This past week, Louisiana State University (LSU) kicked off their therapy trial aiming to discover whether oxygen therapy can help heal patients who have suffered mild traumatic brain injuries. Brain injuries are typically caused by bumps, blow, or jolts to the head, which disrupts the normal functioning of the brain. Consequences range from a mild concussion to a serious fractured skull involving brain swelling. In 2010, 2.5 million emergency room visits, hospitalizations or deaths were associated with traumatic brain injuries according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Simply put, Oxygen therapy is a treatment that provides you with extra oxygen. Dr. Paul G. Harch, a professor of medicine at LSU Health New Orleans, is seeking 50 patients who have suffered or more traumatic brain injuries or concussions within the past 6 months to 10 years to be willing to participate in the trial. Trials will consist of 8 weeks of hyperbaric oxygen treatment, as well as a series of oral, written and computer tests prior to and following the therapy. The theory is basically that more oxygen flowing into the brain may help it function. Better brain functioning is predicted to improve thinking ability, cognitive functioning, quality of life, and traumatic brain injury symptoms. The science is still relatively new, criticized by some, and the effectiveness of such treatment is still unknown albeit it provides hope for victims everywhere.
Basics of a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Case
TBI cases like all personal injury cases, can be complex and convoluted depending on the specific circumstances. The injuries may be caused a multitude of factors- car accidents, home and occupational accidents, falls, and assaults. The first step in initiating a lawsuit is to find a competent TBI lawyer to help determine who was at fault for causing the injury. Those held responsible can be a business that had slippery floors, the manufacturer of a faulty piece of equipment, or a negligent driver who hit you with his car. Those at fault will be responsible for compensating the victim for medical bills and treatments such as oxygen therapy, compensatory damages, punitive damages, lost wages, pain and suffering, and even emotional distress damages. In severe cases (i.e. in cases of paralysis or comas) a spouse or family member dependent on the injured may also have a claim for loss of consortium. This is intended to compensate for the fact that the person injured or killed can no longer provide the same financial support, companionship, and comfort before the accident.
Contact Our Traumatic Brain and Head Injury Lawyers Serving Metairie, Kenner, and New Orleans. Harrell & Nowak zealously represent people who have suffered brain injuries to achieve justice for them and their families. We have recovered millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts on behalf of clients, and a success rate of 90% in our litigation. Serving New Orleans, Metairie, Kenner, and nearby areas, our traumatic brain and head injury lawyers work tirelessly to help victims and their families. Contact our personal injury attorneys for experienced and compassionate legal representation.