Improving Memory Problems With Coconuts?

It is possible that the MCTs are processed in the brain due to issues with the metabolism. Long term use may not bring the same result. The oil’s medium chain fatty acids, or MCFAs also offer a potential benefit, also being found in breast milk.

Brain injury, Stroke : ( CT scan of brain and base of skull ) ( Bone window )
Brain injury, Stroke : ( CT scan of brain and base of skull ) ( Bone window )

Many people are looking at creative ways to improve their memory. Between age, stress, and potential genetic factors, people’s memories often fade over time. With it making up a vital part of life, anything that could be used to reinforce it could be extremely useful. This is especially the case in the aftermath of serious brain injuries, where any help is sorely needed.

There are many products on the market that claim to assist with cognitive issues. Some have been cleared by the FDA and others are just breaking into the market now. Some have no clearance whatsoever and may offer a risk to the user. With so many products entering into the market and giving the consumer choice, it’s vital that all options and potential benefits are considered.

One such product that is being offered as a help for patients with fibromyalgia. Many patients suffer from the so called “fibro fog,” leaving trouble concentrating and even communicating. Other patients that have suffered from Alzheimer’s have also seemed to benefit from coconut oil. The medical journal Neurobiology of Aging has even conducted a study to determine whether the medium chain triglycerides, or MCTs in the oil is able to assist Alzheimer’s victims. The link between the MCTs and the disease showed that subjects’ memories improved with the use of the use of coconut oil.

So the science is settled, right? The study cited was only tested in the short term. There’s still tests going on to determine if there are long term benefits from such a treatment. It is possible that the MCTs are processed in the brain due to issues with the metabolism. Long term use may not bring the same result. The oil’s medium chain fatty acids, or MCFAs also offer a potential benefit, also being found in breast milk.

Is it time to go out and invest in coconuts? Maybe or maybe not. The initial tests appear to be promising, which could be a great comfort for issues with mental and cognitive issues due to brain injury. However, until further studies are conducted it may be just one part of a much bigger puzzle.

The Elements of a Brain Injury Wrongful Death Suit

 

Every year, thousands die from wrongful deaths of various brain injuries. As a result, many survivors are put in a position where their lives and security suffer, financially and otherwise in addition to the already high emotional price paid. It is reasonable to expect that if the death is due to another, that the other party should be held responsible. While a wrongful death suit cannot replace those priceless aspects of the person lost, it can help to restore some sense of financial security after the many monetary losses associated with a wrongful death. When the survivors are considering filing a wrongful death suit after losing their loved one, otherwise known as the decedent, there are some elements of a wrongful death suit with which they should be familiar.

Wrongful Death Suit: The Definitions

In order to be considered a wrongful death, the decedent’s passing must have been caused by willful wrongdoing, gross negligence, or inaction of another party or the agents of an entity. This means that the death specifically must have resulted from those actions, not due to disease or even the action of the deceased. In other words, if a patient dies from a disease that results in death but the physicians and hospital all acted responsibly, the death is not considered wrongful. If a patient dies from a disease due to acts that were willfully wrong, negligent, or even the inaction of a hospital or its agents, then this can be considered a wrongful death.

Wrongful Death Suits: The Defendant(s)

In order to qualify as a wrongful death, the death must be proven to have been caused by another party or multiple parties, the defendant(s).

Wrongful Death Suits: The Survivors

In order for a wrongful death suit to proceed, it must be proven that the decedent has survivors that are suffering financially as a result of the loss. Survivors can include the spouse, immediate family, children, dependents, dependent parents, dependent siblings, and other beneficiaries. This can also include people who were expecting an inheritance through the defendant.

Wrongful Death Suits: The Losses

A wrongful death suit claim must prove that financial losses are being suffered by the survivors that wouldn’t be suffered if the decedent hadn’t died. Some examples include loss of an income that would have supported the family in the future, child support payments, bill paying, and so forth. There will also be medical, funeral, and burial fees. Additionally, if parents or siblings were supported by the decedent, this can be considered a loss as they no longer have that support. There are also losses that, while not originally financial in nature, can be given a monetary value such as parental guidance that is now lost to the children of the decedent, or protection or security, as well as comfort and companionship loss. There may be other emotional losses that can be given a monetary value as determined by the wrongful death lawyer and verified in court.

