Symptoms of a Brain Injury

A traumatic injury is one where only a particular area of the brain is affected, that area where the external blow was applied. Often, it may result in damage only to the area controlling the speech, sight or any such particular function of the body. Symptoms of a traumatic brain injury are: * Unconsciousness is [...]

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Hypoxic Brain Injury

Hypoxic brain injury a condition that refers to a severe decrease of oxygen supplied to the brain, even though there is sufficient blood flow. This condition may be caused by a blockage in the respiratory tract or airways brought about by strangling, suffocation or choking, conditions such as head trauma, cardiac arrest, carbon monoxide poisoning [...]

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Anoxic Brain Injury

Anoxic Brain Injury occurs in cases of severe lack of oxygen to the brain. This usually happens when blood is unable to flow to the brain due to certain injuries or bleeding. There are three types of such injury: anemic anoxia (blood doesn’t carry enough oxygen), toxic anoxia (caused by toxins that block oxygen in [...]

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Alzheimer’s Disease ? Separating Facts From Myths

March 4th, 2011 admin
5108328806 4db082d4b7 m Alzheimers Disease ? Separating Facts From Myths

My own family has been touched by Alzheimer’s so it’s very important for me to help you separate the myths from the truth about AD. By having the facts you can better protect yourself against the onset of Alzheimer’s or help your loved ones who are already suffering from the disease.

Myth: We see more people with Alzheimer’s disease because of media attention.
Truth: The number of people with AD is increasing every year and the percentage of people with AD in North America is increasing, though the lifespan is getting shorter.

The number of people with Alzheimer’s disease is increasing at an alarming rate. There is no cure. Currently, over 500 clinical trials are being conducted just to find a way to slow down the runaway epidemic of AD. But trying to reversethe damage of AD once the disease has progressed is like trying to hold back the tidewith your bare hands: there is little hope of success. Prevention and slowing the progress of AD are the only hopes we currently have.

Year after year we watch as this disease steals the people we love. The irony of this  disease is so disheartening: AD strikes when we are atthe richest point in life in terms of experience and wisdom.

Myth: Alzheimer’s disease is genetic; there is nothing we can do about it.
Truth: AD is the accumulation of many years of damage to your brain, causing plaque to build up and nerves to tangle. There are prevention strategies that work to help reduce the damage to our brain and to reduce the chances of AD.

The chances of being diagnosed with AD increase as we age. AD affects about half of people age 85 and older. However, this is more a product of biological age than chronological age. In other words, AD has more to do with how well we are aging rather than how many days we cross off our calendar! AD is a disease of accumulation: every trauma to our head, every toxin that poisons our brain, every stressful day and every moment we are nutrient-defi cient add to the accumulated damage to our brain.

This is biological aging and it has little to do with the calendar. Genetics absolutely plays a role in AD development. We can often get a glimpse into our genetics by looking at our homocysteine (HCY) levels. The higher the blood levels of HCY, the
greater the likelihood we will develop AD.

A gene defect that predisposes a person to AD is called the MTHFR defect. It is common in about 40% of people. This gene pumps out HCY in very high amounts. What is the solution for elevated HCY? Foods and food supplements rich in B vitamins. (A published clinical trial of HCY Guard demonstrated that it reduced elevated HCY levels by 35% in just 42 days!

So, while there are definite genetic markers to help us determine our AD risk, there are also proven strategies to help us protect against the damage that may lead to AD. Reduce your risk by reducing toxic, inflammatory, brain-destroying levels of homocysteine.

Myth: Only drugs are powerful enough to stop Alzheimer’s disease.
Truth: AD prevention depends to a large extent on the choices we make every day.

According to the National Institutes of Health, the majority of AD prevention strategies rest in our own hands. And, while experimental drugs and vaccines offer some hope of prevention, proven strategies exist that you can use today:
• Reduce toxins, including toxic levels of HCY
• Meticulously manage your blood pressure, blood sugar and LDL (“bad” cholesterol)levels
• Increase antioxidants and nutrient-dense foods
• Supplement your diet with proven nutrients for healthy aging
• Reduce inflammation with Omega-3 essential fatty acids
• Protect your head from injury
• Exercise every day and get your rest every night
• Stay socially engaged
• Commit yourself to lifelong learning.

