St. Cloud Personal Injury Lawyer - Head & Brain Injuries

Older NFL Players More Proof That Concussions Have Long Term Dangers?

Mike Bryant — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 09:18:00 GMT

I've written a number of times about concussions. We see them in our practice very often and they need to be taken seriously. Little bumps on the head have lead to serious brain damage and even death. The more the medical community looks at these injuries, the more damage is being found long term.

This past week, the New York Times looked into the long term affect of these injuries on former NFL players. They used a study from the University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research that interviewed 1,063 former players and found that 6.1 percent of players aged 50 and older reported that they had received a dementia-related diagnosis. The percentage is five times higher than the national average of 1.2 percent.

The NFL has been quick to point out that there are holes in the study, considering that it relies upon self reporting. They are presently working on their own study to look at the issue. But, looking at the concussion research out there already, it doesn't seem to be a big leap to the connections or at least to accept that there is enough of a concern that the issue needs to be looked into further.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant

Time For Arizona, Florida, and South Dakota To Protect Those Kids

Mike Bryant — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 09:23:00 GMT

The safety of booster seats for 4 to 8 year olds is beyond question. As was pointed out by my partner Joe Crumley, there are many advantages to extending the protection. The Minnesota Legislature went through the issues and with very little opposition, went for protection over the doubters. It's a group that needs to be protected. I was reminded of this last week when a mother called me and had two kids who were all shaken up after a rear end collision destroyed the back of the car. Thankfully, that's all they were and I would suspect that it was the safety of their being wrapped in booster seats that made the biggest difference.

Right now 47 states and the District of Columbia require booster seats for kids who are too big for child safety seats with harnesses, but too small to properly wear a regular seat belt. The hold outs are Arizona, Florida and South Dakota. The National Transportation Safety Board is working to change that. "If they use a booster seat and a seat belt, rather than a seat belt alone, they reduce their risk of injury by 59 percent," Deborah Hersman, head of the NTSB says. "And what the data and the facts tell us is that it's much safer to be in a booster seat that restrains your child properly in the event of an accident."

I'm a big fan of Mad Men on AMC. It was interesting last year when they showed the mother driving down the road and suddenly having to stop. The daughter, who was standing up in the back seat, went flying off the seat and ended up in the foot area on the passenger side. A different time and while a very simple scene, was indeed a scary moment. Hopefully, these states will come up to speed and join in the protection of these small children.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant

Questions to Ask a Potential Lawyer in a Brain Injury Case

Mike Bryant — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 13:00:00 GMT

I saw this list when Injuryboard member Timothy Smith originally answered these questions. His answers demonstrate a lawyer that people in his area should be talking to when they are injured. As Tim explained:

Lay people sometimes have a tendency to see lawyers as a sort of multi-function tool. As though any lawyer has the training and skill to perform any needed task. In fact, the legal world is highly specialized, and just as one would not go to a dermatologist for open heart surgery, one should seek appropriate counsel for specialized legal tasks. Traumatic brain injuries often call for an attorney with a specialized legal skill-set. Some clients who have survived a brain injury need an attorney family law, estate planning, or even criminal law experience. With an eye toward these concerns, the BIAA has presented a brief guide to selecting appropriate counsel for brain injury survivors.

These are questions that you or your family should be asking a potential lawyer. Here is how my firm would answer these questions:

