April 27, 2016 – Rozek Law

Wisconsin Work Site Injury FAQs

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 09:09:00 GMT

Work zone crash injury FAQs: steps to take, evidence to save, common mistakes, and when to get legal help after a construction-zone wreck.

Your Legal Rights after Your Motorcycle Accident

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 17:32:54 GMT

A motorcycle accident can change your life in an instant. Beyond the physical pain and emotional stress, victims are often left facing mounting medical bills, lost income, and uncertainty about their future. Understanding your legal rights after a motorcycle accident is essential to protecting yourself and ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve from a motorcycle accident lawyer in Wisconsin . Knowing what steps to take and what you are entitled to can make a significant difference in your recovery.

Seek Medical Care Immediately after Your Motorcycle Accident

First and foremost, you have the right to seek medical care immediately after a motorcycle accident. Even if your injuries seem minor at first, some conditions, such as internal injuries, concussions, or soft tissue damage, may not be immediately apparent. Seeking prompt medical attention not only protects your health but also creates important documentation linking your injuries directly to the accident. Medical records are often a critical component of any insurance claim or legal case.

File an Insurance Claim

You also have the right to file an insurance claim. Depending on the circumstances of the accident, this may involve filing a claim with your own insurance company, the at-fault driver’s insurer, or both. Motorcycle accidents are frequently caused by negligent drivers who fail to yield, follow too closely, or fail to see motorcyclists on the road. If another party’s negligence caused your accident, you have the right to pursue compensation for damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering.

Gather Evidence at the Scene

After a motorcycle accident, you have the right to gather evidence and protect your claim . This includes obtaining a copy of the police report, taking photos of the accident scene and your injuries, collecting witness information, and preserving damaged gear such as helmets or clothing. Insurance companies often look for ways to minimize payouts, and having strong evidence can help support your version of events and strengthen your case.

Importantly, you have the right to remain cautious when dealing with insurance adjusters. While adjusters may appear helpful, their primary goal is often to settle claims quickly and for as little money as possible. You are not required to give a recorded statement immediately, and you should never feel pressured to accept a settlement before fully understanding the extent of your injuries. Once you accept a settlement, you typically waive your right to seek additional compensation later even if your condition worsens.

You also have the right to pursue compensation beyond immediate expenses. Motorcycle accident victims may be entitled to damages for future medical care, rehabilitation, loss of earning capacity, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life. In severe cases involving permanent injuries or disabilities, these long-term damages can be substantial. The law recognizes that the impact of a motorcycle accident often extends far beyond the initial recovery period.

Legal Representation is Critical

Another critical legal right is your right to legal representation. You are not required to handle a motorcycle accident claim on your own. An experienced motorcycle accident attorney can help investigate the crash, negotiate with insurance companies, and advocate for your best interests. Legal representation is especially important when liability is disputed or when injuries are serious. Having an attorney can level the playing field and help ensure you are treated fairly.

You have the right to take legal action within a specific time frame, known as the statute of limitations. This deadline varies by state, but missing it can permanently bar you from recovering compensation. Acting promptly helps preserve evidence, protect your rights, and keep your case on track.

Call Rozek Law After your Motorcycle Accident

A motorcycle accident can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. Understanding your legal rights empowers you to make informed decisions, protect your interests, and focus on healing. By knowing what you are entitled to and seeking the right support, you can move forward with confidence after a motorcycle accident.

The sooner you get legal help, the better your chances of a fair and successful outcome. For nearly 30 years, Attorney Randy Rozek has been representing victims of serious, life-changing injuries. Routinely asked to speak to lawyers around the country in his primary areas of practice, which include representing victims of traumatic brain injuries and brain damage due to carbon monoxide poisoning, Randy has extensive experience representing victims throughout the United States. If you are in need of a motorcycle accident lawyer to represent you in your case, contact Rozek Law Offices by calling 414-374-4444.

Rozek Law Offices, S.C.

3970 N Oakland Ave Ste 604

Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53211

(414) 374-4444

https://www.rozeklaw.com/

Why It Is Important to Call a Personal Injury Attorney After Your Car Accident in Wisconsin

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 13:00:09 GMT

Being involved in a car accident can be a frightening and overwhelming experience. In the moments following a crash, many people focus on their immediate safety, vehicle damage, and medical concerns, which makes absolute sense. However, what you do in the hours and days after the accident can significantly impact your financial recovery and legal rights. If you have been injured in a crash, contacting a car accident lawyer in Wisconsin as soon as possible is one of the most important steps you can take.

Protect Your Legal Rights

After a car accident, you may quickly start receiving calls from insurance companies asking for statements or offering quick settlements. While these offers may seem helpful, they are often designed to minimize the amount the insurance company pays out. Without legal guidance, you could unknowingly accept a settlement that does not fully cover your damages.

A personal injury attorney understands Wisconsin’s laws and will ensure your rights are protected from the beginning. They can communicate with insurance companies on your behalf and make sure you do not say anything that could harm your claim. Having an experienced professional on your side helps level the playing field against large insurance companies.

Accurately Determine the Value of Your Claim

Many accident victims underestimate the true cost of their injuries. Medical bills are often only one part of the total damages you may be entitled to recover. Lost wages, future medical treatment, physical therapy, emotional distress, and long-term disability can all factor into a personal injury claim.

A personal injury attorney will carefully review all aspects of your case to determine the full value of your claim. They may work with medical professionals, accident reconstruction experts, and financial specialists to evaluate the long-term impact of your injuries. This thorough approach helps ensure you pursue compensation that truly reflects the harm you have suffered.

Gather Critical Evidence

Strong evidence is essential in proving liability after a car accident. Unfortunately, valuable evidence can disappear quickly if it is not collected promptly. Witness memories may fade, surveillance footage can be erased, and accident scenes change over time.

A personal injury attorney will immediately begin investigating the crash. This may include obtaining police reports, gathering witness statements, reviewing medical records, and collecting photographs or video footage from the accident scene. In some cases, attorneys may also work with accident reconstruction specialists to determine exactly how the crash occurred.

By building a strong evidentiary foundation early in the process, your attorney can strengthen your claim and improve your chances of obtaining fair compensation.

Navigate Wisconsin’s Legal Process

Wisconsin has specific laws that affect how car accident claims are handled. One important rule is the state’s comparative negligence law . Under this rule, an injured party can recover damages only if they are less than 51 percent responsible for the accident. Additionally, any compensation awarded may be reduced based on their percentage of fault.

Understanding how these laws apply to your situation can be complicated. A personal injury attorney will analyze the details of the accident and develop a strategy to minimize any allegations of fault against you. They will also ensure that all required paperwork is filed correctly and that deadlines, including the statute of limitations, are met.

Focus on Recovery While Your Attorney Handles the Case

Recovering from a car accident can be physically and emotionally exhausting. Doctor visits, therapy appointments, and pain management can quickly take over your daily life. Trying to negotiate with insurance companies and handle legal paperwork during this time only adds unnecessary stress.

By hiring a personal injury attorney, you can focus on your recovery while your legal team manages the complexities of your case. Your attorney will handle negotiations, gather evidence, and pursue compensation on your behalf.

Conclusion

A car accident can have lasting consequences on your health, finances, and overall well-being. Calling a personal injury attorney after your accident in Wisconsin ensures that your rights are protected, your claim is properly evaluated, and the legal process is handled correctly. With experienced legal guidance, you can pursue the compensation you deserve while focusing on healing and moving forward with your life.

With nearly 20 years of experience, personal injury attorney Randall Rozek has personally been involved in the successful resolution of hundreds of personal injury cases, whether it be through trial, mediation, arbitration or settlement. If you are in need of a car accident lawyer to represent you in your case, contact Rozek Law Offices by calling 414-374-4444.

Rozek Law Offices, S.C.

3970 N Oakland Ave Ste 604

Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53211

(414) 374-4444

https://www.rozeklaw.com/

What To Do if You've Been in a Semi Accident in Wisconsin

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 13:00:28 GMT

Being involved in a semi-truck accident can be one of the most traumatic experiences a person faces on the road. Because commercial trucks are significantly larger and heavier than passenger vehicles, the damage and injuries that result from these collisions are often severe. If you have been in a semi accident in Wisconsin, knowing what steps to take can protect both your health and your legal rights by contacting a truck accident lawyer in Wisconsin .

Prioritize Safety and Call 911

Your first priority after any accident is safety. If you are physically able, move to a safe location away from traffic. Turn on your hazard lights and check yourself and any passengers for injuries. Even if injuries seem minor, call 911 immediately. In Wisconsin, accidents involving injury, death, or significant property damage must be reported to law enforcement.

When officers arrive, provide accurate information but avoid speculating about fault. A police report will play a crucial role in any insurance or legal claim that follows.

Seek Immediate Medical Attention

Semi-truck accidents often result in serious injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, and internal bleeding. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent due to adrenaline. Even if you feel “okay,” it is critical to seek medical evaluation as soon as possible.

Prompt medical care not only protects your health but also creates documentation linking your injuries to the accident. Delays in treatment can give insurance companies an opportunity to argue that your injuries were not caused by the crash.

Gather Evidence at the Scene

If you are able, collect as much information as possible at the scene. This includes:

The truck driver’s name, contact information, and employer
The trucking company’s name and insurance details
The truck’s license plate and USDOT number
Contact information for witnesses
Photos and videos of vehicle damage, skid marks, road conditions, and visible injuries

Because commercial trucks are regulated by state and federal laws, identifying the trucking company is especially important. In many cases, liability may extend beyond the driver to the company that owns or operates the truck.

Notify Your Insurance Company

Report the accident to your insurance company promptly. Provide basic facts about the crash, but avoid giving recorded statements without fully understanding your rights—especially if the trucking company’s insurer contacts you. Insurance adjusters often aim to minimize payouts, and statements made early on can later be used against you.

Understand Wisconsin’s Comparative Negligence Rule

Wisconsin follows a modified comparative negligence rule. This means you can recover compensation as long as you are not more than 50% at fault for the accident. However, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 20% responsible, your total recovery will be reduced by 20%.

Because fault can significantly impact your compensation, thorough investigation and evidence collection are critical in semi-truck accident cases.

Consult an Experienced Wisconsin Truck Accident Attorney

Truck accident claims are far more complex than typical car accident cases. Commercial vehicles are subject to regulations enforced by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which governs driver hours, maintenance requirements, and safety standards. Violations of these regulations can strengthen your claim.

An experienced Wisconsin truck accident attorney can:

Investigate the crash and preserve critical evidence, such as driver logs and black box data
Determine all potentially liable parties
Handle negotiations with insurance companies
Calculate the full extent of your damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future care needs

Because trucking companies often deploy rapid response teams immediately after an accident to protect their interests, having your own legal representation quickly can level the playing field.

Be Mindful of the Statute of Limitations

In Wisconsin, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is generally three years from the date of the accident. Failing to file a lawsuit within this timeframe can result in losing your right to recover compensation. However, certain exceptions may apply, so it is important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible.

Focus on Your Recovery

Finally, prioritize your physical and emotional recovery. Semi accidents can cause lasting trauma, both physically and psychologically. Follow your doctor’s treatment plan, attend follow-up appointments, and document how your injuries affect your daily life.

Being in a semi-truck accident in Wisconsin can feel overwhelming, but taking the right steps immediately afterward can make a significant difference. By protecting your health, preserving evidence, understanding your rights, and seeking experienced legal guidance, you position yourself for the best possible outcome during a challenging time.

Let Rozek Law Help You if You’ve Been Involved in a Semi Accident

For almost 30 years, Attorney Randy Rozek has been representing victims of serious, life-changing injuries including those caused by carbon monoxide poisoning. Routinely asked to speak to lawyers around the country in his primary areas of practice, which include representing victims of traumatic brain injuries and brain damage due to carbon monoxide poisoning, Randy has extensive experience representing victims throughout the United States. It is because of this vast experience; Randy often gets called in to co-counsel cases from around the country by attorneys with less experience handling these types of cases. If you are in need of a truck accident lawyer to represent you in your case, contact Rozek Law Offices by calling 414-374-4444.

Rozek Law Offices, S.C.

3970 N Oakland Ave Ste 604

Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53211

(414) 374-4444

https://www.rozeklaw.com/

Why You Should Seek a Lawyer if You've Suffered a Brain Injury in Wisconsin

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 17:12:44 GMT

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can change your life in an instant. Whether caused by a car accident , slip and fall, workplace incident, or another act of negligence, a brain injury often brings physical pain, emotional stress, and financial uncertainty. If you or a loved one has suffered a brain injury in Wisconsin, seeking legal representation is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your future.

Here’s why hiring a traumatic brain injury lawyer in Wisconsin is critical after a brain injury.

Brain Injuries Are Often More Serious Than They Appear

Brain injuries are complex and sometimes difficult to diagnose. While some symptoms appear immediately, others may take days or even weeks to develop. Headaches, dizziness, confusion, memory loss, mood changes, and cognitive impairment can significantly impact your ability to work and live independently.

Insurance companies may try to minimize the seriousness of a brain injury, especially if diagnostic imaging does not immediately show visible damage. An experienced Wisconsin personal injury lawyer understands the medical complexities of brain injuries and can work with medical experts to properly document the full extent of your condition. This ensures your injury is taken seriously and valued appropriately.

Wisconsin Law Can Be Complicated

Personal injury cases in Wisconsin are governed by specific laws, including the state’s comparative negligence rule. Under Wisconsin’s comparative negligence system , you can recover damages as long as you are not more than 50% at fault for the accident. However, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

Insurance companies often attempt to shift blame onto the injured party to reduce what they have to pay. A skilled lawyer will investigate the circumstances of your accident, gather evidence, interview witnesses, and build a strong case to minimize any claims that you were partially responsible.

There are also strict deadlines for filing a personal injury lawsuit in Wisconsin. In most cases, you have three years from the date of injury to file a claim. Missing this statute of limitations can prevent you from recovering compensation entirely. A lawyer ensures all paperwork is filed correctly and on time.

Calculating the True Value of Your Claim

Brain injuries frequently result in long-term or permanent consequences. You may face ongoing medical treatment, rehabilitation, therapy, and possibly lifelong care. In addition to medical expenses, you may lose income due to time away from work or reduced earning capacity if you cannot return to your previous job.

A lawyer will carefully calculate both your economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include medical bills, lost wages, and future care costs. Non-economic damages account for pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and the impact on your relationships.

Without legal guidance, it can be extremely difficult to accurately estimate the long-term costs associated with a brain injury. Accepting a quick settlement from an insurance company may leave you without the financial resources you need down the road.

Dealing With Insurance Companies

After a serious accident, insurance adjusters may contact you quickly. While they may seem helpful, their goal is often to settle the claim for as little money as possible. They may ask for recorded statements, request access to your medical history, or pressure you into accepting an early offer.

Having a lawyer handle communications with insurance companies protects you from tactics designed to weaken your claim. Your attorney will negotiate aggressively on your behalf and advise you on whether a settlement offer is fair.

Peace of Mind During a Difficult Time

Recovering from a brain injury requires focus, rest, and medical care. Managing legal paperwork, gathering evidence, and negotiating with insurers can be overwhelming—especially when you’re coping with cognitive or emotional challenges.

Hiring a Wisconsin brain injury lawyer allows you to concentrate on healing while your legal team handles the complexities of your case. If a fair settlement cannot be reached, your attorney can take the case to court and advocate for you before a judge or jury.

Protect Your Future by Consulting with Rozek Law

A brain injury can have lifelong consequences. Seeking legal representation is not just about compensation—it’s about protecting your financial stability, securing access to medical care, and holding negligent parties accountable.

If you or a loved one has suffered a brain injury in Wisconsin, consulting with an experienced personal injury lawyer can help you understand your rights and take the first step toward rebuilding your life.

