Originally Post: What To Do In A Truck Accident

The NFL, however, has repeatedly tried to invalidate these research findings – and, until recently, failed to make changes in its protocol which would have protected players from head injuries. Meanwhile, thousands of players have experienced repetitive head traumas in the past 10 years, and the NFL has profited from these players’ unwitting sacrifice.

Among the facts cited by The New York Times:

• A concussion is an injury to the brain which occurs when the “head either accelerates rapidly and then is stopped, or is spun rapidly.”
• Such shaking causes the brain’s neurotransmitters to fire all at once which temporarily deadens receptors linked to learning and memory. Symptoms of concussion include confusion, blurred vision, memory loss, and unconsciousness.
• A player who suffers one concussion is four times more likely to sustain a second one. After several concussions, a player sustains a concussion from a less violent incident and requires longer to recover.
• A 2000 study found that more than 60% of NFL players had sustained at least one concussion; and 26% had three or more.
• A 2007 study of retired players found that of all players who could remember having three or more concussions, 20% reported being diagnosed for depression.
• A 2009 telephone study found that Alzheimer’s and other memory-related disabilities had been diagnosed in retired NFL players at a rate 19 times the average for men aged 30 to 49. Although neurologists say that dementia cannot be diagnosed by telephone, they acknowledge that the study’s findings are cause for alarm.
• The NFL changed its protocol for players with head traumas only after members of a Congressional committee meeting in 2009 compared the NFL to the tobacco industry (whose business leaders lied to Congress about concealing from the public the industry practice of adding addictive chemicals to tobacco products).

The NFL (and perhaps the helmet manufacturers too) knew about the serious long-term dangers to which it’s players were exposed, yet withheld this information from the players for many years. Further, until very recently, the NFL encouraged a style of play that emphasized and encouraged the most violent and dramatic style of hitting among the players. The NFL must be held accountable for both the short- and long-term effects on players’ health; and the safety of the game must be radically improved—at all levels of play—to make sure that no more youth, high school, college, and professional football players suffer repetitive head traumas leading to CTE.

I am pleased to announce that I have recently teamed up with the law firm Pope, McGlamry, Kilpatrick, Morrison & Norwood (PMKM & N) to take on the NFL. PMKM & N is one of the top Plaintiff’s firms in the South if not the entire country, and I am confident that together we will succeed. Read more about the campaign: NFL Concussion Campaign

If you played in the NFL or know anybody who player in the NFL, please contact me immediately at 404-522-7553 to find out what you need to do to protect your rights and your future health. Please share this message with your network and strongly urge former NFL players to call me.

Originally Post: Bruce A. Hagen Joins The Fight Against NFL Concussions

Concussion – Several factors make concussions dangerous to football players. One of these is that a concussion can occur even in the absence of physical contact and thus may go unreported or undetected. Either violent acceleration or rapid spinning of the head followed by an abrupt stop can cause a concussion. One concussion puts a player at greater risk of suffering a second concussion, and after several concussions, an incident involving lesser force can cause a concussion. Concussions usually resolve within a few weeks without treatment; but, after an initial concussion, subsequent concussions may take longer to heal. Read about our NFL Concussion Suit.

Second-Impact Syndrome (SIS) – SIS occurs when a person suffers a second concussion before recovering from an earlier head trauma. SIS almost always causes permanent disability, and sudden death is possible.

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) – CTE is a progressive, degenerative brain disease which affects people with a history of concussions and/or other traumatic brain injuries. CTE can be diagnosed only through autopsy, and several deceased former NFL players have been discovered to have had CTE, including:

• Leo Creekmur (Detroit Lions)
• Dave Duerson (Chicago Bears)
• John Grimsley (Houston Oilers, Miami Dolphins)
• Chris Henry (Cincinnati Bengals)
• Tom McHale (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
• Terry Long (Pittsburgh Steelers)
• Andre Waters (Philadelphia Eagles, Arizona Cardinals)
• Mike Webster (Pittsburgh Steelers) Webster was the first deceased NFL player to be diagnosed with CTE.