Who else in your practice would you involve in my case? What role(s) would these people have? Describe their background and expertise. You would have 4 different attorneys working on your case - together- as a team. My background includes 18 years representing individuals with brain injuries, and my partner Joe Crumley has 22 years. In addition to our associate attorneies, we also work with five paralegals, all of whom have experience working with brain injured clients and their families. Two of them have been with the firm for over 25 years and have attended seminars and conferences on the topic. I am presently the President of the Minnesota Association for Justice and Joe was the President two years ago. Our web site cantains more details on our qualifications.
Who will be my primary contact with your practice? Either I or Joe will always be the primary contact and you will be able to contact us by phone or email 24/7.
Are you or your law firm able and willing to advance as much as $50,000 in the investigation, preparation and presentation of my case? Yes, we will spend what is necessary in your representation, but will not waste money. Costs are all amounts that we pay outside of the office for things like investigation, experts, medical records and reports. We will hire the necessary experts to help prove your case. We have spent substantial amounts in cases in order to insure the best possible representation.
How much of your practice is devoted to personal injury? Joe practices 100% in personal injury. I still do a little bit of criminal defense.
Of your personal injury cases, how many are devoted to brain injury? I would estimate that approximately 10% of our current files involve a brain injury. We have taken over cases from other attorneys and even earlier doctors treatments and found that the injury was never asked about or recognized. Thus, we have established a procedure to always be on alert for these type of injuries.
What results have you achieved? The firm holds the top rating or [AV] from Martindale-Hubbell. I have been a top 100 and top 40 personal injury "Minnesota Super Lawyer" by Minnesota Law and Politics magazine on multiple occasions. Joe has been a Super Lawyer most years and also won the top settlement for Minnesota and eastern Wisconsin for a motorcyclist with a brain injury.
What have you worked on in the past six months? The last six months each of us has worked on significant brain injury cases. We also have taught seminars and written articles for the Minnesota Association for Justice.
What special training or education do you have specific to brain injury or benefits that people can get after brain injury. The experience of representing injured people across Minnesota for a number of years. We have also attended many medical and legal training seminars on the subject. Joe and I continue to share experiences with other lawyers and doctors in this field through teaching and lecturing.
What is your involvement with legal associations, local, state or national brain injury associations or other organizations? We have each dealt with the brain injury organizations as we have represented brain injured clients. Our involvement with the Minnesota Association of Justice, our trial lawyers association, is unmatched. Joe and I have spent a great deal of time in all aspects of the association, culminating in our respective presidencies.
How do you stay up to date with personal injury law and brain injury issues? We read the medical literature, attend and teach continuing education courses and also learn much through the continued representing of clients. We talk to experts and treating physicians almost daily.
How did you first become involved in brain injury cases? As with most of what we do, it started with the representing of a client. Early in my career, I helped John Bradshaw, my boss at the time, represent a brain injured person. John went to a conference in Texas and came back with loads of material which he turned over to me. I spent a lot of time researching and reviewing this literature, and that was my start representing brain injured folks.

The lawyer you hire will and can make a difference. The key is asking the right questions and looking for a firm with the experience and caring to represent you properly.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant

Brain Injury From Police Assault Leads To Settlement With City Of Minneapolis

Mike Bryant — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 23:57:00 GMT

Last spring, a man in Minneapolis was walking to his mailbox when he was approached by a Minneapolis police officer. The officer was carrying a machine gun as he was carrying out a warrant for a apartment in the area. For some reason the man was punched and later hit by a baton. The man needed two brain surgeries because of a subdural hematoma. This past week, the Minneapolis City Council approved a settlement.

Initially, the case lead to a number of questions as to what happened. the man was charged with no crime. There has been allegations that the officer latter falsified his report as to what happened.

See your doctor if you have been seriously injured. These type of cases it can involve insurance issues that involve governmental immunities and municipal caps. Please keep in mind that there may be time limits within which you must commence suit.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant

Can Plastic Surgery Help With Head Aches?

Mike Bryant — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 09:09:00 GMT

A symptom that many of our clients suffer from is headaches. It is sad to see people who hurt so bad you can see it in their eyes. They hide from the light and their life is spent in silence and alone. I've seen all types of treatments help people. In the last couple of years, it seems like injections have seen a rise in use and have been successful for some.

I ran across an interesting new use of face lifts. Basically, nerves were cut at specific migraine trigger sites. I have seen success with the use of facet joint nerve work, it sounds like this works to deal with the other end of the same nerve. Nerves are cut at specific migraine trigger sites. These nerves can be the same ones cut to eliminate crow’s feet or the nerves cut to ease frown lines on the forehead.

In a study which appeared in the August issue of the journal, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Plastic surgeon Bahman Guyuron, MD, of Case Western Reserve University found that there was some hope for the procedure:.

Guyuron and colleagues randomly assigned 75 patients with migraine trigger sites in just one area to receive either real or sham surgery. The patients were not told which type of surgery they were getting.

Patients in the active-surgery group got Botox injections first to determine if they were good surgical candidates.

In all, 49 patients had the actual surgery and 26 had the sham surgery.

One year later, 83% of the actual surgery group reported at least a 50% reduction in migraines, compared to 57% of the sham surgery group.

Even more surprising, 57% of actual surgery patients reported complete elimination of migraines, compared to just 4% of sham surgery patients.

Clearly, more needs to be looked at with the study. But, for those with mind-splitting headaches, this could provide another option.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant

Doctors Will Be Looking At Potential Head Injury With Billy Mays' Death (Updated 07/02/2009).

Mike Bryant — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:34:16 GMT

We saw it with Natasha Richardson. A death after suffering what seemed like a inconsequential head injury. In that case, there is no doubt that she needed immediate medical care. Apparently, on Saturday Billy Mays hit his head when he was involved in a very bumpy plane flight. That night he went to bed not feeling well and the next morning he was found dead. Much more will need to be found out about what happened and if there is a link. Doctors are now opining it was heart disease. But, if nothing else this may again remind people about the importance of checking out head injuries.

