The rights of victims of traffic accidents and the importance of Auto Accident Lawyers

Traffic accidents or car, situations and events that no one wants that to happen or even think about it, but almost nobody can avoid forever. At least once in their lifetime, only one second of carelessness or bad luck, we're in a car accident in one or the other party. Fortunately, some of us lucky enough with only cuts, scrapes escape, bruises or fractures. There are others but, unfortunately, suffer massive physical trauma, brain trauma, paralysis orsometimes even death.

And even if we are lucky to walk away from a car crash unhurt physically, we still have to deal with emotional trauma and / or financial stress. Fortunately, the U.S. legal system were able to make laws enough to ensure that victims of car accidents are protected and have all their rights.

The sad truth is that it is very difficult for an ordinary person in dealing with insurance companies that the fullThe benefits of these laws. This is precisely the reason why you might have a law expert by your side.

When you set need someone to help ensure that laws protect written, six, would be a good idea that you are calling to the aid of an auto accident lawyer or attorney for a reputable company law. Car accident lawyers usually have for years served on the victims of traffic accidents and respond to difficult questions that ask them. For this reasoncar accident lawyers, everyone has enough information and knowledge and skills necessary to ensure that you receive the full protection of the rights promised by you.

auto accident lawyers make sure that all rights would always be: a thorough medical examination and testing, medical care for any injuries that have suffered the accident, because of the constant support in the event of disability as a result, compensation for eachProperties and medical bills, pay compensation for lost wages or compensation for loss of earning capacity, payment of damages for physical or emotional trauma, if applicable, and the payment of damages for wrongful death.

So if you've ever thought about a car accident, not two. Get a car accident lawyer to help you, what is yours. There are a variety of online resources to help you land a good lawyer, the answer would be yes to all your needs would be.

The truth about the injury "minor" brain

To understand the whiplash minor impact soft tissue injury, as is known, helps to understand how the brain works and how to wear this type of incident.

The brain is the organ most sophisticated of the human body. Even the best neurologists and neuroscientists say only a general idea of how it works, even if there are new advances in learning every day. Gradually, our image of the part of us that makes us reallyincreasingly clear, and ironically, is caused by damage or injury, you will discover exactly how the brain works.

Most of the brain called the brain. This is the top part of the brain and is the wrinkled, jelly-like gray matter, most people think of when they think of the brain. He is also responsible for many of the higher functions of human beings naturally think, as thought, the 'sensory processing, language andMemory.

The secondary side of the brain is the brainstem. This part connects the higher brain functions in the spinal cord to control the movement of nerve impulses and sensory systems to radiate through the body and let the world know us.

The third part of the brain is the cerebellum. It 's easy to see how the world is smaller than brain tissue, the slopes below the main part. This is one of the oldest parts of the brain, andcontrols many important functions such as the spirit of motor control, coordination and balance.

Damage to any part of the brain is a serious medical emergency. The people involved in so-called minor injuries that resulted in whiplash or mild traumatic brain injury often discovered only a few days, weeks or months after her recovery from the complications of life is difficult now, if possible.

In fact, the "minor" injuries that are often the most dangerousbecause they go untreated or undiagnosed. If you stuck a piece of three-meter long iron out of your skull was probably call a doctor. However, if you are behind blocking traffic and all I hear is a slight pain in the neck, probably would not think that after a few days if the neck vertebrae are so bad, or that you can not think clearly Go.

So, you or someone you love has suffered injury, if they affect the soft tissues, Whiplash, concussion or other "minor" injuries from a car or other type of accident, otherwise caused by, negligence or irresponsible action of those who must seek medical help to get you. There is a direct correlation between early diagnosis and successful treatment and prevention or management of long-term injury.

Once the desired treatment, you should also check your legal options. Medical treatment for soft tissue> Brain damage months or even years of therapy can cost money and untold sums. It 'just that the natural or legal person responsible for your condition is to compensate for the situation, and the best way to go is that he will not suffer more than necessary for the complexities of a personal injury lawyer who understands that involved his condition and may do what we can to alleviate the situation.

Accommodating offer people with traumatic brain injury

traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when a sudden trauma to the head of the brain, causing damage. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), there are 1.5 million TBI incidents per year.

TBI may be as simple as a small blow to the head or a concussion, or may be so severe as a fracture of the skull can. Trauma to the head can also lead to bleeding or bruising to the brain, without outsideAppearance of the lesions.

Road accidents are the leading cause of head trauma, other causes are falls, violence, sports events and child abuse. The milder forms of TBI can be in the form of dizziness and headaches, and severe brain damage may have symptoms of vomiting, convulsions, slurred speech, loss of coordination, and numbness of the extremities.

