(Transcript)

Welcome to Pennsylvania Law TV. Today we will be talking about traumatic brain injuries. My guest is attorney Dave Miller and he is going to talk with us about this topic. So Dave thanks for being here today.

Dave: Thank you.

Dei: Dave what is a traumatic brain injury?

Dave: Traumatic brain injury is any injury that causes an external mechanical force and creates brain dysfunction. There are various levels of traumatic brain injuries from very mild concussion like symptoms to very serious symptoms, life altering symptoms and even death. In more serious traumatic brain injuries you will see bruising, torn tissues, bleeding and other physical damage that can cause some significant long term complications.

Dei: A lot of times what we hear is that a loved one will feel fine after an accident but develops symptoms of a brain injury down the road. What do they need to do in that situation?

Dave: The first thing they need to do is get medical attention immediately. A brain injury is a very serious injury like I said, that can cause a long term complication if not treated properly and timely, so my best advice would be to go seek medical attention, go to the emergency room and eventually I would suggest getting in the care of a neurologist who will then be able to do the proper studies to make a proper diagnosis. There are very skilled neurologists that can prevent the long term complications from happening if caught on time.

Dei: What are some of the complications and challenges of handling a brain injury case from your perspective?

Dave: Well from my perspective, first off is the science. It’s a very challenging area for even an attorney that has dealt with these issues with clients many times over the course of my career. We see types of damages or symptoms that occur in traumatic brain injury clients that can be sort of over looked and maybe just saying oh their personality is just changing or they are just losing it a little bit, they are getting old, these are things that happen to everybody when they get old. The reality is it takes a very skilled set or group of specialists and neurologists, neuropsychologists, psychiatrist, all these folks to come together and make an analysis. And one of the biggest things really is the family members and their friends and coworkers who can paint a picture of before and after, because that comparison will really tell the story to these specialists, who are only going to meet the injured individual after the fact. When you can make that comparison it really helps to make a proper diagnosis.

Dei: And if someone has specific questions about a matter like this how can they reach your office?

Dave: Well they can reach us on the web at www.OConnorLaw.com or by phone at 1-800-518-4Law.

Dei: Well Dave thank you for your time today.

Dave: You’re welcome.

Dei: Until next time this is Dei Lynam for Pennsylvania Law TV.