During National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month, let’s
use this opportunity to learn all we can about AD prevention
strategies and implement them daily.

Can you Survive a Ruptured Brain Aneurysm? Part 2of3

March 4th, 2011 admin
1073512237 3d3dec1edd m Can you Survive a Ruptured Brain Aneurysm? Part 2of3

When a Cerebral Aneurysms ruptures it can be sudden and with little or no warning. One minute everything is fine and then everything goes bad. The worst part is it does not make any difference where you are, or what you are doing.

Some of the immediate systems are:

1. A severe headache

2. Your vision blurs

3. You lose conscious

Your chances of survival are increased the faster you get treatment for this type of injury. It may sound cryptic, but your chances are a matter of luck. You stand a pretty good chance of suffering minimal damage if you are very lucky. I was very lucky.

A Note: Early diagnosis is vital. A simple MRI can detect a possible problem forming in your head. Insist that your doctor setup an MRI exam if you suffer from severe or constant headaches. My aneurysm was about the size of a grape and would have been easily detected by an MRI long before it ruptured.

A ruptured brain aneurysm leaks blood into the spinal fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord causing a chemical reaction in the blood and the surrounding areas of the brain. This type of a ruptured cerebral aneurysm, also known as a subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is one of the causes of the severe headaches.

REPAIRING THE HOLE IN THE RUPTURED ANEURYSM

How The Ruptured Hole Is Plugged

Detachable Coil Embolization

Treatment for a brain injury of this type depends a great deal on the severity, and location of the injury. A relatively new procedure called “Detachable Coil Embolization” using “Guglielmi Detachable Coils” (GDC) will be used if access to the damaged area can be easily reached by feeding a probe to the area through a main artery. This eliminates the need of opening the skull to gain access to the aneurysm.

Radiologist inserts a tube, called a catheter, into an artery in the leg. They feed the catheter up through the body to the damaged area of the aneurysm. Once in position, a number of small coils are fed through the catheter into the aneurysm. The body responds by forming a blood clot around the coil blocking off the aneurysm.

The detachable coils are little wires that are easily formed into coiling wires. A series of these wires are placed into the affected area and formed into a ball that plugs the hole in the artery.

Try and form this picture in your mind. A glob of worms, 10,15,20 worms, group together forming a tangled mass of worms. This is essentially what a “Detachable Coil” looks like when the doctor completes the task of forming the coils into a plug.

CLIPPING A RUPTURED ANEURYSM

Placing a surgical clip at the neck of a ruptured aneurysm is considered a more traditional way to stop the bleeding from the ruptures area. The highest risk, in my opinion, is that the skull must be opened to gain access to the damaged area.

There is about a 35% risk of the clipped area to start bleeding again within the first two weeks of an injury. This makes it extremely important that surgery is preformed within 72 hours from the time of the rupture. This lessens the risk of the aneurysm bleeding.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE SURGERY.

Physical and mental damage usually occurs whether the ruptured aneurysm is repaired with coils or clips. The effects are very similar to what a stroke victim suffers.

The recovery process can take months or even years to restore, what is hopefully, normal everyday functions.

A Note: My aneurysm burst 5 years ago. I am still working to regain some physical abilities; some will never be restored.

Part 3 will cover some of the problems that are encountered and ways that I have used to overcome the disabilities.

Doctor Sued For Malpractice For Failure to Monitor Fetal Vital Signs Properly

March 4th, 2011 admin
4930787083 067d198d25 m Doctor Sued For Malpractice For Failure to Monitor Fetal Vital Signs Properly

A monoamniotic-monochorionic twin pregnancy is a condition where twins are developing inside the same amniotic sac. This is an extraordinarily rare high risk pregnancy, which can cause the umbilical cords of the two babies to become intertwined. In case this happens both babies could die or the death of one twin could cause the other twin to endure a severe brain injury. In circumstances where umbilical cord occlusion happens, time is critical for the physician to identify the situation and perform an emergency C-section.

In a certain number of pregnancies involving twins a situation might happen in which the two twins grow within a single amniotic sac. This predicament is known as a monoamniotic-monochorionic pregnancy. There is the likelihood that the umbilical cords can become entangled placing at risk the health and even the live of the babies. In some cases in which there is umbilical cord occlusion both twins die. In different cases one twin lives but suffers severe brain damage. Doctors normally acknowledge that these pregnancies should be carefully monitored. That way in the event that an umbilical cord problem happens a timely emergency C-section can save the twins.

