Recovering sufficient monetary compensation for brain injury claims is a complicated matter. It must be taken very seriously and handled with the utmost care during every phase and throughout all aspects of the entire process. (more…)

Traumatic brain injury takes a tremendous toll on every life it touches. Its devastating aftermath often includes paralysis, mobility impairment, and severe sensory and motor impairments. (more…)

The brain is the most important organ in the body. Unfortunately, traumatic brain injury can occur from serious accidents, and these accidents have the potential to change a person’s life forever. (more…)

Brain injury is one of the most common causes for emergency room visits. However, many people are unsure of how to find the most reliable sources of brain injury information. According to the Centers for Disease Control, there are almost two million cases of head trauma in the United States annually. This represents a lot of people who need to find accurate information on symptoms and treatment options. Fortunately, there are several websites and agencies specifically designed to provide this information to patients.

One of the largest sources of information for head trauma patients is the Centers for Disease Control’s website. This website contains ample information concerning the most common forms of head injuries. The most common form of injury is a concussion. Concussions occur when the brain experiences swelling. This swelling is a result of the brain striking the inside of the skull. The most common symptoms of a concussion are dizziness, memory loss, vomiting and disorientation. However, with proper treatment, concussion patients can usually return to their lives after a week or two. The CDC’s website contains numerous sections of information that detail how concussions can be prevented and the long-term effects of concussions. For athletes, the website also contains a section that specifically addresses concussions in sports. Included in this area of the website is the latest research findings that detail the dangers of repeated concussions and how athletes should address head injuries.

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke is one of the leading research organizations for head trauma. This organization is a part of the National Health Institute, and contains information detailing the latest research findings on various forms of head trauma. However, this research is presented in such a way that the average person can understand it. Often, after suffering a head injury, people become frustrated because most available information is targeted to medical professionals. However, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders presents the majority of their findings in a way that is accessible to the general public.

When a person is recovering from a head injury, it is important to find the latest brain injury information. This is an area of science that is rapidly growing. Humanity is learning more about how the brain heals from trauma everyday. As a result, it is important to consult the latest information on treatment options and long-term recovery strategies. For people that are attempting to find this information, the websites discussed can be the best sources of information.

A traumatic brain injury is a life-changing event. A severe traumatic brain injury can result in death, coma, or loss of physical functions.  A moderate or mild traumatic brain injury can cause not only physical problems (dizziness, headaches, fatigue, nausea) but also problems with communication (expression or understanding), cognition (thinking, memory), sensory perception (sight, smell, hearing, taste, touch), and emotions or behavior (depression, aggression, or irritability). The degree of damage depends on the type of force or impact that causes the traumatic brain injury.

Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injury. Falling out of bed, falling in the shower, falling off of a ladder, or falling down steps are common injuries, especially for children or the elderly. These injuries frequently result in damage to the brain, primarily in the area of impact.

Motor vehicle accidents are the second most common cause of traumatic brain injury. Cars or trucks colliding with motorcyclists, bicyclists, or pedestrians often cause the most severe traumatic brain injuries, resulting in death or disability. These types of accidents are the most common cause of traumatic brain injury for people in their 20s and 30s.

Other causes of traumatic brain injury include assault or violence, accidentally striking one’s head, sports injuries, and explosive blasts. American soldiers often return from Iraq or Afghanistan with mild or moderate traumatic brain injuries caused by their proximity to an explosion.

If you or your family member has suffered a traumatic brain injury, consult an attorney as soon as possible to find out the legal ramifications of the accident and resulting injury–especially if the injury was caused by a motor vehicle accident.

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After a car or motorcycle accident, an open wound or bleeding from the head generally alerts health care professionals to look for the effects of severe traumatic brain injury. Most people do not think about the possibility of certain types of brain injuries resulting from a “closed head injury” where the head is not cut open or visibly wounded. Mild traumatic brain injuries are commonly missed by doctors who are looking for more serious brain injuries, or when other life-threatening injuries take priority in the ER.

A minor traumatic brain injury can also be missed because people tend to forget, or minimize, the significance of minor car accidents, sports accidents, or falls that did not cause physical damage, loss of consciousness, or hospitalization. Mild traumatic brain injury can result from whiplash or a mild concussion, and the symptoms may not show up immediately. When symptoms surface weeks or months afterwards, the doctor, patient, and the insurance company may not consider the earlier, closed head injury. Part of the problem in missing a diagnosis of mild traumatic brain injury is that the symptoms related to the injury appear in many other disorders.

Sometimes people recover from a mild traumatic brain injury in a few months, but in other cases the injury may be permanent. Symptoms from these types of brain injuries can be very noticeable, such as seizures, increased frequency of headaches, dizziness, and hyper-sensitivity to light and sound. Effects that are harder to diagnose include short-term memory loss, difficulty learning new things, problems with concentration and being easily distracted, and increased irritability, rudeness, or feelings of depression.

If you have been involved in even a minor car accident recently, try to determine if there has been an increase in symptoms like the ones listed above. These mild traumatic brain injury symptoms may have been caused from whiplash, concussion, or a minor head injury.

Attorney Tom Crosley reached a settlement this month on behalf of an 18 year old girl in Scottsdale, AZ.  She was a back seat passenger in a car driven by a teenaged boy.  The driver was not paying attention to the roadway — allegedly due to “texting while driving.” (more…)

Attorney Tom Crosley has been invited to lecture at a legal education conference for lawyers and judges held in San Antonio.  He is scheduled to speak on “Brain and Spine Injury Litigation.”  Crosley is a frequent author and lecturer at legal conferences on matters pertaining to personal injury law.

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Traumatic brain injury is a life-changing event, for both patients and their families, and each will have different mechanisms of coping with the incident. Finding traumatic brain injury support groups that fit your needs is a must. Groups exist online or in person, all over the country. While physicians may be able to point you in the right direction, many national associations also have directories that can get you in touch with local chapters.

The Brain Injury Association of America is a great resource that can provide information based on your region, as well as other resources for advocacy, getting involved, and just living with such an injury. The National Institutes of Health also provide a tremendous amount of information about support groups, awareness, education, on-going research opportunities, and much more. Groups offer an opportunity for patients and their families to discuss their day-to-day struggles and learn from others about how best to manage certain symptoms or daily activities. Participation is not required, but attendees soon realize that they are not alone. Many people suffer from varying degrees of traumatic brain injuries and are dealing with similar symptoms.

Wherever you go to find support, you must acknowledge your specific needs. Trying several different groups is a great idea to determine which fits your current situation best. Everyone’s needs and outcomes will be different, but traumatic brain injury support groups have been shown to help patients live better, more fulfilling lives. The support from others in similar situations or with family in those situations is unparalleled.