Zukerberg Law Center, PLLC Blog

Capital Bikeshare - Good for the Environment, Bad of DC, MD and VA Head Injuries

Sun, 13 May 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Captial Bikeshare is D.C.'s popular bike rental program. Riders rent bikes from over 160 kiosks located D.C. and across the river in Arlington, Virginia. Biking is great for the environment and for the health of the biker - unless there is a collision.
Capital Bikeshare has 1500 bikes in use at one time, but only 1 in 5 riders use a helmet. While Bikeshare encourages its DC and VA members to use a helment, there is no requirement to use a helmet while renting.
According to the April issue of Annals of Emergency Medicine, helmets would decrease the risk of head and brain injury for DC, Maryland & Virginia Bikeshare riders by by 65 to 88%.

Virginia Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney: The Subtle Paths of CTE

Sat, 12 May 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Even the most experienced Virginia traumatic brain injury attorney understands only a very little about the pathology of a condition known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). This is a kind of long-term brain damage that often afflicts boxers, hockey players, football players, and other athletes. CTE is a scary disease, for many reasons. For instance, there is no way to know whether or not you have this brain injury until after you're dead, since current medical technology can only conclusively detect CTE in a thin-sliced and stained brain.

CTE brain injury is often associated with the following:

Loss of material in the corpus callosum. This loss leads to difficulty processing and verbalizing emotions. Damage to this brain structure can essentially "dis-integrate" a person emotionally, making it difficult for him to put emotions into words.
Deterioration of the frontal cortex. The frontal cortex is the brain center in charge of executive functioning. It’s kind of like the conductor of an orchestra; it synthesizes input from various areas of the brain to create coherence. In patients with CTE, executive functioning suffers; the person loses capacity to control impulses and to make plans.
Altered neurotransmission. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that help brain cells communicate with one another and pass messages along effectively. Chronic brain damage can cause changes to these receptors at the chemical level, making formerly compatible receptors incompatible and vice versa. Damaged communication at this molecular level can translate into a wide array of problems on a big picture level.

Victims of accidents and sports injury victims are not the only people to suffer from changes to structures and chemicals in the brain. Even if you have been only mildly concussed—or “sub-concussed” (i.e., you didn’t noticed the concussion)—bad chemical changes to your brain may have taken place.

If you or someone you care about was recently hurt, the team here at the Zukerberg Law Center can help you understand what you might be able to do, legally speaking, to get compensated for your medical bills and other costs incurred. Connect with our powerful, experienced team today to get the help and insight you need. Call us locally at (202) 232-6400 or toll-free (888) 473-1707 before another day goes by.

Law Requiring "Black Box" Recorders in New Cars Pits Safety Against Privacy

Sun, 06 May 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Congress is set to require all new cars to have "black box" data recorders beginning in 2015. The U.S. Senate passed Bill 1813, and § 31406 requires mandatory "Event Data Recorders" to track location, speed, seat belt use, air bag deployment and other data. The House is expected to pass similar legislation.

The new law pits vehicle safety advocates against those concerned with privacy. Following a crash, vehicle black boxes can be used to recreate what happened. Every vehicle fitted with an airbag already records some of this information. Accident reconstructionists used by Zukerberg Law Center have used this data to help establish who was at fault.

However, the new law goes beyond existing technology, creating the specter of full-time tracking of vehicle, and by extension, their drivers. How much information will be collected, and who has access, concerns civil libertarians.

What the law has the possibility of reducing DC, Maryland and Virginia traumatic brain injuries, it also runs the risk of invading the privacy rights of motorists.

Does an Army Helmet Design Flaw Contribute to Brain Damage?

Sun, 06 May 2012 08:00:00 GMT

For years, army helmet design has focused on surviving bullets and other projectiles. Trouble is, the increased use of improvised explosive devices (IED's) in insurgent actions means more bomb blasts and fewer bullets.
A study of how army helmets perform in blast protections reveals that the same design which is so effective against bullets may actually increase the damage caused by shockwaves.
The study results have implications for Virginia, Maryland and Washington, DC, with their large military footprint, and many veterans suffering from brain injuries. Just as tactics and training have adjusted to the new realities of low-intensity, insurgent warfare, so should equipment, including military helmet design.

New York Times Debates Dangers of Youth Football

Sun, 06 May 2012 08:00:00 GMT

The suicide of yet another former NFL player, this week retired superstar linebacker Junior Seau, has rekindled the debate on the risks of Youth tackle football.
The New York Times features statements by former quarterback Kurt Warner said he preferred that his sons not play football because of the risk of traumatic brain injury.
ESPN commentator Merril Hoge, a former player who suffered multiple concussions, told listeners that Warner was uneducated and irresponsible.