Elements of a Wrongful Death Suit: How are they determined?

A wrongful death lawyer is your best source for helping to determine that all the elements of a wrongful death suit are met as required before a claim can be considered successful. Some of the elements, such as monetary value, can be difficult to determine without experienced and qualified help. Particularly, the elements of a wrongful death suit can be difficult to prove as the defendant’s agents will be determined to disprove any and all of the elements. It is most important that all of the elements are strong and inarguable. Again, a wrongful death lawyer is vital to not only strengthening these aspects of the case, but making sure that their strength is evident and undeniable to the court.

Pursuing a Wrongful Death Suit

If you suspect that your loved one was the victim of a wrongful death, it is important that you contact a wrongful death lawyer for the increased success of your potential wrongful death suit claim. Michael Ehline of Ehline Law Firm is not only experienced but successful in the arena of wrongful death cases. His years of experience, wealth of knowledge, and pool of experts and resources all benefit families who, in their time of need, are attempting to put their lives back together. Ehline Law Firm is convenient to many areas of California, including Sacramento, San Diego, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Please call Ehline Law Firm today at 1-888-400-9721.

 

Brain Injury Wrongful Deaths: Helping the Survivors Regain their Lost Security

Yes, it is true, a neurological brain injury can easily lead to a wrongful death.  Christopher Reeves comes to mind.  Here was a man who became quadriplegic after falling from a horse.  although his brain itself was not damaged, his brain was unable to send and receive signals to his extremities and he eventually passed away.  A brain injury can also lead to a coma and death.  The death would be wrongful if it was caused by the fault of an evil doer or wrong doer.

There are huge emotional losses to be experienced by the family and other survivors after someone dear to them dies.  Additionally, the survivors can find themselves suddenly left without a caretaker, a parent, or financial support.  When the death is a wrongful death, those who remain have the right to file a claim of wrongful death against the other party if they are suffering financially.  A wrongful death should not mean the sudden dissolution of the security of the remaining family and loved ones who were dependent on the deceased loved one (aka the “decedent”).

Often, the executor/executrix of the decedent’s estate will hire a wrongful death lawyer to file a claim against the negligent party in an attempt to help the survivors get back to a state of security and well-being.  To best help the survivors, it is important to know some of the factors surrounding a wrongful death.
What defines a “wrongful death”? The decedent must have died specifically because of negligence or a willful wrongful act of another.

Who is responsible for a wrongful death?

A wrongful death can be caused by either an individual, or an entity such as a business or a hospital via their agents, thereafter called the “defendant”.  Wrongful death lawyers are instrumental in determining who exactly is at fault.  Who can expect recovery if there is a wrongful death? While generally it is the executor or executrix of the decedent’s account who files the claim for wrongful death, they do so for the survivors who are suffering financial losses due to the death of the decedent.  Those who can benefit from the recovery are the immediate family, the children or dependents including surviving, dependent parents or siblings, as well as beneficiaries.  All of those who expect part of the settlement must be shown to actually be suffering in a way that can be measured monetarily.

What all can be considered a loss in a wrongful death?

In a wrongful death claim, most of the losses can already be qualified as financial ones.  For example, the losses might include:

  •     Work wages that, in the future, were counted upon to support the family
  • Financial support of children or other underage dependents
  • Surviving parents of the decedent that require assistance from the decedent to remain secure
  • Surviving siblings or other adults who were dependent upon the decedent
  • The loss of an expected inheritance, the receipt of which was dependent on the decedent being alive.

There are other factors that are losses that, while not initially financial, can be translated into monetary value.  They include:

  • Loss of parenting
  •  Loss of protection
  • Loss of a companion or comfort
  • Emotional suffering due to the wrongful death

When a brain injury wrongful death occurs, what next?
The family and estate-handlers of the decedent should immediately call a qualified and locally convenient wrongful death lawyer to discuss their potential case.  Time is of the essence as there are sometimes time limits placed on when a claim can be filed.  The wrongful death lawyer can discuss with the survivors the strength of their case and help them take the necessary steps towards filing the claim.

