Head & Brain Injuries

• Old Head Injuries Linked to Behavioral & Cognitive Problems

  Michael Phelan | February 02, 2008 9:01 AM | 0 CommentsRichmond, VA

  Researchers studying brain injury believe that people with unrelated social or cognitive problems may have something in common: a long-forgotten blow to the head. It is widely accepted that severe head injuries can lead to cognitive and behavioral problems. What is new, according to brain researchers Wayne A. Gordan, M.D. and Mary Hibbard, Ph.D., is the contention that there are many other...

• $3.5 Million Settlement in Brain Damage Case

  Michael Phelan | November 14, 2007 11:39 AM | 0 CommentsRichmond, VA

  I am so proud to represent, along with co-counsel Yvonne Griffin, one of the finest people I've ever met. Our client taught third grade to inner-city kids for 33 years and also worked a second job in order to put three of her own children through college. Last year, a truck crashed into her car and she suffered a fractured femur. She stopped breathing at the ER, and a CT scan revealed that...

• Sen. Clinton addresses Lead Poisoning Crisis

  Michael Phelan | October 31, 2007 1:04 PM | 0 CommentsRichmond, VA

  As part of National Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, Senator Hillary Clinton today introduced legislation to improve coordination among federal, state and local government agencies, update standards for pre-lease or sale inspections required by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and establish pilot projects to target areas of high incidence of lead poisoning in...

• Traumatic Brain Injury: Virginia's "Silent Epidemic"

  Michael Phelan | October 24, 2007 4:44 PM | 0 CommentsRichmond, VA

  The Virginian Pilot reported recently that an estimated 150,000 Virginians may have long-term disabilities because of brain injury. Brain damage typically is caused by trauma such as a fall, a car accident, or violence. Like so many other states, Virginia is ill equipped to deal with this epidemic. A study commission of the General Assembly found that Virginia has only 20 specialized beds...

• Brain Injury Causes Later-Life Depression

  Michael Phelan | May 31, 2007 11:52 AM | 0 CommentsRichmond, VA

  A study by the University of North Carolina's Center for the Study of Retired Athletes of over 2,500 retired NFL players found that the rate of clinical depression among the population of retired players is strongly correlated with the number of concussions they sustained during their careers. This study corroborates other findings regarding brain injury and later-life depression in other...

• Defense Department Memo Reveals Traumatic Brain Injury Now Signature Injury of Iraq War, Yet is Under-diagnosed and Poorly Treated

  Michael Phelan | March 08, 2007 3:41 PM | 0 CommentsRichmond, VA

  According to a previously undisclosed Defense Department memorandum obtained via a Freedom of Information Act request by USA Today: Military Prodded on Traumatic Brain Injuries, the Pentagon lacks a comprehensive plan to identify and treat tens of thousands of troops who may suffer from traumatic brain injury, the signature wound of the Iraq War. The Memo faulted the Pentagon's ability to spot...

• Suicide by Former NFL Player Linked to Brain Injuries

  Michael Phelan | January 18, 2007 9:44 AM | 0 CommentsRichmond, VA

  Sports fans were shocked to learn last November that hard-hitting former Eagles safety, Andre Waters, committed suicide by shooting himself in the head. The New York Times reports today that Mr. Waters's brain has been examined by Dr. Bennet Omalu, a leading forensic neuropathologist, who concluded that Mr. Waters sustained strong>brain damage > from playing football which led to his depression...

• The Effects of Brain Injury

  Staff Writer | July 05, 2006 11:22 AM | 0 CommentsRichmond, VA

  In my practice, I see the effects of traumatic brain injury. Unfortunately, many times certain symptoms of brain injury have gone completely undiagnosed by the attending physicians. Initially, emergency and rescue is usually called to the scene to treat life threatening conditions that may be present. Then, the injured party may be taken to the hospital, where they are treated for certain...

• Cooling Brain of Young Children Before Anesthesia May Prevent Brain Damage

  Michael Phelan | November 24, 2008 12:23 PM | 0 CommentsRichmond, VA

  Growing evidence suggests exposure to anesthetic drugs during brain development may contribute to behavioral and developmental delays. Since the human brain continues to develop until approximately...

• Justice Dep't Fights to Deny Mental Health Care to Vets

  Michael Phelan | February 09, 2008 5:07 PM | 0 CommentsRichmond, VA

  No matter how politicians view the war in Iraq, they all say publically that they support the troops. The signature injury of this war, brain damage, results in a host of symptoms including depression, suicidal ideation, and post traumatic stress. In opposing a proposed class action lawsuit accusing the government of illegally denying mental health treatment to troops returning from Iraq and...