People often have suffered a head injury to continue to workand now there are many ways people with traumatic brain injury can be accommodated in the workplace. The Job Accommodation Network, the laboratory is a service of the Department of UP has a right, there is a leaflet, "people with brain injuries," describes a variety of ways people with traumatic brain injury can be accommodated in the workplace.

Better lighting, visual aids for the computer and large print materials are just some examples of how patients with TBI with sight problems canaccommodated. Reducing the number of distractions and the amount of disorder in their area of concentration may be useful meetings with the memory-aid tape.

What issues should be the first to hire a lawyer to ask for personal injury?

Looking for a personal injury lawyer is a very important decision if you feel you deserve compensation as a result of injury that is not your fault. After the initial shock of the injury is over, it's time to discover what is the next step should be. Do not want to sit and watch as the person that your injury is to escape.

So there are some questions you can ask yourself before youSetting a personal injury attorney:

- Ask yourself if you have been injured by the negligence of another person or company, and whether that negligence was intentional.

- How do you do if you suffered physical or emotional stress, lost wages or high medical expenses as a result of the accident.

- Ask yourself if you have to prove that the damage to your fault, and what consequences did not exist as a result of the accident.

- Did you talk at randomcounsel for the defendant or the defendant told the insurance? This is something you do not, because it could jeopardize the chances of an agreement.

Have you asked these questions and answers you have written, might be a good idea to look for lawyers in personal injury. The posts are seen by the Martindale-Hubbell network of lawyers and the American Association of Trial Lawyers. It may beCan provide the names of lawyers great in your area.

Good questions are put to an injury lawyer in a face-to-face meeting before you hire them:

- If it is paid on contingency in your case.

- What is their contingency. An ideal reward contingency is about 25% to 30% of pay.

- You want to ensure that there is no conflict of interest.

- For brochures and ask questions about the company to see whatothers have to say.

- Ask what their success rate and how much experience they have.

Last but not least, we want to know how long it will take your case. said to have been the reason why you want to do this is because this is the time, not being determined to go about your work and time will be spent from the stress of a study. This is very important when you consider how much compensation should be given, because it will cover things such as losswages and emotional distress.

These are the reasons why it is important to work hard to hire a personal injury attorney for 'WHO have done and do it well and do not require to be paid before the trial. These are cases in which the lawyer is paid only if the customer wins. If the customer loses, then the lawyer has not been paid. This explains why personal injury lawyers tend to be selective in the cases. I mean, I ask why you wanteven the above questions, because these are the same questions, I wanted to ask the lawyer to decide whether it is listed to take over the case. If they find that there is enough evidence to say that someone else was to blame, then, can not be the case.

Do not be discouraged, though. Every lawyer is different from the next, so try it in your interest to another. If you are paid on contingency, are not out of any legal, butYou have the stress of the job on his hands. In addition to this, is a promising lawyer if you think you can win, why not do it if you paid for it.

Facts and More Regarding Spinal Cord Injury

It helps a lot to learn about spinal cord injury, not that you would expect to have such condition or any of your loved one. All the same, it does not mean that we would be unguarded and ignorant about it.

As we may all be aware of, the major cluster of nerves carrying our nerve impulses or inclinations to and from our brain, distributing it to other parts of our body is known as the spinal cord.

All of are body movements account for the existence and normal function of these vital nerve impulses. Daily activities you need to think about first, like touching or walking and others that occur automatically or unconsciously, like breathing all takes place due to our spinal cord.

The Central Nervous System is made up of our brain and spinal cord. The Peripheral Nervous system existing outside the Central Nervous System is composed of sensory and motor nerves. Meanwhile the other systems controlling our involuntary or automatic functions, like our body temperature and blood pressure are considered as the Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Nervous Systems.

As such, any damage or harm affecting the spinal cord results to Spinal Cord Injury or SCI. This condition causes loss of our functions. It could be our feeling or mobility, or worst, both.

Spinal Cord Injury is frequently the result in traumatic occurrences like gunshot, falls, car accidents, etc. or from diseases like spina bifida, polio, etc. Being a fragile system of our body, the spinal cord need not be absolutely severed so much so that a loss of essential function can occur.

Most people that have SCI still have their spinal cords intact but it is vitally damaged.

Causes of Critical Spinal Cord Injury

- Paralysis - A condition experienced by a person wherein he fails to control his muscles and voluntary movements of his body. A paralyzed person also loses his reflexes and sensation from the point where the damage or injury in the spinal cord is situated.