Why should a wrongful death lawyer be hired?

A wrongful death lawyer can not only provide expertise to a surviving family, but also some peace of mind.  A wrongful death lawyer will have resources and experts that will help to convince the court of the validity of the case’s claim.  They are also well versed with the requirements of the court for a successful case.  Most importantly, the time of a loss is a horrible and exhausting time for the survivors.  They should be given the opportunity to heal without being made to jump through the legal hoops required to, on their own, file and support a wrongful death claim.

Who can help us?

If you suspect that your loved one was the victim of a wrongful death, Michael Ehline of Ehline Law Firm can help.  Mr. Ehline is not only experienced but successful in helping families and other loved ones piece their lives back together and get back on the road to financial and thus emotional security after a wrongful death.  Ehline Law Firm PC is convenient to Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and many other California cities for the ease of the family.  Please feel free to call today at 1-888-400-9721.

 

 

TBI is Linked to Higher Risk for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

As a Clearwater traumatic brain injury attorney, I am often retained to represent individuals who have sustained a mild traumatic brain injury or closed head trauma.  A traumatic brain injury is defined by medical practitioners as an injury to the brain as a result of trauma to the head.  An estimated 1.7 million people sustain a traumatic brain injury annually. Of the 1.7 million individuals: there are 52,000 fatalities, 275,000 are hospitalized, and 1.365 million, nearly 80% are treated and released from an emergency room. TBI is a contributing factor to a third of all injury-related deaths in the United States. Approximately 75% of TBI’s that occur each year are concussions or other forms of mild traumatic brain injury.

The first evidence of a causal link between traumatic brain injury and an increased risk for post-traumatic stress disorder has been illustrated by scientists at the University of California, Los Angeles. The study suggests that individuals who experience even as little as a mild traumatic brain injury face a higher risk for developing an anxiety disorder and should try to avoid stressful stimulus for awhile. Many individuals who experience head trauma following a car accident, may exhibit signs of PTSD. The U.S. Department of Transportation estimates that 40% of people who suffer serious injury in a car accident display clinical signs of PTSD within a year of the crash. This is due largely to the fact that an accident is a major event that can result in catastrophic injuries or the loss of life.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a real illness. You can get PTSD after living through or witnessing a traumatic event, such as war, a hurricane, physical abuse, and of course a car accident. PTSD causes the individual to feel stress and manifest anxiety long after the danger has been removed. It affects both your quality of life and the people around you.

PTSD can result in difficulties like:

•    Flashbacks, or feeling like the event is happening again
•    Trouble sleeping or nightmares
•    Angry outbursts
•    Feeling worried, guilty or sad

Victims often present with symptom weeks, months or even several years after the incident. When left untreated, it can have devastating consequences on the sufferer and keep them from being able to function normally in life. It can also have dire effects on their relationships with their families, friends and co-workers. Treatments for PTSD and TBI should be symptom-focused and evidence based in concurrence with current practice guidelines. Early data suggests that treatments have worked well in Veterans with PTSD alone, such as cognitive processing therapy, prolonged exposure or SSRI’s.  Such treatments have also worked well for those who suffered a mild traumatic brain injury as well as emotional trauma. Memory aids can also be useful in this population. Patients can also benefit from occupational rehabilitation and case management, depending on the severity of their injuries. Patients should be referred to specialists, such as neurologists, neuropsychologists, and substance abuse or other specialized treatment as needed.

A traumatic brain injury can have a pronounced effect on your quality of life including the ability to interact with loved ones and friends as well as the ability to work. Please contact a Florida traumatic brain injury lawyer for a free, no obligation, and confidential evaluation of your case. As a Clearwater personal injury attorney, I consistently deal with insurance adjusters, Florida insurance defense lawyers and even physicians who are unfamiliar with the mechanisms behind a TBI and the relationship between a closed head injury and whiplash. Many practitioners are mistakenly under the assumption that the head must strike an object with force in order to sustain a closed head injury. It is essential to retain an attorney who is not only familiar with TBI’s but also the latest science in this rapidly evolving area of medicine.

