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Сообщения за сентябрь, 2022

Rear End Collisions and TBI/Traumatic Brain Injury - Eight Tips from Your Atlanta Personal Injury Lawyer on How to Avoid

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  As a Personal Injury attorney here in Atlanta, Georgia, I have seen many cases of TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury), namely concussion, occurring as the result of a rear end collision. Brain Injury can occur very easily when you are involved in a car crash with a direct impact, such as when your vehicle is struck from behind. This can cause the brain to be jarred within the skull from the sudden impact, effectively "acceleration/deceleration" of the brain. Also common is a rotational force - where perhaps the driver or passenger is looking to the right or to the left when struck from behind. Rear end collisions commonly cause bruising of the brain with potential bleeding of the brain tissue. As stated above, concussion is a form of Traumatic Brain Injury. What is concussion exactly? It's an altered mental state which has been brought about by an outside force causing injury to the brain. A concussion can be either mild or severe. In an accident such as a rear end collision,

Part 2 - "The Doctors" - What is RSD (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy) ?

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  What is RSD? According to E.R. Physician Dr. Travis Stark, any time you suffer an injury, pain signals are sent to your central nervous system and your brain saying "this hurts", but with RSD, the pain signal never stops and the pain can actually get worse over time. The injured area experiences inflammation and over time the pain moves past the limb where the original injury was.  https://askcompetentlawyer.com/   Not only can it cause severe pain and swelling, RSD can also cause spasms throughout your body, not only in your extremities but also in things like your bladder. Kathy says that there are moments when she cannot handle the pain. "The pain and the burning at times feels very similar to being burned on a hot stove, but intensified by 10," she says. Would amputation be an option? Kathy's pain management specialist, Dr. Stephen Barkow says "It's a disease of the central nervous system - the brain and spinal cord are also involved. So typically

Part 3 - "The Doctors" - Living with RSD

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  For Kathy, RSD is much more than a painful diagnosis - it's her life. She says her life has completely changed since she was diagnosed with RSD. She wakes up at 4:30 a.m. "At that time the pain level is about a 4 - not too bad," she says. She works out every morning, even though she has been on crutches for about 8 years now. "It used to take me an hour and 15 minutes to get ready," she says "where now it takes 3 hours". Four days out of the week I'm either doing pain management or physical therapy. I go to the surgery center and get sympathetic nerve blocks in the lower part of my back.  https://askcompetentlawyer.com/   This is where they actually go into the nerves and shut the nerves down. "The pain in my foot will wake me up out of a deep sleep," she says. Her husband Ken is very supportive and has learned over the years how to read the signs of her pain, whether through breathing or facial expressions. "It's so important

Part 4 - "The Doctors" - Ways to Lessen RSD Symptoms

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  According to Dr. Travis Stark, E.R. physician, avoid sugar and processed foods. RSD is an inflammatory condition and so when you are eating highly processed, high sugar foods, you are putting yourself at risk for a whole body inflammatory reaction. You also have to be very careful with things like caffeine, which can stimulate your sympathetic nervous system.  https://askcompetentlawyer.com/  So stick to decaf. Dr. Joshua Prager, an RSD specialist, says "In some cases we have seen non-healing wounds, where the wound leaks and will not heal. This is something where hyperbaric oxygen can be extremely helpful in treating the wound, as well as helping with the RSD. Also Dr. Prager says, "unless you have a whole team working together, and that includes physical therapy, psychology, relaxation therapy, an interventionalist to help the pain, etc... if all these people are not working together at the same time, you are pretty much doomed to failure. "

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) - How You and Your Loved Ones Can Benefit from Brain Injury Support Groups

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  As a   Traumatic Brain Injury attorney in Atlanta, Georgia , I am very familiar with the devastating consequences that result from a TBI. The brain injury survivor's family is affected drastically as well as the patient. Major changes are required in almost every area of life. Brain Injury is probably the least understood of all the major illnesses. Because our brain determines our personality and our behaviors, a brain injury survivor may seem like an entirely different person after the accident. Brain injury may not be readily obvious to outside observers, and the brain injury survivor may be thought to have mental illness or to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.  https://askcompetentlawyer.com/   Traumatic Brain Injury survivors usually experience rapidly changing moods and behaviors that they cannot control. Anger, frustration, extreme depression, rage, fear, unexplained outbursts, withdrawal, and impulsivity are all common. And they can change from one end of the sp