For almost 30 years, Attorney Randy Rozek has been representing victims of serious, life-changing injuries that have resulted in TBI. Routinely asked to speak to lawyers around the country in his primary areas of practice representing victims of traumatic brain injuries and brain damage, Randy has extensive experience representing victims throughout the United States. It is because of this vast experience; Randy often gets called in to co-counsel cases from around the country by attorneys with less experience handling these types of cases. If you are in need of a traumatic brain injury lawyer to represent you in your case, contact Rozek Law Offices by calling 414-374-4444.

Rozek Law Offices, S.C.

3970 N Oakland Ave Ste 604

Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53211

(414) 374-4444

https://www.rozeklaw.com/

What You Can do Legally if You've Suffered a Spinal Cord Injury

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 13:00:10 GMT

Suffering a spinal cord injury (SCI) can be life-altering, affecting not only your physical abilities but also your emotional well-being, finances, and future plans. These injuries often require long-term medical care, rehabilitation, and lifestyle adjustments. If your spinal cord injury was caused by someone else’s negligence or wrongful actions, you can get the help of a spinal cord injury lawyer in Wisconsin to protect your rights and secure the compensation you need. Understanding what you can do legally after a spinal cord injury is an important step toward rebuilding your life.

Seek Immediate Medical Attention and Documentation

Your first priority after a spinal cord injury should always be your health. Prompt medical treatment can prevent further damage and improve long-term outcomes. From a legal standpoint, medical records are also critical. Detailed documentation of your diagnosis , treatment, prognosis, and future care needs provides essential evidence if you pursue a legal claim. Follow your doctor’s treatment plan closely, attend all appointments, and keep copies of medical bills, test results, and rehabilitation records.

Identify the Cause of the Injury

Spinal cord injuries can occur in many ways, including car accidents, truck accidents , slip and fall incidents, workplace accidents, sports injuries, medical malpractice, or acts of violence. To take legal action, it is important to determine whether another party’s negligence or misconduct caused your injury. Negligence generally means someone failed to act with reasonable care, leading to harm. For example, a distracted driver, a property owner who ignored safety hazards, or an employer who failed to follow workplace safety regulations may be held legally responsible.

Understand Your Right to Compensation

If another party is liable for your spinal cord injury, you may be entitled to compensation through a personal injury claim or lawsuit. Compensation can cover a wide range of damages, including current and future medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. In severe cases, damages may also include the cost of home modifications, mobility equipment, and long-term personal care assistance.

File an Insurance Claim or Personal Injury Lawsuit

Many spinal cord injury cases begin with an insurance claim , such as filing with an auto insurance company after a vehicle accident. However, insurance companies often attempt to minimize payouts. If a fair settlement cannot be reached, you may need to file a personal injury lawsuit. A lawsuit allows you to formally present your case, gather evidence through discovery, and potentially have your claim decided by a judge or jury.

Be Aware of Legal Deadlines

Every state has a statute of limitations, which is a strict deadline for filing a personal injury lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, you may lose your right to pursue compensation entirely. The time limit can vary depending on the type of case and jurisdiction, so acting quickly is essential. Certain exceptions may apply, but it is best not to rely on them.

Consider Hiring Spinal Cord Injury Attorney Rozek in Wisconsin

Spinal cord injury cases are often complex and high-stakes. An experienced personal injury attorney can investigate your case, gather expert testimony, calculate the full value of your damages, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent you in court if necessary. Having legal representation can significantly improve your chances of obtaining fair compensation and allow you to focus on your recovery rather than legal stress.

A spinal cord injury can affect every aspect of your life, but you do not have to face the legal challenges alone. By seeking medical care, preserving evidence, understanding your rights, and pursuing appropriate legal action, you can hold responsible parties accountable and secure the financial support needed for long-term care and stability. Taking these steps can help you move forward with greater confidence and peace of mind during an incredibly difficult time.

Since 1996, Randy Rozek has focused his practice on the representation of victims of serious, life-changing spinal cord injuries caused from someone else’s negligence. Randy has extensive experience representing victims throughout the United States. Because of this experience, Randy routinely gets called in to co-counsel cases from around the country by attorneys with less experience handling these types of cases. If you are in need of a skilled lawyer to represent you in your case, contact Rozek Law by calling (414) 374-4444 .

Rozek Law Offices, S.C.

3970 N Oakland Ave Ste 604

Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53211

(414) 374-4444

https://www.rozeklaw.com/

How a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help You After Your Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Injury

Fri, 26 Dec 2025 13:00:23 GMT

Carbon monoxide poisoning is a serious and often life-threatening injury that can leave victims facing long-term health complications, emotional trauma, and unexpected financial burdens. Because carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless, exposure often occurs without warning, whether from faulty appliances, blocked vents, defective heating systems, or unsafe living conditions. After surviving a carbon monoxide poisoning incident, understanding your legal options is just as important as focusing on your physical recovery. A carbon monoxide poisoning lawyer in Wisconsin can play a critical role in helping you protect your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.

One of the first ways a personal injury lawyer helps is by investigating the cause of the carbon monoxide exposure. Determining how and why the poisoning occurred is essential to establishing liability. An attorney will review inspection reports, maintenance records, building codes, and safety standards to identify responsible parties. This may include landlords, property managers, homeowners, appliance manufacturers, maintenance companies, or utility providers. By building a clear picture of negligence or failure to meet safety obligations, your lawyer lays the groundwork for a strong claim.

A personal injury lawyer also helps gather and preserve critical evidence. Carbon monoxide cases often involve technical details, such as malfunctioning furnaces, defective water heaters, or improper ventilation. An experienced attorney works with qualified experts, including engineers, medical professionals, and safety inspectors, to document the source of the exposure and connect it directly to your injuries. This evidence is crucial when dealing with insurance companies or presenting your case in court.

Another key role of a personal injury lawyer is handling communication with insurance companies. Insurers may attempt to downplay the severity of your injuries or argue that the exposure was unavoidable. A lawyer acts as your advocate, ensuring that statements, records, and settlement discussions are handled carefully and strategically. This protects you from being pressured into accepting a settlement that does not fully cover your losses.

Carbon monoxide poisoning can result in significant medical expenses, both immediate and long-term. Victims may require emergency treatment, hospitalization, oxygen therapy, neurological care, and ongoing rehabilitation. A personal injury lawyer helps calculate the full extent of your damages, including current medical bills, future treatment costs, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and pain and suffering. In cases involving severe or permanent injuries, these damages can be substantial, and having a lawyer ensures nothing is overlooked.

In addition to financial compensation, a lawyer can help hold negligent parties accountable. When landlords fail to install carbon monoxide detectors, property owners ignore maintenance issues, or manufacturers release defective products, legal action can prompt safer practices and prevent future injuries. Your case may not only provide compensation for your losses but also contribute to improved safety standards for others.

If a carbon monoxide poisoning incident results in wrongful death, a personal injury lawyer can also guide surviving family members through the legal process. Wrongful death claims seek compensation for funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and the emotional impact of losing a loved one. An attorney provides compassionate guidance during this difficult time while ensuring your family’s rights are protected.

Finally, a personal injury lawyer offers peace of mind during a challenging recovery. Legal deadlines, known as statutes of limitations, apply to carbon monoxide injury claims, and missing them can jeopardize your case. A lawyer ensures all paperwork is filed correctly and on time, allowing you to focus on healing.

After a carbon monoxide poisoning injury, the path forward can feel overwhelming. A personal injury lawyer provides the experience, resources, and advocacy needed to navigate the legal process and pursue justice. With professional legal support, you can take meaningful steps toward recovery, accountability, and financial stability.

Call Rozek Law about Your Carbon Monoxide Case

Since 1996, Randy Rozek has focused his practice on the representation of victims of serious, life-changing injuries including those caused by carbon monoxide poisoning. Routinely asked to speak to lawyers around the country in his primary areas of practice, which include representing victims of traumatic brain injuries and brain damage due to carbon monoxide poisoning, Randy has extensive experience representing victims throughout the United States. It is because of this vast experience; Randy routinely gets called in to co-counsel cases from around the country by attorneys with less experience handling these types of cases. If you need a knowledgeable lawyer to represent you in your case, contact Rozek Law by calling 414-374-4444.

Rozek Law Offices, S.C.

3970 N Oakland Ave Ste 604

Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53211

(414) 374-4444

https://www.rozeklaw.com/

Legal Measures to Take After Being Hit by a Semi in Wisconsin

Fri, 28 Nov 2025 13:00:24 GMT

Being hit by a semi-truck is a terrifying and life-altering experience. Because commercial trucks are so much larger and heavier than passenger vehicles, these crashes tend to result in more severe injuries, greater property damage, and complex insurance challenges. If you’ve been hit by a semi in Wisconsin, it’s important to protect yourself legally from the very beginning by hiring a reputable truck accident lawyer in Wisconsin . The steps you take immediately after the crash and in the weeks that follow can make a major difference in securing fair compensation and holding the responsible parties accountable. Here’s what you should do.

1. Prioritize Safety and Call 911 Immediately

After a semi-truck accident, your first step should always be safety. Wisconsin law requires drivers to report accidents involving injuries or major property damage. Calling 911 ensures that law enforcement and emergency medical services arrive at the scene quickly. Police will create an official accident report, which becomes crucial evidence later when filing insurance claims or pursuing legal action.

Even if you don’t think you’re seriously hurt, never skip medical evaluation. Many injuries like concussions, internal damage, or soft-tissue trauma don’t appear right away.

2. Gather Evidence at the Scene if You Are Able

If your condition allows, collecting your own evidence helps strengthen your case. Photos and videos are invaluable in semi-truck accidents because trucking companies and insurers often move quickly to protect themselves.

Document:

Damage to all vehicles
Skid marks, debris, and road conditions
The truck’s license plate, DOT number, and company name
Visible injuries
Weather and visibility conditions

Also, get contact information from witnesses. Eyewitness statements can play an important role in determining fault, especially when truck drivers or companies deny responsibility.

3. Do Not Give Statements to the Trucking Company’s Insurer

After a semi-truck accident, it’s common for the trucking company’s insurance carrier to contact you quickly, sometimes within hours. They may sound sympathetic, but their goal is to limit the company’s financial liability. You are not required to give a recorded statement, and doing so can harm your case.

Politely decline to discuss the accident until you have spoken with an attorney. Always remember that anything you say could be used against you.

4. Seek Immediate Medical Care and Follow All Treatment Plans

Your health comes first, and medical records are a key part of proving your injuries. Insurance companies often argue that injuries were pre-existing or exaggerated. Prompt medical care helps create a clear timeline showing the injuries were caused by the accident.

Be sure to:

Attend all follow-up appointments
Follow treatment recommendations
Keep copies of your records and bills

These documents will be important when calculating damages.

5. Contact an Experienced Wisconsin Truck Accident Attorney

Semi-truck accidents involve more complex legal issues than typical car crashes. There may be multiple liable parties, such as:

The truck driver
The trucking company
The cargo loading company
A maintenance contractor
A parts or tire manufacturer

An attorney who specializes in Wisconsin truck accidents can investigate all angles, preserve critical evidence, and handle communication with insurers.

They can also send a spoliation letter, which forces the trucking company to preserve black box data, driver logs, maintenance records, and dash-cam footage, which is evidence that often disappears without quick legal intervention.

6. File Claims for Compensation

With legal guidance, you may pursue compensation for:

Medical bills (current and future)
Lost income and reduced earning capacity
Pain and suffering
Property damage
Rehabilitation and long-term care
Emotional distress

If the trucking company or driver acted recklessly, you may also seek punitive damages under Wisconsin law.

7. Be Mindful of Wisconsin’s Statute of Limitations

Wisconsin generally gives you three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit . However, truck accident cases require significant investigation, so it’s wise to begin the process as soon as possible.

Call Rozek Law Offices if You’ve Been Involved in a Semi Truck Accident

Being hit by a semi in Wisconsin can turn your world upside down, but taking the right legal measures can protect your rights and help you secure the compensation you deserve. By documenting the accident, seeking medical treatment, avoiding early statements to insurers, and working with an experienced attorney, you give yourself the strongest possible foundation for recovery both physically and financially.

Rozek Law Offices, S.C.

3970 N Oakland Ave Ste 604

Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53211

(414) 374-4444

https://www.rozeklaw.com/

The Legal Steps to Take After Suffering Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Fri, 24 Oct 2025 12:00:29 GMT

Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is one of the most dangerous and preventable injuries a person can suffer. Because carbon monoxide is odorless, colorless, and tasteless, it’s often called the “silent killer.” When exposure occurs, whether from a faulty appliance, improper ventilation, or a landlord’s negligence, the consequences can be devastating. Victims may face hospitalization, long-term neurological damage, or even fatal outcomes. If you or a loved one has suffered carbon monoxide poisoning, understanding the legal steps to take is critical for protecting your rights and securing compensation for your losses.

1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention

The first and most important step after a suspected carbon monoxide exposure is to get medical help right away. Even mild symptoms, such as headaches, dizziness, or nausea, can indicate dangerous levels of CO in the bloodstream. Medical professionals can perform blood tests to measure carbon monoxide levels (carboxyhemoglobin) and provide treatment, such as oxygen therapy or hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Prompt medical documentation is also essential for any future legal claim. It establishes a direct link between your symptoms and the carbon monoxide exposure, which is key evidence if you decide to pursue compensation later.

2. Identify and Document the Source of Exposure

Once you’re safe and medically stable, determining the cause of the carbon monoxide leak is the next step. Common sources include:

Malfunctioning furnaces or boilers
Blocked chimneys or vents
Faulty gas stoves or water heaters
Car exhaust in attached garages
Generators or space heaters used indoors

If you live in a rental property, the responsibility may fall on the landlord or property manager to maintain safe living conditions. In workplaces, employers are legally obligated to follow safety regulations that prevent CO exposure.

Be sure to document everything: take photographs of the suspected source, record the make and model of the appliance, and note when it was last serviced or inspected. If local authorities, firefighters, or utility companies respond to the scene, obtain copies of their reports.

3. Report the Incident to the Proper Authorities

Reporting CO exposure ensures that an official record exists. Depending on the circumstances, you may need to contact:

Local fire department or gas company to confirm and contain the leak
Your landlord or property management company if you’re a tenant
OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) if the exposure occurred at work
Your local health department for documentation of residential hazards

These reports can serve as valuable evidence in a legal claim, demonstrating that the incident was investigated and verified by an objective third party.

4. Contact a Personal Injury or Premises Liability Attorney

Because carbon monoxide cases often involve questions of negligence, defective products, or code violations, consulting an experienced personal injury attorney is crucial. A lawyer can help identify who is legally responsible for the exposure, whether it’s a landlord who failed to maintain equipment, a manufacturer that sold a defective appliance, or a contractor who installed it incorrectly.

Your attorney will gather evidence, including maintenance records, inspection reports, medical records, and expert testimony. They’ll also calculate your damages, which may include:

Medical bills and rehabilitation costs
Lost wages or diminished earning capacity
Pain and suffering
Long-term health impacts
Wrongful death damages (if applicable)

Most personal injury lawyers handle these cases on a contingency basis, meaning you won’t pay legal fees unless they recover compensation for you.

Do not attempt to repair or replace the suspected source of the leak until professionals and your attorney have had a chance to inspect it. Preserving evidence is critical to proving negligence. Also, avoid giving recorded statements to insurance adjusters without legal representation, as your words could be used to minimize your claim.

6. File a Legal Claim or Lawsuit

After investigating and gathering evidence, your attorney may file a claim against the responsible party’s insurance company or, if necessary, a lawsuit in civil court. The specific legal theory may fall under:

Premises liability: for unsafe conditions on a property
Product liability: for defective or poorly designed appliances
Negligence: for failure to maintain or inspect equipment properly

Statutes of limitations vary by state, but most personal injury cases must be filed within one to two years from the date of injury. Acting quickly helps ensure your case is filed within the legal deadline.

