New York Traumatic Brain Injury Law Blog

We have previously written that brain injury victims often need a strong network of family and friends to advocate for them as they work toward recovery. Because traumatic brain injuries can sometimes impair a patient's ability to make competent judgments on important financial, legal and medical issues, their network of advocates is especially important.

Sadly, there are some people who try to take advantage of brain injury victims during this vulnerable time. Recently, a man who worked at the Long Island Head Injury Association was charged with dozens of counts of identity theft and grand larceny for filing false tax returns using the identities of brain injury patients in New York and surrounding areas.

In recent years, New York has shown a commitment to prevent and better respond to traumatic brain injuries in students and young athletes. This commitment was demonstrated in the passage of the Concussion Management Awareness Act.

Other states have passed similar legislation, and it seems like brain injury prevention in high school sports is quickly becoming a national priority. Ironically, though, recent study results suggest that "catastrophic" brain injuries among high school football players have been on the rise in the last few years.

After any physical injury, there are countless decisions that need to be made. This includes important medical decisions, and oftentimes, legal decisions as well. But it should come as no surprise that a traumatic brain injury can significantly impair a person's ability to make these important decisions.

A new study published in the April issue of "Neurology" confirms this common-sense idea. Researchers examined the decision-making abilities of 86 patients with brain injuries and compared them with the abilities 40 healthy individuals in a control group.

First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden have recently inspired a host of media coverage focused on issues affecting the nation's troops and their families. One particular issue has motivated high-profile professional medical groups to pledge their support to aiding troops and families affected by traumatic brain injury (TBI).

The American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) and the American Nurses Association (ANA), along with many other nursing groups, have joined forces with Mrs. Obama and Dr. Biden to better support TBI-affected military families. Their efforts will focus widely on wellness issues, education, employment and other support necessary for these individuals.