Symptoms of CTE include pain, cognitive, neurological and emotional problems. According to an article on the website http://www.sportsmd.com, the term CTE first appeared in medical literature in 1996. The same article also describes the progress of the disease:

Originally Post: Sports Related Head Trauma Terminology

Fans have been watching this “concussion” issue unfold since the recent disclosure by Terry Bradshaw that he’s suffering from brain damage due to repeated concussions when he was an NFL player.

“The basic factual outline of the claim is that the NFL neither informed its players about the possible long-term effects from concussions, nor protected them from the risk of head injuries. The lawsuit includes some high-profile players—Mark Duper and Mike Richardson—and the injuries chronicled in the complaint are clear and dramatic.* They range from memory loss and cognitive impairment to intermittent rage, depression, inability to concentrate, substance abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder, seizures, dementia, and early-onset Alzheimer’s. The complaint also repeats the conclusion of Dr. Bennet Omalu that the deaths of players including Mike Webster, Terry Long, and Andre Waters were at least in part caused by chronic traumatic encephalopathy, triggered by multiple football concussions,” stated Slate in a July 26 report.

Also, the law suit is “limited to living players.” However, this could change say experts since many hundreds, if not thousands of former players who have now passed also suffered from brain damage due to playing ball under NFL safety guidelines that this suit notes were not “safe for players” due to frequent concussions that average 12 to 16 brain blows during an average football player’s career.

NFL alleged cover-up “sounds like something out of Watergate”

In turn, Slate noted that “all of these plaintiffs face a long and winding road from injury to liability and recovery. The former players’ position is tricky, because the science establishing the long-term risks of concussions isn’t new. If the NFL knew about it, why didn’t the players, or at least their union? The attorneys set forth dozens of scientific facts from reputable journals and statements by formal and informal “authorities” (including Pop Warner, from almost a century ago), all to the point that the effects of concussions have long been known. So, why didn’t the union try to do something about this, if it was so clear? The players’ response might be that the NFL tried to throw them off the scent.”

“By alleging a pervasive, fraudulent cover-up, the plaintiffs’ attorneys have made the case a candidate for punitive damages, which are available only when the defendant’s actions are worse than “merely” negligent. And the suit alleges that the NFL has gotten away with suppressing evidence by virtue of its ‘monopoly power over American football,’” Slate’s report added.

Powerful NFL kept law suit out of the public eye, say fans

Other than CNN breaking this former NFL player law suit back on July 20, the news — that 75 top former NFL football stars are now taking the NFL to court over covering up vital health information that would have prevented their brain injuries – the public has heard very little if anything about this issue due to the fact, say fans, that “talk of concussions and football is a buzz kill.”  CNN reported July 20 that these former 75 NFL players “did not know the long-term effects of concussions” and relied on the NFL to protect them, the suit says.

Concussions and brain damage of players “part of the game”

“For decades, defendants have known that multiple blows to the head can lead to long-term brain injury, including memory loss, dementia, depression and (chronic traumatic encephalopathy) and its related symptoms,” says the 86-page lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court on July 19.

Those speaking up for the powerful NFL note that “concussions and resulting brain damage” is part of the game.

CNN also noted that “the suit notes that in 1994, the NFL studied concussion research through funding the NFL Committee on Mild Traumatic Brain Injury. The committee’s published findings in 2004 showed ‘no evidence of worsening injury or chronic cumulative effects’ from multiple concussions, the suit says. In addition, in a related study, the committee found that ‘many NFL players can be safely allowed to return to play on the day of a concussion, if they are without symptoms and cleared by a doctor.”

However, “it was not until June 2010 that the NFL acknowledged that concussions can lead to dementia, memory loss, CTE and related symptoms by publishing (a) warning to every player and team,” says the suit.

“This action arises from the defendants’ failure to warn and protect NFL players such as plaintiffs against the long-term brain injury risks associated with football-related concussions. This action arises because the NFL defendants committed negligence by failing to exercise its duty to enact league-wide guidelines and mandatory rules regulating post-concussion medical treatment and return-to-play standards for players who suffer a concussion and/or multiple concussions,” CNN reported.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said recently that the league had not seen a copy of the suit but would “vigorously contest any claims of this kind.”