7. Focus on Recovery and Prevention

While your legal team handles the claim, focus on your recovery. Follow up with medical specialists for neurological or respiratory issues, and take steps to prevent future incidents by installing carbon monoxide detectors in your home or workplace.

Call Rozek Law to Help with your Carbon Monoxide Case

I f you’ve suffered carbon monoxide poisoning, the key legal steps are to seek medical attention, document the source, report the incident, contact an attorney, and preserve evidence. Taking prompt, informed action can make the difference between ongoing hardship and securing the compensation you deserve. Carbon monoxide exposure is often preventable, holding responsible parties accountable helps ensure it doesn’t happen to others.

Since 1996, Randy Rozek has focused his practice on the representation of victims of serious, life-changing injuries including those caused by carbon monoxide poisoning. Routinely asked to speak to lawyers around the country in his primary areas of practice, which include representing victims of traumatic brain injuries and brain damage due to carbon monoxide poisoning, Randy has extensive experience representing victims throughout the country. It is because of this vast experience that Randy routinely gets called in to co-counsel cases from around the country by attorneys with less experience handling these types of cases. If you need a knowledgeable lawyer to represent you in your case, contact Rozek Law by calling 414-374-4444.

Rozek Law Offices, S.C.

3970 N Oakland Ave Ste 604

Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53211

(414) 374-4444

https://www.rozeklaw.com/

How a Lawyer Can Help You If You've Suffered a Spinal Cord Injury

Fri, 26 Sep 2025 17:10:33 GMT

Suffering a spinal cord injury can be one of the most devastating events in a person’s life. Beyond the immediate physical pain, the long-term consequences can include paralysis, chronic pain, loss of mobility, and emotional trauma. These injuries often lead to significant lifestyle changes, ongoing medical treatment, and a dramatic loss of income. If your injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, whether through a car accident, workplace incident, medical malpractice, or a slip and fall, you may be entitled to compensation. This is where a lawyer becomes essential.

A qualified spinal cord injury lawyer can guide you through the legal process, help secure the compensation you deserve, and relieve the burden of navigating complex legal and insurance systems while you focus on recovery.

1. Understanding the Full Scope of Your Injury

Spinal cord injuries are medically and legally complex. They can involve partial or complete paralysis (paraplegia or quadriplegia) , require lifelong rehabilitation, and lead to secondary conditions like infections or pressure sores. A skilled lawyer will work with medical professionals, specialists, and vocational experts to understand and document the full extent of your injuries. This helps ensure that your legal case reflects the long-term impact on your health, employment, and quality of life—not just the immediate effects.

2. Determining Liability and Building a Strong Case

One of the most important ways a lawyer can help is by identifying who is legally responsible for your injury . Depending on the circumstances, multiple parties could be at fault, a reckless driver, a negligent employer, a property owner who failed to maintain safe conditions, or even a manufacturer of defective equipment. A lawyer investigates the incident thoroughly, gathers evidence, interviews witnesses, reviews surveillance footage, and works with accident reconstruction experts if needed to prove liability.

Without an attorney, it’s easy to be outmaneuvered by insurance companies or opposing lawyers who try to shift blame or downplay your injury. Having strong legal representation levels the playing field.

3. Handling Insurance Companies

Insurance companies are businesses first. They’re motivated to minimize payouts. They often offer quick settlements that seem generous at first glance but fall far short of covering long-term medical expenses, lost earnings, and future care needs.

An experienced spinal cord injury attorney will negotiate on your behalf to seek the maximum compensation possible. They understand insurance tactics and can push back against bad-faith offers, delays, or outright denials. If negotiations fail, your lawyer can take the case to trial to fight for your rights in court.

4. Calculating the True Value of Your Damages

A spinal cord injury can result in enormous financial costs—medical bills, assistive devices, home modifications, therapy, lost income, and more. But the true cost also includes pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of independence, and reduced enjoyment of life.

A lawyer helps calculate not only your current losses but also your projected future expenses and non-economic damages. This comprehensive valuation is crucial in pursuing full compensation, especially if your injury results in permanent disability.

5. Providing Support and Peace of Mind

Beyond the legal and financial aspects, having a lawyer provides emotional reassurance. Recovering from a spinal cord injury is overwhelming; adding the stress of a legal battle can make it worse. By entrusting your case to a capable attorney, you can focus on healing and adjusting to your new reality, knowing that your legal interests are being protected.

Call Rozek Law if You’ve Suffered a Spinal Cord Injury from an Accident in Wisconsin

A spinal cord injury can change your life forever, but you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. An experienced personal injury lawyer serves as your advocate, advisor, and ally, helping you navigate the legal system, fight for justice, and secure the resources you need to move forward. If you or a loved one has suffered such an injury due to someone else's negligence, consulting a lawyer could be one of the most important steps you take toward rebuilding your life.

A spinal cord injury is a medical crisis that is also a life-altering event with legal and financial consequences that can last for decades. Having an experienced personal injury lawyer by your side can make the difference between financial ruin and securing a stable future. If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury due to someone else’s negligence, seeking legal representation is one of the most important decisions you can make.

Since 1996, Randy Rozek has focused his practice on the representation of victims of serious, life-changing spinal cord injuries caused from someone else’s negligence. Randy has extensive experience representing victims throughout the United States. Because of this vast experience, Randy routinely gets called in to co-counsel cases from around the country by attorneys with less experience handling these types of cases. If you are in need of a skilled lawyer to represent you in your case, contact Rozek Law by calling 414-374-4444.

Rozek Law Offices, S.C.

3970 N Oakland Ave Ste 604

Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53211

(414) 374-4444

https://www.rozeklaw.com/

What to Look for in a Lawyer for Your Motorcycle Accident Case

Fri, 22 Aug 2025 12:00:16 GMT

Motorcycle accidents can result in serious injuries, significant medical bills, lost wages, and long-term emotional trauma. If you've been involved in such an accident, choosing the right lawyer is one of the most important decisions you'll make. A skilled motorcycle accident attorney in Wisconsin can help you secure the compensation you deserve, navigate complex legal processes, and protect your rights against insurance companies.

But not all lawyers are the same. Here's what to look for when choosing the best lawyer for your motorcycle accident case:

1. Experience with Motorcycle Accident Cases

Personal injury law is a broad field, and not every lawyer is experienced in handling motorcycle accident claims specifically. Look for a lawyer who has a proven track record in representing motorcyclists. These cases involve unique challenges, such as bias against motorcyclists, complex accident reconstructions, and severe injury claims, that require specific knowledge and expertise.

Ask about how many motorcycle accident cases the lawyer has handled and what the outcomes were. Experience can make a huge difference in building a strong, evidence-backed case.

2. Strong Negotiation and Trial Skills

Most motorcycle accident claims are settled out of court, but not all. Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts, and if your case does go to trial, you need a lawyer who can confidently argue your case before a judge and jury.

Choose an attorney who has a reputation for being a skilled negotiator and a competent litigator. Ask about their courtroom experience and whether they’ve taken similar cases to trial successfully. A lawyer who is willing to go to court, if necessary, often gets better settlement offers as well.

3. Clear Communication

Legal matters can be confusing and stressful, especially when you’re recovering from an injury. Your lawyer should be someone who explains legal terms in plain language, keeps you updated on the progress of your case, and is responsive when you have questions or concerns.

During your initial consultation, pay attention to how the lawyer communicates. Are they patient? Do they listen? Do they seem genuinely interested in your case? These are good signs that they’ll be a reliable advocate throughout the process.

4. Contingency Fee Structure

Most personal injury lawyers, including those handling motorcycle accident cases, work on a contingency fee basis. This means you don’t pay anything upfront. Instead, the lawyer gets paid a percentage of your settlement or court award if you win the case.

Make sure you understand the terms of the contingency agreement before signing anything. Ask what percentage they charge, whether you'll be responsible for any costs if you lose the case, and if there are any additional fees you should be aware of.

5. Resources to Build Your Case

Motorcycle accident cases often require extensive investigation, expert witnesses, accident reconstruction specialists, and access to medical professionals who can testify about your injuries. A reputable lawyer will have the resources and professional network necessary to build a strong case on your behalf.

Don’t be afraid to ask about how they plan to investigate your accident and what resources they’ll use to support your claim.

6. Client Reviews and Reputation

A lawyer’s reputation says a lot about their professionalism, success rate, and client satisfaction. Look for reviews on platforms like Google, Avvo, or legal directories. You can also ask for client testimonials or references during your consultation.

Pay attention to patterns in feedback—positive comments about communication, results, and professionalism are all encouraging signs.

Call Rozek Law Offices for your Motorcycle Accident

Choosing the right lawyer for your motorcycle accident case can mean the difference between a denied claim and a substantial settlement. Look for someone with specific experience in motorcycle cases, strong negotiation skills, clear communication, and a client-first approach.

Don't rush the decision. Take time to research, schedule consultations, and ask the right questions. The right attorney won’t just fight for your compensation. They’ll help you regain peace of mind during one of the most difficult times in your life.

If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident in Wisconsin, don’t try to handle it alone. A qualified personal injury attorney can be your greatest ally in navigating the legal process, maximizing your compensation, and ensuring your rights are upheld.

Rozek Law Offices, S.C.

3970 N Oakland Ave Ste 604

Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53211

(414) 374-4444

https://www.rozeklaw.com/

Understanding the Legal Process After Being Hit by a Semi-Truck: A Guide for Victims

Fri, 25 Jul 2025 12:00:03 GMT

Being hit by a semi-truck is a traumatic and often life-altering event. These massive vehicles can cause devastating damage in an accident, leading to serious injuries, financial losses, and emotional distress. If you or a loved one has been involved in such an incident, understanding the legal process can help you protect your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect and how to navigate the legal aftermath of a semi-truck accident.

1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention

The first step after any accident, especially one involving a semi-truck, is to seek medical care. Even if you don't feel injured right away, adrenaline can mask symptoms, and internal injuries may not be immediately apparent. Medical records not only ensure your well-being but also serve as critical evidence if you later file a claim.

2. Report the Accident

Always report the accident to law enforcement. A police report is a key piece of evidence in any legal claim. Officers will document the scene, collect statements, and may note who appears to be at fault. If you're able, gather information at the scene yourself—photograph the damage, collect witness contacts, and get the truck driver's license and insurance details.

3. Contact a Personal Injury Attorney

Truck accident cases are far more complex than standard car accidents. Multiple parties may be liable, including the truck driver, the trucking company, the vehicle manufacturer, or even a third-party logistics provider. An experienced truck accident lawyer in Wisconsin who specializes in truck accidents can help identify the responsible parties and protect your interests from the start.

Your attorney will often begin by conducting a free consultation to assess your case and determine the best course of action.

4. Investigation and Evidence Collection

Once you've retained legal representation, your attorney will begin a thorough investigation. This includes:

Reviewing the accident report
Obtaining and analyzing black box (event data recorder) information from the truck
Examining driver logs and maintenance records
Collecting surveillance footage, if available
Interviewing witnesses
Consulting with accident reconstruction experts

The goal is to build a strong case by showing that the truck driver or another party was negligent and that this negligence directly caused your injuries.

5. Filing a Claim

After the investigation, your attorney will file a claim with the appropriate insurance companies or pursue a lawsuit, depending on the circumstances. Claims typically cover:

Medical expenses (current and future)
Lost wages
Pain and suffering
Property damage
Rehabilitation costs
Loss of earning capacity

In serious cases involving gross negligence (like drunk driving or major safety violations), you may also be entitled to punitive damages, which are meant to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct.

6. Negotiation and Settlement

In many cases, trucking companies and their insurers prefer to settle rather than go to court. Your attorney will handle negotiations, using the evidence collected to demand fair compensation. Settling can save time and reduce the stress of a prolonged legal battle, but it’s crucial not to accept a low offer just to move on quickly.

Your attorney will guide you on whether a settlement offer is fair or if it’s better to proceed to trial.

7. Litigation and Trial (If Necessary)

If a fair settlement can’t be reached, your case may proceed to trial. This process includes:

Pre-trial discovery (exchange of evidence)
Depositions of witnesses and experts
Court hearings and motions
The trial itself, where a judge or jury decides the outcome

Trials can take months or even years, but sometimes they’re necessary to secure full compensation, especially in high-stakes cases with serious injuries or disputed liability.

8. Resolution and Recovery

Once your case is resolved, through settlement or court verdict, you’ll receive your compensation. Your attorney will help finalize any paperwork, address liens (like unpaid medical bills), and ensure you get the funds owed to you.

Call Rozek Law Offices if You’ve Been in a Semi Truck Accident

Being hit by a semi-truck is a frightening experience with long-lasting consequences. The legal process can be complex, but with the right legal guidance, you can pursue the justice and financial support you need to recover. Don’t face this alone. Consult a knowledgeable personal injury attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights and start the path to healing.

Rozek Law Offices, S.C.

3970 N Oakland Ave Ste 604

Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53211

(414) 374-4444

https://www.rozeklaw.com/

When Can You Take Legal Action Against a Business for Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?

rrozek@rozeklaw.com (Randy Rozek) — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 12:00:04 GMT

Carbon monoxide poison ing is a serious and potentially fatal condition caused by exposure to high levels of carbon monoxide gas, an odorless, colorless substance produced by burning fuel. This gas can accumulate in enclosed spaces, posing a severe risk to individuals who inhale it. When businesses fail to maintain safe environments and customers or employees suffer from carbon monoxide poisoning as a result, victims may have legal grounds to take action. Here's when and how you might be able to sue a business for carbon monoxide poisoning.

Understanding Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Carbon monoxide is produced by combustion engines, heaters, furnaces, fireplaces, and other fuel-burning appliances. When these appliances are improperly installed, poorly maintained, or inadequately ventilated, CO can build up and lead to poisoning. Symptoms of CO poisoning include headaches, dizziness, nausea, confusion, loss of consciousness, and in severe cases, death.

In many commercial settings such as hotels, restaurants, offices, rental properties, and factories, business owners are legally obligated to ensure their premises are safe. That includes proper maintenance of appliances, regular inspections, and the installation of carbon monoxide detectors in accordance with local laws.

Legal Grounds for a Carbon Monoxide Lawsuit

There are several legal theories under which a victim of carbon monoxide poisoning can take action against a business:

1. Negligence

To sue for negligence, the victim must prove four elements:

Duty of care : The business had a legal responsibility to maintain a safe environment.
Breach of duty : The business failed to uphold this duty (e.g., not servicing a furnace or installing CO detectors).
Causation : The business's breach caused the CO poisoning.
Damages : The victim suffered harm, such as medical expenses, lost wages, or pain and suffering.

For example, if a hotel failed to detect a faulty heater that emitted CO, and guests became sick, the hotel could be found negligent.

2. Premises Liability

This legal principle holds property owners and occupiers responsible for accidents and injuries that occur on their property due to unsafe conditions. If a business knew or should have known about a CO risk and did nothing to address it, they could be held liable under premises liability laws.

3. Product Liability

If the poisoning was due to a defective appliance or detector, victims may have a claim against the manufacturer or installer. This type of lawsuit could be based on design defects, manufacturing defects, or failure to warn users about potential dangers.

Who Can Be Held Responsible?

Depending on the circumstances, multiple parties may share liability:

Business owners or operators
Landlords or property managers
Maintenance or HVAC contractors
Manufacturers or distributors of faulty equipment

An attorney can help determine which parties are potentially liable based on the facts of the case.

What Compensation Can Victims Receive?