The person may start to lose control over his autonomic activities like breathing, bladder and bowel control. He can also experience pain or acute sensitivity to several stimuli, spasms of the muscle and sexual dysfunction.

Furthermore, patients with SCI have great possibility of developing some secondary medical problems. Most cases involve infections in the lungs and bladder and acquiring bedsores.

As of now, there are still no known cure for injuries and damages in the spinal cord, although the researches have developed some advanced treatments.

Experimental drugs are also being introduced although the reason for their effect of reducing body function failures has not yet been wholly understood.

The Most Common Causes of Serious Brain Injuries

There's nothing really positive that you can say about serious brain injuries. With the news scaling from bad, as in there may be the chance of a partial recovery, all the way through to desperate as in a lifetime of 24 hour care and support with the most basic of functions such a moving limbs or even breathing, severe brain injuries offer little other than worry and grief.

By definition a serious brain injury is seriously bad news. Not just for the victim but also for their families. Not only do they have to suffer the agony of seeing someone they love mentally and physically diminished, going though a personal hell, in pain and dependent on huge amounts of care, but also there are day to day practicalities that many people never even consider.

The most common causes of serious brain injury

According to statistics nearly half of all serious brain injuries are the result of a motor accident. While 20% are the result of a fall, 12% from assault and 10% sports related, it's car crashes or collisions involving motorbikes that result in the most damage. It might seem strange but you don't even have to hit your head to sustain a brain injury. Sometimes even the most minor, seemingly insignificant collision can result in a brain injury. Even if your head never comes into contact with a window or dashboard, it can be the force of your brain hitting the inside of your skull and bouncing around that will cause the damage.

It's because the consequences of road traffic accidents can be so damaging and so long term that it's always wise to employ the services of a specialist solicitor when dealing with injuries of this sort. There are a whole host of practical, emotional and financial considerations that need to be addressed, and that's where a specialist will be able to help.

A range of specialist support

As well as the emotional and psychological impacts on everyone, what about the more day to day, mundane matters such as the financial implications, for example? Perhaps the victim of the injury was the breadwinner - the mainstay of the family's income. What happens when the breadwinner can no longer work? What about all those financial commitments that insist on being met, such as the mortgage, loan repayments, bills, school fees, tax bills? Who's going to deal with them now? A specialist solicitor will know exactly where to turn to in order to deal with important things like this.

There are also considerable costs involved with caring for the victim. Medical support isn't cheap, especially the type of extensive and involved care that anyone suffering severe brain injuries will need. In addition to hospital care there may be extensive modifications to the patient's home that need to be made when they are able to be discharged from hospital and return home. Specialist equipment will be required as well as the expert, ongoing input of medical professionals. How is a family, already trying to cope with the stress and trauma of the accident, meant to cope with these challenges too without proper guidance form a specialist in sever injuries, someone who knows clearly what needs to be done? Now isn't the time to be entrusting matters to someone without the necessary experience or expertise when it comes to serious injury support. For serious brain injury victims and their families, expertise is the key to recovery and a return to as close as possible to a normal family life.

Sleep Disorders From Traumatic Brain Injury

Sleep disorders are an extremely common side effect of traumatic brain injury (TBI). People who, prior to their accident, had experienced no difficulty in sleeping commonly complain not only of an inability to fall asleep, but of more frequent restless sleep. Sufferers frequently wake during their few hours of sleep and find themselves fully awake and alert as early as 4 or 5 am. Not only is a lack of sleep problematic in and of itself, but another common symptom of TBI is increased fatigue-so many people who are suffering general fatigue due to a head injury are also unable to get the sleep needed to recover.

Being well rested is not only important in dealing with fatigue, but crucial to an individual's general recovery. Most TBI is caused by some type of fall or collision, and in these types of accidents, muscle strain and injury frequently occurs. Sleep is a time that the body is able to rest and begin to repair injured muscles, but sleep disorders prevent this necessary healing from taking place. Also, an increase in fatigue has negative effects on an individual's memory. A person with a head injury who already may have difficulty remembering things can experience an increase in symptoms if they are unable to let their mind rest during a full night's sleep.

In order to combat sleeping disorders, there are a number of possibilities available. While most ordinary sleeping disorders can be treated with a variety of sleep medications, doctors rarely prescribe these types of pills to individuals who have experienced a TBI. In cases where a doctor feels that prescribing medication is necessary, it is common that they will prescribe a low dose of anti-depressant medication to help the individual fall asleep and sleep soundly. However, difficulty waking up is a common side effect of this medication.

