Don't let Brain Injury Awareness month go unnoticed - JD Supra (press release)

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Did you know that March is Brain Injury Awareness Month? We discuss brain injuries every now and then on this personal injury blog. Such an injury can range from mild to catastrophic, but no matter what the extent, a brain injury should never go unnoticed.

In the past, communities just didn't know enough about the effects of injuries that seem as common and insignificant as concussions. But in recent years, high-profile athletes' stories have highlighted how important it is to address safety in high-impact sports and impose stricter safety rules to protect athletes of all ages, from adult to child.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 3.8 million concussions occur in the country annually. Again, those injuries affect people of all ages, and it's the children who sustain such brain injuries that the public needs to hurry to protect.

Because kids' brains are still developing, they are extremely vulnerable to damage. Compared to an injured adult, a child or teen's concussion won't heal as quickly. It is crucial that brain injuries are diagnosed among the young and that the responsible adults, including coaches and parents, don't let injured kids return to sports or other impact activities before a doctor confirms that they are fully healed.

March is almost over. Summer vacation and summer activities are just around the corner, so it would be foolish for brain injury awareness to end just because March does. Be educated on the dangers of concussions and don't hesitate to pull your child out of a game and into a doctor's office if you suspect that he or she's been injured.

Source: East Windsor Patch, "March is Brain Injury Awareness Month," Elizabeth McSpiritt, March 19, 2012

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Severe work injury case ends favorably for brain injury victim - JD Supra (press release)

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When someone chooses to work construction there is going to be some risk involved, especially when the person is working up on scaffolding. However, employers are still expected to do everything in their power to keep their employee safe, which is why workers' compensation policies are so important.

One recent out-of-state case was especially severe. The young employee victim was a mere 18 years old, with his whole life ahead of him when he fell from scaffolding while on the job. Among his injuries was a brain injury which caused a whole laundry list of physical and mental disabilities that this young man will battle with for the remainder of his life.

Once multiple factors were considered, including this young man's pain and suffering, care costs, loss of earning potential, and the overall blow to his quality of life his workers' compensation payout ended up being several million dollars, a record-breaking outcome in California, where this workplace accident lawsuit was filed.

Although this particular case occurred in another state, Alabama law shares a similar philosophy when it comes to workers' compensation. When someone is injured on the job, it is not uncommon for them to focus only on their immediate medical needs and not effectively look at the uncertainty that might follow in their future.

This uncertainty can be especially apparent when a brain injury is involved. The only thing that is certain after a brain injury is life will never be the same. Having an experienced personal injury attorney to help break down the potential hardship and the related costs can get injured workers more of the money they will need to help overcome future obstacles.

Source

Live Insurance News: "California brain injury case results in largest workers' compensation settlement in state history," Julie Campbell, Mar. 12, 2012

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