Norfolk Brain Injury Lawyers
by | April 22nd, 2013
April 22, 2013
Data has long supported the idea that wearing a helmet when riding a motorcycle can drastically reduce the chances of injury or death in the event of an accident. Despite these numbers, more than 800,000 novelty helmets, which offer no protection during a collision, are distributed in the United States each year.
Motorcyclists sustaining serious Brain Injuries are often the result of wearing a novelty helmet when an accident occurs. An article from the Florida Center for Investigative Reporting discusses this risk and what is being done to solve the problem.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that as many as 754 people die each year when they are involved in motorcycle accidents while wearing novelty helmets. This high number leaves many wondering, why these items are still being sold if they offer no protection?
Selling the novelty helmets is legal as long as they make no misrepresentation as to their compliance with safety standards and regulations outlined by the Department of Transportation (DOT).
Others ask, why aren’t the helmets banned from use?
Law does ban the use of novelty helmets when riding on the highway; however, enforcement of this law can be difficult. In Virginia, for instance, it is illegal for law enforcement to utilize helmet checkpoints to catch those breaking the state’s helmet law.
The Norfolk Personal Injury Lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley encourage motorcyclists to stay safe by always wearing a DOT-Approved helmet when riding.
by admin@gotechark.com | October 29th, 2012
October 29, 2012
The fall sports season is often the most dangerous time of year for athletes to receive a traumatic brain injury, as both cheerleading and football are in full swing. But with parents and coaches becoming more educated on the risks these injuries present to young athletes, many are working to do what they can to keep athletes safe.
According to Greenville Online, the Brain Injury Association of South Carolina reports that each year, there are approximately 3.8 million head injuries associated with sports; however, the number may be conservative, as many of these injuries go undiagnosed. Other studies show as many as 40 percent of high school athletes return to play before they are completely healed.
Research says doing so could put an athlete at risk of another brain injury that could be compounded by the first. These repeat injuries have been linked to permanent brain disorders that led to the deaths of numerous professional and former pro athletes and have prompted dozens of lawsuits.
The Norfolk Personal Injury Lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley say the best way to ensure the safety of your young athlete is to become educated on the signs and symptoms of traumatic brain injuries. If you suspect your child has suffered a brain injury, seek medical attention and don’t let your child return to play until he or she has been cleared by a doctor.
by admin@gotechark.com | March 19th, 2012
March 19, 2012
With the media attention surrounding the Army staff sergeant who recently killed 16 civilians in a shooting rampage in Afghanistan, many medical experts are questioning if a traumatic brain injury the soldier had suffered months prior may have played a role in his behavior.
According to experts questioned by News Channel 3, the answer is yes. Data collected by researchers show that traumatic brain injuries can alter a person’s personality, making him or her more aggressive and impatient. Furthermore, those who suffer injuries to the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain that controls emotions, show signs of that part of the brain functioning at a lower level following the serious injury.
Other experts argue that brain injuries do not always equal more aggressive behavior. They claim that if that was the case, the more than 5.3 million people who are living with these kinds of injuries would have led to more reports of rash behavior.
In the meantime, groundbreaking research is being conducted on a new drug that may improve the outcome for those who suffer serious traumatic brain injuries. Experiments with lab rats have shown quicker recovery times and better cognitive function in animals that are given the drug after suffering a brain injury.
The Virginia Brain Injury Lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley always urge anyone who has suffered a traumatic brain injury to get the medical attention they need as soon as possible.
