Personal Injury Law

What Early Neuropsychological Treatment for Traumatic Brain Injury Suggested

Posted on April 01, 2011
Research at the University of Granada has shown that early neuropsychological treatment for traumatic brain injuries significantly reduces cognitive, emotional and behavioral aftereffects of traumatic brain injury.   We have known for quite some time that one of the sequels of traumatic brain injury is the emotional and behavioral difficulties that survivors experience...

Females More Susceptible to Concussions

Posted on March 30, 2011
Apropos to the lecture I gave last Friday to the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association, speaking on the biomechanics of injury, is an article I just read entitled 'Females More Susceptible to Concussions' published in the Globe and Mail.  The article reported on a study presently being conducted at the University of Montreal by Dr...

New Study Reports That Helmets Can Prevent Spinal Injuries In Motorcycle Crashes

Posted on March 28, 2011
Although most of us know that wearing a helmet while riding a motorcycle will help prevent serious brain injuries, and even death, a new study reports that motorcyclists who wore helmets were 22% less likely to suffer a cervical spine injury than those who did not wear helmets...

National Hockey League General Managers Meet to Review Concussion Policies

Posted on March 25, 2011
General Managers from the National Hockey League gathered earlier this month to discuss what procedures and rule changes were needed in order to protect players from suffering concussions on the ice. A new idea mentioned at the recent meeting was the possible broadening of video reviews to include high-sticking calls and refine what actually constitutes a legal spin move during shootouts...

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BrainScope Company, Inc. Develops Product for Early Detection of Traumatic Brain Injuries

Posted on March 23, 2011
A United Kingdom based company, BrainScope Company, Inc., is working on a new product which would assist in the early diagnosis of brain injuries. The new product, Ahead EU-100, is still in development and has the potential to represent a significant advancement in the early identification and assessment of patients with traumatic brain injuries...

Textbook of Traumatic Brain Injury Released

Posted on March 21, 2011
The American Psychiatric Publishing, Inc. has released the second edition of the 'Textbook of Traumatic Brain Injury' edited by Jonathan M. Silver, M.D., Thomas W. McAllister, M.D. and Stewart C. Yudofsky.  The book also comes with on-line access...

Former National Hockey League Player Found to Have Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE

Posted on March 17, 2011
Bob Probert, one of the National Hockey League's most notorious players, has been found to have the degenerative disease more than 20 deceased football players have had: chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Probert died last July of heart failure at the age of 45, and now researchers at Boston University are examining his brain tissue to see if continued and untreated brain injuries played a role in his death...

The Need for Medically-Necessary Rehabilitation

Posted on March 14, 2011
A recent article in USA Today entitled, 'For Brain Injuries, a Treatment Gap,' accurately reports the need for individuals who sustain brain injuries to access medically-necessary rehabilitation of sufficient scope, intensity and duration from licensed professionals in accredited settings to regain the physical abilities and cognitive skills needed to live healthy, independent and satisfying lives...

NFL Requires Standard On-Field Concussion Testing

Posted on March 11, 2011
Last week, the NFL made an announcement that beginning this fall season (2011-2012) every team will be required to use the same neurologic test on the field in order to determine if a player has sustained a brain injury during play. This test must be administered before the player is allowed to return to the game...

New Jersey One Step Closer to Being First State to Require Ski Helmets for Children

Posted on March 09, 2011
The New Jersey Assembly has approved legislation which would make New Jersey the first state in the nation to require helmets for minors while skiing or snowboarding. The bill was sponsored by Assembly Republicans Anthony Bucco, Scott T. Rumana and Nancy F...

Objective Documentation of Anxiety Disorders in Children and Adolescents after Traumatic Brain Injury

Posted on March 07, 2011
I have just read an interesting article published in the Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience (2011; 23:29-39), which examines the nature, rate, predictive factors and neuroimaging correlates of new-onset definite anxiety disorders after traumatic brain injury...

NeuroQuant Used to Prove Traumatic Brain Injuries

Posted on March 04, 2011
I have just learned of NeuroQuant - a new tool to objectively prove traumatic brain injury. I just read an interesting article in the Medical Law Report, January 2011 issue regarding a new objective test to document traumatic brain injury.    As we know, most patients with mild to moderate traumatic brain injury have normal diagnostic tests such as CT scans and MRIs...

Connecticut Trial Court Orders Observation and Videotape of Neuropsychological Evaluation

Posted on March 02, 2011
Aaron Steiner, a minor plaintiff, sustained personal injuries and filed a Complaint against the New Fairfield Board of Education.  Defendants requested a neuropsychological examination.  Plaintiff objected asserting the right to have the neuropsychological testing observed and videotaped...

Stern Reappointed to the New Jersey Supreme Court Committee on Model Civil Jury Charges

Posted on February 28, 2011
I was very excited to learn that I have been reappointed to represent the New Jersey Association for Justice on the New Jersey Supreme Court Committee on Model Civil Jury Charges. This New Jersey Supreme Court Committee is charged with the responsibility of reviewing and drafting jury charges which our trial judges read to our juries at the conclusion of a trial...

New Sideline Test Could Help Coaches Determine if Players Suffered Concussions

Posted on February 25, 2011
While it's estimated that there are 300,000 football-related head injuries annually in the United States, the staggering reality is that this number continues to rise each year. Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have come up with a sideline-test that can detect head trauma in athletes in just one minute...