Originally Post: NFL Concussion Lawsuit – 75 Former Players Against The NFL

Perhaps the most well-known case of wrongful death, currently, is the Michael Jackson case. The King of Pop died earlier this year because of a drug overdose, which was allegedly given to him by his doctor. The star had been battling with his failing health for quite some time, and was on a myriad of prescription medication to stabilize and improve his condition. However, he was found dead in his home one day after overdosing on one of those drugs. The huge battle surrounding the case is whether Jackson had taken the drug himself and therefore committed suicide, or if his doctor deliberately administered the drug to him, knowing that it would kill him. The case has been receiving worldwide attention ever since the death, and remains unresolved, though the odds are certainly stacked against Jackson’s doctor.

What are the causes of Wrongful Death in the media? As mentioned above, malpractice by a celebrity’s doctor can be one cause of wrongful death. In other cases, celebrities have died because their driver or pilot makes a fatal mistake, as in the case of the pop star Aaliyah years ago. In still other cases, an engineer could be at fault for the poor construction of a stage or other performance venue, and cause the death of the celebrity when an awful accident occurs. While the causes of a wrongful death vary widely in popular media, there is always the same solution: Involve a wrongful death attorney, who can get justice for the deceased.

Have you been trying to find a wrongful death attorney on behalf of someone you love? Your case might not be as well-known as Michael Jackson’s or Aaliyah’s, but the loss is still just as great. If you’re looking for a lawyer who can help you, but aren’t sure where to turn, you may consider the tried-and-true method of looking through the yellow pages for a qualified and reputable attorney who will be able to help you. This method is useful since you will have all of the lawyer’s offices in one place, and you can go down the list and call each one to find out more information from them. If that isn’t working out for you, then you should browse the internet for a good lawyer near you. Often times, you’ll be able to find out far more about an attorney via their website than you would if you were just looking at their ad in the phone book. There is always an extensive list of Wrongful Death attorneys near you if you look on the internet.

Originally Post: Wrongful Death In The Mainstream Media

Open Head Injuries Vs Closed Head Injuries

Whether you think it’s a traumatic brain injury, or just a little scratch on the forehead, some head injuries seem more severe than others at first, but this can actually be very deceptive. There are two main types of head injuries: open and closed. An open head injury can show up as a bump or lump, or even as severe as a fractured skull. On the other hand, a closed head injury has to do with damage to brain (of varying degrees). A slight agitation to the brain is usually called a concussion, but with more severe closed head injuries, the brain swells and brain tissue can compress – this can result in brain damage.

Safety First

It may seem obviously, but thousands and thousands of head injuries occur every year, due to not taking all proper safety precautions. If you’re in a car, buckle up, and if you’re the driver, make sure your airbags are working. Also, if you have children in the car, remember to lock all car doors before heading out onto the road. These simple procedures will greatly reduce your chances of a traumatic brain injury, even though it might not be full-proof in preventing other kinds of head injuries.

Neglecting safety procedures on motorcycles, bicycles, skateboards, etc is another way in which a head injury can occur. If you’re a motorcyclist, it’s best to wear a helmet with a full mask that covers your face. If your a bicyclist, etc, look for a helmet with a US Consumer Product Safety Commission sticker on it.

Don’t Be Afraid to See a Doctor

Just because you don’t experience any initial effects of your seemingly mild head injury, doesn’t that it’s not serious. Strangely, you can sustain a head injury without even being aware of it. Being aware of the key symptoms of a severe head injury is extremely important – confusion, changes in vision, balance, trouble with speech, etc. If you’ve experienced any blows to the head (whether you think they’re major or minor) go see your doctor immediately.

Get a Diagnosis

Once you get to a doctor and she thinks that it might be a head injury, she will likely do a neurological exam. The doctor will ask questions that may seem simple but are intended to determine if you’re in your “right mind.” A CAT scan may be ordered to get a view of your head and look for fractures, bleeding, and swelling in the brain.

It Can Take a Long Time To Treat

The most severe head injury, which may result in a traumatic brain injury, usually requires the most treatment. Immediate care may mean surgery and medication to treat swelling of the brain. Some head injuries even require rehabilitation: physical, occupational and speech therapy.

An Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help

In the case that you’ve been the victim of a head injury personal injury case, it’s certainly in your best interest to contact your local personal injury lawyer, to file a claim, and receive the damage you’re entitled to for pain, suffering, medical bills, and emotional turmoil caused by the injury.