Driver's Ed Ineffective - But Graduated Driver Licensing Is

Sat, 05 May 2012 08:00:00 GMT

We knew Driver's Ed classes were boring. Now we also know they don't work. In fact, at least one study has shown that teens who took Driver's Ed were more likely to be involved in a vehicle crash. The reason is that Driver's Ed can put a teen behind the wheel at an earlier age. Well if Driver's Ed doesn't work, what does?
Graduated Driver Licensing ("GDL"), a program where teens' driving privileges are expanded slowly over time has been successful, reducing teen crashes by an average of 25%.
GDL limits teens to driving with only one other teen passenger, a restriction on night-time driving, and zero-tolerance for alcohol. These restrictions are gradually lifted as the teen driver gains experience behind the wheel.

Virginia TBI Lawyer: Why NFL Fans and Players Are Still Worried

Wed, 02 May 2012 08:00:00 GMT

The typical Virginia TBI lawyer (traumatic brain injury) sees victims hurt in all sorts of diverse accidents and events—car and truck accidents, altercations, slip and falls, etc.

But sports-related brain injuries are on everyone’s radar today, thanks in large part to the spate of lawsuits filed against the National Football League on behalf of retired players, including Alex Karras, Jim McMahon, Tony Dorsett, and Brent Boyd. Boyd, an offensive lineman who played for the Vikings, has been tentatively diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). He's the first living NFL player to get diagnosed with this degenerative disease.

The number of former players who have raised up to challenge the NFL—1,200 and counting—is certainly pretty spectacular. And insiders have noticed distinct changes to the way the NFL responds to brain injuries and concussions. But some experts are not so sanguine that much has changed—or much will change. Here are some reasons why:

The NFL is a big business; the money behind it will almost surely make sure that the show will go on, no matter what studies show about the dangers of playing.
The NFL is mounting a stiff legal defense to the challenges of the 1,200 or so jilted former pros. Even united, these players are still the underdogs in this legal battle.
Helmet technology and TBI diagnostics and treatments are getting better. But the universe of what doctors do not understand about brain injuries is vast. Unless you get long-term data on some of these technologies and treatments, you can’t really say whether they are effective.

If someone you care about has been recently diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury in Washington D.C. or Maryland, the team here at the Zukerberg Law Center can help. Our laser-like focus on TBI law has earned us a terrific reputation.

Discover free resources about concussions and brain injuries online, or call us today for a free consultation. Connect with us locally at (202) 232-6400, or toll-free at (888) 473-1707, and we will send you a copy of our book, Understanding Traumatic Brain Litigation.

Was Junior Seau's Suicide Another Case of Traumatic Brain Injury

Wed, 02 May 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Reports today of the suicide of Junior Seau, 43, a former star NFL linebacker with the San Diego Chargers, is strikingly similar to the February 17th suicide of former Chicago Bears star Dave Duerson. Both men died of self-inflicted gunshot wounds to the chest.

Duerson left a suicide note saying that he shot himself in the chest so that his brain could be examined for evidence of traumatic brain injury. Sure enough, pathologists determined that Duerson suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy, cause by repeated concussions. An autopsy of Seau is pending.

Seau's tragic death comes three weeks after the suicide of Ray Easterling, a former safety with the Atlanta Falcons, who had recently sued the NFL over the handling of concussion injuries. Easterling was seeking class-action certification at the time of his death.

Our thoughts and prayer go out to the families of these players, who brought so much to the game, and who died so tragically.

Prince George's County #1 in Traffic Fatalities

Sun, 29 Apr 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Final data 2010 from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) points to P.G. County, Maryland as the Washington region's most dangerous place to drive, bike or walk.

PG leads local jurisdiction in fatal traffic collisions. In 2010, 89 people died in traffic accidents in Prince George's County - 23 of whom were either pedestrians or bicyclists.

Montgomery County, Maryland was a distant second with 47 reported fatalities. Fairfax County, Virginia came in 3rd, with 35 total traffic fatalities in 2010.

DC was 4th on the local list, with 24 traffic deaths. Significantly, 16 of the 24 DC traffic deaths involved pedestrians or cyclists - an unusually high percentage. DC is coping with increased deaths and traumatic brain injuries to cyclists, as more people take advantage of opportunities to bike and walk to work or school.

Even Olympic-Style Boxing is Dangerous to the Brain in DC, Maryland & Virginia

Sat, 28 Apr 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Olympic style boxing features softer gloves, headgear and close supervision by the refs. But is it any safer for the brain than professional boxing? Not necessarily, according to new research from the University of Gothenburg in Sweden.