Victims of carbon monoxide poisoning may be entitled to compensation for:

Medical expenses (immediate and long-term)
Lost income or diminished earning capacity
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Permanent disability
Wrongful death (if a family member dies from CO poisoning)

When to Contact a Lawyer

If you or a loved one has suffered from carbon monoxide poisoning and suspect a business is at fault, consult a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Carbon monoxide cases can be complex, requiring expert witnesses, medical evidence, and proof of negligence or misconduct. Early legal action ensures vital evidence is preserved and deadlines for filing a lawsuit (statutes of limitations) are met.

Let Rozek Law Help with your Carbon Monoxide Case

Businesses have a legal duty to protect patrons, employees, and tenants from preventable harm including carbon monoxide exposure. If their negligence leads to poisoning, victims have the right to seek justice and compensation. With the help of an experienced attorney, you can hold responsible parties accountable and prevent future tragedies.

Since 1996, Randy Rozek has focused his practice on the representation of victims of serious, life-changing injuries including those caused by carbon monoxide poisoning. Routinely asked to speak to lawyers around the country in his primary areas of practice, which include representing victims of traumatic brain injuries and brain damage due to carbon monoxide poisoning, Randy has extensive experience representing victims throughout the United States. It is because of this vast experience; Randy routinely gets called in to co-counsel cases from around the country by attorneys with less experience handling these types of cases. If you need a knowledgeable lawyer to represent you in your case, contact Rozek Law by calling 414-374-4444.

Rozek Law Offices, S.C.
3970 N Oakland Ave Ste 604
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53211
(414) 374-4444
https://www.rozeklaw.com/

The Importance of Getting a Lawyer After Suffering a Spinal Cord Injury in an Accident

Fri, 23 May 2025 13:00:10 GMT

Suffering a spinal cord injury in an accident can be one of the most devastating experiences a person may face. These injuries often lead to long-term or permanent physical limitations, emotional trauma, and overwhelming financial burdens. Whether caused by a car crash, slip and fall, workplace incident, or medical malpractice, spinal cord injuries can drastically alter a person’s life. In the aftermath of such a life-changing event, hiring an experienced spinal cord injury lawyer in Wisconsin is not just advisable, it is essential.

Understanding the Complexity of Spinal Cord Injury Cases

Spinal cord injury cases are complex and require a deep understanding of both medical and legal issues. Unlike minor injuries that might heal with minimal intervention, SCIs can lead to partial or complete paralysis, requiring ongoing medical care, rehabilitation, and assistive technologies. These cases typically involve significant compensation claims to cover not only medical expenses, but also lost income, pain and suffering, and future care needs.

A skilled personal injury attorney can help ensure that all aspects of your injury and its long-term consequences are accurately documented and valued. They work with medical experts, economists, and life care planners to build a comprehensive picture of the impact the injury has had and will continue to have on your life. Without proper legal guidance, victims often underestimate the true value of their claim and risk settling for far less than they deserve.

Dealing with Insurance Companies

Insurance companies are businesses with a bottom line to protect. After a serious injury, they may offer a quick settlement, hoping to resolve the matter before the victim fully understands the extent of their losses. Unfortunately, many individuals accept these offers out of desperation or a lack of knowledge, only to find themselves financially burdened later on.

An experienced lawyer acts as a powerful advocate, negotiating aggressively on your behalf. They understand the tactics insurers use and are equipped to counter them effectively. With a lawyer on your side, you’re less likely to be taken advantage of and more likely to receive a settlement that reflects the true costs of your injury.

Navigating Legal Procedures

Filing a personal injury lawsuit involves more than just submitting paperwork. There are strict statutes of limitations that dictate how long you have to take legal action after an accident. There are also various procedural rules that must be followed, including the collection and preservation of evidence, identification of liable parties, and compliance with court deadlines.

A lawyer familiar with spinal cord injury cases will guide you through every step of the legal process. They will handle communications, file the necessary legal documents, and represent you in court if needed. This allows you to focus on your recovery and rehabilitation while knowing your legal rights are being vigorously defended.

Holding the Right Parties Accountable

In many spinal cord injury cases, determining who is legally responsible can be complicated. Multiple parties might be liable, including drivers, employers, property owners, or manufacturers of defective equipment. An experienced attorney can investigate the accident thoroughly to identify all potential sources of liability. This not only increases your chances of success but may also significantly increase the amount of compensation available to you.

Peace of Mind and Support

Beyond the legal and financial benefits, hiring a lawyer provides peace of mind during an incredibly difficult time. Knowing that a professional is advocating for your best interests, dealing with the legal system, and fighting for the compensation you need allows you to concentrate on what matters most: healing and rebuilding your life.

Speak with Rozek Law if You’ve Suffered a Spinal Cord Injury from an Accident

Since 1996, Randy Rozek has focused his practice on the representation of victims of serious, life-changing spinal cord injuries caused from someone else’s negligence. Randy has extensive experience representing victims throughout the United States. Because of this vast experience, Randy routinely gets called in to co-counsel cases from around the country by attorneys with less experience handling these types of cases. If you are in need of a skilled lawyer to represent you in your case, contact Rozek Law by calling 414-374-4444 .

Rozek Law Offices, S.C.

3970 N Oakland Ave Ste 604

Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53211

(414) 374-4444

https://www.rozeklaw.com/

Why You Should Hire a Lawyer After a Motorcycle Accident in Wisconsin

Thu, 24 Apr 2025 15:39:13 GMT

Motorcycle accidents can be life-altering. They often result in serious injuries, emotional trauma, and complex legal situations. If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident in Wisconsin, one of the most important steps you can take after getting medical attention is hiring a qualified motorcycle accident lawyer in Wisconsin . Here’s why legal representation matters and how it can make a major difference in your recovery process.

Protecting Your Rights

Wisconsin operates under a comparative negligence rule , meaning your compensation can be reduced if you’re found partially at fault for the accident. Insurance companies often try to use this to their advantage, arguing that the motorcyclist was speeding, weaving through traffic, or otherwise contributing to the crash.

A skilled attorney knows how to push back against these claims and defend your rights. They’ll gather the necessary evidence, such as witness statements, police reports, traffic camera footage, and expert testimony, to show the true cause of the accident and protect you from unfair blame.

Understanding Wisconsin’s Legal Landscape

Every state has different laws regarding motorcycle accidents, insurance, and personal injury claims. In Wisconsin, motorcyclists are not required by law to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) , which means you could be relying entirely on the at-fault party’s liability coverage for your medical expenses.

An experienced Wisconsin personal injury lawyer understands the nuances of local laws and can help you navigate the complexities of:

Insurance coverage limitations
Statute of limitations (typically 3 years for personal injury in Wisconsin)
Motorcycle-specific regulations (such as helmet laws and licensing requirements

With a legal expert on your side, you won’t be left guessing about your rights or next steps.

Maximizing Your Compensation

Motorcycle accidents often lead to more severe injuries than car accidents because riders have less physical protection. Common injuries include broken bones, road rash, traumatic brain injuries , and spinal cord damage. These injuries can require long-term treatment, rehabilitation, and may lead to permanent disability.

A lawyer can help you pursue compensation not only for immediate medical bills, but also for:

Future medical care
Lost wages and loss of earning potential
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Property damage

Without legal help, insurance companies may offer a lowball settlement that doesn't come close to covering your real costs. Your attorney will fight for the full value of your claim and make sure you’re not settling for less than you deserve.

Dealing With Insurance Companies

Insurance companies are trying to pay out as little as possible. After a motorcycle accident, it’s common for adjusters to contact you quickly, hoping to get a recorded statement or pressure you into a quick settlement.

An attorney acts as your buffer. They’ll handle all communication with the insurance company, make sure nothing is said that could be used against you, and ensure that your rights are protected at every stage of the claims process. This gives you the space to focus on healing—without the added stress of dealing with paperwork, phone calls, and negotiations.

Peace of Mind During a Difficult Time

After a motorcycle accident, you’re likely dealing with physical pain, emotional trauma, and uncertainty about your future. Having a knowledgeable lawyer on your side gives you peace of mind. You’ll know that someone is looking out for your best interests, managing deadlines, filing paperwork correctly, and building a strong case on your behalf.

This kind of support is invaluable, especially when you’re trying to recover and move forward with your life.

Call Rozek Law Offices if You’ve Been Involved in a Motorcycle Accident

Rozek Law Offices, S.C.

3970 N Oakland Ave Ste 604

Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53211

(414) 374-4444

https://www.rozeklaw.com/

Who to Call for Immediate Help and Legal Support in Case of a Semi Accident in Wisconsin

Fri, 28 Mar 2025 14:42:40 GMT

Semi-truck accidents can cause devastating consequences, both in terms of property damage and personal injury. In the event of a semi accident, it is crucial to act quickly and decisively to ensure the safety of all parties involved and to protect your legal rights. Knowing who to call for immediate help and legal support can make all the difference in navigating the aftermath of such a traumatic event. From contacting emergency services to seeking advice from an experienced truck accident lawyer in Wisconsin , having a team of professionals on your side can provide you with the guidance and support needed during this challenging time.

This blog will explore the key steps you should take following a semi-truck accident and highlight the importance of seeking timely assistance from qualified experts to help you navigate through this complex situation.

Contacting Emergency Services Immediately

Call 911: If you are involved in or witness a semi-truck accident, the first step is to call emergency services by dialing 911. This will ensure that police, paramedics, and other necessary responders are dispatched to the scene promptly.
Provide Details : When speaking with the dispatcher, be prepared to provide essential information such as the location of the accident, number of vehicles involved, any injuries sustained, and whether hazardous materials are present. This information helps emergency services better prepare for the situation.
Stay on the Line : It's important to stay on the line with the dispatcher until help arrives so they can gather any additional details they need from you. Follow their instructions carefully and cooperate with emergency responders when they arrive at the scene.

Reaching Out to a Truck Accident Attorney

When you've been involved in a semi-truck accident, it's crucial to contact an attorney who specializes in truck accidents promptly. These legal professionals are knowledgeable in handling cases involving commercial trucks and can provide you with the necessary guidance and support during this challenging time.

Immediate Action: Reach out to a truck accident attorney as soon as possible after the incident occurs. Time is of the essence when gathering evidence and building your case, so don't delay seeking legal assistance.
Legal Expertise: A skilled truck accident attorney will have extensive experience navigating complex trucking laws and regulations. They can help you understand your rights, negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf, and ensure that you receive fair compensation for your injuries and damages.
Peace of Mind: By enlisting the services of a reputable truck accident attorney, you can focus on recovering from your injuries while they handle all aspects of your case. From conducting investigations to representing you in court if necessary, having legal support can provide peace of mind during this stressful time.

Notifying Your Insurance Company

After a semi-truck accident, it is essential to contact your insurance company promptly. You will want to provide all relevant details about the incident, including when and where it occurred, as well as any injuries sustained, as you would when you call 911. Make sure you cooperate fully with your insurance adjuster to facilitate the claims process more efficiently.

You’ll also want to be sure to stay in communication with your insurance adjuster for updates on the claim progress.

Remember: Timely notification helps streamline the claims process and ensures you receive proper assistance from your insurer after a challenging situation like a semi-truck accident occurs.

Seeking Support from Advocacy Organizations

When dealing with the aftermath of a semi accident, it is important to seek support from advocacy organizations. These groups specialize in helping victims of accidents navigate the legal and financial complexities that often arise. They can provide valuable resources and guidance during this challenging time.

Legal Assistance: Advocacy organizations can connect you with experienced attorneys who understand the intricacies of semi-truck accidents. These legal experts can help you pursue compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages resulting from the accident.
Emotional Support: Coping with the trauma of a semi accident can be overwhelming. Advocacy organizations offer emotional support services to help you and your loved ones navigate the emotional toll of such an event. Don't hesitate to reach out for help during this difficult time.
Financial Aid: In addition to legal and emotional support, advocacy organizations may also provide financial assistance to those affected by semi accidents. Whether it's covering medical expenses or helping with living costs while you recover, these organizations are there to lend a helping hand when you need it most.

Call Rozek Law Offices if You’ve Been Involved in a Semi Truck Accident

Rozek Law Offices, S.C.

3970 N Oakland Ave Ste 604

Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53211

(414) 374-4444

https://www.rozeklaw.com/

The Legal Expertise You Need: How a Lawyer Can Assist You After Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Fri, 28 Feb 2025 16:17:26 GMT

Carbon monoxide poisoning is a serious and potentially life-threatening issue that can have long-lasting effects on victims. In the aftermath of such an event, it is crucial to seek legal expertise to ensure that you receive the proper assistance and compensation for your damages. A lawyer with experience in handling cases related to carbon monoxide poisoning can provide invaluable support in navigating the complexities of this type of injury claim. From protecting your rights to pursuing justice on your behalf, a skilled attorney can be instrumental in helping you recover from the physical, emotional, and financial repercussions of carbon monoxide exposure.

In this blog, we will explore how a lawyer can assist you after experiencing carbon monoxide poisoning and why their expertise is essential in securing the outcome you deserve.

Legal Implications of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Seeking Compensation: If you have suffered from carbon monoxide poisoning due to someone else's negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Proving Liability: A lawyer can help gather evidence to prove liability in a carbon monoxide poisoning case. This may involve collecting medical records, witness statements, maintenance logs, and expert testimonies.
Navigating Legal Processes: Dealing with legal matters can be overwhelming, especially when recovering from a serious health issue like carbon monoxide poisoning. A lawyer can guide you through the legal processes and represent your best interests in court if needed.

Holding Responsible Parties Accountable

Investigation: A lawyer can help investigate the source of carbon monoxide poisoning in your case. This may involve reviewing maintenance records and collecting evidence to establish liability.
Identifying Negligence: By analyzing the circumstances leading to the exposure, a lawyer can determine if negligence played a role in your carbon monoxide poisoning. Whether it was due to faulty equipment or improper installation, holding responsible parties accountable is crucial for seeking compensation.
Legal Action: Once liability is established, a lawyer can assist you in taking legal action against those at fault. This may include filing a personal injury lawsuit or negotiating settlements with insurance companies to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries and damages incurred from carbon monoxide poisoning.

Pursuing Damages for Your Injuries

Assessment of damages: A lawyer can help you determine the full extent of your injuries and losses resulting from carbon monoxide poisoning, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future care needs.
Negotiating with insurance companies: Experienced lawyers can handle communications with insurance companies on your behalf to ensure that you receive fair compensation for your injuries.
Litigation support: If a settlement cannot be reached outside of court, a lawyer will provide representation in legal proceedings to fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.

In conclusion, having a knowledgeable attorney by your side after suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning is crucial in maximizing the compensation you are entitled to for your physical and emotional damages. With their expertise in assessing damages, negotiating with insurers, and providing litigation support if necessary, they can navigate the complexities of legal processes while advocating for your rights effectively.

Advocating for Your Rights

Seeking legal representation is crucial after experiencing carbon monoxide poisoning. A lawyer can help you navigate the complexities of filing a claim and obtaining fair compensation for your damages. They will advocate for your rights and ensure that responsible parties are held accountable.

Here's a recap of how a lawyer can assist you in the aftermath of carbon monoxide poisoning:

Providing legal advice on your options and rights
Investigating the source of the carbon monoxide exposure
Negotiating with insurance companies on your behalf
Representing you in court if necessary

Call Rozek Law to Help with your Carbon Monoxide Case

Rozek Law Offices, S.C.

3970 N Oakland Ave Ste 604

Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53211

(414) 374-4444

https://www.rozeklaw.com/

$8.3 Million Verdict in a Negligent Security Case for TBI and PTSD

Fri, 27 Oct 2023 14:49:13 GMT

After an ongoing struggle to bring justice to the victim of an attack at a Wisconsin diabetes clinic, attorney Randy Rozek of Rozek Law Offices, S.C. has won an $8.3 million victory in which a jury found hospital security at fault for the attack and the client’s resulting injuries.