There are other ways individuals can increase their chances of getting the rest their body needs. One of the easiest ways to do this is to introduce consistency to one's sleeping schedule. By going to bed at the same time every night and waking up at the same time every morning, an individual can "program" their body to sleep during certain times. Also, individuals suffering from sleep disorders should avoid drinking caffeine and exercising late at night, as both these activities can increase difficulty in falling asleep. Finally, individuals should make sure that the area they are sleeping in is dark and quiet.

To get more information on sleep disorders due to traumatic brain injury, contact the brain injury lawyers of Williams Kherkher at http://traumatic-braininjurylawyers.com/.

Traumatic Brain Injuries And The Family

Traumatic Brain Injuries can be devastating, not only for the individual but also for his or her family. About 2 million people sustain a traumatic brain injury each year, and of these, about 100,000 have long-term functional impairments as a result. This kind of event can mark the complete and utter transformation of a person's life and family structure. Not only are the social and psychological implications monumental, but the financial burden, especially if carried without help, can force a family into disarray. The life financial cost per individual of a brain injury victim can exceed 4.5 million dollars.

Money isn't the most detrimental side effect of traumatic brain injuries though. There are organizations who give grants and donations to family who are experiencing financial difficulties due to a person's brain injury. However, the emotional cost, particularly in situations where the victim no longer functions independently, can be irreparable.

In many cases, the family of the victim becomes the caregiver, because the victim loses his or her ability to work competitively, interact socially, and perform other actions that denote independence. This dramatic change in personal capability sometimes forces family members to restructure their entire lives around the victim's needed accommodations. This rather jarring irregularity in the family's personal way of life may cause certain psychological setbacks.

Many family caregivers experience anxiety, shock, disbelief, denial, depression, and frustration. In these situations, not only have the relationships between family members changed, but also they have changed their personal perception of other individuals in the family, especially with respect to the victim. As a result, parents may feel burdened by the need for extended parenting. Sometimes, the care-giving family member does not posses the physical or psychological requirements need to adequately provide care for the victim. The inability to provide helpful care can increase feelings of anxiety and also lower self-esteem. Siblings may feel neglect, because the victim requires much more attention than previously, or they may feel overworked due to extra needed chores.

Traumatic Brain Injuries are much more devastating than most other types of injury due to the fact that they have a greater impact, financially, emotionally, and psychologically on a greater number of people. And while we can't change the past, in trying times, especially when a person that we love is in dire need, we must learn to cope with the present and move forward in any way that we can.

The Rights of Auto Accident Victims and the Importance of Auto Accident Lawyers

Auto or car accidents are situations and events that nobody likes to happen or even think about, but almost nobody can avoid forever. At least once in our lives, from just one second of negligence or bad luck, we become involved in a car accident in one way or another. Fortunately, some of us are lucky enough to escape with mere cuts, scrapes, bruises, or fractures. There are others, however, who unfortunately suffer massive physical trauma, brain injury, paralysis, or sometimes even death.

And even if we are lucky enough to walk away from a car accident physically unscathed, we still have to deal with emotional trauma and/or financial stress. Fortunately, the United States legal system has been able to set up sufficient laws to make sure that auto accident victims are protected and would be given all of their rights.

The sad truth, however, is that it can be quite hard for an ordinary person to battle with insurance companies to receive the full benefits of these laws. This would be exactly why it helps to have a law expert on your side.

If you need somebody to help you make sure that the laws written to protect you are enforced, it would be a very good idea to call on the assistance of an auto accident attorney or lawyer from a reputable law firm to help you out. Auto accident lawyers have generally spent years on serving car accident victims and answering the difficult questions that they ask. Because of this, car accident lawyers possess all the sufficient information and knowledge as well as the competence needed to ensure that you will receive the full protection promised to you by law.

Car accident lawyers make sure you would be getting all your legal rights for: a thorough medical evaluation and examination; medical care for all of the injuries that you have sustained because of the accident; ongoing care in case of any resulting disabilities; compensation for any property damages and medical bills; reimbursement of lost pay or salary; reimbursement of lost earning capacity; payment of damages for physical or emotional trauma, when applicable; and payment of damages for wrongful death.

So, if you are ever in a car accident, do not think twice. Get a car accident attorney to help you get what is yours. There are a lot of online resources to help you land a good lawyer that would make sure that all your needs would be answered.

Brain Injuries Are Traumatic, They Leave Permanent Impairment

For starters, brain injuries occur whenever there is any serious injury as a result of any impact on the head of a person. It results in internal swelling or rupturing of brain tissues which may lead to long term physical or mental impairments, and in some cases the person has been seen to become a virtual vegetable. Brain injury may result fro a fall from a height, any auto accident, or being hit by any hard object on the head. Sometimes it results due to improper medical care or negligence while getting a treatment in a hospital.