Pinellas County Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney

Dolman Law Group is a Pinellas County personal injury law firm that routinely handles claims and litigates cases involving closed head injuries as a result of an automobile accident. We actively litigate auto accident and motorcycle accident related cases in Pinellas County, Hillsborough County, Sarasota County, Manatee County and Pasco County. Located in central Pinellas County (Clearwater), Dolman Law Group is easily accessible to injury victims in St. Petersburg, Tampa, Palm Harbor, Dunedin, Safety Harbor, New Port Richey, Pinellas Park, Largo and Kenneth City. Our satellite office in Bradenton is easily accessible to all consumers located in both Manatee and Sarasota County.

For more information on the relationship between a brain injury and an automobile accident or motorcycle accident, please contact: matt@dolmanlaw.com or call Dolman Law Group at: (727) 451-6900. Matthew A. Dolman, Esq., Christian Myer, Esq., and Bryan C. Hannan, Esq., are experienced and aggressive Florida traumatic brain injury attorneys who are often called upon by their colleagues to co-counsel head injury cases throughout the State of Florida.

Tips From A Chicago Medical Malpractice Lawyer To Help Elvaluate A Cerebral Palsy Case

Learning that your child has cerebral palsy can invoke a range of emotions that include fear, anger and an uncertain outlook for the child’s future. Even if you suspect that your child’s condition is the result of medical malpractice, it can be very difficult to prove malpractice due to the limited knowledge we have about what causes Write Down Your Recollection of Events

It is important to jot down your memories of anything that seemed abnormal about the birth of your child or the care your child received leading up to the delivery. Typically, recollection of events deteriorates over time and it is more advantageous to write down your memories earlier rather than later when it can become more difficult to piece things together. Some experts believe that inadequate oxygen during delivery can be attributed to cerebral palsy, so try to recall what the conditions were in the hospital during labor, delivery and post-delivery.

Rule Out Genetics or Natural Causes

Cerebral palsy can be attributed to genetics, a thyroid condition or an infection in the mother, low birth weight and premature birth. Before you decide to seek damages on the basis of medical malpractice, make sure that you rule out conditions that your doctor had no control over, keeping in mind that the defense will bring up this information if it is brought to court. Even if you believe that the doctor may not be at fault at this point,it is still advisable to seek a second opinion while keeping in mind that any unforeseen complications can be treated as evidence in support of the defense later on.

Collect Important Medical Information

Requesting your child’s medical chart and all medical records related to the pregnancy will be instrumental in determining whether or not your physician could be responsible for your child’s cerebral palsy. A cerebral palsy lawyer will review the medical records and compare them with an assessment of what standard medical procedure would have been in order to determine if there are any inconsistencies between the care your child received and how medical professionals would be expected to act under the same circumstances.

Create a Timeline Of Events

By using your own memories of events and collecting medical history, you can create an order of events that will prove extremely useful when evaluating the legitimacy of a medical malpractice case. As you look through the medical records you have collected, try to determine points in the timeline where improper care was given or complications were present in the pregnancy or birth that were not properly addressed.

Get a Second Medical Opinion

The exact cause of cerebral palsy is never discovered in many cases and this makes it extremely difficult to attach blame for the condition on improper medical care. Both the defense and plaintiff will seek the testimony of an expert to back each side of the case, so it is important to establish early on whether another medical professional agrees with the claim that improper treatment was given or improper action was taken. If after you have presented another physician with all of the information you have collected, including medical records, the physician believes that the attending doctor operated outside of standard medical procedure, then you might have reason to take the case to a medical malpractice attorney for further evaluation.

Present Your Case to a Qualified Attorney

After you have written down your own recollection of events, ruled out the possibility of causes that your doctor had no control over, collected all the pertinent medical records, created a timeline and received a second opinion, if you believe that you have a case, you should consult a cerebral palsy lawyer (http://www.rosenfeldinjurylawyers.com/practice/medical-malpractice/cerebral-palsy/). Jonathan Rosenfeld of Chicago’s Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers (http://www.rosenfeldinjurylawyers.com) is a highly qualified lawyer who can review all of the information you’ve collected and help you determine whether you have a chance at collecting damages for medical malpractice involving your child’s cerebral palsy.

