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Are Florida Teens More at Risk for Miami Brain Injuries?

Published on: February 29, 2012 | By Flaxman Law Group

Brain injuries commonly occur as a result of Miami car accidents, falls, and other accidents. Any serious brain injury can result in loss of cognitive function, memory, and other skills. Many Miami brain injury patients, however, suffer permanent injuries, while others spend many months or years trying to recover from their injuries.

While any brain injury can be devastating, there is evidence that teens may be more vulnerable to brain injuries when compared with adults and young children. According to research published in the Brain Injury journal, teens who had sustained traumatic brain injuries fared worse on tests checking working memory six months after their accidents than children and adults in the same situation. The tests administered to the brain injury victims tested the ability of the brain to store and handle short-term information. This skill is very important in learning.

The study was authored by David Ellemberg of the University of Montreal. According to Ellemberg, one reason why teens may suffer more from a traumatic brain injury is that the frontal lobe goes through a growth spurt during the teen years. The frontal lobe is the part of the brain in charge of working memory and when it grows suddenly during the teen years, Ellemberg believes that it is more delicate and more vulnerable to concussions and other types of injury.

According to Ellemberg, one of the concerns with the research is that it shows that much traditional thinking about brain injury is incorrect. For example, many people assume that children’s brains and teens’ brains are less vulnerable because they are still growing, whereas the new research shows that the opposite is true. Another concern for Ellemberg is that working memory is essential for everyone – problems with working memory can make it very hard for brain injury patients to multitask, learn, and take part in everyday activities.

There are other concerns with the research, too. Florida teens are already very vulnerable to brain injuries. The teen years are usually a time of trying new things, getting a driver’s license, and branching out. Unfortunately, many teens each year are injured in Miami truck accidents, traffic accidents, and sports-related accidents. In many cases, these types of accidents lead to traumatic brain injury. If the new study is right in finding that teens may suffer from brain injuries more than adults, teen Miami brain injury victims may find themselves with a longer recovery time, higher medical costs, and more symptoms, just because of their age.

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Could Sports Cause Miami Brain Injuries Similar to Those Suffered in Car Crashes?

Published on: November 29, 2011 | By Flaxman Law Group

A new study out of New York City’s Gruss Magnetic Resonance Research Center at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine suggests that amateur athletes who head balls in sports such as soccer may suffer traumatic brain injuries similar to the damage caused in car accidents. Researchers in the study used MRI scans to investigate brain trauma in 32 amateur adult athletes. The athletes headed balls an average of 436 times annually and those who headed the ball more often showed brain abnormalities. MRI scans showed that many of the athletes suffered from brain trauma, which in many cases was subtle and had few symptoms but could nevertheless affect coordination and thinking skills.

According to lead researcher Dr. Michael Lipton, the trauma comes from the repeated heading of the ball with the head. According to the study, the repeated injury leads to brain cell degeneration. The average age of the study subjects was 31 and those most affected showed signs of brain trauma in the areas of the brain responsible for memory, attention, mobility and visual perception.

The study is significant because millions of children and adults play soccer and other games where the head comes into contact with the balls. In Miami, for example, many children play soccer. Does this new study suggest that some of these athletes may suffer from Miami brain injuries similar in severity to those suffered in Miami traffic accidents? The study also runs counter to the popular belief, held by many coaches and parents, that sports-related Miami personal injuries occur when a child suffers a concussion or other injury. This study suggests that players may be injured simply by playing the game over a period of years.

Many experts, including Dr. Chris Koutures, have stated that more research needs to be done to determine the connection between sports and head injuries. Some experts have suggested additional research so that header limits can be placed on sports activities, especially those activities involving children. The Gruss Magnetic Resonance Research Center studied only adults, which naturally makes readers of the study wonder whether sports could cause similar injuries to minors and children. Previous research reviews, including one by Dr. Koutures, concluded that there is no documentation to show a connection between long-term head injuries and repeated heading.

According to Dr. Koutures, children should be carefully taught proper heading technique when playing contact games such as soccer and should not be permitted to head a ball until age ten. Dr. Koutures believes that children younger than ten cannot master the correct heading technique that can help prevent brain injuries.