In majority of cases, brain injuries occur due to road accidents, either due to car accidents or motorcycle accidents. Whenever there is a severe impact to an unprotected head, these injuries take place. Brain tissues are bruised, twisted, bleed or get ruptured in the process. Sometimes, there are no signs of brain injury at the time of accident but it develops some time later when brain tissues swell within the head and complications arise. Brain injuries are either closed or open. When the brain bangs against the skull closed brain injury takes place. Open brain injury takes place when an external object hits the head from outside.

There are millions of brain injuries in the world and mostly take place when the person is not wearing a helmet. Out of these, those which are called traumatic result in total impairment and a person goes into a vegetative state, or he may go in a coma. Apart from severe impact which causes damage to brain tissues, there is a brain injury where the brain tissues stop getting oxygen. This is called anoxic brain injury where the brain cells start to die because of lack of oxygen. The quality of life is seriously affected by a brain injury and there is long term, or even permanent disability to the person.

Brain is the most vital organ of our body and it is through brain that we come to grips with things around us. Any injury to brain and our world goes topsy-turvy. It is through brain that we understand the situations, relations and even ourselves. Brain injury destroys everything in a second. Not only the person who suffers this injury, but his entire family is forced to suffer for a long time to come. The brain is so formed that it can take an impact only up to a limit beyond which it gets damaged. When an accident takes place, bones of the skull get broken and pierce inside the brain causing damage to the tissues of brain.

Brain injuries have a number of symptoms. If the accident was such that there were no visible signs of brain injury, people tend to forget about it after medical aid but these symptoms surface after passage of time. Excessive sleepiness, slow movements, faulty judgment of body parts, mood swings, abnormal social behavior, inability to write or think coherently are some of the symptoms, which if a person exhibits, must be taken to a neurosurgeon for better diagnosis and treatment.

What Does the Future Hold For Serious Brain Injury Victims?

Serious brain injury isn't as rare as you might think. It is estimated that as many as 500,000 people of working age in the UK are living with long-term disability as a result of trauma, for example from a fall or a car accident or motor cycle accident.

Whilst a large proportion of victims might fortunately only suffer minor ongoing effects, the impacts of serious brain injury are usually long lasting, profound and life changing, not just for the sufferer but for their loved ones too.

Finding the best ways in which a serious brain injury victim and their family can best cope with these sorts of dramatic life changes demands specialist intervention. Now more than ever you need to be confident that you are dealing with experts and getting the very best specialist advice. Not just medically but legally too, through an experienced and expert legal representation.

Forewarned is forearmed

A specialist brain injuries lawyer will have a clear understanding of how these sorts of injuries play out over time and know what to expect. By specialising only in severe injury cases they will know for example that people often struggle with the dramatic changes to their lifestyle. It's not unusual for people who've suffered a serious brain injury to presume that it's only a matter of time before they can return to work. Imagine the heartbreak at realising that you may never work again, that your career has to all intents and purposes stopped dead. People's natural timelines are broken, their expectations and ambitions suddenly and violently altered.

Little wonder then, that so many people who suffer from a serious brain injury need proper and professional psychological help as well as physiological rehabilitation. It's absolutely vital that the emotional trauma they and their family suffer is met with a considered and empathetic treatment. In many respects this is just as important as the physical rehabilitation. Serious brain injury can be a deeply depressing as well as physically painful condition.

Ongoing specialist support

As well as the impact on feelings like self esteem and self worth, what about the practical fall out of a serious brain injury? What are the financial impacts, who's going to pay the mortgage, the car loan, credit card bill, the council tax? If the suffer was the major breadwinner there might be all manner of pressing financial matters that need addressing. There are logistical consequences, day to day living and your life implications too. Will it be possible to move back into your old house or flat without major redesign? Who's going to organise things like ramps or specialist equipment? All these concerns, these fears and challenges would be tough enough to deal with in their own right. But on top of the physical suffering that's been endured it's hard to imagine how difficult going through such an ordeal really is.

Who would you trust in such circumstances? A generalist lawyer handling a heavy workload made up of lots of different types of claims, or a specialist serious injuries lawyer with a focus on more serious injury cases?

There's no two ways about it - the future for serious brain injury sufferers won't be easy. Specialist legal support may at least contribute to making it as easy as possible, getting you the financial help you need as well as the emotional, psychological and rehabilitation support that all serious brain injury victims need to start building their lives back up again.