Sources:

http://www.childinjurylaws.com/medical-malpractice/cerebral-palsy/understanding-causes-of-cerebral-palsy-is-crucial-to-determining-if-medical-malpractice-is-involved/

http://www.childinjurylaws.com/medical-malpractice/jury-finds-doesnt-fault-hospital-for-childs-injuries-sustained-during-birthing-process/

http://www.cerebralpalsylawyersfaq.com/questions/what-is-the-first-step-towards-pursuing-a-cerebral-palsy-lawsuit/

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/cerebral_palsy/page2_em.htm

How Gamma AminoButyric Acid Affects the Brain

There are medications that are used to act upon GABA receptors, which are called GABAeric drugs.

Brain injury lawyer in Los Angeles

Michael Ehline, Brain Injury Attorney

GABA is Gamma Aminobutyric acid. This compound is considered the second neurotransmitter chemical in the brain of humans. This is an inhibitory neurotransmitter. So it remains responsible for calming and reducing the activity of neurotransmitters. To promote GABA to the brain for battling anxiety, some anti-anxiety medications provide more of the neurotransmitter chemical to the brain cells. This is an important amino acid for anxious brain injury patients.

The basic function of GABA has been more understood over the last decade. Now scientists make discoveries through research in GABA and the multiple types of GABA receptors. Also, they are understanding what roles they play in neural cells.

Understanding more about GABA includes:

Neurotransmitters—These are chemical molecules, which are used by neurons (brain cells) and nerve cells to communicate with each other. The process involves the molecules being released from one neuron.  This is the presynaptic neuron traveling across the synapse and attaching them to a specific receptor site on an opposing neuron, the postsynaptic neuron. When this occurs, the molecules of a neurotransmitter land at its receptor site. After that, there are specific functions activated in the receiving cell.

Re-release of the neurotransmitter is possible, going back into the synapse for re-uptake into the presynaptic neuron. Then the transmission process is repeated (Learn more.) GABA Actions—GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter. This means that when it arrives at the receptor site of a neuron, it reduces the activity level of that neuron. This action reduces the firing of an electrical signal.

This can be achieved since the GABA receptor sites can control the admission of both potassium and chloride ions into neurons. The potassium ions increase a positive charge outside of the neuron and the chloride ions. This will increase the negative electrical charge within the neuron. This results in causing a decrease in the ability of the neuron to fire action and excite adjoining neurons.

The Physiology and Psychology Anxiety Reduction

GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter, which is involved in the processes of neural activity reduction. This results in reducing tension promote calming and reduces stress. Benzodiazepines and barbiturates are medicines used for anti-anxiety. So they work within the brain to increase the amount of GABA to the synapses. This is then able to travel to the GABA receptor sites.

The use of alcohol promotes the growth of chloride ions to the brain cells. So this raises some normal effects of GABA. Caffeine reduces the amount of GABA in the synapse. So this results in more activity, such as nervousness, difficulty sleeping, and anxiety.

The inhibiting effects and calming sensation of GABA neural activity have physiological effects on the body. The area of the brain that moderates and slows the heart rate is affected. This is what keeps it from beating rapidly. They are called the cardiac vagal neurons (CVNs). The inhibitory effect of GABA on these neurons may cause the heart rate to increase. Some medications are used to act upon GABA receptors. These are called GABAeric drugs.

Other Citations:

http://www.ehow.com/list_5828577_gaba-effects-brain.html

 

Study Proves Cognitive Brain Activity Varies from Moment to Moment

Brain injury studies

Brain graph

We have a lot of injury attorneys on our show from time to time. They all indicate that the damaged brain is unpredictable. But what about a normal brain? Recently a Finnish study research group found that human brain performance fluctuates in time scales, from seconds to minute. There was an inconsistency in the dynamics of the brain with indexing by neuronal scaling laws predicted in individual behavioral variability and conscious detection of extremely weak stimuli. The indication is that individual neuronal dynamics underlie the individual variability in human cognition and performance. The data shows this can lead to a better understanding of the neuronal mechanism of neuropsychiatric diseases, where behavioral dynamics are abnormal.

