Brain Injury Lawyer - New York

Is the VA failing our brain injured troops?

There was a very distressing article published in yesterday's USA TODAY entitled, VA'S ongoing care for brain injured veterans falls short

According to the article the Veterans Administration has come under increasing criticism for the way that they are caring for the rehabilitation of returning troops suffering from a brain injury. 

Claims that the VA is dumping brain injured troops in nursing homes instead of specialized brain injury rehabilitation facilities, the failure to have experienced personnel who are familiar with traumatic brain injury, improperly cutting off treatment before rehabilitation is complete are common complaints made by family members.

Many of these complaints have been supported in a report by Veteran's Affairs Inspector Generals office who gave the VA poor grades for its handling of the recovery needs of returning soldiers suffering the affects of bran trauma.

From what I hear, the VA still has a long way to go in cleaning up its act.  Instead of contracting services with experienced providers, the VA has gone out on its own attempting to set up regional brain injury rehabilitation centers at select VA Hospitals.  Unfortunately, these facilities lack the experience and expertise in dealing with this tragic problem. 

It's time that Congress steps in and demands proper care for our soldiers with brain damage.

 

Even after symptoms disappear, a concusson still is dangerous stuff

If you thought that once the "symptoms" of a concussion disappear, you are fine, think again. 

A new study in the Journal Neurosurgery adds further evidence of the lingering effects of the invisible injury better known as traumatic brain injury or TBI

In a study of athletes who were recovering from a concussion, the researchers found that even after there was full recovery from the symptoms of a concussion, the athletes still had difficulty processing sound.  The authors conclude that the return to play decisions that are routinely made based upon the lack of physical symptoms following a concussion needs to be reconsidered.

 

Loss of Smell Following Traumatic Brain Injury

A frequent and overlooked complaint following a traumatic brain injury is the loss of the sense of smell and consequently loss of taste.  This deficit has profound implications for the quality of an individuals life.  Loss of smell not only deprives one of an important sense sensation and memory but also has important implications for placing an individual in danger.  Consider not being able to determine if food is rancid, milk is sour or if something is burning. 

Although smell is controlled by the first cranial nerve, this is very rarely tested in the basic gross neurological exam administered in a doctor's office or in the emergency room.

A new study published in the July issue of the Emergency Medical Journal found a strong association between the loss of smell and the period of post traumatic amnesia.  The study concludes that there is a strong likelihood of loss of smell following a head injury with post traumatic amnesia of 5 minutes or longer.  The authors recommend that the sense of smell be tested in all patient's who present with a history of head injury and post traumatic amnesia of 5 minutes or more.

International Brain Injury Association Newsletter

The latest issue of the International Brain Injury Association (IBIA) newsletter is now available on line. This issue contains some interesting articles on Progesterone in the Experimental Treatment of Brain Injury: Predictive Criteria for Successful Rehabilitation After Severe Traumatic Brain Injury;  Neuropsychological Assessment of Patients With Low Educational Level and Information on the International Consensus Conference on Impairments of Consciousness Sponsored by Northeast Center for Special Care which I was invited to participate in.  You can read the International Brain Injury Association newsletter by clicking here.

Founded in 1993, the International Brain Injury Association was created in response to the growing demand from professionals and advocates throughout the world for collaboration and more information on all aspects of brain injury, from prevention to long-term care issues.  They put on an interesting annual meeting and a very good journal which comes with your membership as well as access to their list serve. In their latest newsletter there is a pdf link for a membership application. 

President Vetos Stem Cell Legislation

In a blow to the 5.2 million Americans who suffer from the effects of traumatic brain injury and their families and friends, President chose political posturing over the hope for a better tomorrow and the chance for a recovery from this silent epidemic. 

It is beyond belief that the President chose to veto this legislation which held some much promise for those suffering from debilitating conditions. Regrettably the votes are not present in our Congress to overturn this veto. Hopefully a future Congress and a new President will revisit this issue and provide the necessary funding for stem cell research.

 

Stem Cell Research Bill in Serious Jeopardy of Presidential Veto

Stem cell research presents the greatest promise for those suffering from traumatic brain damage. With over 5.2 million Americans suffering from traumatic brain injury (TBI), with brain injury being the signature wound of the Iraq conflict, with a new brain injury occurring in this country every 21 seconds, the benefits of this research are enormous.

The Senate yesterday passed the bipartisan bill to fully fund stem cell research. The bill passed 63 to 37.  Unfortunately,  President Bush intends to use his first ever veto to block stem cell research.  News reports state that he may exercise his veto as early as today!

The President hasn't vetoed one pork barrel spending project since coming to office. Now he is going to veto a bill that may hold the key to saving countless lives?

It's critical to act now!

Tell President Bush now is not the time to use the first veto of his presidency. Urge him to allow stem cell research to go forward now!

Honored to be named "super lawyer"

  I am honored to have been named a "Super Lawyer"  in a poll taken of New York lawyers designed to identify lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.  Only 5 percent of the lawyers in each state or region are named Super Lawyers.

Each year Law & Politics sends a ballot to active lawyers in the state or region. The ballot asks lawyers to nominate the best attorneys they've personally observed in action. The intent is to discourage votes based purely on reputation.

My firm and myself pride ourselves on our commitment to representing victims of brain damage and their family members. We do so with compassion and respect for the individual.  We are proud to have been recognized as leaders in our field.

   

Senate Action Scheduled for TBI Act Appropriations: Tuesday, July 18

Tomorrow, Tuesday, July 18, the Senate Labor, Health & Human Services,
Education and Related Agencies (LHHS) Appropriations Subcommittee is
scheduled to consider TBI Act funding levels for 2007.

What to do: Please contact as many members of the Senate LHHS
Appropriations Subcommittee as possible and request that they support
the recommendations of the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force by
funding the TBI Act at the following levels:

CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control Request - $9 million
HRSA State Grant Program Request - $15 million
HRSA Protection & Advocacy Grant Program Request - $6 million

You can find the Members of the Senate LHHS Appropriations Subcommittee
by clicking here .

As many of you know, again this year, President Bush recommended
elimination of the funding for the TBI State Grant and P&A Grant
Programs. It is imperative that Congress hear from the people who are
most impacted by these important programs.

Please let your voice be heard. Do it today!

Father of Neuropsychology

Thanks to Mind Hacks for posting on a new site hosted by the The University of California, San Diego who have created an extensive on line archive of material related to the pioneering Russian neuropsychologist A.R. Luria, who is often considered the 'father' of the modern neuropsychology.

Luria was a pioneer in developing neuropsychological tests to pinpoint deficits in specific areas of the brain.  His original work forms the basis for much of the neuropsychological testing utilized today.

The site contains both audio and video information about the life and work of Professor Luria as well as a biography and links to articles that describe his work.

For those interested in the field of neuropsychology, it is a must visit.

Can Seizure Activity Be Stopped?

If you believe the latest research out of MIT, researchers in their computer lab  claim that they have invented a device which will allow an individual to send a signal to the brain once they detect they are developing a seizure which will stop its progression.

Many individuals are able to sense the onset of a seizure because they have an "aura" a feeling, sensation, day dream or other intrusive thought that always precedes a seizure. By using this device when the patient senses an aura, the seizure may be limited or even prevented from occurring.  This type of device may be just what's needed for patients whose seizures are not controlled by medication.

The results are very preliminary and much more research is necessary. To read more, read the full article in Technology Review.