed help for health care, vocational rehabilitation, family support or housing.
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5i9DsPWrFDNMKsb0O2AUWqgXrNySwD90D1A980 - May 1st 2008

· Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury and Self Therapy
According to the Department of Defense, 1 in every 9 deployed solders to Iraq suffers from TBI. It is caused by exposure to blast waves from explosives. Veterans can be helped by Encounter Projective Therapy (EPT), which is priced at $49.95. It is available in the form of CD- ROM. This has been released by Mr. Rundquist who is a graduate of the 2 yr Senior Army ROTC 2nd Lt (Infantry) 1969. This CD-R is a result of his self-therapy and therapy with various clinicians since the 1970's.
- http://www.emaxhealth.com/85/22443.html - May 21st, 2008

· Journalist hopes to shed light on traumatic brain injuries
ABC World News Tonight's Bob Woodruff suffered a traumatic brain (TBI) injury after he was hit by a roadside bomb while on assignment in Iraq in 2006. The devastating blast left Bob Woodruff in a coma for 29 days, followed by many more regaining his cognitive and motor functions. He along with his wife released a book on TBI titled 'In an Instant: A Family's Journey of Love and Healing'. Woodruff and her husband have established the Bob Woodruff Family Fund for Traumatic Brain Injury to raise money to assist soldiers with cognitive rehabilitation and other care needs following TBI suffered in the line of duty
http//www.thestamfordtimes.com/stamford_templates/stamford_story/3030462216925.php - May 21st, 2008

· UC wins $2.3M for brain injury/stress disorder studies
The University of Cincinnati will receive $2.3 million in federal money to study traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder. This will be funded by the Department of defense over five years. The money is for infrastructure and personnel. The government will provide additional funds for each study undertaken by the consortium.
- http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2008/05/12/daily43.html - May 15th, 2008.

Examining the Incidence of TBI

Tue, 27 May 2008 10:42:20 -0400

It had to be one of the most depressing episodes ever on television. No matter how jaded a viewer may be this episode will send shivers up and down the viewer's spine. The episode in question was an old 1990s broadcast of UNSOLVED MYSTERIES. The episode dealt with a young woman who was riding a motorcycle who was the victim of a horrible "thrill crime". An unidentified driver of a pick up truck passed the girl on the road and threw an object out his window. The object hit the poor girl on the head and this led to a massive brain injury. Her odds of survival were very slim. However, the young woman did survive, but with she suffered a major closed head injury. The injury severely impacted her cognitive and motor skills. While extreme in nature this incident clearly depicts the unexpected nature of traumatic brain injuries. It also depicts the main reason for such injury: blunt trauma. Often, this trauma is associated with criminal and negligent behavior. This means the circumstances surrounding the case could require the services of a traumatic brain injury law firm.

As much as we would prefer not to think of it, the fact remains the incidence of traumatic brain injuries is far more common than many would wish to admit. In fact, traumatic brain injuries remain the most common cause of death of in children and teenagers. This is because children and teenagers are often victims of predatory behavior such as the previous example of the young motorist. Other common examples would be the horrible "Myspace beating" that has appeared in the news lately.

Additionally, personal reckless behavior can often yield an incidence of TBI. For example, a number of traumatic brain injuries are the result of sports related accidents. This is most noticeable in contact and combat sports. Also, car accidents are a major reason with the reckless nature of teenage driving having quite a bit to do with it. (Although, honestly, teenagers are often the victim of reckless drivers as well) This is why extreme care must be taken when taking part in any activity that comes with the potential for a head injury. This, of course, could lead to severe head trauma which will require the aid of a skilled neurologist to reverse. Regardless of the level of skill of the neurologist, the ability to achieve neuro-recovery may be extremely difficult.

While preventive steps can usually be taken to avoid injuries (wearing a seatbelt, avoiding high risk activities, etc) the uncertain nature of traumatic brain injuries is what makes avoiding the incidence of these types of injuries next to impossible. However, one can decrease instances of such injuries by avoiding risky behavior whenever possible; and, in regards to criminal behavior, maintaining a heightened sense of awareness as a form of self preservation.