Neural Dynamics

The neural dynamics in the behavioral unpredictability has been unknown, but the study found that human performance cognitive tasks vary from moment to moment, in a way that the similar behavioral performance is found to be clustered into streaks.Power-law and scale-free distribution is observed in natural systems, such as earth quakes, gene regulation, sand piles and brain activity, this is referred to as “avalanche dynamics.” What has been unknown is the functional significance of neuronal scale-free behavior and whether it is epiphenomena without having further importance.

Researcher Matias Palva the projected leader in the Finland Neuroscience Center of the University of Helsinki stated, they investigated the individual variability in scaling-laws of visual and auditory stimuli presented in the entry of detection, which could be predicted by inconsistency in the neuronal scaling laws.

Individual Neuron Dynamics

A magneto and electroencephalography was used in recording non-invasive human brain activity, during task performance. Researchers found both behavioral and neuronal dynamics were exemplified by scale-free dynamics. Individual unpredictability in neuronal scaling laws helped in predicting the individual scaling laws in behavioral performance.

The Finnish study research leader Stau Palva said, “the results show that the individual behavorial and psychophysical inconsistency in task performance.” This is a result of the inherent variability of individual neuronal dynamics. So as more and more is learned about the gray matter we call brains, we all understand that even a healthy brain is variable.

Sources:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130212075220.htm

 

NFL players take League to court over head injuries

So I was speaking to a buddy of mine, Seth Price, a brain attorney, about the NFL head injuries cases. This recent public issue raises some really important contract issues, that law students and informed Americans all need to be aware of. Fraud vitiates consent in any contract. I should say if you can “prove it to the judge or jury.” In essence, if someone lies to you (conceals vital information, or deliberately misrepresents info), in order to obtain your signature, on say, an NFL union contract, a court can invalidate that provision of the contract you were lied to about, or the entire document.

So just being a really good injury lawyer is not always good enough. Sometimes a good contract lawyer, or business lawyer is needed to get your potential personal injury case to first base. Or, you just need an excellent injury attorney like Seth Price, who actually gets it. And Seth says that is the essence of what is happening in the NFL case. The players have a union contract. They are claiming the league lied and made public misrepresentations that there was a serious risk of brain injury and death, from playing football. As will be discussed, the players allege they were damaged from the misrepresentation, and thus, the provisions of the contract that shield the League from being sued, should be invalidated. The League is basically arguing that the Players assumed this risk, and were well paid (A person assumes any risk inherent in a sports activity, such as a football head injury, etc).  I really find this fascinating, and the rest of the story below will give this all even more context.

Former NFL players, and their family members, have taken the league to court over claims that the organization concealed the long term effects of concussions. The list of parties to the suit has grown to over 4,200 and is still growing. Many of the former players are dealing with dementia, depression or Alzheimer’s disease. Some players have even committed suicide. Others are worried about potential problems and want monitoring services, claiming that the league rushed them back into the game at their own peril. The suit must clear a major hurdle before proceeding. The NFL has argued that the suit should not be allowed to go forward, claiming that player grievances should be handled by the union contracts that govern disputes between the players and the league.

The players argue that the union contracts are inadequate. They claim that these contracts do not protect them from fraud or negligence by the NFL. They believe that the league hid the dangers of play related head injuries to protect the multi-billion dollar sports empire. The players believe that the league alone had the power to address this issue and that they instead chose to create a massive misinformation campaign designed at keeping players in the dark. Many are worried that the process will fade behind closed door should the NFL ultimately prevail on this point.

Arbitration in this case wouldn’t allow for public airing of evidence and testimony, and wouldn’t be reviewable by a higher court. Former U.S. Solicitor General Paul Clement has been hired by the NFL. David Frederick, a former assistant to the solicitor general, is representing the player. Frederick has appeared 30 times before the U.S. Supreme Court.

During the hearing held in April 2013, Frederick argued that federal court is the appropriate venue for the case. He went on to state that the NFL was guilty of fraud and negligence, specifically pointing the assembling of a “sham committee” to address head injuries. He also claimed that the NFL knowingly hid information from players on the risk of brain damage from playing the gladiatorial sport. Clement said that the NFL’s collective bargaining argument is only the first step of their defense. He stated that layer histories and other factors will be an integral part of their defense should the case proceed.

