Accident, Car Accidents, How to Be a Good Plaintiff, Motorcycle Accidents, Traumatic Brain Injury, Truck Accidents
Blood Test May Detect “Unseen” Brain Injury
NEW ORLEANS, LA — Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a leading cause of death worldwide, with an average of 155 people in the United States dying each day from injuries which include TBI. At The de Boisblanc Law Firm, we’re actively involved in securing justice for victims of TBI caused by another person’s negligence, and part of our efforts include keeping current with the latest advances in treatment, along with cutting edge methods of early TBI detection, so that treatment can be more effective.
Currently, methods of early detection are limited. Accident victims may not show pathology in CT or MRI scans which would support a TBI diagnosis, even though a brain injury has occurred. The victim may miss out on crucial medical interventions and appropriate treatment. However, a promising new advancement offers accident victims in the emergency setting the possibility of an early TBI diagnosis.
Medical researchers have discovered that plasma concentration of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) correlates with intracranial injury visible on CT scan. Perhaps more critically, this protein may concentrate in the blood after a head injury even when there are no positive findings using a CT scan or MRI scan. In layman’s terms, this means that a simple blood test done post-accident in the ER has the ability to alert medical professionals that a brain injury has occurred, even if radiological methods can’t detect your injury. Early intervention and rehabilitation for severe TBI are known to improve outcomes, giving the plasma GFAP test the potential to be an invaluable tool.
Studies regarding plasma GFAP are ongoing, and potential protocols are being discussed which consider utilizing the test to structure treatment in patients who show no visual or radiological evidence of TBI. This is important because many cases of TBI can’t yet be detected by CT or MRI scan, and there are many different mechanisms for causing injuries to the brain which leave very subtle signs.
Should this test become available and commonly used in local emergency departments, early detection of TBI will increase. So will the accident victim’s ability to secure justice for a TBI caused by someone else’s negligence. It can be difficult to prove the Traumatic Brain Injury to an insurance company, especially in mild cases where CT or MRI scans produce false negatives. The detection of a concentration of glial fibrillaryacidic protein provides objective evidence of injury.
The de Boisblanc Law Firm is experienced in fighting for justice for victims of Traumatic Brain Injury. If you or someone you love has received a Traumatic Brain Injury due to the negligence of another person or group, it’s important that you engage an experienced attorney as soon as possible, who can protect your rights and fight against the insurance companies while you focus on healing. Call The de Boisblanc Law Firm today to schedule your free consulation.
Accident, Car Accidents, How to Be a Good Plaintiff, Traumatic Brain Injury, Truck Accidents
Healing Traumatic Brain Injury
NEW ORLEANS, LA — Experienced in the handling of Traumatic Brain Injury cases, The de Boisblanc Law Firm understands the unique challenges faced by TBI patients. We’re not just committed to winning TBI victims money for their injuries; we’re also determined to help our clients increase their awareness of developing therapies and positive lifestyle changes which could lead to health improvements for TBI patients.
In previous articles we’ve discussed the complex injuries that are known generally as Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). TBI interrupts the normal functioning of the brain. Victims experience a range of symptoms from “brain fog” and emotional changes, to coma and loss of vital functions. The symptoms can resolve over time, they can be a part of a permanent change, or the injury can be fatal. The American Academy of Neurosurgeons estimates that nearly 1.7 million brain injuries occur each year, and of these, up to 70% may be caused by motor vehicle collisions. According to the CDC, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of TBI death for persons 5-24 years of age.
Due to the frequency of TBI, a great deal of research is ongoing to help understand how best to treat it. An increasing number of studies demonstrate that environmental and lifestyle factors, such as diet, can have a major impact on a TBI patient’s treatment outcome. For example, research shows that omega-3 fatty acids, can increase production of molecular systems that serve synaptic function, while diets rich in saturated fats do the opposite.
According to this study, vitamin E, found in certain nuts, oils, and vegetables such as spinach, functions as an antioxidant and is useful in “reducing free radicals in the brain which would otherwise impede optimal function of neurons.” Curcumin and caffeine are also examined for their effects on brain health.
Vitamin D supplements also are shown to help reduce inflammatory response and reduce neuronal injury.
A recent Institute of Medicine report identifies the B vitamin choline, creatine (an amino acid-like compound), n-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) and zinc as the most promising areas for further research into the effects of nutrition on TBI.
These studies contribute to understanding and improving a holistic approach to treating Traumatic Brain Injury, accounting for the fact that the body has many interrelated systems. Neither these studies nor this article are intended to advise or replace medical treatment. Instead, they offer victims of Traumatic Brain Injury hope that with rapid scientific advancement, suffering can and will be lessened for many victims.
An essential component to recovering from any trauma is to obtain financial assistance. TBI often presents lifelong medical challenges. It’s important for any victim of an accident involving TBI, or their loved-ones, to hold the responsible party financially accountable. Insurance companies will try to settle your claim quickly, and for much less than its. In the aftermath of any accident, it’s important to consult with an experienced attorney regarding your rights. When the accident involves TBI, it’s essential to enlist an established, knowledgeable, and aggressive attorney who will hold the responsible party accountable, and seek the maximum available financial recovery. If you, or someone you love, has suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury due to the negligence or fault of another person, contact The de Boisblanc Law Firm today for a free consultation.
