Catastrophic Injury Blog

The Cheshire Patch reports on the story of a young man who suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) the night of New Year’s Eve in 2008 after he drove his SUV the wrong way down Interstate 84 in Connecticut after a party. He was driving drunk.

Five people were injured when the man’s SUV crashed head-on into a car and then into another at about 3 a.m. The man suffered a TBI and was the only one who was severely injured in the accident. He was not expected to survive the night. He spent three weeks in a coma and had a hole drilled into his head to relieve the swelling of his brain. At one point, doctors considered cutting off part of his skull. During his months of rehabilitation, he had to re-learn how to walk and talk. He also spent nine months in prison.

Now, the young man travels all over Connecticut to speak about the consequences of drinking and driving. “I’m the prime example of ‘it’s not going to happen to me.’ That’s what I always thought,” he says. “Thank God I didn’t kill anyone for all the times I drank and drove.” He continues to struggle with his injury, suffering from leg tremors and has problems with focusing and his memory. He has difficulty at school, and also had to give up his lifelong dream of becoming a Marine since he can’t risk suffering another head injury. He also has to blow into a breathalyzer that is attached to his car’s ignition every time he gets behind the wheel.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 10,839 people were killed in accidents due to an alcohol-impaired driver in the United States, with thousands more injured. The NHTSA notes that 67 percent of the alcohol-related fatalities, or 7,281 people, were impaired drivers. The remaining deaths comprised of 2,891 people who were motor vehicle occupants, about 27 percent of the alcohol-related fatalities, with 667 people a nonoccupants, which is six percent of the alcohol-related fatalities.

When someone suffers a serious injury due to the negligence of another, the Los Angeles catastrophic injury attorneys at Panish Shea & Boyle LLP can help. We have successfully aided many victims who have suffered a catastrophic injury, including amputations, spinal cord injuries, and TBIs, as a result of another’s negligent actions. Call 1-877-800-1700 to learn how we can protect your legal rights today.

The Los Angeles Times reports that a 25-year-old man in Los Angeles has gotten back his ability to stand, walk on a treadmill, and move parts of his body voluntarily four years after a car accident that left him paralyzed. The man’s recovery is the result of experimental treatment that was developed at UCLA and the University of Louisville.

The man sustained paralysis after being struck by a car in a hit-and-run accident in 2006, and was paralyzed completely from the waist down. For three years, he underwent intensive rehabilitation and physical therapy to attempt to re-learn how to stand and walk, but was not successful.

During the new treatment, the man’s spinal cord was immersed with a small dose of electricity via a device usually used to help treat chronic pain. The stimulation appears to have readied the man’s nervous system to react to signals from his extremities, and allowed him to stand up from his wheelchair. After the third day of the revolutionary treatment, the man was able to stand independently He was able to support himself completely but did require assistance with balance.

However, those involved in the study were quick to note that the device did not cause the man to stand; the man needs to lean forward and place weight on his legs, allowing muscle memory to take over which sends signals to his legs, causing him to stand. He also underwent intensive rehab for at least two hours every day, in addition to the electrical stimulation. With additional training, the man re-learned how to walk on a treadmill, and eventually was able to move his legs, toes, ankles, and make other movements, as long as his spine was receiving stimulation. The man also regained other bodily functions, such as bladder and bowel control.

Close to six million people live with some type of paralysis, with approximately 1.3 million paralyzed due to a spinal cord injury. Researchers believe the new treatment may be able to help between 10 and 15 percent of spinal cord injury victims to regain at least partial use of their legs.

The Los Angeles catastrophic injury attorneys at Panish Shea & Boyle LLP help individuals who have suffered paralysis or other catastrophic injuries as the result of another person’s negligence receive the compensation they need to cover rehabilitation expenses and more. Call 1-877-800-1700 to learn how we can help you today.

The Times-News in Idaho recently featured the inspiring story of a man who suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and was also paralyzed after a severe car accident in 2005. Now, six years later, the man is about to receive an associate degree.

According to the article, the man sustained his catastrophic injuries when he was a passenger in a vehicle that collided with another. He was thrown 60 feet and it took emergency personnel an hour to find his body in a nearby field. The man was in a coma for over two months, and when he awoke, he was paralyzed from the waist down. Due to his brain injury, he needed to undergo extensive therapy in order to learn to speak and write again.