Kevin Turner, a former Philadelphia Eagle now battling Lou Gehrig’s disease, attended the hearing with a handful of other players. They have accused the league of concealing emerging science about brain injury risk associated with concussions. Researchers from UCLA and Boston University, in separate reports, claim to have found evidence of the degenerative brain disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in former players. Another report, published in JAMA Neurology claims that retired NFL players are more likely to have cognitive impairment and depression. These players are also more likely to show physical brain changes on an MRI scan. The NFL recently donated $30 million to the National Institutes of Health for research into the subject.

I wanted to thank Seth for cluing me in on the NFL brain injury issue and for showing us all a little more about how other areas of law can cross over into tort law, and what that can mean for your bottom line as both a practitioner, and a victim.   To learn more about Seth, give him a call at: 202-600-9400.

Resources:

NFL Brain Injury Panel a “Sham” According to Players

Should players be allowed to actually sue?

Brain Injuries blamed by suicidal player

Can Patients Sue Who May Have been Exposed to Fatal Brain Disease?

According to officials the eight New Hampshire patients range in age from their mid-30’s to their mid-80s. Due to privacy laws health officials have not provided any other identifying information about the eight patients.

In a breaking story: New Hampshire state officials said Wednesday that there is a possibility that eight patients may have been exposed to a rare and fatal brain disease. In what could turn out being one of the worst medical malpractice cases in recent times, we will have to wait and see what happens.

Officials said the exposure might have occurred due to surgery equipment that was used on a patient who was likely to have had the rare and incurable disease. According to officials in a news conference the patients that may have been exposed underwent brain surgery at Catholic Medical Center in Manchester, N.H. The operations occurred between May and August of this year.

The patients were notified of the possible exposure, according to officials. Officials stated that the surgical equipment was rented from Medtronic, a Minneapolis based company and may have been used on at least five other patients in other states, before officials knowing there may be contamination from the original patient. So this raises issues of liability of the manufacturer and all people in the chain of custody of manufacture to sales. This is in the public interests to spread the burden and increase a recovery if any.

However, the state of the law is also the case that one cannot sue for fear of an as of yet, present disease. The eight patients in New Hampshire and the five other patients from other states are not being named, according to officials. According to specialists, the first patient showed symptoms of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, when they underwent brain surgery in May, but it was not discovered until last month. The experts said that the standard methods of sterilizing surgical equipment before operations would not protect the surgical patients from this rare disease.

Health officials stated that the risk for the patients potentially exposed to the rare and deadly brain disease is extremely low, but after extensive expert discussion, the risk could not be entirely ruled out. Even minimal residues can survive being passed through incinerators, which is why it was determined the patients who were possibly exposed were notified.

According to the New Hampshire director of public health, Dr. Jose Montero said the patients had been provided with as much information as possible, and our sympathies are with all of the patients and their families. Dr. Montero stated that this is a difficult and confusing situation for the patients and their families, since they may be living with uncertainty for an extended amount of time.

The disease, Montero said can take years to develop and it is impossible to know whether the exposed patients will be affected by the illness, which eats away at the brain. According to officials, the eight New Hampshire patients range in age from their mid-30’s to their mid-80s. Due to privacy laws, health officials have not provided any other identifying information about the eight patients.

In any event, since Montero said the disease could take years to develop, these patients will probably suffer daily for the rest of their lives with this cloud over them.  But the fact of the matter is, it would be near impossible for them to recover for fear of a disease until they develop a disease that is causally connected to the exposure.

At least that is what they taught us in law school. But see “Recovery for Emotional Distress for Exposure to AIDS.” But in any event, a person would still need proof of exposure, and here, the facts show that the patients “may” have been exposed.  The damages appear to be too far attenuated to get a recovery here. If you want to learn more about brain injury law, contact Michael Ehline at (213) 596-9642.

Brain Injuries Sustained In Car Accidents Must Be Treated Immediately

Neither of these scans will detect the existence of a traumatic brain injury due to the fact that most traumatic brain injuries involve very subtle damage to tissue as well as chemical changes that occur in the brain in response to the injury.