In 2014, Rozek’s client was in the waiting room of the diabetes clinic at a local children’s hospital when a 16-year-old girl with a history of violence viciously assaulted her. The victim, who was accompanied by her two young children, was “punched repeatedly in the face and head, had chunks of hair pulled from her head and was struck in the head with a chair,” Rozek said.

The children, aged 9 and 11 at the time, were so frightened by the brutal beating that they fled to a stairwell for safety, fearing their mother had been killed by the attacker and that they would be next if the attacker was to find them. Rozek’s client survived the assault, but still struggles with symptoms of a TBI (traumatic brain injury) and PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) following the attack.

Illustrations created by sagraphics.com

In May 2013, hospital security met with the attacker and her family after the group threatened staff and visitors in the emergency room on two separate occasions. The attacker’s sister had regularly scheduled appointments at the hospital’s diabetes clinic, but the attacker had no apparent medical issues that required her to be present in the clinic.

Security presented the attacker’s mother with a behavioral contract that, if signed, would bind her to the agreement that she would not bring the attacker to her sister’s pre-scheduled appointments at the clinic. However, the attacker’s mother refused to sign the contract, but verbally agreed not to bring the attacker to future appointments at the clinic. Rather than enforcing the contract, security trusted the attacker and her family to comply with no further interference. Rozek notes that this refusal to sign the contract was a “red flag” in light of hospital security’s later negligence.

Had security done their due diligence and thoroughly investigated the attacker and her family, Rozek argued, they would have discovered the family’s patterns of disruptive and threatening behaviors had increased in severity leading up to the attack while on hospital property, and the attacker’s mother had an “extremely extensive criminal and civil complaint history ranging from disorderly conduct and resisting arrest to involvement in harassment injunctions,” according to a background check performed after the attack. This language was taken directly from a background check performed by security after the attack.

Furthermore, no security personnel was present at the diabetes clinic during the attack. The clinic had no surveillance cameras that could have been monitored by security and could have deterred the attacker’s violent behavior upon the victim.

Traumatic brain injuries often occur during incidences of trauma, such as a fall or blow to the head. Similar to a concussion, a TBI causes damage to the brain itself, impairing mental functions and the senses, and can range in strength from mild to severe. The most common symptoms of a TBI range from physical discomfort such as dizziness, headaches, and vision problems to impaired cognitive functioning of one’s memory or judgment. In the most severe cases, those with a TBI may experience seizures, confusion, or difficulty expressing themselves with words. In cases where a TBI is accompanied by post-traumatic stress disorder, however, the emotional symptoms are usually heightened.

Rozek utilized a cutting edge brain injury animation, made by Medivisuals, Inc., a trial graphics company, to educate the jury on how damage to the brain occurs and the processes that follow the initial brain injury, causing further destruction of neurons in the brain.

According to the National Center for PTSD , many situations in which one sustains a TBI are also psychologically distressing. Injured patients with a TBI are more likely to develop PTSD as a result of their injuries, particularly if their injuries arose from an interpersonal conflict, as was the case for Rozek’s client. The Center also notes that in cases where both a TBI and PTSD exist in a patient, symptoms related to the TBI usually decline over time, allowing the patient to make a full physical recovery, but that the effects of PTSD may have a delayed onset and can fail to improve or even worsen over time.

In the case of an attack like the one that Rozek’s client experienced, psychological disturbance is common. Due to the sudden nature and the brutality of the beating, anxiety, trouble sleeping, and poor emotional regulation are all expected symptoms that can be difficult to remedy. Many sufferers of PTSD resulting from interpersonal violence also experience a phenomenon known as hypervigilance , which is defined as a near-constant state of threat assessment. Symptoms such as these, when combined with the lingering effects of PTSD, have the potential to greatly impact a patient’s quality of life.

An estimated 5.3 million people across the U.S. are living their day-to-day lives with disabilities related to brain injuries. Although men are higher-risk for sustaining a TBI, many mild cases related to sports or recreation are likely to go undiagnosed due to their similarity to concussions and a perceived lack of danger surrounding the circumstances of the injury. In cases of assault or accidents requiring hospitalization, however, physicians are more able to help patients manage the symptoms of their injuries.

One of the largest barriers to those hoping to make a full recovery from coinciding traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder is the cost of treatment. Without comprehensive psychological care, symptoms of PTSD are unlikely to improve and may worsen in the level of distress a sufferer experiences. The National Center for PTSD notes that the mental symptoms of PTSD tend to look similar to post-concussive symptoms, which may lead a healthcare professional to believe that recovery from a TBI is less than it is in reality. Beginning treatment for PTSD soon after its diagnosis is key to seeing improvements in a patient such as the victim in this case.

Costs for the kind of long-term care required to alleviate the effects of PTSD, however, can be prohibitively high for some patients. In 2023, Forbes estimated that the average cost per session for therapy is $100-$200. For more specialized, intensive therapy, such as the kind required to treat patients with PTSD, the cost may rise. The estimated annual cost for all U.S. civilians, active-duty military personnel, and veterans was $232.2 billion in 2018, with 82% of the nation’s costs falling to civilians to cover. The average cost for one single individual with PTSD is estimated to be $19,630, with most of the cost relating to healthcare and loss of employment.

On the other hand, the long-term costs of a traumatic brain injury can rival psychological care costs for post-traumatic stress disorder. Depending on the severity of the injury, the combined costs of immediate medical care, physical or occupational therapy, and the possibility of neurological treatment can cost anywhere between $85,000 and $3 million. Employment prospects for individuals with a TBI are also significantly worse than they were before any sustained injuries. One 2015 study placed the unemployment rate for those with TBIs two years post-injury at 60%.

Many people with TBIs settle out of court , but this option can be risky and less beneficial for those seeking fair compensation for an injury. Some insurance companies will push for an early settlement, but the long-lasting effects of brain injuries such as the one Rozek’s client experienced often remain hidden in the weeks or months following a trauma. In pursuing legal action, an injured party affords themselves and their loved ones the best chance of recouping a satisfactory amount in damages that allows them the flexibility to make a full recovery. Personal injury attorneys can assist in calculating damages and predicting how much financial support an injured party may need in the future, investigating the claim, and negotiating with insurance companies or bringing a case before a court of law.

Victories from cases like Rozek’s can help alleviate the effects of the above physical and psychological injuries in cases where negligence or malpractice is found to be an important circumstance. A jury deciding Rozek’s case found the healthcare provider and the hospital security staff under their jurisdiction liable for allowing the attacker into the clinic where the attack took place and, therefore, for the traumatic brain injury and all continuing symptoms that Rozek’s client experienced as a result of the attack. The jury also understood the medicine and science behind my client’s TBI and PTSD.

Due to the preventable nature of the attack she experienced, as well as the lasting physical and mental effects still impacting her and her family, Rozek was able to win $8.3 million in damages to put towards the victim’s medical expenses, past and future psychological costs for both her and her children, potential loss of wages following her injuries, and the pain and suffering caused to her and her family during the unfortunate attack.

Rozek Law Offices, S.C.

3970 N Oakland Ave Ste 604

Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53211

(414) 374-4444

https://www.rozeklaw.com/

Randy Rozek Elected Chair of the Traumatic Brain Injury Litigation Group

jayne@rozeklaw.com (Jayne Zabrowski) — Tue, 21 Jul 2020 16:48:47 GMT

The TBI Litigation Group Election was Held via Zoom due to COVID-19.

Congratulations to Attorney Randy Rozek on his election to be Chair of the American Association for Justice’s Traumatic Brain Injury Litigation Group. The American Association for Justice (AAJ) is the largest group of legal advocates for justice in the country.

According to AAJ:

“For over 70 years, AAJ has successfully defended Americans’ right to trial by jury and continues to fight every day to protect our practices, our clients’ rights, and our civil justice system.”

The 3 pillars of AAJ are Community, Advocacy and Education. AAJ has over 50,000 members and has several different Litigation Groups made up of attorneys that specialize in different areas of the law.

The Traumatic Brain Injury Litigation Group (TBILG) was established in 1991 in order to allow attorneys that handle Traumatic Brain Injury cases the ability to share their knowledge, techniques and experience. The TBILG has over 300 members from around the world. Pre-COVID19, the TBILG will typically put on two or three in-person conferences throughout the year and always had a reputation for bringing in great speakers and having a great turnout.

Randy was asked about his election as Chair of the TBILG and had this to say:

“It means a lot to me that my fellow trial lawyer colleagues bestowed upon my the great honor of leading the Traumatic Brain Injury Litigation Group for the next year. Our group is made up of some of the greatest TBI lawyers in the country, if not the world. I am proud to lead a group of great lawyers that have dedicated their practices to advocate for those individuals that have suffered from the devastating effects of brain injuries.”

Rozek Law Offices, S.C.

3970 N Oakland Ave Ste 604

Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53211

(414) 374-4444

https://www.rozeklaw.com/

Rozek Law Offices Implements New Coronavirus Procedures

Wed, 18 Mar 2020 01:34:41 GMT

The vast majority of interactions between clients and Rozek Law Offices is not in-person contact. Typically, however, the initial contact between a potential client and Attorney Rozek would be an in person meeting. Due to the health concerns regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19), Rozek Law Offices has implemented new technology that will allow potential clients to retain Attorney Rozek and Rozek Law Offices without an in-person meeting.

A typical new client relationship with Rozek Law Offices now looks like the following:

While we have always provided free telephone consultations, we are now utilizing video teleconferences and the ability to sign documents electronically to avoid physical contact and comply with the government recommendations to avoid public contact and practice social distancing.

If the initial telephone consultation with Rozek Law Offices goes well and Attorney Rozek seems like right attorney for a potential client, then his office can schedule a video conference for the potential client to discuss their case with Attorney Rozek. If that video meeting goes well and the potential client wishes to retain Attorney Rozek, then the legal documents requiring the potential client’s signature can be sent electronically, signed electronically and returned electronically, from most any smart phone, computer or tablet. The client simply needs the free acrobat reader program or app. All of this is free and Attorney Rozek represents all clients on contingency fee agreements, so the clients pay nothing until the end of the case.

There are a variety of secure teleconference programs, apps and websites that Rozek Law Offices can utilize to speak with potential clients, including the following:

Facetime
Zoom Meetings
GoToMeeting
Skype
FreeConference
Google Hangouts
Cisco Webex Meetings
CyberLink U Meeting
BlueJeans
Lifesize

There are likely other programs and apps that can be used as well. Do not hesitate to contact us to inquire.

We are prepared to serve you during this crisis. Please always feel free to call with any questions .

Rozek Law Offices, S.C.

2810 Crossroads Dr Ste 4046

Madison, Wisconsin 53718

(608) 208-1147

https://www.rozeklaw.com/

ATTORNEY RANDY ROZEK Selected for Brain Injury Preferred Attorney Program in WISCONSIN

Tue, 20 Aug 2019 19:18:00 GMT

MILWAUKEE, WI – We are pleased to announce that Randy Rozek, Rozek Law Offices, S. C., has been selected to the Brain Injury Association of America’s Brain Injury Preferred Attorneys Program. This is an exclusive partnership between the nation’s oldest and largest brain injury advocacy organization and one of Wisconsin’s foremost brain injury law firms.

The Brain Injury Association of America’s Preferred Attorneys have demonstrated their knowledge of the physical, cognitive, emotional, and financial tolls a brain injury can inflict. The objective of the Preferred Attorneys Program is to offer a credible, diverse listing of outstanding attorneys to be used as a resource for both referring attorneys and individuals with brain injury, their family members/caregivers, and others seeking legal counsel.

For more information on the program, visit www.biausa.org/attorneys .

Read the Full Press Release

Thu, 09 Aug 2018 17:51:00 GMT

If you’ve suffered a brain injury and you’ve been referred to a neuroendocrinologist, you can expect for that doctor to look for damage to your pituitary gland. If you’ve suffered a brain injury, most likely there was enough force involved to damage the pituitary gland or the hypothalamus, which connects the pituitary gland to the brain. One of the tests that you’ll be administered is the insulin and tolerance test, ITT. That is the gold standard and what they’re looking for is a deficit in growth hormone.

If they find that you have low growth hormone, they can actually supplement it with HGH, human growth hormone. A lot of our clients will experience great benefit from the prescription of human growth hormone. At Rozek Law Offices, we know the neuroendocrinologists that specialize in treating traumatic brain injury and low growth hormone.

Rozek Law Offices, S.C.

3970 N Oakland Ave Ste 604

Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53211

(414) 374-4444

https://www.rozeklaw.com/

What to Expect If You Have Been Referred to a Neuropsychiatrist

Mon, 23 Jul 2018 22:49:00 GMT

A neuropsychiatrist specializes in identifying the types of cognitive and behavioral changes following your injury and then recommends certain types of treatment to improve your symptoms. This treatment can include speech-language pathology, prescription medications to help you overcome any type of mood disorder, behavioral change or cognitive difficulty you’re having following the brain injury. At Rozek Law Offices we have experience dealing with neuropsychiatrists that specialize in brain injury and specialize in treating the symptoms following a brain injury.

Rozek Law Offices, S.C.

2810 Crossroads Dr Ste 4046

Madison, Wisconsin 53718

(608) 208-1147

https://www.rozeklaw.com/

What to Expect If You Have Been Referred to a Neuropsychologist

Wed, 11 Jul 2018 16:04:00 GMT

If you’ve suffered from a brain injury, one of the specialists you’ll likely be referred to is a neuropsychologist, which is simply a psychologist specializing in brain disorders and brain injury. At your initial meeting with the neuropsychologist, you’ll be interviewed. One of the purposes of the interview is for the neuropsychologist to identify the types of symptoms you’re having. Based upon that interview, the neuropsychologist will then prepare a set of standardized tests to administer to you.

A typical test session will last anywhere from six to eight hours where you’ll attempt to complete different tests and based upon those test scores, the neuropsychologist can determine what deficits you have and what areas and prescribe the necessary treatment. After your test session, you’ll likely come back in the days or weeks that follow. The neuropsychologist will sit down with you and explain what it is that you’re having difficulty with and what areas they can help overcome those deficits. At Rozek law offices, we have experience dealing with neuropsychologists and we know some of the best in the country.

Rozek Law Offices, S.C.

3970 N Oakland Ave Ste 604

Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53211

(414) 374-4444

https://www.rozeklaw.com/

What to Expect If You Have Been Referred to a Speech Pathologist

Thu, 28 Jun 2018 13:53:00 GMT

If you’ve suffered a brain injury , one of the specialists you may be referred to is what’s called a speech-language pathologist. That is a specialist that will help the brain injury victim overcomes some of the common symptoms that they’re experiencing. As part of your appointment, there will be a formal assessment, which will involve completing a number of different tests, which will show the speech-language pathologist different areas of weakness you’re experiencing. Then throughout the appointment, there will be an informal assessment, which is the speech-language pathologist observing different types of problems that you may be having. Following a brain injury , the most common types of problems that one experiences involve cognitive communication problems. Those are different types of problems including word-finding difficulties, planning problems, organizational skills. A speech-language pathologist can help you in overcoming those types of problems. At Rozek Law Offices, we have experience dealing with speech-language pathologists, and the right treatment really helps.

Rozek Law Offices, S.C.

2810 Crossroads Dr Ste 4046

Madison, Wisconsin 53718

(608) 208-1147

https://www.rozeklaw.com/

What to Expect If You Have Been Referred to a Neurologist.