If you’re the victim of a head injury, don’t hesitate to contact Atlanta head injury attorney, Bruce A. Hagen, to bring you the justice you deserve.

Originally Post: 6 Things to Keep in Mind About Head Injuries

Make sure there aren’t any car accident injuries

If you have passengers in your car, it should simply be a gut reaction to ask if they’re alright – ask them to check for any apparent injuries, even if they’re not in any immediate pain. If all is clear in your vehicle, get out and make sure the other parties involved in the accident aren’t injured. If someone is injured, tell them to be as still as possible, until help arrives.

Call 911

You’ve been told since you were a kid to call “911″ in the case of an accident, and if this isn’t a given to you by now, it should be. Make sure you notify the operator of your location, and of any noticeable injuries.

Avoid talking about fault

Going on the notion that nobody was hurt in the car accident, and both drivers are able to discuss what has just happened, it’s important to avoid apologies at first, as this can be seen as an admission of liability.

Take photos of the car accident scene

Visual proof of the damage will help if there ends up being a car accident lawsuit, but it will also help with insurance, as well.

Talk to witnesses

Ask a few bystanders to tell you what they saw, and be sure to take down their contact information. Write down the sequence of events as you remember them, and then document them from the bystanders’ point-of-view, both with as much detail as possible.

Contact your insurance company

Let your insurance company know about the accident, even if you are at fault. It’s also important to keep close tabs on how much time and money you spend on pursuing your claim.

Get a property damage estimate

This number will serve as the amount you can recover or replace your car. If this figure that the insurance company gives isn’t satisfactory to you, it’s perfectly seek quotes elsewhere.

When the other party’s insurance company calls…

Be careful what you say. Chances are, you don’t have the experience to handle a high-stakes situation like this, and it’s definitely in your best interest to have a professional do the speaking for you.

Contact an experienced auto accident attorney

When the other party’s insurance company comes knocking, or when you’re looking to file a claim against the other party in the car accident, you ought to seek legal counseling from an experienced car accident attorney.

If you’ve recently been involved in a car accident in Atlanta, don’t hesitate to contact Bruce A. Hagen, a premier Atlanta personal injury attorney!

Originally Post: 9 Steps to Follow Post-Car Accident

The first step when you believe you are faced with a wrongful death stemming from a car accident is to do some research into circumstances surrounding the accident itself. If possible, try to get copies of any statements or official reports that have been taken by police or other officials. These items can provide clues that help determine exactly what happened in the accident and how it occurred. Having an accident checklist in your car at all times is a great idea.

It’s important to remember that negligence is the key factor when it comes to determining if an accident fatality should be considered a wrongful death. By the nature of the name, most accidents are accidental and are the reason that auto insurance is mandatory in nearly every state; there are inherent risks that come along with driving and it is possible to suffer grievous bodily harm or death in even a low-speed car accident. Having said that, if you are concerned that the circumstances do involve negligence, you may be able to prove a wrongful death and take further action.

There are dozens of ways that someone can cause a wrongful death through negligence, including driving while intoxicated – this can be intoxication resulting from alcohol, as well as narcotic, prescription or store-bought drugs; aggressive driving, including unsafe driving, speeding, driving erratically; and distracted driving – many states now have laws that prevent drivers from using cell phones or texting while driving. Distraction can also come from eating, drinking, using the radio, adjusting controls, fishing in the glove box, children in the car, and more. While some of these circumstances will have solid proof backing them up – such as a breathalyzer test given after the accident – some will not, and will require investigation.

Negligence causing a wrongful death may not be the result of another driver, but of those who built or recently repair the automobile. Accidents can occur as a result of a defect in the brakes, tires, horn, lights, steering, accelerator or any number of other parts in the car. This type of defect will need evidence to back it up, such as proof from a licensed inspector or other person qualified to determine these types of failures.

Other miscellaneous forms of negligence include not having adequate signage or road protection, having unsecured items fall off of your automobile, or not correctly labeling construction sites or work crews. If you have a suspicion that the car accident was the result of negligence – it’s highly possible that it was. And if it was, you’ll need to ready yourself for a possible lawsuit, and you’ll need to contact a wrongful death attorney.