Swedish researchers found changes in brain fluids after fights in a study of 30 top-ranked Swedish boxers. The brain fluid changes are indicators of nerve celll damage.

For the full article, see CSF-Biomarkers in Olympic Boxing in this month's PLoS One Journal.

Maryland TBI News: Montgomery & Prince George's Counties Improve Bike & Pedestrian Safety

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 08:00:00 GMT

The rise of cycling and walking as alternatives to the automobile has also created a rise in biker and pedestrian and head injuries. Both Montgomery County and Prince George's County, Maryland are working to improve the situation.

In P.G. County, the County Council unanimously approved a new plan to make developments bike and pedestrian friendly. New developments would be required to have bike paths and pedestrian walkways. Right now, PG leads the region in pedestrian fatalities. Overall, Maryland ranks 3rd among the 50 states for pedestrian deaths. Improved bike and pedestrian facilities will reduce Prince George's County traumatic brain injuries (TBI's).

Meanwhile, in Montgomery County, the Montgomery County Police Department is giving special, advanced training to its officers on pedestrian/automobile collision investigation. Its collision reconstruction unit will use bicycles and crash dummies to simulate collisions, then train its officers proper investigative techniques.

Pedestrian/automobile and bicycle/automobile collisions present special problems of investigation. Better evidence collection by officers on the scene will assist Montgomery County and P.G. County traumatic brain injury lawyers, and their accident reconstruction experts, in understanding the mechanics of the client's injuries.

Come Join Me at NABIS in Miami September 12-15, 2012

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 08:00:00 GMT

On September 12-15 2012 the North American Brain Injury Society (NABIS) will hold their 10th annual meeting at the InterContinental Hotel in Miami, Florida. Please contact me if you would like to join me.

Free Webinar for Families of Severely Injured Maryland, Virginia & DC TBI Patients

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 08:00:00 GMT

The Brain Injury Foundation is again offering a free webinar for families of traumatic brain injury survivors in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, DC. This month's topis is Assessment & Prognosis in Severe TBI and is presented by presented by Dr. John Whyte. The register, follow this link.

The BIF uses GoToMeeting software, which allows you to participate in their informative series of talks by traumatic brain injury professionals. Zukerberg Law Center highly recommends this BIF programs and provides financial support for this wonderful non-profit.

Getting Effective Legal Help for Head Injuries in Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia

If your life—or a loved one's life—has been rocked by a traumatic brain injury, you may benefit simply from downloading and reading our report, Understanding Brain Injury. This report demystifies many deeply held myths and false beliefs about TBI.

If you need immediate help understanding your potential legal rights, connect with the team here at the Zukerberg Law Center for a free, confidential, and thorough consultation. Reach us at 888-473-1707 (toll free).

Maryland Traumatic Brain Injury Statistics

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 08:00:00 GMT

According to new statistics fromthe Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the leading causes of TBI are:

· Falls (28%)
· Motor vehicle crashes (20%)
· Being hit by or colliding with an object (19%)
· Assaults (11%)
· Others (12%)

CDC provides the following tips for preventing Maryland traumatic brain injuries:

Always wear a seat belt in a motor vehicle- even in the back seat
Use an appropriate child safety seat or a booster
Never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs
Always wear a helmet when on a bicycle, motorcycle, scooter, snowmobile and
other open unrestrained vehicles
Wear a helmet when participating in contact sports, skiing, snowboarding,
skating, skateboarding and horseback riding
Use the rails on stairways
Provide adequate lighting, especially on stairs for people with poor vision or who
have difficulty walking
Place bars on windows to prevent children from falling
Sit on safe stools
Do not place obstacles in walking pathways

For more information on Maryland TBI,

Rockville Maryland Brain Injury Support Group

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Adventist Rehabilitation Hospital in Rockville, Maryland has wonderful Brain Injury Support Group. Meetings information is as follows:

Adventist Rehab Hospital of Maryland
9909 Medical Center Drive
Rockville, MD 20850
Second and Fourth Thursdays 7:00-8:00 PM
Contact: Tom Wilkenson
US +1 3012949205 Call

If you or someone you love has questions about a Rockville Maryland brain injury or a TBI you suffered during an accident, illness, or other event, connect with the Zukerberg Law Center for a free consultation at 888-473-1707. Please download our free report, Five Common Myths About Concussions, here at our site.

Prince George's County Maryland Brain/Head Injury Support Group

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Prince George's County Hospital has a wonder brain/head injury support group.