In the uncommon circumstance in which unborn twins share the same amniotic sac there is a significant possibility that their umbilical cords may become entangled. This cuts off the oxygen supply to the babies. Sometimes neither baby survives. In some other cases even though one baby lives that twin is left with a serious brain injury. An emergency C-section immediately after an umbilical cord occlusion takes place is the only way to keep both babies alive and without a brain injury. This demands diligent checking of the mother throughout the pregnancy for signs that the umbilical cords are knotted.

One kind of high risk pregnancy takes place if the mother is carrying twins in a single amniotic sac, a situation identified as monoamniotic-monochorionic twins. This form of pregnancy carries the known risk of umbilical cord entanglement. In cases where this takes place the oxygen supply to the babies can be cut off. Oxygen is necessary for the babies to be health. Being subjected to a prolonged period of oxygen insufficiency can result in brain damage or possibly the death of the twins. Seeing as this is known to happen in pregnancies involving monoamniotic-monochorionic twins the expectant mother’s physician should thoroughly monitor the pregnancy for any indications of umbilical cord occlusion. Doctors generally recognize that to be able to protect the life and health of the babies the medically correct course of action is an emergency C-section immediately after clues of this complication show up.

In this article we examine a reported case in which the pregnant woman was diagnosed with this sort of pregnancy. Beginning in the twenty sixth week of pregnancy her doctor prescribed twice a week non-stress testing to keep tabs on vital signs of her twins. Although it was standard practice to hospitalize the woman and have the babies monitored daily, the physician did not do this and at some point between 2 tests, one twin died and the other twin sustained severe brain damage.

The parents filed a lawsuit claiming medical malpractice. Even though the parents had suffered a heartbreaking loss, the defense would not settle. The law firm that helped the family took the claim to trial. After the law firm overcame a number of procedural hurdles and an appeal by the defense, the Appeals Court upheld the jury award to the family in the amount of .0 Million. The Appeals Court even cited a number of studies and articles which described that to ensure the safety of both twins it is required to admit the pregnant woman around the twenty sixth week of her pregnancy and to do non-stress tests at a minimum frequency of once a day, if not 2 or 3 times daily, to check on the vital signs of the twins.

Work Injury Prevention-The Basic Concept of Worker’s Protection Part 1

March 3rd, 2011 admin

Understanding Protection.

Protection here, is a protection system in the form of compensation that is not in the form of monetary or cash, either directly or indirectly, employed by companies to workers. This protection by providing a sense of security, both in the financial, health, and physical safety as workers, so workers can move quietly and can contribute positively to the enhancement value of the company. the protection of workers is a necessity for companies that are required by the government through rules and laws. In implementing protection programs, many employers are working with insurance companies that provide cover to possible health problems, financial or other problems encountered or experienced by workers and his families in the future. Practically, the granting of this protection is not the same quality for each worker, depending on each position and their work’s responsibility.

Factors That Determine Protection Provision of protection between each employee is influenced by various factors namely:

Responsibility

The higher the position an employee in a company, the greater the responsibility upon him. A CEO, a top leader in the enterprise, carry the greatest responsibility to the viability of business enterprises. The higher the responsibility carried by one, the higher the insurance coverage provided by the company. For example, a Manager of Treasury or the Branch Manager of the Bank have a higher responsibility than the Dealer who served in the Dealing Room. Therefore, the degree of protection provided by the company to the Manager of Treasury or the Branch Manager is higher than the Dealer, for example of the quality of health benefits.

Skill (Expertise)

For enterprise business continuity, companies need employees who have special expertise. for example, in the field of information technology, the company hire the information technology experts who mastered computer technology. Their expertise is very specific, so as to maintain to keep them working at the company, the company implemented a program worthy of protection and even sometimes above – average that what can be given by competitors. Protection’s program applied to workers who have specialized skills will be higher compared with workers that do not require special expertise, such as clerical workers

Mental Effort (l Brain / Mental)

Employees who rely on the ability of the brain work better. such as analysts, programmers, marketers, or accountant. The working class is often called the “White Collar” worker class is usually obtain a higher degree of protection compared with the working class who rely more on physical strength (Blue Collar)

Physical condition or effort

Employees who rely more on physical strength (Blue Collar), such as security guards (guard), janitors or construction workers. Usually the protection given by the company to them more focused in the form of protection for safety.