Blogger Discusses the Need for Review of "Frivolous Lawsuits"

Posted on February 23, 2011
I found an interesting article recently on TheHill.com from Christine Hines, the consumer and civil justice counsel for Public Citizen's Congress Watch, which discusses the recent backlash geared towards 'frivolous lawsuits.' It's an interesting piece discussing the need for our country to reevaluate its perceptions of medical malpractice lawsuits, especially those who are in charge of leading our nation.

Development of New Detection Device Could Impact Future Of Sports Concussion Diagnosis

Posted on February 21, 2011
Dr. Hashem Ashrafiuon, a mechanical engineering professor in Villanova University's College of Engineering, is currently working on a new device to reduce the number of and effects of concussions on student and professional athletes. BCILab™ software, developed by Dr...

Congressman Miller Reintroduced Federal Legislation to Set Minimum Safety Standards for Concussion Management in Public Schools

Posted on February 18, 2011
I have previously reported on efforts by many states to enact legislation to protect student athletes who sustained traumatic brain injuries. Most recently I wrote regarding New Jersey's passage of a student athlete concussion safety legislation and as well as Pennsylvania's efforts in that regard...

The Textbook of Traumatic Brain Injury

Posted on February 16, 2011
For neuro lawyers, the use of authoritative medical treatises and textbooks provides one of the most important weapons in the trial attorney's arsenal. This month, the American Psychiatric Publishing's second edition of the Textbook of Traumatic Brain Injury is being published...

News Correspondent Suffers On-Air Stroke, Could Lead to Future Brain Injuries

Posted on February 15, 2011
Serene Branson, reporter with a CBS news station out of Los Angels, California, suffered what seemed to be a minor stroke, seizure, blood clot or transient ischemic attack on-air during a live broadcast from the Grammy's Sunday night. Branson, a seasoned reporter with two Emmy nominations, experienced problems with her speech during the broadcast...

New Study Examines Effects of Multiple Concussions on Student Athletes

Posted on February 14, 2011
A new story in US News & World Report states that high school athletes who have suffered two or more concussions may already have early symptoms of post-concussion syndrome. In the study, researchers looked at the rates of symptoms in 260 athletes with one previous concussion, 105 with two or more previous concussions and 251 with no history of concussion...

US Military's Failure to Assist Veterans with Brain Injuries

Posted on February 11, 2011
As a follow up to a blog I wrote a few days ago about an article on NPR.com which details the struggles of the Wade's search for adequate medical treatment, an article in the LA Times also details the struggles many veterans face after they return home and a new investigation into this devastating trend of poor medical care for our service men and women...

TRICARE Refuses to Cover Cognitive Rehabilitation for Veterans with Brain Injury

Posted on February 09, 2011
TRICARE, the Pentagon's health plan for troops and veterans, has recently refused to cover cognitive rehabilitation for veterans with brain injury. An article on NPR.com details Sarah and Ted Wade's journey for medical care after Ted was injured while riding in a Humvee in Mahmudiyah, Iraq, on Feb...

New Documentary Offers Insight Into Media's Role in Tort Reform

Posted on February 07, 2011
For many Americans, the famous McDonald's coffee case has become prime example of a frivolous lawsuit which tie up valuable time and resources in our country's courts and stall our justice system. However, Susan Saladoff believes that is just what McDonalds wants us to believe...

The GOP's Selective Constitutionalism

Posted on February 04, 2011
Ken Connor is an amazing lawyer and good personal friend who handles Nursing Home cases throughout the Country. Below is an op-ed piece Ken authored for the Center for Just Society. His article shows us that no matter which way we lean (Republican or Democrat) this is something we all should agree on...

Researchers Look at Long-Term Effects of Concussions in Student Athletes

Posted on February 02, 2011
The recent rise in sports concussions, both on the professional and student levels, have raised a lot of concerns over the long-term effects these injuries will have on players. Students who have suffered several concussions through sports report slight differences when performing daily tasks...

Winter Sports Dangers: A few things you should know before hitting the slopes

Posted on January 31, 2011
Although winter sports may be a fun way to keep active while there is snow on the ground, many of us don't realize the serious dangers these activities pose to our health. Those who play winter sports, such as ice hockey, skiing and snowboarding place themselves at an increased risk for developing concussions...

Sports Concussion Bills Reintroduced in Pennsylvania

Posted on January 28, 2011
Tracy Yatsko, a 17-year old honor student and sports star at Tamaqua Area High School, joined Harold Carmichael and Mike Quick, former Eagles players, a top NFL official and several Pennsylvania legislators as they reintroduced bills which would better educate athletes, parents and coaches about sports concussions and how to prevent brain-injured students from returning to play too soon...

Brain Injury Association of New Jersey's 2011 Annual Gala

Posted on January 27, 2011
The Brain Injury Association of New Jersey will hold its Annual Gala Tuesday March 8, 2011 at the Hanover Marriott in Whippany, New Jersey. The Gala will celebrate more than a quarter century of service and will honor Stephen K. Jones, FACHE, President and Chief Executive Officer, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital and Robert Wood Johnson Health System...

Brain Injury Primer Online Education Course

Posted on January 25, 2011
The Brain Injury Association of New Jersey and Rutgers Continuous Education have joined together to develop a free online course which provides information about working with students with brain injury. The course provides New Jersey educators with 10 professional development hours (Provider #2782) and 1 Rutgers University CEU...

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