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Preventing Miami Brain Injuries

Published on: November 10, 2011 | By Flaxman Law Group

Miami brain injuries are among the most devastating injuries that victims can incur. Brain injuries can rob a person of their memories, job, and everyday life. Those who have sustained a serious and permanent brain injury may be out of work for a lifetime, may have a difficult time facing everyday tasks, and may have trouble with their emotions and relationships. This type of injury can literally affect every facet of a person’s life. Many brain injuries are in fact avoidable. There are many things that you can do to help prevent this type of injury from occurring to you:

1) Buckle up. Miami car accidents are among the top causes of Miami brain injuries. Simply buckling your seat belt every time you get in the car can dramatically reduce your risk of serious injuries in a car accident. Your seatbelt keeps you from being thrown out of the vehicle or from being tossed around inside the vehicle, two common reasons for brain injuries and head injuries in a car accident.

2) When playing sports and exercising, protect your head. Whether you are skiing, bicycling, playing contact sports, or taking part in other higher risk activities, wearing a helmet and other safety gear can help protect your head. Studies have shown that in Miami bicycle accidents, for example, helmet use is one of the most vital factors for victims wishing to prevent head injuries. Helmets cushion your head against impact, helping you to avoid debilitating and even fatal injuries. Choose a helmet that you like and are willing to wear all the time. Make sure that you strap it correctly and that it fits correctly every time. If you have been in a Miami motorcycle accident or sports accident with your helmet, replace your helmet, even if it looks fine. Its ability to protect you may be compromised.

3) Know your risks. Consider your life and consider where you are most likely to sustain a head injury. If you are on the road often, Miami car accidents may be your biggest risk. If you routinely engage in high risk sports, that may be your biggest risk. Determining where you are most likely to be injured and taking active steps to prevent serious head injury is a smart move.

4) Don’t take symptoms lightly. If you have sustained what seems like a mild head injury and experience any sort of symptoms, including dizziness, headaches, vision problems, or other problems, visit an emergency room or doctor immediately. In fact, every time there is a significant impact with your head you will want to get it checked out by a medical professional. Many Miami brain injury patients initially experience few or no symptoms, even with a serious head injury. Unfortunately, without treatment, these injuries can become permanent or even life-threatening. Even if you do not sustain a brain injury, head injuries can result in eye damage, including retinal damage. Getting checked out by a medical professional is the smartest move you can make.

5) Wear smart shoes. Miami slip and fall accidents are among the most common causes for brain injuries. Wearing sensible shoes and carrying a cane or walker if you are an elderly person with mobility issues can help prevent a serious injury, broken bones, head injuries, and other types of injuries.

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Pediatricians Claim Childhood Sports Can Lead to Florida Brain Injuries

Published on: September 8, 2011 | By Flaxman Law Group

The American Academy of Pediatricians has publicly stated that teens and children should not engage in boxing, since the sport puts them at risk for brain injuries, concussions, and facial injuries. According to the group, even head guards and other protective equipment used in the sport cannot adequately protect children and teens from injuries. According to Dr. Claire LeBlanc, the American Academy of Pediatricians wants children to play and take part in activities, but recommends that “young people participate in sports where the prime focus is not deliberate blows to the head.”

The statement will affect many families in Florida and across the country, since boxing is a popular activity with teens and children. Boxing organizations and lessons are available in schools and as part of recreational options outside of schools. According to some statistics, about 18 000 American teens and children take part in boxing activities. While statistics about injuries are difficult to obtain, some statistics published by the American Journal of Preventive Medicine show that boxing injuries resulted in 8716 emergency room visits annually between 1990 and 2008. In about 2500 cases, the injured parties were children and teens.

According to the American Academy of Pediatricians, boxing is especially troubling because it can lead to concussions, and doctors claim that children’s brains are more at risk for concussions and may take longer to heal from this type of injury than adult brains.

Not everyone agrees with the American Academy of Pediatricians about childhood boxing. According to the USA Boxing’s Medical Commission, boxing professionals who teach children take every precaution to protect children stepping into the ring. The organization also points out that boxing offers children a chance to exercise and to take part in an activity with others. The organization further points out that at-risk children and teens, especially, can benefit from the discipline and community that boxing offers.

If your child boxes or is interested in boxing, you may be concerned about this new statement from the American Academy of Pediatricians. If you are concerned, you may wish to discuss the safety features that are available at your child’s school or after school program, to determine what safety measures are taken to keep your child safe from Florida brain injuries and other Florida personal injury. If your child does have a concussion, it is important to allow that concussion to fully heal before allowing a child to take part in other rigorous activities which may result in a secondary concussion. You can also discuss your concerns with your family pediatrician, in order to get advice specific to your case. Your pediatrician can also help you determine whether boxing is the right activity for your child and can help treat any head injuries your child sustains.