A Leading Source of Information on TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) - Lash Publishing

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  Lately I've been spending some time searching the web for relevant information and resources for those with brain injury, as well as information to help family and friends learn how to cope.   Lash Publishing   is a site that is dedicated entirely to brain injury of any type, whether it be TBI in children, adults, veterans, etc. Lash Publishing has been in business for over 16 years. When they first began, their vision was to be a comprehensive source of information for those dealing with any sort of brain injury, and they wanted to provide information that was different from the academic and medical publications available at the time. 16 years ago, most of the information that was available to the general public on brain injury was complicated information from medical journals and articles, written in scientific or academic jargon. In addition, there was hardly any information to be found regarding brain injury in children. Their goal was to provide such information in a manner

STATE OF OHIO PASSES LEGISLATION TO PROMOTE AWARENESS OF RSD/CRPS (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy/Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome)

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  I came across an article on   chronicpainperspectives.com   noting that lawmakers in the state of Ohio have passed legislation to assist in increasing public awareness of RSD/CRPS. The Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Education Act will go into effect on March 13, 2013.  https://askcompetentlawyer.com/   The Act will require the Ohio Department of Health to include information on their website about CRPS, such as available treatment options and resources for diagnosis and treatment. The Act also designates the month of November as CRPS Awareness Month for the state of Ohio. This is a positive step for CRPS patients nationwide, as it will add to the increase in public knowledge about the condition, and help spread the word to citizens and healthcare providers in the United States. Our hope is that other states will follow in Ohio's footsteps and pass similar legislation. To read more about the Act, click here.

Coping with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

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  A Traumatic Brain Injury can have a devastating effect on an individual and their family. The affected parties must be able to, at some point, move beyond the shock and grief, and learn how to begin coping with the new and altered reality of their everyday lives. Depending on the severity of the TBI, dramatic changes in the daily structure of living may be required. The affected individual may not be able to remember certain things, will not be able to handle certain chores and responsibilities within the family that they used to handle, and may quite possibly require around the clock care, a caregiver within the home, or may even have to reside in a long-term facility specializing in treatment of TBI patients. Unlike a broken bone or a routine surgery, the ordeal is not over when the medical procedure is over and the wound has healed. If the Traumatic Brain Injury is severe, the family and loved ones are just beginning to face some of their toughest times after immediate care has be

A Resource for TBI Survivors - Brain Injury Association of Georgia

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  If you live in the state of Georgia and you or someone you love suffers from a traumatic brain injury (TBI), the   Brain Injury Association of Georgia   is a great resource. Founded in 1982, and comprised of brain injury survivors, family members, friends and professionals, their goal is to improve the quality of life for those with a traumatic brain injury, as well as family and friends. According to BIAG, Georgia has an estimated 50,000 suspected Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) per year, yet Brain Injury is still relatively a "silent" condition, not well publicized or noticed. For more information on their organization, or if you would like to speak with someone in person about your individual situation and the effects of brain injury, you can call their Brain Injury Information Center Helpline at 800-444-6443 for a Brain Injury Information packet, or to get information on available resources for yourself or a loved one. You can also reach them via email. They have suppor

March is TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) Awareness Month

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  According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia, March is Traumatic Brain Injury Awareness Month. The CDC and other partner organizations, working together, will use the month of March to focus on raising awareness of how to prevent situations which can lead to TBI, how to recognize when a Traumatic Brain Injury has occurred, and how to respond. What is TBI exactly? It stands for Traumatic Brain Injury, and can be caused by a bump or blow to the head. Not all blows to the head will cause TBI. The severity of a Traumatic Brain Injury can range from mild to severe. A brain injury can be classified as mild if there is a period of unconsciousness or disorientation that lasts for less than 30 minutes. CAT scan results might even show as normal. A brain injury is classified as severe if the loss of consciousness lasts longer than 30 minutes, and the resulting memory loss lasts for longer than 24 hours. Most TBIs are mild, such as a concussion after an injury, and it h

