According to researchers at Newcastle University in the United Kingdom, even a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) can have a negative impact on the brain. By using a diagnostic test called diffusion tenor imaging (DTI), researchers demonstrated that mild TBI can cause mild forms of brain damage.
The Effects of a Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
Images taken through DTI showed damage to white matter which is considered the wiring between certain parts of the brain that affects cognitive processes and memory. Patients who were part of the study had a mild traumatic brain injury in which they had a concussion or were unresponsive for a short time after getting injured. According to the research, participants with a mild traumatic brain injury performed worse on verbal fluency and memory skills tests.
NFL Lawsuit
In the past couple of years, traumatic brain injuries have been making headlines, thanks in part due to the lawsuit against the National Football League (NFL) by its players. As part of the lawsuit, professional football players who were diagnosed with a concussion or other type of traumatic brain injury during their NFL playing careers sued for compensation.
The NFL agreed to settle the lawsuit for $765 million but retired football players felt this was not enough. The settlement was to pay for those football players who could prove they have Alzheimer’s, dementia, depression or other types of cognitive impairment resulting from a traumatic brain injury. Close to one third of the NFL’s 12,000 former players joined the litigation and according to brain injury lawyers, payments would be based on how long they played for the NFL, their age and type of illness.
Traumatic Brain Injury News in Oklahoma
Recently the Oklahoma Veterans Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment and Recovery Act of 2014 was signed into law by Governor Mary Fallin. The newly signed law declares that any veteran from the state of Oklahoma who has been diagnosed with a TBI and prescribed Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment (HBOT) would be eligible for free services at any licensed medical facility in the state. The new law could help up to 40,000 veterans who have been afflicted with TBI. Four other states are following Oklahoma’s lead by introducing similar bills.
Contact a Brain Injury Lawyer
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury, contact Attorney Group for Oklahoma for a free consultation. We can help you understand your options, answer questions you may have and determine if you have a claim. If you decide to file a lawsuit, we can connect you with an experienced attorney. Contact us today to learn more.