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How The Brain Can be Hurt in a Florida Truck Accident

Published on: September 6, 2011 | By Flaxman Law Group

Florida truck accidents are one cause of brain injuries – and brain injuries are a serious problem across the country. According to statistics, one million people seek medical attention in the US every year due to a head injury. Up to 100 000 of these patients have severe and prolonged problems that will affect their lives for a long time. In Florida car accidents and truck accidents, there are a number of ways that the brain can be injured:

1) Bleeding. Even with a low-speed and low impact accident, a collision causes a person’s brain to impact against the hard skull. This can occur even if the person does not hit their head on a hard surface. The soft tissue of the brain is pushed violently against the skull, possibly tearing blood vessels and releasing blood into the brain. Since there is no room for the blood, the blood can press against brain tissue, causing areas of the brain to cease working correctly. Critical areas of the brain can be affected, affecting the heart or breathing. One of the most insidious things about this type of injury is that it does not present symptoms right away. A Florida brain injury patient may feel fine after their accident or may assume that they are uninjured because their head did not hit any hard object. However, within hours or minutes, symptoms can manifest rapidly. If the patient does not get help in time, death often occurs.

2) Bruising. Just as with bleeding, this type of injury can occur in a Florida truck accident, even if there is no impact. When the head is whipped back and forth during a truck collision, the brain tissue impacts against the skull, and this can cause bruising to take place. In fact, if the head is thrown back and forth, the Florida brain injury patient may have two bruises – one where the brain impacts the front of the skull and one bruise where the brain tissue impacts against the back of the skull. This is known as a “contra coup” brain injury. As with bleeding, bruising can injure critical areas of the brain.

3) Tearing. The impact of a Florida truck accident can cause tears in the tissues of the brain, especially if the head impacts with a hard object. This can disrupt signals in the brain, leading to serious and permanent injuries or fatalities. Tearing can also be difficult to diagnose, as this type of injury often takes place on a microscopic level. Even CT Scans and MRIs may not necessarily be able to detect small tears in the brain, even though these tears can have a significant impact on a Florida brain injury patient’s life for a lifetime.

4) Swelling. If the brain is bruised or injured, it can swell, just like any injured part of the body. Unfortunately, since the brain is encased in the skull, there is no room for swelling. Swelling of brain tissue can create a life-threatening emergency, since the brain tissue will eventually push up against the skull, building pressure and destroying vital areas of the brain. Doctors can install an IC or intra-cranial pressure monitor to relieve pressure caused by swelling.

5) Open injuries. Swelling, bruising, and bleeding are closed-head injuries. They occur even if the skull itself is protected. In some Florida truck accidents, however, the impact is great enough to fracture the skull. With the skull fractured, objects can become imbedded in brain tissue and the tissue can become damaged because the skull is no longer protecting the area.

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What Can the National Hockey league Teach Us About Florida Brain Injuries?

Published on: September 1, 2011 | By Flaxman Law Group

Florida is fortunate enough to have two National Hockey League (NHL) teams — the Florida Panthers and the Tampa Bay Lightning — and as sports fans know, the National Hockey League has been recently embroiled in debates about head injuries. A number of hockey players in recent months and years have been severely injured with head injuries and brain injuries, prompting a debate in the organization about the role of head injuries in the organization. This debate can actually teach us quite a bit about Florida brain injuries — and not just those that happen in sports:

1) Brain injuries don’t take a car accident. Brain injuries can happen anywhere, even though Florida car accidents are a major cause of these types of injuries. In ice hockey, head injuries and brain injuries often occur when players get into fights or when they collide with other players. Head shots and checks are also a frequent source of head injuries. When players return to the ice too soon after an initial head injury, they can sustain an even more serious injury if they are targeted again.

2) Public attitudes have a lot to do with brain injuries. For years, on-ice fighting was seen as an essential part of the culture of ice hockey, and in many cases head shots (and their resulting injuries) were seen as simply a part of the game. However, even diehard sports fans are now questioning these assumptions. High-profile hockey players are also speaking out against head shots and against fighting in this sport, which could eventually change ice hockey culture as well as the instances of brain injuries and head injuries in hockey.

