Connecticut – The Doctor Lawyer Team, a Connecticut personal injury law firm with a nationwide practice, weighs in on the passage of H.R. 2992, the “TBI and PTSD Law Enforcement Training Act” (Bill), signed into law by President Biden on August 16, 2022. The Bill authorizes $270 million over five years to reauthorize the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program, and funds a new police training program to help law enforcement and first responders better recognize and assist persons suffering from traumatic brain injury (TBI) or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
According to the NIH, in the United States, approximately 1.7 million people suffer a TBI, with older adolescents (ages 15 to 19 years) and older adults (ages 65 years and older) among the most likely to sustain a TBI. TBIs can result from a simple blow to the head or a penetrating injury to the brain. The most common causes of TBIs are:
- Slip and Falls: TBIs due to falls are prevalent among older adults over 70.
- Road Accidents: Collisions and other auto accidents are among the most common causes of TBIs.
- Violence: Victims of robberies, domestic violence, child abuse, and firearm assaults often sustain TBIs.
- Sports-Related Injuries: The incidence of TBIs and chronic traumatic encephalopathy is high in contact sports.
- Industrial Injuries: A significant portion of work-related injuries in the United States are TBIs.
- Military Combat: Military service members and Veterans are also at risk of brain injury from explosions experienced during combat or training exercises.
It is worth noting that TBIs are not limited to the United States. A 2022 Lancet Neurology Commission report documented TBI as a global public health problem, afflicting 55 million people worldwide, costing over US $400 billion per year, and is a leading cause of injury-related death and disability. Road traffic incidents and falls were the leading causes of TBIs.
“The statistics for TBIs and brain injuries worldwide are alarming. To address this health problem in the United States, we applaud Congress for passing this Bill to fund new training to help first responders better recognize and assist individuals suffering from PTSD or a TBI. Because care for a TBI patient begins at the site of the injury, it is important that first responders be able to recognize not only patients with obvious major head injury (unconscious) but also to recognize those who upon initial evaluation appear relatively normal but are at risk for decompensation (patient with a delayed intracranial hemorrhage). Having the right training for first responders can be a matter of life and death for the TBI patient," says Dr. Michael Giordano, a board certified neurosurgeon and one of The Doctor Lawyer Team's founding attorneys.
“Unfortunately, in many cases, a TBI results from someone else’s negligence. With an estimated 5.3 million Americans living today with a disability related to a TBI, consulting with an experienced personal injury attorney is critical in obtaining the compensation you need to live life to the fullest despite your disability. At The Doctor Lawyer Team, we represent victims of serious injuries and families of those who have died because of incidents that occurred due to another’s negligence,” he adds.
About The Doctor Lawyer Team
At The Doctor Lawyer Team, we are dedicated to serving our clients and their families in achieving justice in the face of adversity. Founding attorneys Paul McConnell and Dr. Michael Giordano are trial lawyers with the experience and success to ensure you enjoy your legal rights. Dr. Giordano is a board-certified neurosurgeon and attorney, and attorney Paul McConnell is a former Judge and federal prosecutor.
We are a veteran-owned personal injury law firm that combines legal and medical expertise to deliver results, and we have unparalleled and uncompromising professional standards. Our personal injury doctor/lawyer team represents victims of serious injuries and families of those who have died because of incidents that occurred due to negligence.
We also help military families, both stateside and abroad, recover compensation if a family member or dependent has suffered injury through negligence or malpractice of a military doctor, hospital, clinic, or other medical facility. For nearly all our professional lives, we have been committed to serving alongside service members with “Mission Accomplishment” as the hallmark of our calling.
If you or a family member have been injured, our team can help. Our personal injury doctor/lawyer team represents victims of serious injuries as well as families of those who have died as a result of incidents that occurred due to negligence. Call The Doctor Lawyer Team at (833) DLT-WINS; (833) 358-9467 to schedule your free consultation.
Visit us on the web at: https://www.doctorlawyerteam.com.