Looking at the Background on TBI

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 14:59:43 -0400

Traumatic Brain Injuries represent a serious medical condition due to the significant negative impact these types of injuries yield on cognitive abilities. That is to say, the normal functions of the brain can be seriously hindered after experiencing serious damage. Considering the serious nature and prevalence of brain injuries, one would think that the public's awareness of TBI would be much higher. In reality, it is the opposite that is the case. Most people are, in fact, unfamiliar with the background surrounding traumatic brain injuries. As such, it is important to shed a little light on traumatic brain injuries so as to boost public awareness of the condition. .

In order to arrive at solid background information on traumatic brain injuries, significant research is required. Thankfully, there are many medical professionals who invest much time and effort studying the condition. This allows them to arrive at new and profound methods of treating those who suffer from such injuries. In some cases, the end result of the research has been a number of inroads to treating Cerebral Palsy, brain damage and other serious medical conditions.

From this research, it has been discovered the most significant impediment to aiding those with traumatic brain injuries is the fact that many of these injuries are difficult to detect. An old maxim among doctors goes as follows: "It is difficult to ascertain why someone suffers memory loss when we really can't figure why they remember things." That is, issues surrounding loss of mental faculties are difficult to study due to the nature of how the brain works. In a way, the mind is an abstraction and while the physical results of an injury are obvious the effect that these injuries have on mental capacities is sometimes difficult to clearly ascertain. In some cases, even when the individual falls into a coma the ability to ascertain the injury is difficult. This is not to say such inability to diagnose a problem is without liability. More than one attorney has based a lawsuit around such negligence. (Such negligence often falls in the category of medical malpractice and personal injuries)

This is not to say that that those who possess a background in the study of traumatic brain injuries rely exclusively on guesswork. Some very concrete treatment methods have derived from research. These methods include the development of psychotropic drugs designed to aid patients as well as physical rehabilitation programs. These programs are quite helpful towards regaining motor skills that may have been lost as a result of said injuries.

Thankfully, expanded research into the subject of traumatic brain injuries sheds more light on the background of this condition. From this, inroads into proper treatment can be realized and, hopefully, expanded.

Brain Injury Statistics

Wed, 9 Apr 2008 14:49:14 -0400

Consider these facts and figures from the Brain Injury Association of America:

At least 5.3 million Americans are living with a disability because of a brain injury
The estimated lifetime cost of brain injury was $60 billion in 2000. This includes direct medical costs and such indirect costs as lost productivity)
Someone suffers a TBI every 23 seconds
An average 1.4 million Americans will suffer a traumatic brain injury every year

Illinois Implements Automatic TBI Screening for Guardsman Returning from Iraq

Mon, 7 Apr 2008 16:23:04 -0400

Chicago's governor has a message for veterans, which also should be heeded by people who've been involved in car accidents (even minor ones) or who have suffered blows to the head or taken a bad fall.

Governor Rod R. Blagojevich urged the state's Veterans to get screened for a possible traumatic brain injury (TBI) through the new Illinois Warrior Assistance Program.

The Illinois Warrior Assistance Program is a first-in-the-nation program that screens all returning Illinois National Guard members for a TBI. Screening also is available to all Illinois vets.

Each year, about 1.4 million people in the U.S. suffer a traumatic brain injury. An estimated 80,000 to 90,000 people have permanent disabilities as a result.

Traumatic brain injuries may not be apparent at first, and many people go undiagnosed and untreated, which can cause further cognitive impairment and brain damage.

Recouping Expenses after Traumatic Brain Injuries

Tue, 1 Apr 2008 15:44:07 -0400

In the case of a traumatic brain injury there will be a host of problems that the injured will have to deal with throughout life that will come will significant expense. For example, it is not uncommon for a brain injury to cause vocal and speech problems. This may necessitate the need for speech pathology therapy. Of course, brain damage does not cause only one complication so one will have to deal with the vast expense of properly treating each and every condition. Because of this it is critical to seek an experienced attorney who can aid in successfully litigating a settlement amount that would cover these expansive costs. If not, you may not be able to receive all the treatments that you are required.

