By: Allan M. Siegel
March is National Brain Injury Awareness Month and our firm is proud to
join the Brain Injury Association of America (
BIAA) in helping educate the general public about traumatic brain injuries,
their impact on victims and families, and ongoing efforts to improve diagnosis
and treatment. DC Mayor Muriel Bowser has also
proclaimed March as Brain Injury Awarness Month in the District of Columbia.
As a firm that has been deeply involved in brain injury litigation for
many years, we here at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C.
have devoted extensive amounts of time and energy to helping victims and
families affected by TBI navigate their legal journeys. Accordingly, we
know how serious and devastating brain injuries can be - and why it's
so important for everyone to understand risk factors, common warning signs,
and other brain injury basics.
To help you learn more about TBI, we've compiled a few important brain
injury basics. You can learn more by visiting the Centers for Disease
Control & Prevention
What is a concussion? - Concussions are brain injuries that can be caused by external forces to
the head (a bump, blow, or jolt) or by hits to the body that cause the
head to move rapidly. Sudden movements can cause the brain to move around
inside of the skull. This damages brain cells and causes chemical changes
in the brain. You do not need to actually hit your head to suffer a brain injury.
Concussion warning signs - Always be aware of common warning signs after it appears someone may
have had a concussion. Warning signs may include fatigue, persistent headaches,
decreased coordination or slurred speech, memory problems, attention problems,
weakness or numbness, unusual behavior, confusion, and loss of consciousness.
However, you do not need to lose consciousness be diagnosed with a concussion.
If you notice any of these symptoms after a trauma seek medical attention
as soon as possible.
Preventing TBI - Making safety a priority can help reduce the risks of brain injury whether
you're on the field, at work, or just out and about. Choose helmets
appropriate to your activity, be mindful of dangerous surfaces (like wet
or icy walkways), and always supervise children.
Recovery - Following a concussion, time is crucial to helping the brain heal. Whether
you or your child has experienced a TBI, make sure to get plenty of rest,
avoid risky activities that could cause further injury, talk to a doctor,
and be sure to return slowly to normal activities.
Questions About Brain Injuries? Call CSCS!
Our firm has earned national recognition for our work in the brain injury
legal field. Take a look at some of our accomplishments below. If you
have questions about a case involving concussions or traumatic brain injury,
contact us today!
Two of our partners
Brain Injury Association of the District of Columbia (BIADC). Partner Joseph Cammarata is currently President and Treasurer
of the BIADC and Partner Ira Sherman is the current Vice President.
- Partner Ira Sherman is on the Board of Directors of the Brain Injury Association
of America, and currently serves as the Treasurer.
We have been selected as
"preferred attorneys" by the Brain Injury Association of America for the Washington, DC Metropolitan area.
Partner Cammarata helped draft the
Athletic Concussion Protection Act of 2011, which became law in the District of Columbia.
represented numerous athletes of all ages - including professional athletes - who suffered from concussions and TBI.
Our firm has recovered
millions of dollars in compensation for brain injury victims. See a few of our notable brain injury recoveries