Before the catastrophic injury accident, the man had worked framing houses, but with his physical abilities compromised, he turned towards earning a drafting degree. He began studying in 2007, but his progress was delayed by eight surgeries. Every day, he takes a 30 minute break from his classes to relieve the pressure of a sore that has formed after years of being in a wheelchair. He is also aided by a caregiver when he is at home, who assists with such routine procedures as cooking, showing, and using the bathroom.

Once he graduates, the man’s main goal is to heal his accident wounds completely before finding a job. Remarking on his incredible progress and journey, the man says, “I could have just lain down and given up, but that’s not an option,” he said. “I refuse to give up, and am constantly trying to better myself. Once you hit rock bottom, you can only go up.”

The catastrophic injury attorneys at Panish Shea & Boyle LLP have helped many severely injured victims receive the compensation they need from negligent parties to cover such expenses as rehabilitation and other injury-related costs. If you have sustained a catastrophic injury in an accident caused by another person’s negligence, call 1-877-800-1700 to learn how our lawyers can help you today.

The Centreville Patch tells the story of a woman who suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in a car accident shortly before her high school graduation, leaving her in a coma for four months. When she finally awoke she was not able to talk or walk. Before the accident she had been a competitive equestrian rider for seven years. After the accident, doctors told her she would never be able to ride a horse again. After months of extensive therapy, she proved them wrong.

Twenty-five years later, the woman, now 42-years-old, lives on her own and has become a world-class athlete. Initially, she required three people to assist her when she was riding; with one person leading the horse and two others holding her in the saddle. Now she is able to ride with the help of bands, which keep her secure. In 2010 she was selected to be a member of the USA Para-Dressage Team in the Alltech World Equestrian Games and placed 11th in the world among other disabled athletes. The woman’s next goal is the Paralympics, which she trains for at least three times a week. “You just have to keep positive,” she says. “I keep trying and never say ‘Can’t.’”

Depending on the severity of a TBI, which can range from mild to severe, a person typically suffers a wide range of short- and long-term challenges, which may affect their thinking, such as their memory; sensation, such as taste, touch, and/or smell; language, such as their ability to communicate or understand; and emotions, such as depression and personality changes. Brain injury victims often require weeks, if not months, of physical therapy and face many challenges, not only limited to physical and emotional difficulties, but financial problems as well.

If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury as the result of another person’s negligence, the Los Angeles brain injury lawyers at Panish Shea & Boyle LLP can help. Our attorneys have successfully helped many victims receive the compensation they need from negligent parties to cover costs such as hospital bills, rehabilitation expenses, pain and suffering, and more. To learn more about your legal rights, call 1-877-800-1700 to schedule a free consultation today.

Recently, Fox 26 News in Houston shadowed a 23-year-old woman who suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) to bring to light the difficulties brain injury patients face. Before her injury, the woman trained for the Olympics in weight lifting.

No matter a person’s age, race, or status, the road to recovery following a brain injury is very difficult. The woman profiled, like most brain injury patients, spends up to six hours every day working with therapists, undergoing three types of therapy each day, including: occupational, physical, and speech. This schedule is often referred to as “boot camp” due to the enormous effort it takes on a patient’s behalf. The focus of the therapies is to increase a patient’s strength and endurance, and help them complete daily activities such as getting dressed and brushing their teeth. Ultimately, the goal is for a patient to be as independent as possible for their capabilities. This process can take months or even years for a patient to accomplish. Sadly, depending on the severity of a TBI, some patients never fully recover and require constant care.

One of the major steps for a brain injury patient is to re-learn how to swallow if that ability has been compromised. The woman featured in the story spends an hour every day going through exercises that help her strengthen her swallowing techniques. Patients are also able to participate in “fun” activities such as music therapy, where singing is used to help with physical things such as gait training.

At the TIRR Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston, where the woman is staying, most brain injury patients are able to complete their inpatient therapy in about five weeks, while many continue on with therapies in outpatient rehabilitation. However, some patients find rehabilitation much easier than others, depending on their personality, drive, age, and activity level prior to their TBI accident. Now, the woman has completed weeks of rehabilitation and is headed home to Louisiana, where her therapists believe she will be able to function on her own.

At Panish Shea & Boyle LLP, our Los Angeles brain injury lawyers have successfully litigated on behalf of many victims who have suffered a traumatic brain injury due to another’s negligence. To learn how we can help you receive the compensation you need for rehabilitation and other expenses associated with your injury, call 1-877-800-1700 today.