Wrongful death attorneys specialize in helping fight lawsuits for individuals who have suffered a wrongful death of a spouse, child or other family member in situations such as car accidents. They have seen similar circumstances throughout hundreds of cases, and are qualified to advise you on the best course of action. As soon as you’re confident that negligence was a factor in the car accident – contact a wrongful death attorney and sit down to discuss your case.

Dealing with a wrongful death is not something that any of us ever wants to have to deal with, and with luck most of us will never have to experience the suffering that comes along with it. If you do end up in this situation, with a bit of luck and some help from your wrongful death attorney, you will be able to come out on top and ensure that whoever caused the death pays the price.

Originally Post: Car Accidents and Wrongful Death – What you Need to Know

Their children are now filing a wrongful death lawsuit against South Georgia Elevator and their agent Ronald Hickox for their negligence. Allegedly, South Georgia Elevator failed to properly repair the elderly couple’s elevator and equip it with a functioning phone.

Although elevator deaths and accidents are rare, it’s important to be mindful of the detrimentally negligent acts of others in general, the best you can. In doing so, you’ll avoid a possible wrongful death for you and your loved ones. Although it’s difficult to control others’ negligence in a public setting, one place you can control it is in your own home.

Contractors

Contractors that work on the interior and exterior of your home can pose a significant threat to your safety (as the opening paragraphs exemplified). Make sure they are licensed, bonded, and have a great deal of experience. Ask them to see examples of their work, and don’t hesitate to ask if they’ve been involved in any personal injury lawsuits or wrongful death cases in the past.

Babysitters

Babysitters are another party that can potentially pose a safety risk to your family (specifically your children). When searching for a babysitter, ask them to provide several references and do a thorough interview – questioning them on what they’d do in variety of circumstances. Often times, parents make the mistake of choosing babysitters that are too young and immature to take on the task of watching their children. When this is the case, negligence is often a greater possbility, which increases the chances of a personal injury or even a wrongful death for your children.

If one of your loved ones was taken from you due to a wrongful death, don’t hesitate to contact premier Atlanta wrongful death attorney, Bruce A. Hagen!

Originally Post: Georgia Elevator Accident Causes Wrongful Death

Take a look at the tips below to avoid hiking injuries this summer.

1.  Don’t Go Alone

Although it doesn’t happen very often, every once in a while you hear a horror story of a hiker who falls off of a cliff, gets caught under a fallen tree trunk, etc. By far, the most important rule you can observe is simply to take a buddy with you. It’s more fun that way anyway.

2. Take Your Cell Phone

Sure, hiking is your way to escape the hustle and bustle of the modern world, but what happens if both you and your buddy become injured, or you can’t find your way back? By taking your full-charged cell phone with you, help is only seconds away.

3. Start Out Early in the Day

Starting in mid to late afternoon isn’t recommended, especially if you plan on hiking for many hours. If you’re still out hiking when night falls, it can become very difficult to find your way back. Hiking in the woods at night opens up a variety of hiking injuries and risks.

4.  Don’t Drink out of Lakes and Streams

It might be tempting to drink the crystal clear water out of a stream or lake, but it’s actually not worth it. Even if it looks clean, you still don’t know what’s in there. There could be bacteria in the water that your body isn’t used to. Instead, bring a large bottle of water, that’s easy enough to carry.

5. Keep Your Eye out for Wild Animals

Make sure to look down at the trail ahead of you to make sure there are no animals in your path. Stepping on them is a great way  to unintentionally provoke them to fight back – especially snakes.

6. Know Your Limits

Don’t make a leap over a ravine or decide to walk through a fast moving stream unless you’re positive that you will come out on the other side. It’s important to gauge your experience as a hiker and the amount of times you’ve successfully completed such attempts. If you’re a novice at hiking, simply take it easy and find a simpler path.

7. Bring a First Aid Kit

Sometime as easy as taking along a small first aid kit, can prevent small injuries from turning into larger ones.

If you’ve been injured while hiking, don’t hesitate to contact Bruce A. Hagen,  your leading personal injury lawyer.

Originally Post: 7 Hiking Tips to Guide You Through The Summer