Saturday, June 6, 2009
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney Fort Worth Arlington
Traumatic brain injury is defined as sudden physical damage to the brain. It does not include brain injuries received from birth trauma, toxic substances, disease-producing organisms, or brain injuries that are hereditary, congenital, or degenerative.
The main cause of traumatic brain damage is from the head forcefully hitting an object, such as a windshield or dashboard of a vehicle during an accident. This example is called a closed head injury. It also can be caused when the brain undergoes a severe forward, backward, or twisting motion, such as shaken baby syndrome or whiplash.
If something passes through the head, such as a bullet or knife, the damage is called a penetrating head injury. Although a closed head injury is much less "messy" and often leaves no obvious external signs, it involves the brain banging against the skull and can cause more widespread damage.
CAT scans, MRIs, or other imaging devices that visualize the structure of the brain may be run on the patient. However, physical medical testing does not tap into the portion of the brain dealing with functioning, nor does it identify the malfunctioning cognitive, behavioral, or emotional aspects of the injury.
A person who has experienced either mild or severe brain injury may physically appear fine, and yet have sustained a brain injury that affects their ability to live a normal life.
The American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine stated these as the markers for brain injury:
* Loss of consciousness
* Memory loss of events immediately before or after the accident
* Alteration in mental state at the time of accident, such as feeling dazed, disoriented, or confused
* Posttraumatic amnesia not greater than 24 hours and other focal neurological deficits
The damages awarded for such an injury is based on the nature and extent of the injury. Factors include pain and suffering, loss of earnings, impairment of earnings capacity, disfigurement or deformity, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and whether the injury is temporary or permanent.
The main cause of traumatic brain damage is from the head forcefully hitting an object, such as a windshield or dashboard of a vehicle during an accident. This example is called a closed head injury. It also can be caused when the brain undergoes a severe forward, backward, or twisting motion, such as shaken baby syndrome or whiplash.
If something passes through the head, such as a bullet or knife, the damage is called a penetrating head injury. Although a closed head injury is much less "messy" and often leaves no obvious external signs, it involves the brain banging against the skull and can cause more widespread damage.
CAT scans, MRIs, or other imaging devices that visualize the structure of the brain may be run on the patient. However, physical medical testing does not tap into the portion of the brain dealing with functioning, nor does it identify the malfunctioning cognitive, behavioral, or emotional aspects of the injury.
A person who has experienced either mild or severe brain injury may physically appear fine, and yet have sustained a brain injury that affects their ability to live a normal life.
The American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine stated these as the markers for brain injury:
* Loss of consciousness
* Memory loss of events immediately before or after the accident
* Alteration in mental state at the time of accident, such as feeling dazed, disoriented, or confused
* Posttraumatic amnesia not greater than 24 hours and other focal neurological deficits
The damages awarded for such an injury is based on the nature and extent of the injury. Factors include pain and suffering, loss of earnings, impairment of earnings capacity, disfigurement or deformity, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and whether the injury is temporary or permanent.
Nursing Home Negligence Attorney Arlington Fort Worth
Recent developments in the nursing home industry have resulted in health care conglomerates buying up nursing homes that were once locally owned and operated. Like HMOs these corporations are focused on generating profits, often at the expense of the health and safety of the patients. Family members may suspect that their loved ones are receiving substandard care but may be uncomfortable asking questions until it is too late.
Some of the signs of neglect are:
* Soiled bed sheets
* Bad odors
* Presence of decubitus ulcers (sometimes called pressure sores or bed sores)
These sores are usually not visible as they are most common on the back, buttocks, heel, and back of the thigh.
Nursing homes sometimes go to great lengths to conceal these bed sores because they realize that it is the most recognizable sign of neglect. These sores occur when patients are left in one position for an extended period of time. The skin, and later the muscle, actually breaks down and becomes an ulcer. These sores are extremely painful and if left untreated can be life threatening.
Some of the signs of neglect are:
* Soiled bed sheets
* Bad odors
* Presence of decubitus ulcers (sometimes called pressure sores or bed sores)
These sores are usually not visible as they are most common on the back, buttocks, heel, and back of the thigh.
Nursing homes sometimes go to great lengths to conceal these bed sores because they realize that it is the most recognizable sign of neglect. These sores occur when patients are left in one position for an extended period of time. The skin, and later the muscle, actually breaks down and becomes an ulcer. These sores are extremely painful and if left untreated can be life threatening.
Motorcycle Accidents
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says motorcyclists are eight times more likely to be injured and 32 times more likely to die in a crash than other motor vehicle accident victims.
Most cyclists are safe drivers, but sometimes automobile drivers are careless around motorcyles and scooters. Motorcycle accident victims have high medical bills and sometimes limited insurance coverage. Sometimes insurance companies will contact a victim through an adjuster who attempts to limit the amount of money a victim may be entitled to.
Motorcycle riders enjoy freedoms that come with riding two-wheelers, but they are also left exposed to dangers that automobile and truck drivers are not. The lack of any protective barriers between motorcycle and road, as well as the difficulty that other motorists may have in seeing and anticipating a motorcycle, expose riders to a significant amount of personal injury.
In most motorcycle accidents involving other vehicles, the driver of the other vehicle is at fault. If you, a family member, or friend are involved in a motorcycle accident, be sure to contact a qualified personal injury lawyer at Ted Machi & Associates, P.C.
Most cyclists are safe drivers, but sometimes automobile drivers are careless around motorcyles and scooters. Motorcycle accident victims have high medical bills and sometimes limited insurance coverage. Sometimes insurance companies will contact a victim through an adjuster who attempts to limit the amount of money a victim may be entitled to.
Motorcycle riders enjoy freedoms that come with riding two-wheelers, but they are also left exposed to dangers that automobile and truck drivers are not. The lack of any protective barriers between motorcycle and road, as well as the difficulty that other motorists may have in seeing and anticipating a motorcycle, expose riders to a significant amount of personal injury.
In most motorcycle accidents involving other vehicles, the driver of the other vehicle is at fault. If you, a family member, or friend are involved in a motorcycle accident, be sure to contact a qualified personal injury lawyer at Ted Machi & Associates, P.C.
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