Brain Injury
4 Ways to Battle Against Sports-Related Traumatic Brain Injury
| June 9th, 2014
More than 1.3 million Americans suffer blows to the head that result in a traumatic brain injury (TBI) each year. Athletes make up a large portion of those victims, which is why the risks of athletes suffering TBIs has received such a spotlight recently. The movement was sparked when dozens of former professional football players filed a lawsuit against the National Football League claiming the organization had failed to warn them of the long-term health effects of suffering multiple TBIs. Players form the National Hockey League and several former professional boxers have filed similar lawsuits as well against their respective organizations in the wake of the claims coming forward. Now, President Barack Obama has joined the fight against TBIs, saying more awareness is needed about the risks of players suffering concussions and other brain injuries on the field. According to an article from CBS 8 News, Obama added that more research is needed into the effects and treatment of brain injuries, especially in young athletes. So what can you do to help prevent sports-related head injuries? Our team of California personal injury attorneys at Berg Injury Lawyers suggests:- Wear Protective Gear– Safety equipment is crucial—and required—in many sports.
- Learn Proper Technique– Injury can often be avoided if you are well trained in the activity you are participating in.
- Know the Symptoms– If you or a loved one take a blow to the head, watch for signs of injury such as confusion, dizziness, drowsiness, incoherency. If any of these symptoms are displayed, seek medical attention immediately.
- Get Legal Counsel– Brain injuries can be expensive and you may need to take legal action to get the compensation you need.
New Study Shows Increase In Number Of Young Athletes Suffering Brain Injuries
| September 30th, 2013
September 30, 2013 Brain injuries are a serious risk that many athletes face on the field today. Most recently, a settlement was reached between the National Football League (NFL) and roughly 4,500 former and present players with the league; regarding a lack of warnings about the serious and long-term side effects these injuries can have on an individual’s health. The California Brain Injury Lawyers with Berg Injury Lawyers state that while the decision was groundbreaking, a new study is showing professional athletes may not be the only ones who should be concerned about how a brain injury may affect health. According to an article from CBS News, a new study has shown a dramatic spike in the number of children and teens who are seeking emergency room visits after having sustained a head injury. Reports indicate that between 2002 and 2011, there was a 92 percent increase in the number of children being treated for concussions and other blows to the head. Furthermore, researchers discovered that children and teens may require more time to full recover from such a traumatic brain injury than an adult, causing many to become concerned for the effects such an injury may have on a child’s cognitive development. Berg Injury Lawyers’ team of California Personal Injury Lawyers encourage citizens to become aware of the symptoms of brain injuries and to seek immediate medical attention if such an injury is ever suspected.San Francisco Cable Car Accident Injures Seven People
| February 11th, 2013
February 11, 2013 Seven people were injured last week in a cable car accident in San Francisco, California. According to the Mercury News, the incident occurred at approximately 10:15 a.m. Wednesday near the intersection of Powell and Washington Streets. John Haley, Director of the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, stated the cable car was traveling along Powell when it suddenly came into contact with a six-inch bolt that had become lodged in the tracks. Contact with the foreign object caused the car to stop immediately and lurch forward, leading to several passengers suffering injuries. One of the most serious injuries involved an elderly man who struck his head and may have suffered a minor brain injury. All the victims were taken to a local trauma center to receive full examinations and treatment to their injuries. In the meantime, investigators began to look into the cause of the accident and determined the bolt had come loose from a sensor plate attached to the tracks and the sensors in the tracks had failed to identify the stuck bolt. Maintenance will now be performed on the bolts weekly to prevent a similar incident. The California Injury Lawyers with the law firm of Berg Injury Lawyers acknowledge that negligent maintenance can cause a serious accident and suggest that anyone injured in an accident that was not their fault to talk about their legal options and rights with an attorney.Head Injuries and Toxin Exposure May Lead To Onset Of Parkinson’s Disease
| December 3rd, 2012