Wed, 13 Jun 2018 21:20:00 GMT

If you’ve suffered a brain injury and you’ve been referred to a neurologist, you can expect that a neurologist is a medical doctor with experience treating brain and spine problems. The first part of your appointment with a neurologist will involve a medical history and it’s important that you get the medical history right. Often […]

It also helps to bring a symptom checklist, which is available at our website and you can just check off the symptoms that you’ve experienced because you’re not going to have a lot of time during the visit to explain everything. One of your problems may be memory problems, which means you’re not going to remember all of the symptoms that you’ve experienced. The neurologist will also do a neurological examination and the neurologist will make treatment recommendations such as referrals to advanced imaging specialists, neural endocrinologists, a variety of different specialists that help in treatment of symptoms following brain injury .

At Rozek Law offices we can help our clients find the right specialists for their type of injury and we know which neurologists specialize in traumatic brain injury . If you have questions about what you can expect or how to handle your appointment, feel free to give us a call.

Rozek Law Offices, S.C.

3970 N Oakland Ave Ste 604

Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53211

(414) 374-4444

https://www.rozeklaw.com/

Researchers find link between childhood brain injury and depression

Fri, 16 Jun 2017 12:00:00 GMT

A report recently published in the Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation reveals that children who have sustained a traumatic brain injury may end up dealing with the psychological effects more than a decade following the incident.

Researchers reveal in the report that the psychological effects may include depression, phobias, and anxiety.

“The study suggests that brain injury is in some way related to longer-term anxiety symptoms, while previously it was thought that brain injury only leads to short-term effects,” lead author Michelle Albicini in an email to the Huffington Post. “The anxiety may have many causes, including actual brain damage or the experience of living in an anxious family environment after the injury, said Albicini, a researcher at Monash University School of Psychological Sciences in Melbourne, Australia.”

The researchers reportedly discovered that children who sustain a moderate to severe brain injury, mainly girls, are at greater risk to experience long-term psychological effects compared to boys and children who sustained only a mild brain injury.

The researchers say in the report that more research is needed to fully understand the long-term psychological effects.

“To explore the question they recruited young adults who had been treated at a New Zealand hospital for a traumatic brain injury five or more years earlier, when they were younger than 18 years old,” the article reads. “For comparison, the researchers also recruited a similar group of young adults who were treated for childhood orthopedic injuries like broken arms or legs but had no history of brain injury.”

Each child met with a psychologist for diagnostic interviews where they were screened for various psychological disorders, including depression, phobias, generalized anxiety disorder, and panic attacks.

“This revealed that compared to people with no brain injuries, those with any type of TBI were five times more likely to have an anxiety disorder. People with past brain injuries were also about four times more likely to suffer from panic attacks, specific phobias and depression,” the article reads. “Those with moderate-severe brain injuries had the highest overall rates of anxiety disorders and were most likely to suffer from multiple anxiety disorders at once.”

The authors do note that women (without a brain injury) are already four times more likely to have an anxiety disorder compared to men.

Rozek Law Offices, S.C.

2810 Crossroads Dr Ste 4046

Madison, Wisconsin 53718

(608) 208-1147

https://www.rozeklaw.com/

DOT: New teen drivers more likely to be involved in deadly car crash

Wed, 14 Jun 2017 12:00:00 GMT

New information recently released by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation reveals that new teen drivers are three times more likely to be involved in a fatal car crash as compared to other drivers in Wisconsin. “In the past five years in Wisconsin, more than 1,600 people were killed in crashes involving in-experienced teen drivers,” an […]

“In the past five years in Wisconsin, more than 1,600 people were killed in crashes involving in-experienced teen drivers,” an article on the WSAW website reads. “Distraction plays a role in nearly six out of 10 teen crashes, according to AAA. It’s something recent Wausau East graduate Austin Jensen is seeing more of.

Jenson told WSAW reporters that he has witnessed a lot of teen drivers being distracted as they are pulling into their school parking lot.

“The top distractions for teens include talking to other passengers in the vehicle and interacting with a smart phone,” the article reads. “Jensen said with apps like Snapchat, Instagram, and Facebook, drivers are looking down longer.”

Jensen expressed his concern saying that teens were already looking away from the road a lot to text, but with the popularity of social media sites like Snapchat, now most teens are doing it and it keeps their eyes off the road even longer.

“Wausau driver Peter Leone said he sees more recklessness when it comes to texting and driving,” the article reads. “On their phones, I see them when they make a turn, you are supposed to use two hands,” Leone said. “But, if they slipped, they could cause an accident .”

The Wisconsin DOT recently released new data that shows last month was the second safest May since World War II, but traffic deaths so far this year have outpaced the five year average. The numbers reveal that 45 people died in crashes last month.

“You have to pay attention to what you’re doing,” Leone said in the article. “Driving is a privilege but it’s also a responsibility. … A responsibility to remember, as you’re getting from one place to another, that whatever it is – it can wait.”

AAA has released a list of tips aimed at helping teenagers to drive safely this summer. The list can be found here.

Rozek Law Offices, S.C.

3970 N Oakland Ave Ste 604

Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53211

(414) 374-4444

https://www.rozeklaw.com/

Five people dead over the course of a week in Walworth County due to vehicle crashes

Mon, 12 Jun 2017 12:00:00 GMT

For more than a week multiple crashes in Walworth County has claimed the lives of five people. Last Monday an Elkhorn woman was killed when a car ran a stop sign and struck the vehicle she was riding in. “Allen Griffin, 32, of Delavan was driving eastbound on Territorial Road about 6 a.m., failed to […]

“Allen Griffin, 32, of Delavan was driving eastbound on Territorial Road about 6 a.m., failed to stop at a stop sign and hit the passenger side of a Mazda Protégé that was southbound on Highway H,” an article in the Journal Sentinel reads.

A 35-year-old passenger in the Mazda was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash . Authorities identified the woman as Nancy Sanchez-Castillo.

Griffin along with the driver of the Mazda, Cesar Varela-Cuautle, 47, of Elkhorn, were both transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

There is no mention in the article whether Griffin was charged in connection to the fatal crash .

About a week prior to the crash, four people also died as a result of separate vehicle crashes in Walworth County.

“A pickup truck struck a utility pole (May 28), igniting a fire that killed a man. That was followed by another accident around 7 p.m. involving a car that struck a tree, starting a fire that killed three people,” another article in the Journal Sentinel reads. “Walworth County Sheriff’s deputies were sent to Highway B west of Saltbox Road in the Town of Sharon where the driver of a 2012 Dodge pickup truck was speeding and lost control on a curve. The truck struck a metal electrical pole.”

When the deputies arrived on scene, the truck was already engulfed in flames with the male driver still inside the vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Later in the evening a 2003 Volkswagen Jetta that was traveling at a high rate of speed on Cranberry Road just east of Berndt Road in Lyons Township.

The driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle and struck a tree. When first responders arrived on scene, three people were found dead in the car.

The sheriff’s department identified crash victims as Jason Davis, 17, the driver; and passengers Landen Brown, 20; and Hunter Morby, 17; all of Burlington.

Rozek Law Offices, S.C.

2810 Crossroads Dr Ste 4046

Madison, Wisconsin 53718

(608) 208-1147

https://www.rozeklaw.com/

Two injured when semi tractor trailers and farm tractor collide

Fri, 09 Jun 2017 12:00:00 GMT

Two people in Wisconsin were injured Thursday evening after a semi tractor trailer and a farm truck crashed. The collision occurred in Marathon County about 9:30 p.m., according to an article posted on the WAOW website. The Marathon County Sheriff’s Office told the news station that a call came in about the crash about 9:30 […]

The Marathon County Sheriff’s Office told the news station that a call came in about the crash about 9:30 p.m. The incident happened on State Highway 153 at County Road H in the Town of Emmett.

“Both drivers were hurt and taken to the hospital,” the WAOW article reads. “The driver of the semi tractor trailer was treated and released. The driver of the farm tractor remains in the hospital. His condition is unknown at this time.”

As a result of the crash , an investigation closed a section of State Highway 153 for several hours. According to various media reports, the investigation kept the highway closed until about 4 a.m.

The cause of the crash is still under investigation and the names of those involved were not immediately released to the public.

The article does not mention who may have been at fault in connection to the crash and whether anyone is facing charges.

Officials with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation asked drivers to use a detour route with eastbound drivers being asked to exit at CTH H and go north to CTH P, then east to STH. S. and back to WIS 153. Westbound traffic was asked to reverse the directions.

Preliminary data by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation shows that 196 fatalities have occurred as a result of a traffic collision in the state so far this year – as of May 28. Final figures from last year show that 588 people were killed on Wisconsin roads, up from 555 in 2015 and 494 in 2014.

As of May 28, eight fatalities have occurred as a result of a vehicle crash in Marathon County, according to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation website. In 2016 a total of 9 people were killed in Marathon County due to a vehicle crash and 15 fatalities were reported in 2015.

Rozek Law Offices, S.C.

3970 N Oakland Ave Ste 604

Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53211

(414) 374-4444

https://www.rozeklaw.com/

Study shows instructor-led brain training beneficial for TBI patients

Wed, 07 Jun 2017 12:00:00 GMT

The Center for BrainHealth at The University of Texas at Dallas recently led a study that revealed a particular type of instructor-led brain training can stimulate structural changes in the brain and various neural connections in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) several years after the injury occurred.

“The findings, published in Brain and Behavior , further suggest that changes in cortical thickness and neural network connectivity may prove an effective way to quantitatively measure treatment efficacy, an ability that has not existed until now,” according to a press release published on the university website. “Building upon previous research, the study challenges the widely held belief that recovery from a TBI is limited to two years after an injury.”

A traumatic brain injury can interfere with the way the brain works, including the way cognitive functions communicate within the cellular network.

“For people with chronic TBI, they may have trouble with daily tasks such as creating shopping lists and resolving conflicts with others for many years after the injury,” Dr. Kihwan Han, research scientist at the Center for BrainHealth and lead author of the study is quoted as saying in the press release. “These findings provide hope for people who thought, ‘This is as good as my recovery is going to get’ and for the medical community who have yet to find a way to objectively measure a patient’s recovery.”

Researchers studied 60 adults who sustained a TBI and are suffering from symptoms an average of eight years following their injury. The participants were placed into one of two groups: a strategy based group or a knowledge-based training group.

“Over an eight-week period, the strategy-based training group learned strategies to improve attention and reasoning,” the article reads. “The knowledge-based training group learned information about the structure and function of the brain as well as the effects of sleep and exercise on brain performance.”

Han said the findings offer hope to those who felt they would not get any better following their brain injury . It also measures the patients’ recovery process.

“Magnetic resonance imaging measured cortical thickness and resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) before training, after training and three months post-training. Previous studies have shown that cortical thickness and rsFC can be potential markers for training-induced brain changes,” the article reads.

The study revealed that the patients who were in the strategy-based training group showed a greater change in their cortical thickness and connectivity compared to those who received the knowledge-based training.

“Changes in cortical thickness and functional connectivity also correlated to an individual’s ability to switch between tasks quickly and consistently to achieve a specific goal,” the article reads.

Rozek Law Offices, S.C.

2810 Crossroads Dr Ste 4046

Madison, Wisconsin 53718

(608) 208-1147

https://www.rozeklaw.com/

Motorcyclist killed in crash with milk truck

Mon, 05 Jun 2017 14:13:00 GMT

A motorcyclist is dead after a crash on Highway 69 near Monticello involving a milk truck. The fatal crash reportedly occurred on Tuesday morning about 6:30 a.m. The names of the victims had not been released as of Thursday morning. According to an article by WMTV, Highway 69 was closed in both directions due to […]

A motorcyclist is dead after a crash on Highway 69 near Monticello involving a milk truck. The fatal crash reportedly occurred on Tuesday morning about 6:30 a.m.

The names of the victims had not been released as of Thursday morning.

According to an article by WMTV , Highway 69 was closed in both directions due to the crash for about two hours. The Green County Sheriff’s Office was on scene investigating the crash.

Earlier this year, a 9-year-old boy who was riding with his father in a milk truck was killed following a collision in western Wisconsin. The crash occurred in the early morning hours of January 22 on Hwy. 8 west of Barron, according to an article in the Star Tribune.

A preliminary investigation into the crash showed that Rogalla was driving eastbound and crossed into the path of the milk truck, which was traveling westbound. The tanker was carrying a full load of milk at the time of the crash.

“Alex Olmsted, of Clintonville, Wis., was trapped underneath the semi and died at the scene, the Sheriff’s Office said. The boy’s father, 48-year-old Jerald Olmsted, was removed from the wreckage and hospitalized with severe injuries ,” the article reads. “The driver of the other vehicle, 22-year-old Nicholas Rogalla, of nearby Rice Lake, was hospitalized and was expected to survive his injuries.”

In Green County, as of May 28, 2017, three fatalities have been confirmed as a result of a vehicle crash, according to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.

In 2015, 4,976 people died in motorcycle crashes across the U.S., up 8.3 percent from 4,594 in 2014, according to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) report.

Rozek Law Offices, S.C.

3970 N Oakland Ave Ste 604

Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53211

(414) 374-4444

https://www.rozeklaw.com/

Imaging library for traumatic brain injury underway

Fri, 02 Jun 2017 12:00:00 GMT

The first imaging library for traumatic brain injury (TBI) is underway by Cohen Veterans Bioscience and the American College of Radiology (ACR). The library will be used to develop clinical imaging tools that will help diagnose and manage patients with TBI. According to a press release posted on the Cohen Veterans Bioscience website, mild TBI […]

The first imaging library for traumatic brain injury ( TBI ) is underway by Cohen Veterans Bioscience and the American College of Radiology (ACR). The library will be used to develop clinical imaging tools that will help diagnose and manage patients with TBI.

According to a press release posted on the Cohen Veterans Bioscience website, mild TBI affects an estimated 1.5 million people in the United States each year. Though mild TBIs cause no outwardly visible signs of brain damage in most cases, these injuries lead to long-term cognitive or behavioral problems or physical symptoms in up to 20 percent of cases.

Many hospitals currently use neuroimaging, which according to the press release have little role in helping to diagnose TBI.

“In fact, patients with this condition often have normal routine brain scans. However, advanced types of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are showing increasing promise in demonstrating changes that are known to occur in mild TBI,” the press release reads. “These advanced imaging approaches include diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), functional connectivity, perfusion weighted imaging, and volumetric imaging. Despite their promise, these advanced approaches are currently primarily confined to research use.”

What’s missing with neuroimaging is a reference, which would help doctors to compare diagnostic differences amongst patients.

Cohen Veterans Bioscience and the American College of Radiology Head Injury Institute will perform standardized advanced neuroimaging scans on 3,000 adult volunteers. The images will then be used to create a library.

“Injuries to the brain can be so subtle and so easily missed, not only because they may not be seen on an MRI, but because clinicians can only rely on patient-reported symptoms. Patients may feel fine yet have a potentially life-altering condition,” Magali Haas, MD, PhD, CEO & President of Cohen Veterans Bioscience is quoted as saying in the release. “With this new reference library we can create a diagnostic standard by which all individuals who suffer from a TBI can be assessed and receive immediate treatment.”

Rozek Law Offices, S.C.

2810 Crossroads Dr Ste 4046

Madison, Wisconsin 53718

(608) 208-1147

https://www.rozeklaw.com/

One killed, seven injured in head-on crash in St. Croix

Wed, 31 May 2017 14:02:00 GMT

A head-on crash in St. Croix County on Saturday morning left one dead and seven others injured. The crash reportedly occurred on Wisconsin Highway 64 just west of 310th Street in Forest Township. A call came into the St. Croix County Sheriff’s Office just after 11 a.m. “Ellen L. Gordon, 59, of Hayward, Wis., was pronounced […]

A head-on crash in St. Croix County on Saturday morning left one dead and seven others injured. The crash reportedly occurred on Wisconsin Highway 64 just west of 310 ^th Street in Forest Township.

A call came into the St. Croix County Sheriff’s Office just after 11 a.m.