Work Conditions

The working conditions are expected by the worker to a single industry sector is often different. For example, working conditions for workers in the field of petroleum, which works in offshore will vary with the working conditions on the ground. The more heavy working conditions faced by workers, the higher the protection programs are implemented.

Government (Government Regulation)

Government as a regulator usually make regulations requiring employers or companies to provide adequate protection for workers. For example, the government oblige companies provide protection for workers through insurance.. Through insurance, the workers laid off, workers who experience accidents during work, will get proper compensation from the insurance. In addition, the government also requires companies to grant leave for worker’s physical and mental refreshment.

Next in part 2, I will explain more about compensation as a worker’s protection

 

Insurance Coverage Options for the Traumatically Brain Injured (part1)

March 3rd, 2011 admin
5184556653 e4fb3ddb28 m Insurance Coverage Options for the Traumatically Brain Injured (part1)

Once the acute care period is over and the patient is stabilized, the resources available to the patient can substantially impact treatment and recovery. In a perfect world, every patient would have unlimited access to the best resources available to meet their needs. Ours unfortunately is not a perfect world.

The consequences of a traumatic brain injury are far reaching. Not only are there treatment costs associated with the recovery from the acute injuries, but there are the costs of long term care and supervision, the lost support to the family unit that the injured party previously contributed, the increased physical demands placed upon the caregivers and family of the survivor to meet the needs of their injured loved ones, and the family having to step into the breach of the role that the injured person previously contributed to the family.

This analysis will focus on health insurance sources of funding for treatment and assistance to the traumatically brain injured.

Secondary Payors stand behind the patient to pay all or a portion of the patient’s medical expenses depending upon coverage and policy limitations. Healthcare providers are familiar with the process of confirming coverage in advance of medical procedures and I will not be addressing those issues here. Also, I will not address appeals from denial of coverage for medical procedures as those appeals are often dependent upon the precise language of the policy and the parties involved in the decision making process.

A.Health Insurance Coverage

The health insurance coverage which a patient has can make a dramatic difference in the care which is available to the patient who is unable or unwilling to pay for the services directly. The type of insurance the patient has becomes most noticeable once the patient has stabilized.

1.Lifetime Coverage Limits

Most insurance companies have insurance policies that establish lifetime limits on coverage. Be aware that procedures which are covered may become uncovered once the lifetime limit has been reached. It is not uncommon for lifetime limits to be reached in treating catastrophic injuries. Families and treating medical professionals should be aware of the impact of their patient’s lifetime limit coverage limits and request threshold notification from the insurance provider as the threshold of the coverage limitation is approached.

2.Subrogation Clauses

Subrogation clauses appear in some insurance policies. A subrogation clause allows the insurer the right to take legal action against a third party responsible for a loss to an insured for which a claim has been paid. The clause takes its name from the section of the policy which gives the insurer the right to be subrogated to, or take as its own, the insured’s claim and to sue the person or entity causing the injuries for the damages. An insurance carrier may only sue in the name of the insured if the insured had a deductible and therefore a personal stake in the outcome of the litigation. Few health insurance policies have true subrogation clauses.

3.Therapy Benefits

Policies often have different caps and coverage’s for therapy benefits. Coverage’s for therapy benefits need to be explored and the therapy services properly coded in order to insure reimbursement for these much needed modalities.

4.Home Care Benefits

If a patient has long term care insurance, that will often cover home care benefits. Long term care insurance benefits, while often purchased by the elderly, apply to all persons meeting the coverage definitions. Traumatically brain injured individuals often meet the coverage definitions of long term care insurance benefits.

5.Veterans Administration Benefits

If your patient was in the military, and certain covered spouses, they may be entitled to Veterans Administration benefits. The Veterans Administration contracts with some nursing homes to provide for residents covered by the VA Program.

6.Durable Medical Equipment

There is often separate coverage under most policies for the provision of durable medical equipment.