3) Brain injuries can take a long time to heal – even with no outward symptoms. Many hockey players that have recently been injured — including the Pittsburgh Penguins’ Sidney Crosby — have fortunately been able to resume their normal daily life. However, on the ice they still experience dizziness and other symptoms of head injuries. Some hockey players find themselves out of the game for months or even a lifetime as a result of their head injuries. As well, the increasing debate about head injuries in the NHL has prompted some experts to come forward and to claim that many had injuries that occur on the ice actually have no symptoms. Some medical experts have suggested automatically checking all players for head injuries after every fight or after every trip to the penalty box. Already, the NHL has created the “quiet room,” to help evaluate players who may have sustained a brain injury on the ice.

4) Brain injuries deserve more attention. Whether you’re a sports fan or not, the debate about head injuries in ice hockey has created more communication about brain injuries in general. For example, the role of brain injuries in childhood sports has also gotten more attention as the number of brain injuries in the NHL has been in the news. This type of open discussion can help create new options for treatment and new preventative strategies.

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Brain Injuries and Truck Accidents

Published on: June 1, 2011 | By Flaxman Law Group

Many Florida brain injury patients sustain their injury in truck accidents and traffic accidents on Florida roads. Unfortunately, Florida truck accidents are more likely than other types of traffic accidents to lead to fatal and permanent brain injuries. The force of a large truck can effectively crush a passenger vehicle and the occupants inside, leading to devastating losses. Common brain injuries in Florida truck accidents include:

1) Whiplash. Whiplash can occur when the head and neck area is injured due to sudden, rapid movement. In a truck accident, this can often occur when a car collides with a truck and comes to an abrupt stop. Whiplash is hard to detect in MRIs and other scans, making it difficult to diagnose. Unfortunately, this condition can also leave a patient unable to work and unable to resume everyday activities for months.

2) Traumatic brain injury. Brain injury can also occur when the brain pushes or slams up against the inside of the skull, usually in response to a head injury where the victim’s head collides with a hard surface (such as a dashboard). When this happens, the brain may swell, bruise, or even bleed, potentially leading to brain damage. This type of injury may be permanent or may take years to heal. Some patients are unable to resume their jobs or everyday tasks. In some cases, such injuries are fatal.

3) Puncture injuries. In a truck accident, objects in a car can easily become airborne and can easily become lodged in the skull due to the impact of the crash. When an object punctures the skull, it typically causes widespread trauma which is often fatal. In cases where a patient survives this type of injury, the brain damage caused may be permanent.

If you have sustained a brain injury in a Florida truck accident, it is important to contact a qualified Florida personal injury attorney. Brain injuries are hard to diagnose and difficult to treat. Florida brain injury patients often spend years and in some cases a lifetime trying to recover from their injuries. Good recovery requires considerable resources, as the treatment options for these types of injuries are expensive. A good attorney can help you pursue a settlement or compensation, so that you are able to afford the treatment options you deserve.

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Truck Accidents Cause Florida Brain Injuries

Published on: April 22, 2011 | By Flaxman Law Group

Florida truck accidents can cause many types of injuries, including brain injuries. Florida brain injuries caused by traffic accidents are especially tragic because they can literally change an entire life in just an instant. A serious brain injury can leave a patient with difficulty remembering, speaking, moving, and performing everyday tasks. Florida brain injuries are also a leading cause of death in traffic accidents.

Brain injuries in traffic accidents can be caused by a number of situations. When a car impacts with a truck, the passengers in the passenger car are generally thrown about. If the head comes into contact with any hard surface, the soft mass of the brain is thrown against the inside of the skull, causing damage as well as bruising. In some cases, the impact of the head is so hard that the surface of the skull actually cracks, causing injury to the brain. In other accidents, the skull is punctured by a sharp object during the accident, causing immense trauma to the brain inside.

Injuries to the brain can cause the brain to bleed, bruise, or swell, all of which can be life-threatening. When a Florida brain injury patient is rushed to the hospital after a truck accident, the first aim of emergency personnel is often to stabilize the patient as much as possible and to find out the extent of the brain injury. Scans are often used to determine where and how the brain has been injured. In cases where swelling is occurring, steps need to be taken to bring down the swelling in order to relieve pressure on the brain.

Long-term, a Florida brain injury patient may need rehabilitation in order to regain use of mobility, speech, and other necessary functions. In many cases, patients with severe brain injuries have suffered permanent injuries and may not return to work. They may always need help for everyday tasks such as getting dressed or getting prepared for their day. In such cases, counseling or some form of therapy is often required in order to help patients deal with the frustration of their new level of ability. In such cases, recovering from a brain injury is a lifelong process.

In less severe cases, Florida brain injury patients may eventually return to their everyday lives. They may, however, still need therapy and long-term care in order to deal with any aftereffects of their injury. In all cases, once a Florida brain injury patient has sustained an injury, any further concussions or injuries to the brain area may be more severe. Therefore, careful monitoring of any other head injury becomes very important.