ABC Reporter Bob Woodruff's Incredible Recovery From Traumatic Brain Injury

You have may have seen a few weeks ago the interview between former US presidential contender John Edwards and reporter Bob Woodruff. All the resulting media coverage centered on Edwards' declarations. However, there is something much more remarkable that surfaced at that interview: Bob Woodruff's spectacular recovery.

This is the same reporter who suffered a severe traumatic brain injury when a roadside In an Instant - Bob and Lee Woodruffbomb detonated next to his vehicle in January 29th 2006 as he was covering news developments in Iraq.

Today I am fortunate to interview Lee Woodruff, Bob's wife and pillar throughout his recovery. Lee and Bob co-wrote the fantastic book In an Instant: A Family's Journey of Love and Healing.

Alvaro Fernandez (AF): Lee, many thanks for your time. I was amazed reading your book, where you share your journey, and then watching Bob interview John Edwards, the best display I can imagine of his recovery. Can you please summarize for us what Bob -and you- went through since January 2006?

Lee Woodruff (LW): As you know, Bob suffered a life-threatening traumatic brain injury in Iraq. He was promptly taken under military care and underwent a series of surgeries for head injuries, with a joint Army & Air Force neurosurgical team in Iraq, in a US Army Medical Command hospital in Germany, and at Bethesda Naval Hospital, back here in the US.

During this time, spanning around 4 months, he spent 37 days in coma, and his skull had to be surgically rebuilt. The cognitive rehabilitation process started then, at a medical facility closer home.

AF: Can you please explain what kind of cognitive rehab Bob has gone though-both in a formal way, with a therapist, and informally, on his own?

LW: The first thing I'd like to say is that rehab is a long process. Doctors told me that Bob, despite the severity of his injuries, had better chances to recover than other victims, because of the reserve of neurons and connections he had built thanks to an intellectually stimulating and diverse life, including living in China for several years and traveling to dozens of countries, having worked as a lawyer and as a journalist, and his overall curiosity and desire to learn. It seems that more and more research shows how people who are mentally active throughout their lives, either through their jobs, or doing puzzles, sudokus...are, of course up to a point, better prepared to deal with problems such as TBI.

Still, recovery is a long process. Bob had six months of structured cognitive therapy focused on speech and languages areas, because that was the part of his brain that had been most damaged. The therapist identified the main tasks for him to work on in a challenging, yet familiar way, usually asking Bob, for example, to read the New York Times, then try to remember what he had read, and write a short essay on his thoughts and impressions.

Since then he has, in a sense, used his work in the documentary To Iraq and Back and other projects at ABC as his informal, but very effective, way to keep improving. I am amazed to watch in real time how, even today, how he gets better and better. To give you an example of his motivation to recover: he recently took on Chinese lessons to see if working on that also helped him.

AF: In the book, Bob says that, if he had to say in one word what he was experiencing during much of the recovery, he would use the word "slower". His brain was slower at processing new information, at remembering words. What progress has he experienced?

LW: A lot. He is not exactly at the same level he was before the injury, but he is again an amazing reporter, father, and husband. And I see progress every month, so we have hope that he will continue getting better and better.

Sometimes Bob tells me he is not the person I married. And then, as I mention in the book, I laugh and reply "I am not either. I'm older, wiser and more wrinkled." I have learned to trust him. Especially in the beginning, it wasn't always easy to fully accept and follow his judgment, but I have seen how little by little he grew perfectly able to recreate his role as a husband and as a father, and to recreate our respective roles in the family. It has been wonderful to see that happen. It has been a miracle.

AF: Bob has been a very fortunate survivor of traumatic brain injury. There are over a million cases every year of TBI. Many of them are military-related (a recent RAND study estimates that over 300,000 US service members have sustained TBI during assignments in Iraq or Afghanistan), but also happen in civilian life, mainly due to traffic accidents or sports concussions. What do we know today about how to prevent and treat TBI?

LW: The Iraq War is literally re-writing the book, the way researchers and doctors see and tackle the problem. Most of the progress is happening in the military, but I hope that transfers into benefits for civilians, too. From a preventive point of view, the military has been stepping up to improve the body armor of soldiers, and I can now see why wearing seat belts as we drive and helmets as we bike can make a big difference.

From the recovery point of view, there is much more optimism and hope today than only a few years ago about how many TBI patients can improve, if given the opportunity to, through a supportive environment and physical and cognitive therapy. The military has recognized the problem of the so-called "Walking Wounded', and is devoting significant resources to analyzing best options and treating them. As we chatted earlier, the Army recently announced that from now on soldiers will get a cognitive screening before they get deployed to the field, so that in case there are problems that screening can serve as a good baseline to compare functions to.