Head Injury support Group
Critical Care Center Prince George's Hospital
3001 Hospital Drive
Cheverly, MD 20785
Second and Fourth Wednesdays, 7:00 PM
Contact: Jean Gavel
US +1 3012949205 Call

If you or someone you love has questions about a Prince George's brain injury or a TBI you suffered during an accident, illness, or other event, connect with the Zukerberg Law Center for a free consultation at 888-473-1707. Please download our free report, Five Common Myths About Concussions, here at our site.

Bethesda Maryland Brain Injury Support Group Helps TBI Patients and Their Families

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Suburban Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland now provides a support group for Maryland TBI survivors.

Head Injury/Trauma Support Group
Suburban Hospital
8600 Old Georgetown Rd.
Bethesda, MD 20814
First and Third Thursdays, 7:00-8:30 PM
Contact: Sharon George
US +1 3018963030 Call

If you or someone you care about has suffered a Bethesda Maryland TBI or other head injury—or was injured in a car accident, sports game, or slip and fall accident—the Zukerberg Law Center can help you understand your legal rights. We can provide you with powerful resources to make progress with your case and help you deal with critical issues in your life.

Maryland Veterans with TBI Can Get Help

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 08:00:00 GMT

The Mental Hygiene Administration and the TBI Projects are addressing the needs of returning service members.

The resource coordinators of the TBI and MCV projects collaborate with each other to assist veterans with brain injuries access services.

Contact:
Anastasia B. Edmonston MS CRC
Traumatic Brain Injury Projects Director
DHMH-MHA
Spring Grove Hospital Center
55 Wade Ave-Dix Building
Catonsville, MD 21228
Phone: (410)402-8478
Fax: (410)402-8304

iPad App Helps DC, Maryland & Virginia Brain Injury Survivors Communicate

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 08:00:00 GMT

There's an app for everything. Now USA Today is reporting that an Omaha Nebraska brain injury survivor has been able to reestablish communications with her family using an iPad.

Judy Miles, a 55 year-old nurse was struck by a pick-up, suffering a severe TBI. Following surgery, she could not walk or talk. Now miles is using an iPad to generate speach, which allows her to interact with her family and outsiders.

Asssitive devices of every kind assist DC, Maryland and Virginia TBI survivors adjust. An experienced lifecare planner can help find the appropriate app for you.

Washington DC T.B.I. Lawyer: Help for Families

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 08:00:00 GMT

If your wife, sister, husband, or uncle recently got a head injury, you probably could benefit from talking to a Washington DC TBI lawyer about your rights and about the steps you need to take to protect your ability to seek damages. But traumatic brain injury (TBI) victims often need more than just medical and legal help. They need logistical support, understanding, and empathy as they deal with potentially erratic and chronic problems. As TBI caregivers know, these problems can be wide-ranging and can include physical, emotional, and mental components.

What Family Members of Traumatic Brain Injury Victims Can Do
Family members of TBI patients need to approach the care of their injured relative with patience and understanding. Some key steps to compassionate care are outlined below:

1. Educate yourself about TBI. The more you understand what a traumatic brain injury is—and is not—the better you will be able to help your hurt family member and cope with your own responsibilities. The Brain Injury Association of America's website, for instance, has excellent objective resources and informative statistics. You can also download the Zukerberg Law Center’s guide to Understanding Brain Injury as well as our free report on myths about concussions.

2. Track the progression of the injury – as well as the chronic problems your family has as a result of the injury. The art of journaling can help hugely. If you notice that the victim suddenly becomes moody or forgetful, write down information about the event that led you to that judgment and time and date stamp your notes. Likewise, if you notice a recurring problem—for instance, that the brain injury victim can no longer function at work or concentrate at school—journaling can help you identify the root of the problem before it worsens. Furthermore, these written records can be hugely helpful for your doctor and Washington DC brain injury lawyer, when you need outside resources to help you with medical or legal issues.

3. Look for signs that the brain injury might be getting worse or leading to other medical problems. Especially in the first few days and weeks after an injury, spontaneous medical or mental problems can develop. In some cases, time may be of the essence to prevent these problems from getting worse or leading to permanent brain damage or health problems. But scary episodes can occur even years after the event that led to the injury. So stay vigilant and alert. Use tools such as journaling, and lean on resources, like the compassionate advisors here at the Zukerberg Law Center, to understand your rights and possibilities.

If you have additional questions about long- or short-term caregiving for the victim of a traumatic brain injury, or if you need to investigate your legal options for compensation from the person responsible for this injury, call us. Contact us locally at (202) 232-6400 or toll free at (888) 473-1707 for advice from an experienced Washington DC brain injury lawyer.