The brain is a complex and vital organ that shapes who we are. It allows us to understand questions and solve intricate problems. It produces our emotions while crafting our personalities and it helps us to live on both a biological and spiritual level. If the brain should experience damage then the essence of who we are could be lost forever. This is why traumatic brain injuries can cause grave damage to the life of its victim. 

According to Center for Disease Control and Prevention, a traumatic brain injury (also known as TBI) is an affliction that 1.4 million Americans sustain each year, 50,000 of whom don’t survive. While TBIs have differing levels of severity (ranging from mild to severe), they are usually caused by a simple injury to the head and/or neck.  Falls are the leading cause of TBIs, accounting for 28% of all TBIs, while motor vehicle accidents account for 20%. However, motor vehicle accidents have a higher frequency of TBI-related hospitalizations, which studies have shown effect over 280,000 people each year. There is a variety of causes of head injuries. TBIs result from open or closed head injuries, as well as deceleration injuries (also known as a diffuse axonal injuries), but the complexities of head injuries delve much deeper.

A traumatic brain injury can have life-altering effects on a victim’s emotional and physical well-being, and can do severe damage to the physical nature of the brain. A head injury may require years, if not decades, of special care and rehabilitation from care facilities like CareMeridian, Las Vegas Nursing Home. The impairments from a brain injury can affect speech, vision, coordination, short-term and long-term memory, and may even result in mood swings and behavioral changes in personality. Considering that every brain injury is different, rehabilitation depends on the individual case and injury; yet, prevention is possible. 

For an injury as debilitating as TBI, prevention is essential. Luckily, prevention is not difficult. When driving, the best way to avert a TBI is by wearing a seatbelt and not being under the influence of alcohol. In fact, according to the Brain Injury Association of America more than 50% of people with a brain injury were intoxicated at the time of their injury. It’s also smart to always wear a helmet when riding a bike, thus reducing the risk of a head injury by almost 90%. If the right precautions are taken, the severity of TBIs can be reduced if not prevented.  

There is a lot that is still unknown about the inner workings of the human brain. However, what is known for certain is the life-changing affects that a TBI can have on its victims and their families as a result of irreversible damage to the function of the brain.

C. Donald Briggs, III, Esquire

Briggs & Counsel, LLC

Rockport Attorney C. Donald Briggs, III has been named to the list of New England “Super Lawyers” once again.  For the fourth year in a row the Michigan based publication “Super Lawyers” listed Don Briggs among the ranks of only 5 percent of the lawyers in Maine to receive this honor. 

Don Briggs is well known for helping Maine victims of car accidents, medical malpractice, and other personal injury negligence cases. Though he has handled thousands of personal injury cases in his career, Don is also known for his attitude that “Everyone’s injury is unique, and everyone deserves individualized legal services “. 

Don Briggs is one of only two board certified Civil Trial Advocates in Maine, and served as past president of the Maine Trial Lawyers Association.   

Though mindful that  even so called “minor” injuries can have a major impact on  hard working Mainers, Don Briggs often takes on the most catastrophic injury cases in the State of Maine.  He is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum  and has been recognized as a Fellow by the National College of Trial Advocacy.

Attorney Briggs emphasizes that winning top compensation for Mainers’ injury cases requires a lawyer willing to stay on top of national litigation trends and legislation.    He goes the extra mile for Mainers as a State Delegate to the American Association for Justice, the leading national organization protecting ordinary Americans’ right to jury trial.  On the local level, Don Briggs is currently president of the Knox County Bar Association.

The Journal of Injury Prevention announced that overweight children are more likely to sustain arm and leg fractures than thinner children when involved in a car crash according to researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

There is evidence that overweight children’s bones may be more likely to fracture. Also, by being larger, heavier children’s bodies are closer to the inside of the car, putting them in danger of a more forceful impact. These findings mirror what occurs for adults involved in car crashes who are overweight.

Heavier children are more than twice as likely as their thinner friends to sustain arm and leg fractures. Thinner children are more likely to sustain injury to the pelvis, thigh bone and collar bone.

Evidence shows that overweight children may have lesser levels of vitamin D, which could lead to weaker long bones in the arms and legs.

Above all else, researchers suggest that children always be properly restrained when riding in vehicles. Children under the age of 13 should always ride in the back seat.

Copyright 2009 Briggs & Counsel

Time Magazine has a recent article of interest to all Maine parents. Time has reported that a government study shows that our Maine children are at greater risk for childhood cancer than children raised in places like California, Florida and the Midwest. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have just issued a study showing that there are 179 cases of cancer per million in children in the New England states, versus 159, 166 and 165 cases per million for children in the South, Midwest and West.

That’s troubling news for Maine parents and their children. If there’s a silver lining to this dark cloud it’s twofold: First, now we know. We can ask our doctors to check more closely for signs and symptoms of childhood cancers. Second, we have access to top-notch pediatric cancer centers here in the northeast.

If you have more questions about this study, log on to the government’s website at: http://www.cdc.gov/

Alison Wholey Mynick, RN, Esq. , June 4, 2008