“Ellen L. Gordon, 59, of Hayward, Wis., was pronounced dead at the scene, St. Croix County Sheriff Captain Jeffrey Klatt told the Twin Cities Pioneer Press. “Six people with injuries were taken to area hospitals by ambulance, and a seventh person was flown by helicopter to Regions Hospital in St. Paul. That person’s condition is not known.”

According to Klatt, a preliminary investigation on the crash was performed. Results of that investigation indicated that a 2010 Ford Fusion that was traveling west on Highway 64 crossed the center line and struck a 2010 Ford F-150 that was traveling east on 64 head-on.

“Gordon was driving the Fusion, Klatt said. She was wearing a seat belt,” the article reads. “A passenger in the Fusion, Sheila A. Barber, 49, of Couderay, Wis., was evacuated by helicopter with injuries, he said.”

Six people were traveling in the F-150. Darren L. Smith, 46, of Glenwood City, Wisconsin, was injured and taken to Westfields Hospital in New Richmond, Wisconsin.

According to the article, the other occupants of the F-150 included the following people:

No other information about the condition of those injured was released.

“JoAnn Smith and William and Deanna Wolff were not wearing seat belts; Coyer and Denise Smith were,” Klatt said in the article.

Highway 64 between 128 ^th Street and 310 ^th Street was closed to traffic in both directions for about 4 hours following the crash. That section of the highway reopened just before 3:30 p.m.

Rozek Law Offices, S.C.

3970 N Oakland Ave Ste 604

Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53211

(414) 374-4444

https://www.rozeklaw.com/

Four killed and five others injured in Wisconsin crash

Mon, 29 May 2017 19:26:00 GMT

Four people were killed and five others injured in a two-vehicle crash in northwestern Wisconsin over the weekend. According to various media reports about the collision, the crash, which was between a minivan and a pickup truck, happened near Cornell. “Chippewa County Sheriff Jim Kowalczyk told the Eau Claire Leader-Telegram it’s the worst accident he’s seen in […]

Four people were killed and five others injured in a two-vehicle crash in northwestern Wisconsin over the weekend.

According to various media reports about the collision, the crash , which was between a minivan and a pickup truck, happened near Cornell.

“Chippewa County Sheriff Jim Kowalczyk told the Eau Claire Leader-Telegram it’s the worst accident he’s seen in 40 years of law enforcement,” an article on the TMJ-4 website reads. “He says it happened around 5 p.m. Saturday when a minivan either failed to yield or ran a stop sign and collided with a pickup truck.”

Three women and one man were reported dead at the scene of the crash. Those who were killed were identified by the Sheriff’s Office after family and friends were notified. The people identified included 46-year-old Kristine J. Kummer, of Medford; 36-year-old Jonathan J. Jorgensen, of Eau Claire; 23-year-old Mikaila S. Toske, of Eau Claire; and 21-year-old Raven A. Ellin, also of Eau Claire.

Toske, Ellin and Jorgensen were reportedly passengers in the minivan that collided with a pickup truck in which Kummer was a passenger.

Photos that accompanied the article show the minivan completely destroyed and it looks as though it may have caught fire and was torched, but there’s no mention in the article whether or not a fire was involved.

“The five survivors, including the two drivers, were taken to Eau Claire hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries,” the article reads.

Preliminary data by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation shows that 178 fatalities have occurred as a result of a traffic collision in the state so far this year. Final figures from last year show that 588 people were killed on Wisconsin roads, up from 555 in 2015 and 494 in 2014.

The Wisconsin DOT data on fatalities through May 21, 2017 show no deaths had occurred in Chippewa or Eau Claire as a result of a vehicle crash. One person was killed in 2016 in Chippewa in a vehicle crash and 10 fatalities were reported last year in Eau Claire, down from 6 in 2015 and 4 in 2014.

Rozek Law Offices, S.C.

2810 Crossroads Dr Ste 4046

Madison, Wisconsin 53718

(608) 208-1147

https://www.rozeklaw.com/

ARM joins forces with U.S. researchers to develop chip for brain injury patients

Fri, 26 May 2017 12:00:00 GMT

A new chip that can be implanted in the brains of people with traumatic brain injury is being designed by ARM after the chip design company teamed up with researchers in the United States. “The chips are designed to help people with brain and spinal injuries, and will sit inside the skull,” an article by […]

A new chip that can be implanted in the brains of people with traumatic brain injury is being designed by ARM after the chip design company teamed up with researchers in the United States.

“The chips are designed to help people with brain and spinal injuries, and will sit inside the skull,” an article by BBC reads. “The aim is to develop a system that not only allows people to carry out tasks, but to receive sensory feedback.”

The project is expected to last about 10 years and researchers told BBC they don’t expect to see benefits from the chip anytime soon.

“ARM is providing the processors for the implants being developed at the Center for Sensorimotor Neural Engineering (CSNE), at the University of Washington,” the BBC reports. “The researchers have already developed an early version of the technology.”

A spokesperson for ARM told reporters that some early prototype devices have already been created, but researchers are now challenged with creating a device that is powerful, but small enough to be inserted into the brain while not generating too much heat.

“The first stage is to design a system on a chip that can transmit signals from the brain to a stimulator implanted in the spinal cord, allowing those with spinal or neurological conditions to control their movements,” the article reads. “But CSNE also wants the device to be able to receive information sent back in the other direction, providing sensory information to the brain.”

Researchers aren’t only trying to read brain signals, but they hope to be able to feed information to the brain, which would allow TBI and spinal cord patients to be able to gauge things like how tightly they are holding something – or how hot or cold an object is.

“Research suggests that this feedback may also help the brain rewire itself, which could help the recovery of people with certain conditions – such as those who have suffered a stroke,” the BBC reports.

New study follows service members with brain injuries

Thu, 25 May 2017 12:00:00 GMT

A new study by a University of Washington neurologist followed dozens of service members who sustained concussive blast injury and the study is showing that the impact of wartime brain injuries is devastating. According to an article posted on the King 5 website, Dr. Christine MacDonald, who is an associate professor of neurological surgery at […]

According to an article posted on the King 5 website, Dr. Christine MacDonald, who is an associate professor of neurological surgery at UW School of Medicine, followed 50 soldiers who sustained a brain injury during war.

The study focuses on the impact of injuries and revealed that while many health professionals believe service members stabilize about a year following a blast injury, many are still dealing with the physical and mental impact of their injury much longer than a year.

MacDonald utilized brain imaging and other techniques over several years for the study.

“… MacDonald found these service members’ mental health symptoms evolved and even worsened five years later,” the article reads. “The takeaway for me that was so striking was the substantial number of service members who significantly declined in this population that was supposed to be the mildest of the mild and that even with help that so few experienced sustained resolution,” Mac Donald said.

The Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that nearly one-in-five of more than 2 million soldiers who served in Iraq and Afghanistan have suffered a traumatic brain injury .

“MacDonald said her findings call for a stronger emphasis at the VA and across other healthcare systems on continuity of care and a comprehensive long term treatment strategy,” the article reads.

One of the participants in the study was still struggling to hold down a traditional job eight years after sustaining a brain injury when he was injured from the backblast of an RPG while serving in Afghanistan in 2009.

MacDonald has been following the veteran soldier for about five years

“Some days, the box medications he takes each day for pain and mental health struggles related to his brain injury and the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder he developed are nearly as debilitating as the symptoms themselves,” the article reads.

He is one of more than 80,000 service members who served in Iraq and Afghanistan and has been diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury by the Department of Veterans Affairs, many of whom have struggled to obtain care, which alleviates their symptoms.

Pedestrian struck, killed by semi in Waukesha County

Wed, 24 May 2017 12:00:00 GMT

A pedestrian was struck and killed by a semi on I-94 in Waukesha County near Oconomowoc on Wednesday, May 17 about 5:30 p.m. Various media reports say the man was ejected from his motorcycle due to the impact of the crash. “Officials with the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department said the male pedestrian was located deceased […]

“Officials with the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department said the male pedestrian was located deceased from his injuries,” an article by FOX 6 News reports. “The driver of the semi wasn’t hurt.”

Westbound traffic was completely shut down during an investigation into the incident for several hours at Highway 67.

No other details about the crash had been released to the public as of Friday morning, including the names of those involved and whether or not the driver of the semi is facing charges in connection to the fatal crash.

The cause of the crash is still under investigation.

In 2001 one pedestrian was injured or killed every 5 hours and 12 minutes in Wisconsin. About 60 pedestrians are killed each year in Wisconsin and another 350 are seriously injured. Another 1,200 or more suffer injuries ranging from minor to serious, but not incapacitating. Only 36 pedestrians escaped injury in these crashes, according to information released by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.

Pedestrian traffic injuries have declined from 2,144 in 1984 to 1,648 in 2000. Unfortunately, the rate of fatalities has not improved much over this same time period. Pedestrian fatalities in Wisconsin range between 50 to 65 deaths per year, 50 in 2000. Only 40 of the injured in pedestrian crashes were occupants of the vehicles.

Pedestrians ages 75 and older showed the highest rate of fatalities. Older pedestrians do not have the same ability to recover from their injuries as younger pedestrians, and many may take longer to cross the street or have difficulty seeing or hearing traffic clearly.

Children ages 5-9 also showed a high rate of injury. They are most at risk due to their limited understanding of traffic laws and little sense of danger.

Preliminary data by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation shows that 20 pedestrians have been killed in Wisconsin so far this year, up from a total of 14 in 2016.

Motorcycle crash claims life of Oak Creek man

Tue, 23 May 2017 12:00:00 GMT

A 23-year-old man from Oak Creek was killed on Thursday following a crash involving the motorcycle he was driving and a vehicle. According to an article by FOX 6 Now, the crash occurred near 27th and Grange in Greenfield about 9:30 a.m. “Greenfield police said the man was found on the ground at the scene […]

“Greenfield police said the man was found on the ground at the scene after he was ejected from his motorcycle,” the article reads. “Life-saving measures were unsuccessful, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.”

While the article doesn’t release many details about the crash, it does confirm that the driver of the vehicle remained on scene during an investigation by the Greenfield Police Department. FOX 6 Now reports that the driver is cooperating with authorities in the ongoing investigation.

The identity of the Oak Creek man had not been released as of Friday morning pending notification of his family. There’s also no mention in the article of the vehicle driver’s name and whether or not the man may be facing charges in connection to the fatal crash.

Earlier this month a woman was seriously injured in a motorcycle crash on Highway 8 in Polk County.

According to an article by Hudson Patch , the woman is a 36-year-old from Minnesota. She was a passenger on the motorcycle and sustained life-threatening injuries after the driver crashed on a roundabout. The driver of the motorcycle has since been charged in connection to the crash.

Police identified the woman as 36-year-old Jennifer Bisel.

State records reported fatal motorcycle crashes were up 15 percent in 2015 compared to the year before.

There were 39 motorcyclist fatalities in the first six months of 2015, up from 34 for the same period in 2014. If the pattern holds, state officials say, this could be the deadliest year for motorcycle crashes since 2012, when 44 people were killed in the first six months of the year and 112 died in the 12-month period.

Between 2009 and 2013, an average of 2,376 motorcycle crashes were reported to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, an average of 91 motorcyclists died each year, and an average of 2,161 motorcyclists were injured on Wisconsin roads.

One injured in Wisconsin crash involving school bus

Mon, 22 May 2017 12:00:00 GMT

One person was injured in Kenosha County Friday morning following a crash that involved a school bus filled with students. According to an article by NBC, the crash occurred shortly after 7 a.m. on Highway C west of Rt. 83 in Trevor, Wisconsin and involved a vehicle and a school bus. The Kenosha County Sheriff’s office […]

One person was injured in Kenosha County Friday morning following a crash that involved a school bus filled with students. According to an article by NBC , the crash occurred shortly after 7 a.m. on Highway C west of Rt. 83 in Trevor, Wisconsin and involved a vehicle and a school bus.

The Kenosha County Sheriff’s office released preliminary information about the crash to media saying that a vehicle rear-ended the school bus.

“No students were reported injured in the crash, but the driver of the vehicle was ‘seriously’ hurt, officials said,” the article reads. “It was not clear how many students were on the bus at the time of the crash.”

Following the crash, Highway C was closed in both directions so authorities could investigate the incident.

In school bus crashes over the last couple of decades in the United States, fewer than 10 percent of school bus occupants have had any injury and 90 percent were not injured at all, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

The occupant most frequently injured is the bus driver since that seating position does not have the same passive occupant protections that passenger seats have, such as flexible and padded seat backs.

Sixty percent of school bus fatalities involve non-bus occupants. Small vehicles do not do well in a crash with a big yellow bus or any other big vehicle, and should be driven accordingly, the FMCSA reports.

In 2015, 4,311 large trucks and buses were involved in fatal crashes, an 8 percent increase from 2014. Although the number of large trucks and buses in fatal crashes has increased by 26 percent from its low of 3,432 in 2009, the 2015 number is still 18 percent lower than the 21st-century peak of 5,231 in 2005.

From 2014 to 2015, large truck and bus fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled by all motor vehicles increased by 1.7 percent, from 0.138 to 0.140.

There was a 34 percent decrease in the number of fatal crashes involving large trucks or buses between 2005 and 2009, followed by an increase of 20 percent between 2009 and 2015. From 2014 to 2015, the number of fatal crashes involving large trucks or buses increased by 5 percent.

Wisconsin TBI support group uses art to help patients

Sun, 21 May 2017 11:00:00 GMT

The Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) support group at Gundersen Health System in Wisconsin is helping patients heal through artwork. According to the Centers for Disease Control, TBIs are a major cause of death and long-term disability in the United States. In fact, about 30 percent of all injury deaths are due to a brain injury […]

The Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) support group at Gundersen Health System in Wisconsin is helping patients heal through artwork.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, TBIs are a major cause of death and long-term disability in the United States. In fact, about 30 percent of all injury deaths are due to a brain injury across the nation each year.

Steven Brown, 18-years-old, of Onalaska is one patient who attends the TBI support group at Gundersen Health System. His mother told WXOW that he looks forward to group because it gives him the chance to socialize with other people, something he hasn’t done much of since sustaining a brain injury in 2005.

Brown was running an errand on March 7, 2005 when he was involved in a head on collision on Highway 16.

Following the crash, Brown was unconscious for more than two months. He broke 50 bones in his jaw and underwent two brain surgeries due to injuries he sustained in the crash. Brown also had a shattered knee cap and now has a shunt and titanium plate in his forehead to help relieve pressure on his brain from his injuries.

“Diane Hohlfeld, Steven’s mom, said it was a horrifying thing to go through as a parent, but both her and Steven have found support with Gundersen Health System’s staff and monthly group,” the article reads.

Hohlfeld told WXOW that her son looks forward to group each month.

“He was so shy now he’s social and he doesn’t have a lot of outlets for it now. He just can’t stay home he just has to be out with people. This has been really good for him, meeting these people,” Hohlfeld said.

The Traumatic Brain Injury Support Group at Gunderson Health System has been meeting for about five years now. Art therapy is one aspect of the group and recently participants took part in the Unmasking Brain Injury Project by painting blank, white masks in an effort to express their stories and emotions.

A nurse who works with the TBI group said the art project allowed participants to express themselves, show what they’ve been through, but also it gives them hope for the future.

Brown told WXOW he loved it and that the project allowed him to show positive aspects of what he’s endured rather than always focusing on the negative.

“I had to relearn to do things and I thought, well that was kind of like a maze, so for the forehead I did a maze. And I thought, well, I’ll do half of the mask red, half blue from going from the old me to relearning things and this is how I am now,” explained Brown.

Unmasking Brain Injury is an international project that has helped individuals with brain injuries create more than 600 masks spanning across 17 U.S. States and two countries.