Traumatic Brain Injuries are often referred to as the silent epidemic. A person’s life can be substantially and dramatically affected by a brain injury. Those of you serving on the front lines want the best outcome for their patients and loved ones. By securing all available funding, our loved ones can focus on their recovery.

Vomiting Causes and Symptoms and Simple Home Remedies for Vomiting Treatment

March 3rd, 2011 admin

Vomiting is a process in which the stomach forcefully removes foods and liquids in it. It is generally a very common ailment so there is no immediate need for medical attention. She could be vomiting due to various reasons such as overeating, upset stomach, infections, headache or a flu. However, vomiting is symptomatic of other problems such as brain tumors and very high inter-cranial pressure so if she doesn’t stop vomiting after twenty-four to thirty-six hours, or if she starts to vomit more frequently, you then need to consult your doctor immediately.

Read more on Home Remedies for Vomiting and Home Remedies for Diarrhea and also visit on Home Remedies For Indigestion

What causes vomiting?
Vomiting is caused by many things. Common reasons for vomiting are over eating, drinking too much alcohol, stomach virus, acid reflux, pregnancy or illness. Some other causes of vomiting, although these are not as common, stomach cancer, intestinal blockage, brain tumors, brain injury or appendicitis. Vomiting can also be a side effect to several different medications or from motion sickness. While vomiting is not the most present thing many times it is something happens because your body needs it too. Fighting the urge to vomit can many times prolong the need to vomit, so by going with what your body needs it can be over much quicker.

What are some common symptoms of vomiting
Almost everyone has vomited at least once in their life since being an infant. You can usually tell when you need to or are about to vomit. There are many sure tell signs such as large amounts of saliva being produced in your mouth, becoming dizzy or lightheaded, changes in body or skin temperature, trouble swallowing liquids or food or an elevated heart beat rate. An upset stomach or queasiness can also be a sign of approaching vomit. If you experience any of these symptoms you should quickly get to a place such as a bathroom or a garbage pail although this is not always possible.

Treatment after Vomiting
Usually after vomiting, people either want to fill their stomachs or want to stay hungry. Both these options are not good for your system. All kinds of solid foods should be avoided for the first twelve hours after vomiting. Ask your sister to have a lot of liquids such as coconut water. This has a soothing effect on the stomach. A glass of chilled lime juice is also very effective. You need to squeeze 1 lime in a glass of cold water and just a little sugar and salt. You could also add some ice to make it really chilled. She needs to drink this every two hours. Having ginger, peppermint or mint tea will also make her feel better. Other liquids such as vegetable and fruit juices could also be consumed. The important thing to remember here is that she needs to drink the fluids really slowly, as the stomach is recovering and needs to get adjusted to the presence of any sort of food. The amount of fluid needed can be determined by the color of the urine. If the urine is deep yellow in color then she is not drinking enough water. The paler the urine gets, the better it is to prevent dehydration.

Tips for nausea and vomiting:
1.    Ginger is a great remedy for nausea and vomiting. Eat ginger in any form – fresh, extract or crystals to get relief from nausea. Make yourself a cup of ginger tea, bite into ginger sticks or eat a ginger cookie for relief.
2.    Drink some warm broth like clear soups or herbal teas. Saltine crackers and a beverage made with warm water and lemons can work well too.
3.    You can bite into a peppermint candy or run some peppermint oil for relief.
4.    Nausea, nausea vomiting, diarrhea, vomiting diarrhea, vomiting and nausea, vomiting blood, vomiting causes, vomiting and diarrhea, vomiting in children

Compensation for Brain and Spinal Injuries

March 3rd, 2011 admin
3439340749 b8db3ba0b9 m Compensation for Brain and Spinal Injuries

An injured person is eligable to claim compensation for the pain and suffering they experience as a result of an injury which was not their fault and also for other expenses related to the injury.

It is likely that a person who suffers a spinal injury or brain injury will need to alter their surroundings and make changes to their lifestyle on a permanent basis and these adaptations can be costly.

Costs after a traumatic brain injury or spinal injury can include medical costs, changes to the victims home, living costs, and more.  Other possible costs include personal care, rehabilitation, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and equipment.

Compensation claims for serious brain injuries and spinal injuries can be valued at millions of dollars but only an experienced personal Injury Lawyer will be able to achieve the maximum settlement amount.