December 3, 2012 Researchers at UCLA discovered that the combination of exposure to dangerous pesticides and sustaining a California Brain Injury can lead to having a three times higher chance of developing Parkinson’s disease. An article published in Neurology stated the study was conducted by surveying more than 1,000 individuals over the age of 35 who live in central California. Of those surveyed, 357 participants had been diagnosed with the disease. Those who were surveyed and had Parkinson’s disease were two times as likely to have sustained brain injuries that left them unconscious for extended periods of time prior to their diagnosis. Also, the study discovered participants suffering from the disease were 36 percent more likely to live within 500 meters of an area that was treated with the herbicide Paraquat. Researchers explained more than half of the participants with Parkinson’s were exposed to the chemical, compared to the 36 percent who were exposed but didn’t develop the disease. More disturbing though, is when the two factors were combined, as they seem to act as a catalyst for one another in the onset of the disease. The California Personal Injury Lawyers with Berg Injury Lawyers understand the dangers of both head injuries and toxic exposure. That is why the firm is here to answer any questions you may have regarding your legal rights if you have been armed by either condition.Oakland Crane Mechanic Killed In Work-Related Accident
| November 5th, 2012
November 5, 2012 A 51-year-old Oakland, California, man was killed recently in a work-related accident at the Port of Oakland. The Silicon Valley Mercury News reports the incident occurred at around 9:30 a.m. on October 24 at berth 37, part of the Ben E. Nutter Terminal. A port spokesperson, Marilyn Sandifur, stated the crane mechanic, who was working with the International Association of Machinist and Aerospace Workers, was with another employee inspecting a crane at the location when a moving piece of the machine suddenly shifted and crushed the victim. An inspector from the California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (CalOSHA), Peter Melton, explained the victim died as a result of blunt force trauma to the chest and a California Brain Injury he sustained in the accident. CalOSHA and local law enforcement agencies are still conducting investigations to determine the cause of the accident and also if it could have been prevented. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) says that employees who worked in the machinery service industry made up a total of 177 of the total workplace fatalities last year. Contact with objects and equipment made up 15 percent of all work-related fatalities that year as well. The California Personal Injury Lawyers with Berg Injury Lawyers understand how devastating a work-related accident can be. That’s why the firm is here to answer any questions you may have regarding an on-the-job accident you were hurt in at no fault of your own.Northern California Hosts Conference To Discuss Traumatic Brain Injury Risks
| August 27th, 2012
August 27, 2012 With concussions and other serious traumatic brain injuries receiving more attention as research is beginning to show permanent side effects associated with the injuries, parents and coaching staff in northern California recently held a training session at an Oakland, California, high school on the dangers of California brain injuries, according to the ConcordPatch. An eight-year NFL veteran, Ben Lynch, spoke to the crowd this past Tuesday at Skyline High School, saying, “They call it the invisible injury for a reason.” Studies from the Veteran Administration Hospital in Massachusetts found that individuals who suffer multiple traumatic brain injuries are more susceptible to developing chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a condition in which the brain’s ability to function correctly degenerates over time. The disease occurs when a certain protein accumulates on the brain at the location of an injury and becomes toxic. This can lead to symptoms such as:- dementia,
- memory loss,
- aggression,
- depression,
- and confusion.
San Jose Students Receive 2,500 Free Bicycle Helmets and Safety Lessons
| January 9th, 2012
January 9, 2012 From the moment a child first peddles their bike down the driveway for the first time, it is vital to begin teaching them the importance of wearing a helmet and following safety rules. Unfortunately, not all children are taught these lessons early on. That is why, according to CBS-San Francisco News, the San Jose Department of Transportation and the Franklin-McKinley school district have partnered in a new campaign. The pair has joined forces to give away approximately 2,500 bicycle helmets to children within the school district. A spokesman for the groups and associate transportation specialist with the City of San Jose, Devin Gianchandani, said the helmets were made possible by a $55,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety. He added that the children would receive a helmet along with, “Pedestrian-bicycle safety education through the city’s nationally recognized street smart program.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that every year, approximately 1,000 die in bicycle-related accidents. Of those accident victims, 62 percent suffered from a traumatic head injury. The agency states that the most effective way to prevent such injuries is to wear a helmet. The California brain injury attorneys with Berg Injury Lawyers understand that traumatic brain injuries can have a full spectrum of effects on a victim. Founding Attorney William Berg recently discussed how and why diagnosing brain injuries can be difficult and what steps to take in a recent news interview.