SonomaNews.com reports on the story of a 20-year-old man from Sonoma, CA, who was hit by a drunk driver on a motorcycle while skateboarding in May of 2009 and suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) after his skull was fractured. It was discovered the motorcyclist had a blood alcohol content (BAC) of over twice the legal limit.

The injured man’s brain swelled and doctors had to remove part of his skull to reduce the pressure on his brain. The man was put into a medically induced coma for several weeks, and has now progressed to being able to communicate with his fingers. For two years, he was sent to six different facilities in the Bay Area to begin to re-learn everyday tasks such as talking, eating, and walking. When he did not make the improvement his insurance company wanted to see, he was sent to a different facility and often was without access to the level of care and therapy he needed to continue his rehabilitation.

After two therapists told the man’s family they believed he would be able to walk and talk given the proper rehab, his family decided they would get him the therapy treatment he needed, regardless of whether the insurance company would cover it. At one facility alone, the family spent over $90,000 in therapy costs. Finally, with the help of a catastrophic injury lawyer, the family was able to secure over $1 million from their insurance company, which was the man’s lifetime maximum, as well as over $100,000 in uninsured motorist coverage from their car insurance company since the motorcyclist was uninsured. Now, the man’s insurance company covers 250 hours of his caretaking a month, which is still less than half of the time he requires. Ideally, he would receive an hour of speech therapy, an hour of physical therapy, and an hour of occupational therapy every day, but his insurance company will only cover one hour.

If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury in a motor vehicle accident caused by a negligent driver, contact the Los Angeles brain injury attorneys at Panish Shea & Boyle LLP. We have an unmatched record of success in helping catastrophically injured victims receive the compensation they need from negligent parties to recover from their injuries. Call 1-877-800-1700 today.

The Press-Enterprise reported on the story of a 40-year-old woman from California who recently has been able to walk after her spinal cord was crushed and left hip shattered following a traumatic car accident two days after Christmas in 2010.

According to the article, the woman was driving a Ford truck towing an empty 20-foot horse trailer on Highway 97 in Oregon. She pulled over to allow traffic to pass when the vehicle skidded into the opposite lane. The horse trailer jackknifed and an oncoming SUV crashed into the driver’s side of the truck head-on. The woman’s husband and two young children were also injured in the accident, with her son suffering the most serious injury, a concussion that causes him to stutter. The Oregon car crash was ruled a no-fault accident.

At the hospital, the woman’s hip and spinal column were repaired during an eight-hour surgery in which titanium was fused to her bones. Initially, doctors told her it might be impossible for her to walk after she was temporarily paralyzed from the waist down.

The woman is a sheriff in Riverside County, and was able to return to her home in California in March. She has been re-learning how to walk with a cane. Prior to the crash, the woman was an avid marathon runner and skier. Doctors credit her excellent physical health as a factor in saving her life during the operation. Now, every morning the woman does physical therapy using a walker to practice walking across her living room with the assistance of her father. She is determined to return to work as soon as she is able.

Serious car accidents can leave victims with catastrophic injuries, including limb amputations, head and brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and more. When an accident is discovered to have been caused by another motorist’s negligence, injured victims can seek compensation to cover costs such as hospital bills, ongoing medical expenses, pain and suffering, and more.

The Los Angeles paralysis attorneys at Panish Shea & Boyle LLP have successfully helped many catastrophic injury victims receive the compensation they need from negligent parties for many years. If you have suffered a catastrophic injury in a car, truck, plane, motorcycle, or any other accident, please contact our law office today to learn how we can help you during this difficult time. Call 1-877-800-1700 today.

The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal recently reported on the story of a man who struggled with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) following a near-fatal car crash in 2002.

As a result of his car accident-related TBI, the man suffered many difficulties, including insomnia, depression, and a significant loss of memory, both short- and long-term. He also suffered personally; he lost his job, dropped out of his doctoral program despite being six courses away from completion, and isolated himself from family and friends. Eventually, a former boss encouraged the man to seek rehabilitation for his traumatic brain injury, which he did. The man credits rehabilitation with changing his life.