Car Accidents, Traumatic Brain Injury, Truck Accidents
#ChangeYourMind for Traumatic Brain Injury Month
March is Brain Injury Awareness Month, with a slogan of #ChangeYourMind meant to help generate awareness about what has been labeled “the silent epidemic” by the International Brain Injury Association, due to the high dangers of misdiagnosis or missed diagnoses. As previously reported, traumatic brain injury (TBI) has a potential for grievous health and financial consequences. TBI is often a life-changing event, generating a range of symptoms and effects from mood changes and suicidal thoughts, all the way to vegetative states. The CDC estimates that TBI costs Americans $76 million per year.
While TBI can be a major life-changing event, progress has been made both in our ability to detect TBI, and to help mitigate the symptoms. Clinical trials are ongoing involving brain stimulating techniques such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and transcranial doppler sonography (TCD) techniques. These techniques are being considered for both diagnostic and therapeutic applications. These techniques show promise with aiding in cortical reorganization and enabling functional restoration in TBI patients. Further research is needed in this area, as well as in general understanding of TBI. Public awareness is an important part not only of helping to prevent such serious injury, but in generating support for innovative new research to improve our diagnostic and therapeutic ability.
The US Department of Defense hconsiders TBI one of the leading causes of death in both civilian and military populations, and therefore has granted researchers at UC Davis a $4.5 million 3-year grant to develop “better, more precise treatments” for TBI where it occurs alongside other traumatic injuries.
Another innovative therapy with promising potential is hyperbaric oxygen therapy, or HBOT. Some traumatic brain injury patients have had successful results utilizing this therapy. HBOT has been demonstrated to have neuroprotective effects, which may contribute to healing damage from a TBI.
Unfortunately, there is no “silver bullet” treatment when it comes to TBI. As motor vehicle collisions are the second leading cause of TBI, minimizing risk factors by driving safely, soberly, and defensively, and always wearing a safety-belt, will help you reduce your chance of suffering a traumatic brain injury. Unfortunately, we can only control our own actions. The chance of being injured due to another person’s negligence can never be fully prevented.
If you or someone you love is a victim of traumatic brain injury caused by another person’s negligence, it’s critical that you get the right help, not only to find the best medical treatment possible, but also to protect your rights and fight for a financial recovery to help you mitigate the high costs of TBI. Furthermore, choosing an attorney who has experience with TBI, and who stays current in understanding of TBI symptoms, diagnostic capabilities, and treatments, may increase your chances of a better outcome after a traumatic brain injury. The experienced attorneys of The de Boisblanc Law Firm have won significant awards for accident victims who have suffered a traumatic brain injury, and stand ready and willing to assist you and your family in this difficult time.
Motorcycle Accidents, Traumatic Brain Injury
Motorcycle Accidents and Traumatic Injury
NEW ORLEANS, LA — Motorcycle accidents are a leading cause of accident-related injuries and fatalities in Louisiana today. From 2012 through 2016, four hundred and thirty-two people were killed in motorcycle accidents on Louisiana’s streets and highways. According to the CDC, wearing a helmet while operating or riding a motorcycle reduces the risk of dying in a collision by 37%, and reduces the risk of head injury by a full 69%. In the state of Louisiana, the law requires that motorcyclists wear helmets. In 2016, almost 1,900 lives were known to be saved by motor cycle helmets, and nearly 3.4 billion dollars in economic damages were saved by the use of motor cycle helmets. However, even when a helmet is used, serious head injury is a likely outcome when a motorcyclist is involved in a motor vehicle collision. Helmets can prevent many penetrating head trauma injuries, such as skull fractures or foreign objects entering the brain. Yet even when a helmet is worn, the forces involved in a collision can cause the brain to be injured, because the brain can be shaken inside the skull, causing swelling, bruising, or bleeding of the brain tissue.
A common outcome of a motorcycle injury is a concussion, which causes symptoms ranging from dizziness and headaches to memory loss. There may or may not be a loss of consciousness involved. Concussions are usually temporary, and may not have lasting impacts on the victim’s health. Yet sometimes, a concussion can be a symptom of a more serious condition, including those conditions categorized as Traumatic Brain Injuries or TBI. Traumatic Brain Injury can have lasting or even permanent effect on the victim’s life, including a loss of economic potential and a requirement for long-term medical care. A third possible outcome of a head injury caused by a motorcycle collision is a hematoma, which is when blood pools inside the brain or between the brain and the skull. A hematoma is a life threatening condition which requires surgery.
The severity and potentially disastrous outcomes involved in a motorcycle collision require cyclists to take precautions, such as wearing a helmet, obeying all traffic laws, and being alert for other drivers. But if the worst happens, and you or a loved one is a victim in a motorcycle collision, it’s important that you seek legal representation to fight for your rights. The costs associated with head injuries are often extremely high: from surgeries to special therapies to lost wages and the potential requirement for long term medical care, the lifetime cost for the victim of a severe traumatic brain injury can reach 4 million dollars. Insurance companies will often try to make a quick and low settlement, leaving the victim and his or her family stuck with the costs. If you or someone you love has been involved in a motorcycle collision, call the experienced attorneys at the de Boisblanc Law Firm and arrange for a free consultation today.