Unfortunate Dive Results in Spinal Cord Injury

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  Reading the Atlanta Journal & Constitution this weekend, I came across an unfortunate story about a young man who suffered a Spinal Cord Injury as a result of diving into an unlit pool that he was unfamiliar with. As a personal injury attorney here in Atlanta, Georgia, I see tragedy every day, but it never fails to sadden me when I hear of someone having to deal with such a catastrophic injury and being confined to a wheelchair for the remainder of his life. Chase Jone's dive resulted in 3 broken vertebrae in his neck. Directly after the accident he was paralyzed from the neck down. He has regained some very limited motion of his upper body. "This is something I'm still coming to terms with in some way every day," Jones says.  https://askcompetentlawyer.com/  "Once upon a time, I could wake up and be ready to go to work in 30 minutes. Now it easily takes an hour and a half." Chase also moved back in with his parents in their Carrollton home so that the

For Women With RSD/CRPS (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy/Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome) or Chronic Pain: Forgrace.org

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  Here is a great resource for women who suffer from chronic pain, including RSD/CRPS (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy/Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome).   Forgrace.org   was started by RSD patient Cynthia Toussaint in 2002. The site is dedicated to ensuring the ethical treatment of all women dealing with chronic pain. Based on Cynthia's experience with multiple doctors over many years and her observations of other pain patients, she came to the conclusion that women suffering severe pain are frequently not taken seriously by their doctors and do not receive the same level of treatment as their male counterparts. The main goal of forgrace.org is to empower women to become better advocates for themselves and their pain and to increase awareness of the gender disparity women experience worldwide in the assessment and treatment of their pain. In 1982, her senior year in college, Cynthia pulled a hamstring in her right leg while in ballet class. Being a ballet dancer and being accustomed to

TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) Resources for Military Personnel

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  Conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan have unfortunately resulted in an increased number of veterans who have experienced Traumatic Brain Injuries, also known as TBIs. In fact, Traumatic Brain Injury has often been called the "signature wound" of these wars. According to the Department of Defense and the Veterans' Brain Injury Center, 22% of all combat casualties from these conflicts are brain injuries. In the military population, the primary cause of TBIs are from blasts, motor vehicle accidents, and gunshot wounds. And those at greatest risk are young men performing military duties who may have a history of prior concussion or substance abuse. TBI is defined as when a sudden injury, such as a blow or a trauma to the head interrupts the normal functioning of the brain. Symptoms of a brain injury may be visible right away, or may not surface until weeks or even months after the initial injury. There are different categories of TBIs. The most common form of TBI in the milita

A Primer on Birth Injury Cases and How to Keep Them Simple

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  The following article was contributed by Nelson Tyrone of the Tyrone Law Firm to CaseMetrix Legal Database service in March of 2013, for upcoming publication. Please read below for more information on birth injury cases and how to present them to a jury. Our firm recently had success in a birth injury case in Gwinnett County, Georgia. In that case we represented the family of Kailey Watson against the labor and delivery team that delivered her and the hospital where they worked. https://askcompetentlawyer.com/  Following her delivery, Kailey was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. The term "cerebral palsy" refers to several different kinds of permanent brain injuries that occur before, during, or shortly after birth. Victims of cerebral palsy can suffer a variety of symptoms including: limited movement, speech difficulties, learning disabilities, visual problems, hearing problems, and Epilepsy, seizures or spasms. Kailey suffered many of these. And by the time of trial Kailey wa

Midwest Retreat for those Afflicted with RSD/CRPS (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy/Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome) on July 26 - 28th, 2013