As attorneys who frequently see people seriously injured in car accidents, my Chicago colleague Jonathan Rosenfeld and I lament how many physicians are still slow to diagnose brain brain injuries.  Consequently, we see many clients who have unknowingly sustained various types of closed head injuries in car accidents involving all types of impacts.  Below Jonathan shares some of his experiences with these particularly cruel injuries.

The brain is the most important organ in the human body while also being one of the most fragile parts of the body as well. Mother Nature offered us protection in the form of a thick skull that would act as a barrier between our fragile brain matter and the outside world. However, due to the high impact of most car accidents, that protective measure given to us through biology can also cause complications that result in traumatic brain injury that we are often unaware of initially after an accident. If you have sustained a traumatic brain injury as the result of a car accident in the greater Chicago area, you may want to consult a Chicago car accident lawyer (http://www.rosenfeldinjurylawyers.com/practice/motor-vehicle-accidents/car-accidents/) to see if you are owed compensation.

Most traumatic brain injuries are not immediately identifiable because the symptoms may not show themselves immediately after a car accident. Paramedics are trained to provide medical care to those involved in an accident regardless of how they actually feel due to the possibility of brain injuries that remain asymptomatic. Oftentimes, when a person’s body comes to a sudden halt during a car accident, the brain continues moving and bounces around inside of the skull. Many injuries in which the skull is fractured are far less severe than those with no damage to the skull due to the buildup of pressure that occurs inside of the brain when it is bruised and swelling.

If you are in a car accident, you should never assume that you are not in need of medical care simply because you are not exhibiting symptoms. Traumatic brain injuries develop over time as the brain tissue that has been affected by an impact swells and bleeds. Because there is nowhere for the blood to go in the brain, the bleeding makes the situation worse by creating pressure to surrounding brain tissue. In its mildest form, this type of injury is referred to as a concussion.

Signs of brain injuries

If you have sustained a concussion, you may or may not exhibit immediate symptoms. Some of the signs of a concussion are the loss of consciousness during the accident for any time period ranging from a few seconds to a few minutes. You do not need to lose consciousness to sustain a concussion and if you feel disorientated, confused, tired or dizzy, you may have sustained a traumatic brain injury. Over time, you may experience blurred vision, nausea, severe headaches, migraines or a deep state of fatigue.

Signs of more serious trauma to the brain include the loss of consciousness for greater periods of time, inability to awake once asleep, slurred speech, seizures and loss of bowel control. In order to prevent the onset of more serious symptoms, make sure to receive proper medical treatment after you have been involved in any kind of car accident, regardless of how severe. You can sustain trauma to the brain even if you were not going very fast before the impact.

Diagnosing Brain Injuries

Not all brain imaging scans will detect traumatic brain injuries but there are several important brain imaging tests that will identify what others cannot. The most common brain image scans are CT, or CAT scans and MRIs. Neither of these scans will detect the existence of a traumatic brain injury due to the fact that most traumatic brain injuries involve very subtle damage to tissue as well as chemical changes that occur in the brain in response to the injury. DTI, PET and SPECT scans are all more effective in diagnosing a traumatic brain injury, but none of these scans will ultimately change the medical treatment that is prescribed.

Not all of the effects of brain damage are reversible and some people who sustain traumatic brain injuries will never be the same again. Brain injuries can affect motor function, the ability to concentrate, speech, memory and other functions that most of us take for granted. It is for this reason that it is important to diagnose a traumatic brain injury as quickly as possible in order to prevent future complications.

If you have been diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury as a result of a car accident and live in the greater Chicago area, you may wish to consult with a Chicago car accident lawyer to discuss whether or not you are owed compensation for your injury. Jonathan Rosenfeld of Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers (http://www.rosenfeldinjurylawyers) is an injury lawyer who has experience representing clients involved in motor accidents and who have had their lives changed by a debilitating injury such as a traumatic brain injury (http://www.rosenfeldinjurylawyers.com/practice/personal-injury/injury-types/traumatic-brain-injury-tbi/)

Sources:

http://www.tbiguide.com/howbrainhurt.html
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/traumatic-brain-injury/ds00552/dsection=symptoms
http://www.traumaticbraininjuryatoz.org/Mild-TBI/Diagnosing-Mild-TBI-Concussion/Imaging-Tests.aspx