traumatic brain injury
by | November 3rd, 2014
The risks associated with repeat traumatic brain injuries among athletes have come under heavy public scrutiny in recent years. Despite an increase in awareness of the problem, fatalities due to brain injuries continue to occur.
Take the case of a Mecklenburg County, Virginia, teenager who died as the result of blunt force trauma to the head sustained during a recent football game. Reports indicate the teen suffered a brain injury during a head-to-head hit that occurred just before half time.
According to CBS 6 News, the athlete was treated on the sidelines, but collapsed and began to suffer seizures before being rushed by ambulance to a local hospital. Unfortunately, the young man died before medical assistance could be administered.
Athletic committees and school boards from across the commonwealth have adopted policies aimed at reducing the risks of accidents like this, but one of the best ways that has been found to prevent serious head trauma is educating athletes about what they can do to stay safe on the field, including:
- Wear Recommended Safety Gear– While football players are required to wear helmets, studies have shown some types of helmets offer better protection than others. For sports like soccer and field hockey, headgears have been developed in recent years to offer athletes better protection from brain injury.
- Get Proper Training– Many football programs are now teaching a “heads up” hitting technique that’s aimed at reducing brain injury numbers among players.
- Report Your Injury– While many athletes are compelled to return to the field as soon as possible—with many not telling coaches or trainers about injuries they’ve suffered—this may not be wise. If you’re hurt during an athletic event, report your injury to team management as soon as possible.
At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, we recognize the risks athletes face on the field and our team of Norfolk personal injury lawyers hope these tips help to keep you or your athlete safe.
by | September 22nd, 2014
The National Football League and several of its players have come under heavy public scrutiny in recent weeks over allegations of abuse and domestic violence occurring in players’ personal lives. The league has also settled a string of lawsuits several months ago, stemming from players claiming to have developed degenerative brain disease after suffering repeated blows to the head while playing football for the NFL. This has led some to question whether these players’ behavior off the field is directly related to a traumatic brain injury they suffered on the field.
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy—or CTE—is a condition of the brain that can cause loss of brain mass. This can result in the victim developing changes in behavior, such as increased anger and aggression, as well as loss of patience with certain tasks.
NBC News reports the chairman of the department of neurosurgery at the NorthShore University HealthSystem and co-director of the NorthShore Neurological Institute, Dr. Julian Bailes, stated he recalled two particular cases where an athlete suffering from CTE became violent then harmed themselves and others.
While violent behavior and traumatic brain injury seem to be associated somehow, there are experts who maintain there is no direct link between the two. They suggest that blows to the head don’t cause a person to become violent. Instead, they believe repeated blows to the head cause the victim to become less inhibited, and therefore more likely to display aggressive behavior.
One of the most important things for victims of traumatic brain injury to remember is that there is help available. At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, we have a team of Norfolk personal injury attorneys who can help you determine the best course of action for compensation if you’ve been seriously harmed by a head injury. To find out more about what we can do for you, call (757) 459-CASH today.
by | August 18th, 2014
Our knowledge about the dangers of repeat traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)—especially among athletes—has grown by leaps and bounds in recent years. This has led some of the leading bodies of today’s largest sports organizations to take action to better protect athletes from TBIs.
One of those major changes came when the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) announced a settlement with a group of athletes who had brought suit against the organization. The athletes claimed the NCAA had failed to protect athletes from repeat TBIs.
An article from WOWKTV 13 News stated 10 athletes claimed they had suffered long-term health effects brought on by repeat TBIs suffered on the field. They claimed trainers didn’t take enough precautions before sending them back onto the field. In fact, data indicates more than half of all NCAA trainers were found to engage in the illegal practice, putting players’ health at risk.
As part of the settlement:
- $75 million will be allocated to monitoring injured players’ health and researching TBIs.
- The NCAA will create a blanket policy for returning to the field players who have suffered a suspected TBI.
- Athletes can sue individually for damages related to their injuries.
At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, our Norfolk personal injury attorneys are aware of how a TBI can affect a victim for their rest of their life and are hopeful the new policy will be effective in better protecting college athletes from TBIs.
by | June 30th, 2014
Each day, more light is shed on the long-term effects suffering a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the line of duty may have on soldiers and veterans. This trend is continuing with the discovery that a TBI may lead to an increased risk of veterans suffering from the degenerative brain disease known as Alzheimer’s over time.
An article released by USA Today explains the study was conducted by researchers from University of California-San Francisco and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, and examined the records of more than 188,000 service members. The findings that were published in the journal Neurology showed 16 percent of soldiers and veterans who had suffered a TBI were later diagnosed with Dementia, the precursor to Alzheimer’s. Only ten percent of service members who had not suffered a head injury were diagnosed with Dementia or Alzheimer’s.