Expert Persoanl Injury lawyers are also often able to obtain early payments for our seriously injured victims that can make a  big difference while the full amount of compensation is being negotiated.

Brain and Spinal Injuries change your life and the life of your family forever. Serious injuries of this type can very very complex. A personal injury lawyer with the experience, dedication, and reputation for success is required.

Compensation can be paid in a variety ways;  lump sum,  periodic payments or a combination of each, Periodic payments.

Time limits govern when you must notify the responsible parties that you intend to bring a claim and they govern when you must start your claim for compensation. These time limits can restrict your rights to recover your losses. Not everyone is entitled to claim compensation from the person who caused the accident. Each claim is different.

Authored by,

Toronto’s leading personal injury law firm (http://www.kahlerlawfirm.com)

Distracted Drivers on Eighteen Wheels, motor vehicle accident,

March 2nd, 2011 admin

On January first, Illinois joined the substantial minority of states who currently ban text messaging while driving. The new state law also bans checking email, updating social networking sites and general web-surfing while driving as well. The fact that the Illinois state legislature felt the need to specify a ban on surfing the web while driving signals that a new trend in legislation may be on the horizon.

It is no longer sufficient for states to ban texting while driving or hand-held cell phone use. New handheld technology and in-vehicle technology which promote the use of the Internet while driving are the newest targets for advocates and lawmakers who want technology that contributes to the nation’s distracted driver problem banned from the road.

As studies have shown that distracted drivers of large commercial vehicles are even more dangerous than distracted drivers of smaller vehicles, Americans who travel by motor vehicle have reason to worry about the impact of putting Internet-based technology into the hands or cabs of commercial vehicle drivers.

Texting Bans Abound

Late last year, President Obama signed an executive order requiring federal employees to refrain from texting while driving government-owned vehicles. Last month, the Transportation Department banned truck and bus drivers from texting while operating commercial vehicles weighing over 10,000 pounds. Truck drivers who violate the new federal law will be subject to civil or criminal penalties including fines up to ,750.00.

These laws are only the latest in a national trend of lawmaking that has resulted in 19 states banning texting while driving for all drivers and six states banning all hand-held cell phone use while driving. The Transportation Department has stated that it is additionally working on regulations that would restrict the use of cell phones by truckers and the use of the in-vehicle computers that truck drivers use to communicate with dispatchers. Lawmakers’ recent focus on restricting distracted driving among truck drivers likely relates to the decrease in road-safety that occurs when truckers, in particular, become distracted.

The Distracted Driver Plague

A study by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute reports that the likelihood of a crash due to cell-phone use disproportionately affects commercial truck drivers in comparison with car drivers. The study reports that:

The risk of an accident is 5.9 times more likely for a truck driver who is dialing a phone, as opposed to the 2.8 times risk increase for a car driver
The risk of an accident that a truck driver faces when reaching for an electronic device is 6.7 times higher, as opposed to the 1.4 times risk increase for a car driver

In addition, a study by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration discovered that 71 percent of the crashes in which commercial truck drivers played a part involved at least one distracted driving practice. In 2007, 413,000 large trucks were involved in crashes resulting in nearly 5,000 fatalities. In light of such statistics, it is not surprising that lawmakers are resisting the implementation of even more distracting technology than the cell phones, which currently distract a large proportion of drivers.

Even More Distractions…

There are three different kinds of distraction that frequently plague drivers:

Manual – involves taking one or both hands off the wheel
Visual – involves, however briefly, taking one’s eyes off the road
Cognitive – involves taking one’s mind off the task of driving and the action on the road

Interacting with hand-held or touch screen in-vehicle technology involves all three kinds of distractions. Carnegie Mellon has reported that driving while using any kind of cell phone reduces the amount of brain activity needed to drive safely by 37 percent. To what extent brain activity, needed for safe driving, is reduced by driver interaction with Internet-ready devices has yet to be determined. However, it is a safe assumption that these devices reduce attention to driving by an even greater amount.

Lawmakers have recently turned their attention to new “infotainment” systems designed for cars and trucks as concern grows among the public that utilizing such devices while driving could prove to be even more dangerous than texting while driving. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood is planning on meeting with automakers to discuss the issue. LaHood has been a vocal opponent of technology that raises the risks of distracted driving. He has so far declined to comment on whether he will try to restrict in-vehicle Internet-ready technology, but given his opposition to cell phone use and texting while driving, it is likely that LaHood will push for some regulation of the new technology.