But the improvement in the area is only starting. We need to see much progress.

AF: Can you now tell us more about the Bob Woodruff Foundation for Traumatic Brain Injury? What are your main priorities?

LW: Bob and I are devoting much time to raising awareness of the problem and the need to find and implement good solutions for cognitive care. Our foundation supports community, grass-roots approaches to helping TBI survivors and their families. Given the huge scale of the problem among the military, and the fact that Bob survived thanks to the excellent care he received from the military along the way, we are focusing first on helping military victims.

For example, we recently funded four scholarships for TBI-related research, and also bought 300 mattresses for a small non-profit that helps patients and their spouses rebuild their lives once they have to leave Army bases-many of whom cannot afford to move all their belongings, including beds and mattresses, out of the bases.

And there are many more things to do. For example, while many more soldiers are getting better care, that is not always the case with National Guard reservists who, despite having a dedicated branch of the armed forces oversee their progress, are often at more at risk of living with undetected TBI since they don't have to report at bases once they are back.

It is also not clear that the military (as well as insurance companies) are always willing to pay for the long-term costs of care.

AF: What are some specific ways people can support the work of your foundation?

LW: They can visit our new website, Bob Woodruff Foundation (http://remind.org/), to learn about the problems and to donate funds, no matter how big or small.

But probably the most important thing every one can do is to recognize the sacrifices the soldiers have made, and find active ways to look for them and help them in their own communities. Soldiers and their families often have grown in a culture of self-reliance, of not asking for help, so here we all need to take the initiative to figure out how we can help. Ask yourself, how can I help the TBI survivors in my neighborhood? Perhaps by giving them a job, or offering them help or training, so they can secure one? How can I help their spouses and families maintain healthy and happy environments? Perhaps by offering them free movie tickets? A massage?

AF: Lee, many thanks for those suggestions. Is there something else you would like to add, that you would know everyone to be aware of?

LW: I'd say never give up. We have seen how Bob has recovered, which I think is a miracle. Let's simply try our best to help everyone out there.

Copyright (c) 2008 SharpBrains

What You Should Look For in Personal Injury Lawyers

Many people have experienced an injury caused by someone being reckless or careless. When this happens, they are inclined to file a lawsuit. Before doing so, it is important to speak with a lawyer. Personal injury lawyers are there to help clients that have been severely injured due to the negligence of another individual or business.

Many different types of personal injury claims are filed each year. These claims include medical malpractice, workplace injuries, slip and falls, and car accidents. A growing number of personal injury claims are being filed against businesses who are supplying defective products that cause injury. The reason behind filing a personal injury claim is to seek financial compensation due to the injuries that have been received. This amount of compensation is based on the extent of the injury and lost wages or loss of work.

When searching for a lawyer, keep in mind that not all lawyers specialize in person injury litigation. It is important to find a lawyer who does. The lawyer should also specialize in a specific type of injury as well. It is guaranteed that the insurance companies will have a heap of lawyers who are experienced in personal injury law and know it well. That is why you need a lawyer who is equally knowledgeable and experienced.

You will need to find a lawyer who has a number of medical experts at their disposal who will strengthen your case. The lawyer will need to have knowledge to cases that are similar to yours as well. A lot of time will be spent preparing for a personal injury case. Lawyers should be able to relieve your stress by filing motions when needed, gathering witness statements, and handle discovery.

Each lawyer has a specialty when it comes to the different types of personal injury claims. For example, people who are suing a physician will require a lawyer who specializes in the complicated and extensive laws regarding medical malpractice. A person who files a claim against a company for a defective product would not need the same type of lawyer.

People who have suffered from brain injuries or any other injury that prevents them from going back to work or have an injury that now requires lifelong medical care, should always hire a lawyer who has experience in these types of cases and who has won. These lawyers need to have medical experts and witnesses available who can help them prove the case. If you hire just any lawyer who is not experienced with your specific injury, the result will be lots of wasted time and money.

Car accidents, slip and fall cases, construction accidents, and defective product litigation all have lawyers who specialize in those areas. When interviewing potential lawyers, ask questions like: How many cases similar to yours have they worked? What was the final decision in those cases? What areas of personal injury do they specialize in?

Fighting insurance companies during personal injury litigation is the job of personal injury lawyers, not civilians. Your lawyer is responsible for helping you through the ordeal. They will provide the legal expertise needed to win the lawsuit. You need a lawyer to assure that you receive a fair trial. In order to release you of the burden of fighting insurance companies and focus on healing from your injury, it is imperative to have a good lawyer.