Martial Arts, Safety and Traumatic Brain Injuries

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 15:43:11 -0400

Martial arts can be a great activity for children to become involved with. Actually, it can be a great activity for adults to participate in as well! However, the environment in which the student will be training needs to be a safe one. That means in sparring situations the trainer needs to provide proper headgear. If the facility provides none or provides a defective item and the student suffers a traumatic brain injury then it may be possible for the school to be held liable. This is where reliable personal injury lawyers have the ability to seek settlement for the various complications one may have to deal with when such an injury occurs.

Living with a Traumatic Brain Injury

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 17:25:54 -0400

A new documentary, "The Other Breakfast Club" tells the stories of six people in their twenties who are living with traumatic brain injuries.

Because many TBIs are caused by car crashes, the documentary is aimed at young drivers as a prevention tool. But it provides a good snapshot about what life is like for TBI survivors, be they car crash victims or injured workers.

The movie is being screened in some markets. But it's also available from its producer, The National Road Safety Foundation. The nonprofit is offering DVD copies of the film for free through its Web site, nationalroadsafety.org or by calling (866) SAFEPATH.

Traumatic Brain Injury and Horseback Riding

Tue, 31 Jul 2007 17:17:46 -0400

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) horseback riding causes the highest proportion of traumatic brain injuries among sports-related recreational activities. Ice skating ranks second in recreational traumatic brain injuries. Young people account for almost two of every three sports-related traumatic brain injuries treated in every year.

About 135,000 of the approximately 208,000 sports-related traumatic brain injuries treated annually occurred in young people ages five to 18. The injuries, defined as concussion or internal organ injury are very serious and should never be ignored. For all ages, basketball and bicycling accounted for the greatest number of emergency visits for all causes, with 603,239 and 524,692, respectively.

But the proportion of brain injuries was highest for horseback riding (11.7%), ice skating (10.4%), all-terrain vehicles (8.4%), tobogganing or sledding (8.3%), and bicycling (7.7%).

The CDC estimated that 1.1 million people with traumatic brain injuries are treated and released from emergency departments each year.

The CDC analysis excluded cases if the principal diagnosis was an illness, pain only, psychological harm only, contact dermatitis associated with consumer products or plants, or unknown. Also excluded were emergency visits that resulted from the adverse effects of therapy, those related to violence, and cases in which the patient was dead on arrival or died during treatment.

Although most traumatic brain injuries are initially seen as mild, even mild traumatic brain injury can affect a person's ability to return to school or work and can result in long-term cognitive or other problems.

Playing a sport is a wonderful way for kids to have fun and be active but there are risks involved when heads get bumped, players collide, get hit by balls, and people fall down.

http://www.medpagetoday.com/EmergencyMedicine/EmergencyMedicine/tb/6277

Lower brain damage injury: wear a helmet

Tue, 31 Jul 2007 17:13:26 -0400

Every five minutes one person will die and another will become permanently disabled because of a brain injury. Traumatic brain injury causes 20 times more disabilities than AIDS, breast cancer, spinal cord injuries, and multiple sclerosis combined. Over one million children will require hospitalization following a traumatic brain injury, while one in 10 will live with moderate to severe impairments.

Like the spinal cord, your brain does not repair itself. Any damage to the brain is likely to have lasting effects. Helmets, safety belts, air bags, and car seats decrease the risk of brain injury and death. Simply wearing a bicycle helmet can reduce such traumatic brain injuries by 85 percent.

Approximately 5.3 million Americans are disabled as a result of a brain injury. The average patient will pay approximately $4 million to support ongoing medical care and related services during their lifetime. And 61 percent of survivors will suffer from neurophysical disabilities such as seizures, loss of balance, speech impairments, and headaches.

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070727/NEWS/707270304