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Florida Brain Injury Awareness May Be Helped by News

Published on: April 14, 2011 | By Flaxman Law Group

A number of recent news stories have centered around the challenges of brain injuries – and the potential for recover. For example, Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords suffered severe brain injuries after being hit in the head with a bullet during a violent attack. She has slowly recovered and is now able to talk. As well, former NFL player Dave Duerson recently passed away, donating his brain tissue to research so that scientists could examine the effects of multiple head injuries which most NFL players sustain during their years on the field. The NHL has also faced increasing pressure over policies regarding head shots, which can contribute to serious brain injuries on the ice.

These news events highlight the fact that TBI (traumatic brain injury) is a wide-spread problem and doctors hope that the headlines will make everyday US residents more aware of this common type of injury. According to experts, brain injuries can happen to just about every age group. Florida slip and fall accidents, for example, cause many brain injuries among the elderly, while Florida car accidents put many adults in the hospital with serious head trauma. Soldiers in active duty, athletes on the field, and even pedestrians hit by a car walking across the street – virtually anyone can sustain a serious injury. Millions of Americans have sustained a brain injury. In Florida alone, 100 000 residents suffer from a TBI annually.

A recent campaign by The Brain Injury Association of Florida hopes to raise awareness through a special website (byyourside.org) and through the development of the Traumatic Brain Injury Resource & Support Center, the first such resource in the state. The Brain Injury Association of Florida is also working to convince legislators to create more funding for Florida brain injury patients and more resources for patients and their families.

According to The Brain Injury Association of Florida and other experts, brain injuries have a devastating impact on victims and their families. These types of injuries cost the country billions of dollars each year but they also devastate lives. Patients with serious brain injuries often cannot work and sometimes have problems with mobility or speech. Some brain injury patients need extensive rehabilitation and therapy as well as a lifetime of in-home help to complete basic self-care tasks. Some are never able to return to their normal lives.

Brain injuries can affect relationships and can even lead to depression and other problems. Those who suffer serious brain injuries often feel alone and frustrated by their injuries. Friends and family may not know how to help or what to do. According to The Brain Injury Association of Florida, however, support and more resources can help both patients and families recover more fully.

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What Can We Do to Help Florida Brain Injury Patients?

Published on: April 7, 2011 | By Flaxman Law Group

In April, legislators are considering The Youth Athletes bill, which would require child athletes to be cleared by a doctor before playing again in cases of head injury where a concussion was suspected. Advocates of the bill note that the legislation would address the common problem of missed symptoms; in many cases, brain injuries are not taken seriously because symptoms are not evident or take time to manifest.

Florida brain injury patients include patients in every age group. Florida car accidents cause many head injuries for adults and children often sustain head injuries in accidents such as sporting accidents or playground accidents. Every time the head is subject to a collision with a hard object or is hit by a hard object, an injury can occur. Wounds which penetrate the skull are easy to see and diagnose, but injuries inside the skull are harder to see. A patient may have no external marks after a hit to the head but may suffer severe and even life-threatening injuries.

The brain is subject to injuries precisely because it is so well defended. The brain – a soft grey mass – is suspended inside the skull. When an object hits the head or when the head crashes against a hard object, the brain inside the skull is shaken violently and may come into contact with the hard surface of the skull. This can cause bruising, swelling, and other injuries to the brain. In some cases, patients are not even aware that damage has been caused and may feel fine. They may resume normal activities and not seek treatment, even though delay of treatment can be fatal.

Actress Natasha Richardson died in 2009 after falling on a ski vacation and suffering brain damage. She felt fine immediately after her fall and did not seek treatment. By the time she felt unwell and it became apparent that something was wrong, medical professionals were no longer able to save her.

The proposed legislation aims to prevent a similar tragedy from taking place in a children’s sport or game. By ensuring that all children are examined after a potential brain injury, the legislation could help prevent serious Florida brain injuries from being overlooked. The legislation could also help ensure that children suffering from a brain injury would get prompt attention, which can help ensure a better outcome for the patient.

The proposed legislation comes at a time when many in the sports world are re-examining attitudes about brain injuries. For example, Florida has two professional hockey teams – the Florida Panthers and the Tampa Bay Lightning. The NHL is currently engaged in many debates about how to keep players safe from brain injuries after a number of serious head injuries have taken place in the sport in recent years.

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