Child Head Injuries and Personal Injury Lawsuits

Children are vulnerable to injury and are particularly susceptible to dangerous brain injuries. Child head trauma is a leading cause of disability and death for children living in the United States, with about one million children injured each year and an estimated 165,000 child victims requiring hospitalization.

A child injury lawyer can help you determine who is at fault for your child's brain injury as well as recover compensation for their medical bills and long-term expenses through a personal injury lawsuit.

Causes of Child Head Injuries

The greatest risk for a child to sustain a head injury is during an auto accident, such as a car crash or SUV rollover collision. But that is not the only source for traumatic brain injury in children. Listed below are several other incidents in which a child might suffer a serious head injury:

o Child pedestrian accident
o Bicycle accident
o Bathtub slip and fall
o Swimming pool or diving board accident
o Physical abuse
o Sledding, skiing or other sports/activities

If your child's head injury was sustained during an accident or event caused by the negligence or malicious act of an individual, manufacturer or organization, you and your child victim might be eligible to file for a personal injury lawsuit.

Lasting Effects of Child Brain Injury

Because of the unpredictable and life-threatening nature of child head injuries, it is vital to always seek immediate medical attention in the event that your child has suffered any type of head trauma.

Beyond the immediate medical concerns, new scientific research by the American Psychological Association indicates that children who are the victims of brain injury can suffer the effects of the trauma for many years after the incident, with some symptoms not appearing until long after the initial damage has been done.

The long-term effects of a child head injury can be mild to severe, depending on the accident and level of trauma involved. Listed below are a few complications commonly associated with child head injuries:

o Speech impairment
o Loss or change in senses
o Memory loss
o Headaches
o Learning disabilities
o Depression
o Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

These injuries can result in impeding your child's natural brain development and may require long-term hospitalization or affect their ability to live independently later on in life. The medical costs associated with these types of brain injuries can be staggering.

It's important for you as a parent to be aware of the long-term costs associated with your child's brain injury as well as what legal recourse is available to you in order to secure the funds necessary to give your child the type and level of medical care they need and deserve.

Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit After a Child Head Injury

A child head injury can have a negative and permanent impact on your child's quality of life. A personal injury lawsuit can recover compensation for:

o Costly hospital and medical bills
o Emotional counseling
o Continuing care expenses
o Future loss of income
o Pain and suffering

If you are interested in pursuing a personal injury lawsuit on behalf of your injured child, contact a child injury lawyer that has experience in handling cases involving child brain injuries. A child brain injury lawyer can help you to determine issues of liability and legal responsibility in the case of your child's head trauma.

How to Interview Your Lawyer

There are times when hiring a lawyer will be necessary. Some individuals immediately hire the first lawyer they come across with while some interview a number of lawyers first before hiring one. The number of lawyers you will interview will be determined by how urgent you need one, how much time you have, how many available lawyers there are to choose from, and how fast you come across a lawyer you will like. Here are some things to remember if you are unsure of how to interview your lawyer.

First, identify a handful of lawyers who might be capable of addressing your needs, say, lawyers who specialize in particular type of case related to yours, or those who live in your area allowing better communication. Once you have pinpointed your possible candidates, arrange for an initial consultation via telephone so that you will get to ask preliminary questions before you actually set up an in-person formal interview. The answers they will give to your questions would most probably filter them until you get down to just a few lawyers to interview personally. It is advisable that you write their answers so you can review them later and compare them with the answers of others.

Once you have arranged the formal interview, prepare a list of the things you plan to discuss and take it with you. Before you begin asking questions, you have to tell your candidates everything about your case so when you ask relevant questions, the answers they will give are most probably the things you would indeed get in real life once they represent you.

After you have thoroughly informed them of your situation, ask the lawyer all the questions you think are important. Listen carefully and take note of his answers so you can review and think about them later. Do not just pay attention to the answers but also to the way they were presented. Your grounds for hiring a lawyer must not be based on how optimistic he is about your case. Look for the realistic ones.

The most common questions you would need to ask are what is likely going to happen to you, how much money you will have to pay, to what extent will he support you, will you have to make court appearances or can he just represent you, is he easily reachable, and if you call and he is not available, what is going to happen. Ask how he uses his time, how often he is in court or in office, on vacation, at conventions, and for other things.

You might also want to know what expenses he makes from the money you pay him. Ask him if there are circumstances under which he would refund you part of or your entire retainer fee. It is also important to know if he has any personal emotions about the positions he has to take and the stands he has to make if he represents you. Ask if he has some connections within the justice department or some other lawyers who specialize in your case who can help you with your situation.