Litigation

New report on Domestic Violence and Traumatic Brain Injury

By Michael Kaplen

I just came across an important report prepared by the Brain Injury Association of America on Domestic Violence and Traumatic Brain Injury.

The report is entitled, Increasing Awareness about Possible Neurological Alterations in Brain Status Secondary to Intimate Violence, by Mary Car, OTD, OTR/L, Information and Resource Manager, Brain Injury Association of America.

Here is the report?s introduction:

"Persons with injuries from intimate violence may not be aware of the signs of TBI, putting them at risk for subsequent injury. Additionally, medical personnel addressing issues of persons both with or without apparent injuries from physical violence may not be aware of the signs and symptoms of TBI, resulting in these injuries being undiagnosed and untreated, as well as misdiagnosed. This paper will focus on the effects of violent interactions on brain structures and processes with the hope of increasing awareness of the issue. A general overview of intimate violence will be followed by an explanation of the types of TBIs which may result. It is believed raising awareness will lead to better diagnosis and improved treatment of those who sustain intimate violence."

Excerpts from the report:

? Intimate violence is the leading cause of serious injury to American women between the ages of 15 and 44.

? 95% of recipients of reported intimate violence acts are women.

? Up to 40% of women who visit hospital emergency rooms are there for symptoms related to physical abuse; however, depending on the statistics cited, as few as 2.8% to 10% of those women are identified as such.

? Death, brain injury and/or permanent damage may result from lethal violence. The brain can be assaulted directly by physical force and neurochemically from the prolonged effects of stress from intimate violence.

? When women report injuries?including skull fractures?in the emergency room, studies indicate a disproportionate amount of women are reporting they have fallen. These women are too young to be considered in a risk category for falls and may be part of the population with undiagnosed TBIs (traumatic brain injuries).

? Firearms used in intimate violence are 12 times as likely to cause death than use of any other weapon. Handguns are the weapons used most often against women in intimate violent relationships. The devastating TBIs caused by bullet wounds result in a 91% firearm-related death rate overall.

? There are many forms of TBIs which are not as recognizable and may go undiagnosed.

? These signs of strangulation or choking should prompt medical attention and care: scratches, bruises, red spots (from capillaries bursting), blood-red eyes, rope or cord burns, neck swelling (subtle to massive), red linear vertical or horizontal marks, complaints of neck pain, difficulty in swallowing or breathing, vomiting blood, coughing and a lost or raspy voice.

Read the full Domestic Violence and Traumatic Brain Injury Report

Obtain Screening tools for TBI and Domestic Violence

Victims of brain injury caused by domestic violence should discuss a seperate law suit against their spouse for their brain damage. The brain injury law firm of DeCaro & Kaplen, LLP can provide legal assistance for brain injury caused by acts of domestic violence.

Full post as published by Brain Injury News and Information on July 27, 2010 (boomark / email).