Recently, the man wrote a book detailing his battle with traumatic brain injury in the hopes that other TBI victims would be inspired to seek treatment of their injury. He worries the social stigma that is associated with brain injuries may prevent TBI victims from seeking help when they desperately need it. He says, “We need to be able to send a message out to these guys and gals that through rehab you can get your life back. Eventually, if enough people get treatment and get recovery, it won’t be this thing that we have to hide anymore.” According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 1.7 million Americans suffer a TBI every year, with about 52,000 dying as result of the injury. Annually, an estimated 8,000 people do not seek treatment for their TBI.

The California brain injury attorneys at Panish Shea & Boyle LLP have helped many victims who have sustained a traumatic brain injury as a result of another’s wrongful actions. If you or a loved one has suffered a TBI due to someone else’s negligence, our lawyers can help you receive the compensation you need to while you recover from your injury. Our law firm has a history of success in obtaining significant settlements and verdicts for catastrophic injury victims. To schedule a free consultation to learn more about your legal rights, call 1-877-800-1700 today.

A woman thought to be in her 50s has suffered serious head trauma and internal injuries in a Clairemont pedestrian accident. 10 News reports that the accident occurred close to Luna Avenue and Regents Road around 6:05 a.m. on Tuesday, March 15. Tragically, the woman was thrown more than 30 feet after a Honda traveling at approximately 45 miles per hour struck her.

According to the article, the woman appears to have hit the windshield of the Honda, which collided with another vehicle after hitting the female pedestrian. The woman was reportedly conscious and breathing when she was transported to the hospital. The Honda driver was being examined by emergency crews for having glass in the eyes.

If law enforcement determines that the Honda motorist was driving negligently, the driver could be held legally responsible for the pedestrian’s injuries and other damages. Although Sign On San Diego reports that the woman was wearing dark clothing and was walking against a red light in a crosswalk, police are investigating the accident and there could be other causes that contributed to this pedestrian injury accident.

Based on data provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 48 percent of motor vehicle accidents that led to pedestrian fatalities involved alcohol on either the part of the driver or pedestrian. Texting and driving or other cell phone usage is also another major cause of California pedestrian crashes.

Considering that about 59,000 pedestrians were injured and about 4,092 were killed in 2009 throughout the United States, pedestrian safety and awareness cannot be stressed enough. Motorists, including drivers of large trucks, buses, and motorcycles, must remember to adhere to posted speed limits and adjust their speeds according to weather and road conditions. It is also important for pedestrians to be aware of their surroundings and follow traffic laws.

It is an unfortunate reality that pedestrian accidents often result in serious injuries that require extensive medical care, treatment, rehabilitation, and time away from work. A pedestrian who is seriously injured due to a driver’s negligence may be able to receive compensation for expenses associated with their injuries and other damages. At Panish Shea & Boyle LLP, our California personal injury attorneys have successfully litigated many traffic accident cases across the United States, including pedestrian accidents that have left victims with catastrophic injuries. To learn how our lawyers can assist you during this difficult time, call 1-877-800-1700 today.

An appeals court ruled that the city of New York cannot be held financially responsible for the injuries that resulted from a bus accident in 2006 where a pedestrian was struck in the middle of Herald Square, according to The New York Post. The crash occurred when a police officer allegedly directed a bus through traffic when the pedestrian actually had the right of way. The 59-year-old woman sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and lost three toes after the bus slammed into and then rolled over her foot. The court ruled that while the city could not be held responsible for damages, lawsuits against NYC Transit and the bus driver can continue.

Because of the large size of a bus, pedestrians who are struck by them often suffer catastrophic injuries or death as they have little protection against such an impact. Unfortunately, brain injury is commonly associated with pedestrian accidents involving larger vehicles, such as buses and trucks.

Catastrophic injury accidents can result in significant financial and emotional challenges for both the individual involved and his or her family members. If you have been involved in a pedestrian accident in California that left you with serious, life-altering injuries and believe that accident was caused by another’s negligence, you would be well-advised to contact an experienced California catastrophic injury attorney.

At Panish Shea & Boyle LLP, our aggressive lawyers have the necessary skill and resources to help you receive the compensation you deserve. Medical expenses and other damages can skyrocket quickly, leaving a family’s financial security at risk. We will work to hold all negligent parties accountable for their actions so you don’t have to suffer more than you already have. Contact our law office today at 1-877-800-1700 to learn how we can be the strength by your side during this difficult time. We offer free consultations.