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  While surfing the web for new CRPS/RSD information, I saw a notice for an upcoming retreat especially for RSD/CRPS patients from Saturday, July 27th to Sunday, July 28th of this year, at the   Blue Lotus Farm , located in West Bend, Wisconsin. This is a good opportunity to connect with others who are experiencing the same life challenges as a CRPS patient as you are. The Blue Lotus Farm is a non-profit retreat center that caters to those dealing with debilitating illnesses and conditions and their caretakers. Though travel is physically hard and financially expensive for those of you who are CRPS patients, it would be a valuable experience if you are able to go. I found the retreat mentioned on the Midwest CRPS Support website. Midwest CRPS Support is a group that is located in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area that is dedicated to increasing awareness of CRPS in relation to treatment options, research, and increased conversation on the topic in general. Though it looks like a fairly new

TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) Resources for Military Personnel

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  Conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan have unfortunately resulted in an increased number of veterans who have experienced Traumatic Brain Injuries, also known as TBIs. In fact, Traumatic Brain Injury has often been called the "signature wound" of these wars. According to the Department of Defense and the Veterans' Brain Injury Center, 22% of all combat casualties from these conflicts are brain injuries. In the military population, the primary cause of TBIs are from blasts, motor vehicle accidents, and gunshot wounds. And those at greatest risk are young men performing military duties who may have a history of prior concussion or substance abuse. TBI is defined as when a sudden injury, such as a blow or a trauma to the head interrupts the normal functioning of the brain. Symptoms of a brain injury may be visible right away, or may not surface until weeks or even months after the initial injury. There are different categories of TBIs. https://askcompetentlawyer.com/medicare-m

Don't Doctors Just Stick Together? (How Do I Get Other Doctors to Testify Against My Doctor if it is a Clear Case of Negligence?) PART 2 OF 3

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  1. Requirements For Medical Testimony Before The Lawsuit Is Filed: Many states have special requirements for filing professional negligence (including medical negligence) lawsuits that are not required for Plaintiffs filing other types of injury suits. In Georgia, for example, a Plaintiff must, at the time of filing a medical negligence suit, attach a sworn Affidavit from a physician in the same field of medicine affirming that the physician has reviewed the Plaintiff's case and can offer the opinion that the doctor or nurse at issue violated the standard of care for medical professionals generally. Arizona has an "affidavit of merit" law. North Carolina does not require an Affidavit, but requires that the Plaintiff affirm in the lawsuit that a medical professional in the same profession has reviewed the Plaintiff's claim and has determined it is meritorious. Many other states have similar requirements. I have had doctors tell me, candidly, that they would not offer

HBO Documentary Chronicles Recovery of Pro-Snowboarder and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Survivor Kevin Pearce

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  Kevin Pearce had been a snowboarder all his life, and reached the top rungs of the sport at a young age. Then in 2009, while training to compete against his rival Shaun White in the upcoming 2010 Winter Olympics, he suffered a traumatic brain injury when he crashed at a practice in Park City, Utah. Filmmaker Lucy Walker has produced a documentary detailing Kevin's recovery and the struggles he and his family have gone through in the healing process. The film, called   The Crash Reel , uses years of footage to show the excitement and appeal, as well as the high stakes, of participating in extreme-action sports. It gives an accurate portrayal of the total impact that a traumatic brain injury has on the entire family, in addition to the survivor. Kevin says he felt compelled to do the documentary to educate young people in the sports arena and to spread awareness of TBI. "I had 8 or 9 concussions before this and I had never heard of a TBI - now we see it every day in football,

RSD/CRPS and Your Atlanta Personal Injury Case - Becoming Your Own Best Advocate

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  As a   personal injury attorney here in Atlanta, Georgia , who specializes in RSD/CRPS (Reflexive Sympathetic Dystrophy/Complex Regional Pain Syndrome) cases, I see many clients who are sufferers of chronic pain. In many instances these clients have had to visit multiple doctors and medical facilities over a number of years before being properly diagnosed with RSD/CRPS. Therefore I wanted to emphasize how very important it is for you to become your own advocate and to take charge of your own medical treatment. Doing so can lead to early diagnosis and therapy, and early detection and treatment is key in reducing the severity of the condition. You know your body better than anyone else, doctor or otherwise. RSDSA (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Association) has an excellent video entitled " Yes You Can - Becoming Your Own Advocate ". Below are some tips from the video describing things you can do to become your own best advocate. Once you have been diagnosed, it's