Many experts find this 60 percent difference in numbers astonishing. The team has conceded that there are numerous factors that lead to a patient’s diagnosis of Dementia or Alzheimer’s, but say the results show a need to further evaluate the correlation between TBIs and other neurological conditions.
The Norfolk personal injury lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley see the devastating results of TBIs all too often and are hopeful this research can be used to better protect soldiers and civilians from these injuries and their dangers.
by | January 28th, 2014
January 27, 2014
One of the most difficult parts of a doctor diagnosing a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is being able to properly identify the condition, considering many of the symptoms of a TBI are not visible to the naked eye. The Norfolk Brain Injury Lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley say researchers at the University of Virginia may have developed a solution to this problem.
An article from YottaFire explains the team is using positron emission tomography (PET) scans and immune responses to identify changes in the brain at a molecular level, thus allowing the team to identify changes to brain biology and chemistry that can confirm a TBI has occurred.
Typically, less advanced imaging systems are used on TBI patients, which leaves doctors to heavily rely on patients describing their symptoms to diagnose their conditions. Now, the PET scan allows physicians to note when a compound similar to the structure of a radioactive tracer attaches to a white blood cell known as neutrophils. When a TBI occurs, the neutrophils attach to the brain at the site of the injury, allowing the team to collect images of the injury.
The Norfolk Personal Injury Lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley applaud the advancements being made in the treatment of TBIs and are hopeful to see further research conducted in the field of brain injury treatment in the future as well.
by admin@gotechark.com | October 29th, 2012
October 29, 2012
The fall sports season is often the most dangerous time of year for athletes to receive a traumatic brain injury, as both cheerleading and football are in full swing. But with parents and coaches becoming more educated on the risks these injuries present to young athletes, many are working to do what they can to keep athletes safe.
According to Greenville Online, the Brain Injury Association of South Carolina reports that each year, there are approximately 3.8 million head injuries associated with sports; however, the number may be conservative, as many of these injuries go undiagnosed. Other studies show as many as 40 percent of high school athletes return to play before they are completely healed.
Research says doing so could put an athlete at risk of another brain injury that could be compounded by the first. These repeat injuries have been linked to permanent brain disorders that led to the deaths of numerous professional and former pro athletes and have prompted dozens of lawsuits.
The Norfolk Personal Injury Lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley say the best way to ensure the safety of your young athlete is to become educated on the signs and symptoms of traumatic brain injuries. If you suspect your child has suffered a brain injury, seek medical attention and don’t let your child return to play until he or she has been cleared by a doctor.
by admin@gotechark.com | January 16th, 2012
January 16, 2012
With the war in Iraq officially coming to an end just weeks ago, many soldiers returning home are suffering undiagnosed brain injuries. In an effort to combat the growing problem, WAVY-TV 10 News reports that First Lady Michelle Obama announced a partnership last Wednesday that will promote and cultivate better prevention and care of traumatic brain injuries for soldiers.
Among the most common mental injuries in soldiers is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), a severe anxiety disorder that develops after experiencing a traumatic event.
Dr. Serina Neumann, a doctor at the Eastern Virginia School of Medicine, hopes that her study into better care for PTSD sufferers may benefit from the partnership. She says that PTSD is caused by off-balance circuits in the brain. This led her to conduct ground-breaking research and produce a device she hopes will become a standard in treatment of the disorder.
The device stimulates certain sections of the brain, thus balancing the off-balance circuits of a PTSD victim’s brain. If approved, her study will begin with 10 to 18 patients.
The Department of Veterans Affairs reports 10-18 percent of Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans may suffer from PTSD. However, claims from veterans for disability benefits due to the condition are often denied.
The Virginia Veteran’s Disability attorneys with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley understand that suffering from PTSD can be as debilitating as losing a leg or an arm. If you have been denied veterans disability benefits, contact them today for a free initial consultation.
by admin@gotechark.com | February 2nd, 2010
January 28, 2010
Star Exponent shared a story that an 18-year-old girl is lucky to be able to tell.
The Virginia brain injury victim was involved in a serious auto accident last August 29, in which she was ejected from the car due to not wearing her seat belt.
The teenage girl suffered multiple injuries, including broken bones down the left side of her body and the Virginia brain injury.
The Virginia brain injury victim suffered a severe and uncommon injury in which her skull separated from her spinal column.
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The brain injury attorneys at Lowell Stanley can help if you or a loved one suffered a Virginia brain injury.