The issue that was important to keep in mind following the Richardson's death, is that it wasn't immediately obvious. She struck her head and got up like nothing was wrong. People who fall are embarrassed and feel dumb for having fallen. What doctors have found is that with injuries to the brain there will be swelling and bleeding. There simply isn't enough room inside the skull. The resulting damage to brain tissue will be irreversible and can lead to death if it goes unchecked.

Any person concerned about a head injury should get into the doctors and be looked at thoroughly and immediately. Wayne Parsons, a fellow Injuryboard member, covered why in a way that all people should take the time to read.

Sympathy goes out to the Mays family and friends. He will be remembered as a consummate pitchman that seemed to love his work. Hopefully, many people will remember and learn from his passing.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant

June Is Headache Month

Mike Bryant — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 19:36:55 GMT

I didn't know this, but visiting the MedlinePlus website I found it out. I know from dealing with clients that have ongoing headaches, this isn't a thing to celebrate. But, I'm sure each of those clients appreciate the attention given to solving their on going misery.

There are a number of helpful places to look:

Go to the Headache and Migraine pages on MedlinePlus (www.medlineplus.gov)
The Web site for the National Institute for Neurological Disorders: www.ninds.nih.gov
The National Headache Foundation's Web site: www.headaches.org
The American Headache Society's Web site: www.achenet.org

Also questions to ask you doctor:

How can I reduce stress, or make other changes in my life to cut down on my headaches?
What pain relievers should I take for a headache?
Is there anything, besides medication, that can help me?

It's important that we keep looking for relief. Hopefully, this months attention will help

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant

Great Information On Brain Injuries

Mike Bryant — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 09:58:00 GMT

Over time, we have represented a number of clients with traumatic brain injuries. Depending on the level of the injuries, they can be some of the most tragic cases we are involved in. Teenagers who will never be able to leave home, heads of the household who are forever residents of nursing homes, and single individuals who no longer are able to do their occupations.

Over time, it has been hopeful to see the advances on the medical side. While there still seems to be unlimited questions to be answered, it's clear that the medical providers who are devoting whole departments to the issue are seeing more and more advances.

Recently, I came upon the Medline Plus website and its tutorials on brain injuries. The site also has a number of articles that discuss the issue on the personal and on the clinical level. Taking the time to review these sites will give friends and family members important background in understanding the injury.

Hopefully, we will see continued improvement in the research and development. Until then, hopefully this additional information will help.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant

Celebrity TBI Death Hopefully Will Get The Word Out

Mike Bryant — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 09:12:00 GMT

The recent death of Natasha Richardson is a tragedy. To basically be skiing on the bunny hill and never come home is senseless. Hopefully, the incident will make people aware of the dangers of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and how fragile life can be.

Over time, I have represent a number of clients with TBI injuries. These are tragic injuries that still require a lot more study. As I covered in a previously discussed in a blog about sports injuries, we need to make sure that our children are well protected against these types of injuries.

The other issue that is important to keep in mind following Richardson's death, is that it didn't happen immediately. She struck her head and got up like nothing was wrong. It's not unusual at all that people who fall are embarrassed and feel dumb for haven fallen. What doctors having found is that with this type of injury the brain will start to swell and bleed. There isn't enough room inside the skull. The resulting damage to brain tissue will be irreversible and can mean death.

Sympathy goes out to Richardson's family and friends. She will be missed for the roles she played. Hopefully, many people will learn from it.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant

Hennepin County Medical Center Looking Deeper into TBI

Mike Bryant — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 09:59:00 GMT

In an effort to bring more awareness to traumatic brain injuries (TBI), the Hennepin County Medical Center is taking a more in-depth look into these injuries. An initial press release by HCMC presented some startling statistics:

The average lifetime cost of care for a severe injury is between $1 million and $3 million. For a moderate injury the cost is $941,000. Even for mild trauma it is $85,000. These figures do not include the lost earnings of the injured party or family caregivers. The total cost of TBI to the country is estimated at a staggering $56.3 billion each year. Additionally, men are almost four times more likely to receive a TBI than women. An especially alarming statistic was that the leading cause of TBI was falls, which account for 28% of TBI's. We have incorporated this statistic heavily into our strategy and tactics. In Minnesota alone, there are over 100,000 TBI's each year.

For the many people with these injuries this kind of exposure and research is important. While several places deal with the problem in Minnesota, it is exciting to know that more help may be on the way. It also may lead to increased education and prevention. The simple information of how many children are injured in sports, might reduce the causes with more understanding.

At our firm, we regularly deal with clients and their families after a person has suffered a TBI in an accident. While there are a number of places that can help, the sheer change and complications caused by the injury can be overwhelming. It is also important that experienced attorneys be hired to fully document and present all of the ramifications of the loss.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant