Brain Injury Lawyer - New York

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)

Lawyers who handle traumatic brain injury cases should be aware of an educational resource posted by fellow blogger, Anthony Risser, PhD. concerning sites available for those interested in learning more about functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).  Every brain injury lawyer should look at the interesting collection of material available on these sites.

Pomegrante Juice May Prevent Hypoxic Ischemic Brain Injury In Newborns

Expectant mothers at risk of premature birth may want to consider drinking Pomegrante Juice to help their babies resist brain injuries from low oxygen and reduced blood flow according to researchers at Washington University School of Medicine.

Reduced blood flow to the brain results in reduced oxygen to the brain, a condition known as hypoxia or hypoxic ischemia or anoxia or hypoxic brain damage.  When the brain receives inadequate amounts of oxygen, the nerve fibers in the brain begin to die off.  MRI studies can show the brain damage to the newborn often referred to as a "watershed" affect.  A child who has sustained this type of brain damage often has impaired sight, impaired hearing, may suffer from seizure disorders and can have extensive neurological damage or cerebral palsy. 

A newborn may also develop this hypoxic brain damage as a result of improper medical care rendered by the obstetrician who fails to timely deliver a child at risk by performing a Cesarean section. These medical malpractice cases have been successfully prosecuted on behalf of brain impaired children.

The researchers believe that a chemical in the juice protects the young brain cells from self destruction when their oxygen supply is reduced.  Read the full story by clicking here .

Heavy Weight Boxer Is Now Suing Boxing Commission!

Following a decision by the Nevada Boxing Commission denying heavy weight fighter, Joe Meisi, a license to fight because of a brain injury, his lawyers are now suing the boxing commission.  The boxer suffered a subdural hematoma (brain bleed) which were discovered on a brain scan.  (read my earlier post of June 22 for further information on this story)  The Nevada Boxing Commission stated that subdural hematomas a re the leading cause of death in boxers.  They have enacted a rule which denies a boxing license to any fighter who suffered a cerebral hemorrhage.  [SOUNDS LIKE A GOOD RULE TO ME.]   Read the full story by clicking here .

Brain Injury Doesn't Stop Central Park Jogger

Today's USA TODAY has an uplifting story concerning Trisha Meili, also known as the "Central Park Jogger"  The article describes her road to recovery following sustaining severe head trauma after being viciously attacked in Central Park.  Although she was in a coma for 12 days followed by many months of intense cognitive rehabilitation, she never lost hope and never gave up.  Meili recently spoke at the American Psychiatric Association meeting held in Atlanta and is scheduled to speak at the American Psychological Association meeting to be held this August in Washington, D.C.

I have had the privilege of listening to Tricia on several occasions, most recently when she was the key note speaker at the annual meeting of the Brain Injury Association of New York State. Her message of strength and hope is an inspiration to all brain injury survivors,  their families and professionals.  Her book, "I Am The Central Park Jogger" which can be purchased at www.amazon.com should be read by all.    On June 27th the New York Times ran a story on the race sponsored by the Hope and Possibilities Five-Mile Run/Walk intended for people with disabilities which was named after her book and sponsored by the Achilles Track Club, an organization which encourages those with disabilities to participate in athletics. 

Free Program on TBI - Veteran Health Benefits

On July 7, 2005 at 2:00 PM ET a free webcast on Veterans Health Benefits for victims of brain trauma will be conducted.  The program is sponsored by the National Association of Protection and Advocacy Systems (NAPAS).  It is intended to help protection and advocacy agencies and TBI advocates to understand the range of health benefits and assistance available to suffers of traumatic brain injury and traumatic head injury.  You must register in advance for this event.  Registration continues until July 6th.  To register go to www.mch.com and click on live webcasts and then "Veterans Health Benefits 101 for TBI Advocates."  If you are unable to listen live, the broadcast will be available approximately one week later again by going to www.mch.com. More information on the program can be obtained by contacting Elizabeth Priaulx at NAPAS

Boxer Out of Coma

Good news out of Oregon for the 50 year old female boxer  Linda Shampange who is now out of her coma and able to recognize family members. She was injured in a first professional fight on June 16th.  After sustaining many blows, the fight was stopped after the third round.  Several hours later she collapsed.  It was discovered that she sustained a large subdural hematoma (brain bleed) that caused her brain to swell and bleed.

It is important to realize that the brain injury may not be readily apparent and persons suspected of having any type of head injury or head trauma be observed for a LONG period of time.   Read the full story by clicking here .

Brain Injury Lawyers Conference

I am pleased to announce that the Brain Injury Association of New York State will hold their 6th annual Medical-Legal Conference "Understanding the Medical and Legal Aspects of Traumatic Brain Injury" on October 28, 2005.  This year's conference will be hosted at the Hospital for Joint Diseases, New York University Medical Center, in Manhattan.  The conference is open to all attorneys and health care workers interested in more information on the interplay between the law and medicine regarding brain injury.

Each year outstanding brain injury attorneys and health professionals have given insightful lectures to those who have attended.  The conference which I am again pleased to be Chairperson has received wonderful reviews from those who have attended including lawyers, neurologists, judges and brain injury rehabilitation professionals.  I will shortly post the list of topics and speakers. You may e mail me for more information

New York State Best Practices Conference: Call for Presentations

Each year, the New York State Department of Health sponsors a brain injury conference designed to assemble state and national experts in brain injury and enhance the expertise of consumers and professionals in developing the best practices for brain injury programs. 

This year's conference is scheduled to be held in Albany, New York on October 18th 2005.

The Health Department has invited those interested in presenting at the conference to send in their proposal by July 1, 2005 focusing on the following topics:

• Best practices in serving persons with  brain injury and multiple disabilities
• Best practices in serving persons with brain injury and substance abuse issues
• Best practices in serving persons with brain injury and psychiatric disabilities
• New initiatives
• Brain injury and sexuality issues
• Brain injury and spirituality
• Best practices in brain injury vocational rehabilitation

Submit a brief abstract by July 1st to:

Laura Roe, Bureau of Long Term Care, Office of Medicaid Management at the New York State Department of Health, One Commerce Plaza, Rm 826, Albany, NY 12260.  Further information on the conference can be obtained by e mailing Laura Roe.

Traumatic Brain Injury: Most Frequent Cause of Death in Hospital For Those Under 44 Year Of Age

As if we needed more evidence that traumatic brain injury is a national epidemic the latest statistics on the prevalence of brain trauma should be enlightening.  According to the Federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the most frequent cause of death in the hospital among Americans 44 years and younger is traumatic brain injury.  In the year 2002, more than 5,500 people in this group died from traumatic brain injuries.  Most of the brain injury were related to falls and car accidents.  Click here for more information

Neuropsychologist Allowed To Testify That Accident Caused Psychosis Due to TBI in New York Case

News for New York Brain Injury Lawyers:

In a case reported in today's New York Law Journal, a neuropsychologist has been permitted to offer his opinion that plaintiff's psychosis was causally related to the traumatic brain injury suffered as a result of a construction accident. The name of the case is Guscott v. Lott Port Development Assoc and can be found in the New York Law Journal at page 19.