Questions and Answers

If you have been injured in an accident involving a distracted driver, please contact an experienced personal injury attorney. An attorney can answer any questions you have regarding your claim and explain your legal rights and options.

 

Payment Options for the Traumatically Brain Injured – Part II

March 2nd, 2011 admin
3156832804 3188afa249 m Payment Options for the Traumatically Brain Injured Part II

As we discussed last time, once the acute care period is over and the patient is stabilized, the resources available to the patient can substantially impact treatment and recovery. In a perfect world, every patient would have unlimited access to the best resources available to meet their needs. Ours unfortunately is not a perfect world.

The consequences of a traumatic brain injury are far reaching. Not only are there treatment costs associated with the recovery from the acute injuries, but there are the costs of long term care and supervision, the lost support to the family unit that the injured party previously contributed, the increased physical demands placed upon the caregivers and family of the survivor to meet the needs of their injured loved ones, and the family having to step into the breach of the role that the injured person previously contributed to the family.

This analysis will focus on governmental sources of funding for treatment and assistance to the traumatically brain injured.

B. Medicaid Medicaid is health insurance that helps people who cannot afford medical care pay for some or all of their medical bills. Medicaid is available based on income, and applies only to low income individuals and families who fit into the eligibility group recognized by Federal and State law. Medicaid is administered on a state-by-state basis. Medicaid pays money directly to the health care providers.

1. Medicaid Liens. Like private health professionals, Medicaid may assert a lien on any recovery for the monies which it has paid. However, to the extent that there are not enough monies in the recovery to pay every provider in full, Medicaid must share “pro-rata” with any unpaid medical providers pursuant to the requirements of N.C.G.S. 108A-57.

2. Medicaid waiver North Carolina has instituted certain waiver services allowed by statute. These are commonly known as Medicaid Waivers. The Waivers tend to be aimed at different target populations.
a) NC-Community Alternatives Programs. This provides case management, respite, adult day health, in home aids, delivered meals, waiver supplies and home mobility aids to AIDs diagnoses for persons thirteen and older, HIV seroposivity and CDC classification of category A, B, or C for children aged 2 to 12 and HIV seropositivity for children up to age 2.
b) NC-CAP Choice. This waiver provides adult day health, respite, personal assistant, telephone alert, home delivered meals, in-home health aids, home mobility aids, waiver supplies, consumer designated goods and services, care advice, and financial management services to individuals elderly and disabled.
c) NC-Managed Behavioral Health Care Waiver This Medicaid waiver provides managed behavioral health care to the piedmont region.
d) NC Community Alternatives Program for Children The program provides case management, personal care services, respite care, nursing services, home mobility aids and waiver supplies for disabled children aged 18 years or younger.
e) NC-Community Alternatives Program for Disabled Adults. Provides case management, respite (in home and institutional), adult day care, day health care, home modifications, PERS, attendant care, waiver supplies and home delivered meals.
f) NCMR/DD This Medicaid waiver provides case management, personal care, respite habilitation (day and in-patient), environmental modifications, transportation, specialized medical equipment and supplies, PERS, family training, in home aid, vehicle adaptations, crisis stabilization, developmental day care, therapeutic case consultation, supported living, augmentative communication, live-in caregiver and interpreter services to individuals with MR/DD.

3. North Carolina Division of Aging and Adult Services The North Carolina Division of Aging and Adult Services has many programs to assist older adults and persons with disabilities. The benefits extend to the patient and their families through community-based systems of opportunities, services, benefits and protections. Many of these services extend to brain injured individuals who also meet the definition of “persons with disabilities”.

4. Short Term/Long Term Disability Insurance If the injured person was employed at the time they acquired the brain injury, they may also be eligible for short term or long term disability coverage through their employer. It is not unusual for employers to offer group disability coverage to their employees. While this benefit may not directly pay for medical services, employees typically are eligible to receive a percentage of their base pay as their disability benefit. A typical plan has short term coverage for a period of three (3) months where the employee is paid roughly 80% of their base pay and after that period if they are still unable to work and they apply for long term disability, the employee is then paid a lower rate – often 60% — of the base pay for an extended period of time.
1. Many people also purchase disability coverage’s on mortgages and other financial obligations. Caregivers should consider inquiring with any lending institution to which the brain injured is obligated for the possibility of such coverage. These benefits range from a suspension in the repayment obligation during the period of disability to a complete payoff of the loan.

5. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is Federal income supplement program funded by general tax revenues (not Social Security taxes) that is designed to help aged, blind and disabled people who have little or no income. SSI benefits are intended to meet basis needs of food, clothing and shelter. The standards of disability differ between whether the person is over or under 18 years of age.
1. If the person is under 18 years of age, “disabled” means a medically determinable physical or mental impairment which results in marked and severe functional limitations; and can be expected to result in death; or has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.
2. If an individual is over 18 years of age, “disabled” means he or she had a medically determinable physical or mental impairment which results in the inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity; and can be expected to result in death; or has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.

6. Social Security Disability In addition to SSI, Social Security Disability insurance pays benefits to the injured person and certain members of that injured persons family if they are “insured” (meaning that they have worked long enough and paid Social Security taxes). To qualify for benefits, a patient must have first worked in jobs covered by Social Security then have a medical condition that meets Social Security’s definition of disability. The definition of “disability” is consistent with the definition of SSI disability stated above. Social Security Disability is not based on income but the benefits can phase-out based on the earned income which the disabled individual receives. Disability payments from private sources, such as private pension or insurance benefits typically do not affect Social Security Disability benefits. However, Workers’ Compensation and other public disability benefits may reduce the Social Security Disability benefits.

For more information visit www.perryfisherlaw.com

Make Successful Personal Injury Claims

March 2nd, 2011 admin
5332042583 920ec7d795 m Make Successful Personal Injury Claims

Accidents do occur and no matter how much you try to avoid them, they may involve some serious bodily injuries. Whenever you, a family member, or a loved one is injured due to somebody else’s actions, such as in a road accident, compensation becomes an elementary thing. Compensation from the insurance company of the one who is at fault must be a fair settlement for the victim. Unfortunately, a fair settlement is a rare thing in reality.

 

Many people who caused an accident and bodily injury to some other person often do not take responsibility of their actions. Due to this, their insurance companies make profits by underpaying the victims with an unsatisfactory amount. In addition, insurance companies have appointed lawyers who understand the intricacies of such legal claims and can govern the law backward or forward. In such cases, the victim must have some idea about the rights them posses and some remedies that can be used for sorting the matter. Hiring a professional Miami Car accident Attorney can be your way to success and a desirable claim amount.

 

An experienced Miami personal injury attorney is an expert in his own field. He knows how to develop your case and go about it for all the legal requirements and presentations. Negotiating your case with the third party’s insurance company is not less than art. An experienced Attorney is your artist for performing that art for you. These attorneys can help you in making the maximum claims possible from the insurance company while maintaining your position in the eyes of the law. A good lawyer is at and advantageous position that you can share when it comes to your personal injury claims due to some other person’s fault.

 

Motorcycle accidents involve drunk driving, hit and run cases caused due to insured and underinsured drivers. Claiming compensation from the third parties, that is, their insurance companies may be a daunting task for a common person who is not very aware about the legal formalities and requirements for filing a suit. Some defective products or malfunctioning parts of the motorcycle engine may also cause a fatal accident. An experienced Miami motorcycle accident attorney can help you in making a successful and desirable personal injury claim.

 

A compassionate law firm or a group of attorneys can help the families of the victims of a serious accident to secure a necessary compensation amount required to move forward. A proficient wrongful death attorney can help the survivors in moving on after their traumatic experiences. These lawyers help the victims’ families in securing a financial future. Husbands, daughters, wives, sons, fathers, mothers, or anybody can claim such compensation with help from a professional Miami injury lawyer.

Miami is a populated city and with a great traffic rush, trucks accidents often happen. Collision of a smaller passenger vehicle with a truck can cause serious injuries to the victims such as broken bones and brain injuries. Claiming compensation for such mishaps becomes easy by hiring a professional Miami Brain injury attorney. Disobeying rules, faulty motor parts, accidental collisions, or any such probability will always remain in a city like Miami. What the motorists can do is get an insurance cover and seek help from experienced attorneys.

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