Pedestrian killed in hit-and-run crash

Sat, 20 May 2017 10:00:00 GMT

A pedestrian was struck and killed in a hit-and-run crash Saturday night in Waunakee. According to an article posted on the WMTV website, the Dane County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the death and told media reporters the victim was a pedestrian. “Officials say a man was found dead on the shoulder of US Highway 113 at […]

“Officials say a man was found dead on the shoulder of US Highway 113 at County Highway M Saturday night, just before midnight,” the article reads. “The Dane County Sheriff’s Office, Crime Lab and Reconstruction Team investigated the crash for about nine hours.”

The name of the victim had not been released as of Wednesday morning and the investigation is ongoing.

The Dane County Sherriff’s Office is asking for witnesses to come forward and speak to detectives.

“Anyone who witnessed the crash and has not spoken to deputies or detectives is asked to call the Dane County Sheriff’s Office at 608-284-6900.”

No information in regards to a vehicle or suspect description was mentioned in the article. The number of pedestrian fatalities in the United States increased 19 percent from 2009 to 2014, a period in which total traffic deaths decreased by about 4 percent.

Pedestrians now account for the largest proportion of traffic fatalities recorded in the past 25 years. Earlier studies by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), based on preliminary data reported by State Highway Safety Offices (SHSOs), were the first to predict recent increases in pedestrian fatalities.

The present study, based on preliminary data from all states and the District of Columbia (DC) for the first six months of 2015, found an increase of 6 percent in the reported number of fatalities compared with the first six months of 2014. After adjusting for anticipated underreporting in the preliminary state data, GHSA estimates there has been a 10 percent increase in the number of pedestrians killed in 2015 compared with 2014.

In addition, pedestrian deaths as a percent of total motor vehicle crash deaths have increased steadily from 11 percent in 2005-2007 to 15 percent in 2014. It has been 25 years (1990) since pedestrians accounted for 15 percent of total traffic fatalities.

The rate of pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 people in Wisconsin for 2014 based on FARS crash data and US Census population data is 0.78, according to GHSA data.

There were 15 pedestrian fatalities in Wisconsin for the first six months of 2014 and 22 for the first six months of 2015, the latest data available from GHSA.

Study reveals post-traumatic epilepsy risk factor for children with TBI

Fri, 19 May 2017 12:00:00 GMT

While it’s already a known risk for adults who have suffered a mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI), a new study has revealed that post-traumatic epilepsy is also a risk for children and teens who have suffered a TBI. A longitudinal study on the topic was published online May 5 in the Journal of Neurosurgery: Pediatrics. […]

A longitudinal study on the topic was published online May 5 in the Journal of Neurosurgery: Pediatrics.

Brain damage or brain injury occurs when the brain cells known as neurons are destroyed. This can be caused by internal or external mechanisms. When the damage is related to an external physical trauma, the term traumatic brain injury (TBI) is used.

Motor vehicle accidents, firearms, falls, sports, and physical violence are the leading causes of TBI with significant disability and mortality rates.

Excessive accumulation of fluid in the brain, poor coordination, behavioral changes, and seizures are examples of neurological complications associated with TBI. Generally, seizures after TBI can appear early (within one week of the injury) or later.

Early seizures should be treated promptly, because they can produce further damage to the already-injured brain. Later seizures, those that begin at least one week after the injury, tend to become recurrent and therefore qualify as epilepsy, according to epilepsy.com.

“Mony Benifla, MD, and colleagues at Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem, Israel, prospectively followed up with 191 children who had been admitted to the hospital aged infant to 17 years with a diagnosis of MTBI between 2007 and 2009,” an article in Health Imaging reads.

The team reportedly called the patients or their caregivers by phone between 2015 and 2016 and discussed epileptic episodes, neurological issues , and seizures. The mean follow-up was 7.4 years.

“All patients underwent CT imaging. Some 72.8 percent had fractures, mostly from falls, while 10.5 percent did not have acute findings,” the article reads.

Of the 191 children surveyed, seven of them (about 4 percent) experienced a post-traumatic seizure and six of those (about 86 percent) who experienced a post-traumatic seizure went on to develop epilepsy while three of them (about 43 percent) developed intractable epilepsy.

“Interestingly, none whose posttraumatic seizure occurred immediately upon injury developed any epilepsy at all,” according to Health Imaging.

The children who developed epilepsy spent an average of two extra days in the hospital at the time of their injury, the author’s report, while the mean time between trauma and the onset of seizures was about 3.1 years.

“Upon completion of data analysis and long-term follow-up, the authors found that MTBI had conferred increased risk for the development of posttraumatic epilepsy and intractable posttraumatic epilepsy at 4.5 and 8 times higher than baseline, respectively,” the article reads.

In conclusion, the authors say the findings confirm that just like adults who have suffered an MTBI, children and teenagers with MTBI also have an increased risk for post-traumatic epilepsy.

Wisconsin legislators speaking out about dangers of State 23

Thu, 18 May 2017 14:33:00 GMT

Legislators in Wisconsin who want to expand State 23 sent a letter last week to the Seventh District Court of Appeals in an attempt to proceed with the expansion of the highway to four lanes. Six legislators signed the letter, including Sens. Devin LeMahieu (R-Oostburg), Dan Feyen (R-Fond du Lac), Duey Strobel (R-Saukville) and Reps. Tyler […]

Legislators in Wisconsin who want to expand State 23 sent a letter last week to the Seventh District Court of Appeals in an attempt to proceed with the expansion of the highway to four lanes.

Six legislators signed the letter, including Sens. Devin LeMahieu (R-Oostburg), Dan Feyen (R-Fond du Lac), Duey Strobel (R-Saukville) and Reps. Tyler Vorpagel (R-Plymouth), Terry Katsma (R-Oostburg) and Jeremy Thiesfeldt (R-Fond du Lac), according to an article in the Fon du Lac Reporter.

The legislators feel that expanding State 23 to four lanes is crucial for the safety of drivers. At least seven people were sent to the hospital after two recent head-on collisions that occurred three days apart along the controversial stretch of highway.

Two of those people reportedly sustained life-threatening injuries as a result of the crashes.

“It’s been nearly two years since U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman halted the State 23 expansion project under protest from the environmental group, 1000 Friends of Wisconsin. The case remains under appeal today,” the Fon du Lac Reporter article reads.

Not only do the legislators address safety as a main concern for expanding the highway, but they also say they believe the expansion is vital to the strength of the local economy.

“Unfortunately, the news of serious accidents occurring on (State) Highway 23 is far from surprising. ‘Accidents on (State) Highway 23’ has become an all too familiar headline in the districts we represent. This two-lane stretch of highway averages an accident every eight days. Many of these accidents could have been prevented had the expansion project been allowed to proceed,” the letter reads.

In a recent crash on State 23, five people were injured due to a head-on collision in the town of Greenbush in Sheboygan County.

“A passenger car and minivan collided after one of the vehicles traveled left of center and into the path of the other,” the article reads. “The male driver of the passenger car suffered life-threatening injuries and was flown to ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah.”

On Monday, an 18-year-old Sheboygan man tried to pass a semi-trailer and slammed head-on into an east bound vehicle on State 23 in Fond du Lac County. The driver of the eastbound car was airlifted to ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah with serious injuries . The crash shut down State 23 for about five hours.

Bipolar meds may help preserve brain function

Wed, 17 May 2017 12:15:00 GMT

A new study out of Rutgers University revealed that medications typically used to treat cancer, depression, and bipolar disorder may prevent nerve cell damage and preserve brain function for those who have suffered traumatic brain injury (TBI). “In research published in Scientific Reports, Rutgers scientists discovered that lithium — used as a mood stabilizer and to […]

“In research published in Scientific Reports , Rutgers scientists discovered that lithium — used as a mood stabilizer and to treat depression and bipolar disorder — and rapamycin, a treatment for some forms of cancer, protected nerve cells in the brain and stopped the chemical glutamate from sending signals to other cells and creating further brain cell damage,” an article in Science Daily reads.

The lead author of the study, Bonnie Firestein, said that many of the medications currently used to treat those with TBI focus on treating symptoms and halting pain rather than keeping any further damage from occurring. Firestein said her team wanted to find a drug to protect cells and keep them from dying.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of death and disability in the United States with an estimated 1.7 million people sustaining a TBI annually. About 30 percent of all deaths due to injury are due, in part, to a TBI.

The symptoms vary for TBI, but can include cognitive function issues, impaired memory, headaches, trouble sleeping, speech and hearing issues, depression, personality changes and impulse control problems.

The CDC reports that every day about 153 people in the U.S. die from injuries that include a TBI. Children and older adults are at the highest risk.

“When a TBI occurs, Firestein said, a violent blow to the head can result in the release of abnormally high concentrations of glutamate, which under normal circumstances is an important chemical for learning and memory,” the article reads. “But an overproduction of glutamate, she said, causes toxicity which leads to cell damage and death.”

In the study, Rutgers scientist discovered that when you combine the two FDA-approved medications, the glutamate was not able to send messages between nerve cells, which stopped further damage and cell death from happening.

“Further research needs to be done, Firestein said, in animals and humans to determine if these drugs could help prevent brain damage and nerve cell death in humans after a traumatic brain injury .”

Minnesota man killed following forklift accident at Wisconsin-based company

Tue, 16 May 2017 14:12:00 GMT

A Minnesota man who was an employee at a Wisconsin-based home improvement store was killed Friday following a forklift accident while he was on the job. Various media reports say the man was working at a Menards home improvement store in a southern Minneapolis suburb last week when the incident occurred. “The Hennepin County Medical […]

A Minnesota man who was an employee at a Wisconsin-based home improvement store was killed Friday following a forklift accident while he was on the job.

Various media reports say the man was working at a Menards home improvement store in a southern Minneapolis suburb last week when the incident occurred.

“The Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office said Tuesday that 27-year-old Alec Saunders of Burnsville died Friday at Hennepin County Medical Center of blunt-force chest injuries after being injured at a Menards in Burnsville earlier that day,” an article in the Beloit Daily News reads.

An OSHA spokesman told the media that Saunders was injured when the forklift rolled over in the yard section of the store.

“Eau Claire, Wisconsin-based Menards said in a statement the company is devastated by Saunders’ death. The company declined to address the circumstances of his death, citing the OHSA investigation,” the article reads.

Burnsville police and the medical examiner’s office are also investigating the employee’s death.

OSHA statistics indicate that there are roughly 85 forklift fatalities and 34,900serious injuries each year in the United States, with 42 percent of the forklift fatalities from the operator’s being crushed by a tipping vehicle.

The safest place for the driver to be is strapped into the seat with a seat belt, according to OSHA.

OSHA reports that 70 percent of workplace accidents can be avoided with proper training and safety procedures. NIOSH states that the three most common types of injuries occur when: A forklift overturns; workers are struck, crushed, or pinned by a forklift; and when workers fall from a forklift.

About 95,000 injuries are reported every year due to operating forklifts. Most fatalities occur when a forklift tips over.

Federal OSHA requires that forklift vehicles be inspected at least daily, or after each shift when used around the clock. OSHA does not require that forklift inspections be documented.

Overexertion Injuries, including injuries related to pulling, lifting, pushing, holding, carrying, and throwing activities at work are the No. 1 work-related injury reported to OSHA each year. Overexertion has not only consistently been the number one workplace injury, but it is also the most expensive.

Rats demonstrate impulse control issues following traumatic brain injury

Mon, 15 May 2017 12:53:00 GMT

A new study by researchers at the University of British Columbia revealed that rats demonstrate impulse control issues even following a mild traumatic brain injury. The study showed that rats with head trauma were unable to wait as long to receive a bigger reward, and instead opted for a small, immediate reward “The rats’ lack […]

A new study by researchers at the University of British Columbia revealed that rats demonstrate impulse control issues even following a mild traumatic brain injury .

The study showed that rats with head trauma were unable to wait as long to receive a bigger reward, and instead opted for a small, immediate reward

“The rats’ lack of impulse control lasted throughout the eight-week experiment, indicating it could be a chronic symptom of head trauma, persisting even after memory and motor functions return,” an article by Metro News reads. “We saw that relatively mild brain injury can induce a long-term impulsive state,” said Cole Vonder Haar, lead author of the study.

Rats typically only live about 80 weeks, so the experiment lasted about a tenth of the rats’ lifetime span. The team tested the rats’ impulse control with sugar pellets.

“Rats could choose to either receive one sugar pellet now or four sugar pellets later,” the article reads. “Those that had suffered brain injuries chose the single sugar pellet more often.”

The researchers also discovered that the rats that chose the single sugar pellet more frequently also had higher levels of interleukin-12 in their brain tissue.

Interleukin-12 is naturally produced by dendritic cells, macrophages, neutrophils, and human B- lymphoblastoid cells in response to antigenic stimulation. Basically, it can stimulate the growth and function of T cells and it can block the formation of new blood vessels.

“That finding could be the missing link in explaining addictive behavior in people who have suffered brain injuries,” the article reads. “One of the things that has been most heavily linked to addiction is problems with impulse control,” said Vonder Haar.

Haar says in the news article that there are increased rates of addiction in populations with brain injury .

“But scientists have not been able to definitively say brain injury can cause addictive behavior because people who are more likely to have brain injury could simply be the type of people who have less impulse control in the first place,” the article reads.

The study however demonstrates a chemical link between brain injury and addiction. The research teams hopes it will lead to new treatment options for TBI patients as well as patients who suffer from addiction.

Two separate vehicle crashes injures 10

Sun, 14 May 2017 12:15:00 GMT

Five people were injured on Saturday after two vehicles crashed head-on in Sheboygan County. One day later, five people were injured in a roll-over crash in Waupaca. The Sheboygan County Sheriff’s Office released last Sunday the names of those involved in the head-on crash in Sheboygan County. “A car driven by Xor Lee, 26, of […]

Five people were injured on Saturday after two vehicles crashed head-on in Sheboygan County. One day later, five people were injured in a roll-over crash in Waupaca.

The Sheboygan County Sheriff’s Office released last Sunday the names of those involved in the head-on crash in Sheboygan County.

“A car driven by Xor Lee, 26, of Sheboygan collided head-on with a van driven by Kari J. Freis, 39, of Newton at 4:40 p.m. Saturday on State Highway 23 in the town of Greenbush,” an article in the Milwaukee Wisconsin State Journal Sentinel reads.

Lee was reportedly flown by Flight for Life to Theda Clark Medical Center in Neenah with life-threatening injuries sustained in the crash.

“Freis and three passengers in her van, Nancy S. Weier, 70, of Manitowoc, Kaitlyn K.J. Freis, 13, and Edward E. Freis, 10, both of Newton, suffered incapacitating injuries and were taken to St. Nicholas Hospital in Sheboygan,” the article reads.

Just one day later, five other people were injured in a rollover crash on County Trunk E near Marsh Street in Waupaca.

The second crash reportedly occurred in the early morning hours of Sunday, May 7 at 1:45 a.m.

“Waupaca Police Chief Brian Hoelzel reported that Clayton Kluck, 20, Iola, was the driver,” an article in the Waupaca County News reads.

The four passengers were identified by authorities as Anthony Meverden, 22, Iola; Sheyann Fletcher, 24, Plover; Toni Grawvunder, 22, Ogdensburg; and Easton Meverden, 20, Manawa.

“Kluck and one passenger were airlifted to ThedaCare Regional Medical Center in Neenah for critical injuries,” the WCN reports.

A third passenger was reportedly transported by ambulance to Neenah with non-critical injuries. Two other passengers who also had non-critical injuries were taken to ThedaCare in Waupaca.

No further details about the crash have been released and the crash is still being investigated.

Stoughton man killed in motorcycle crash

Sat, 13 May 2017 11:00:00 GMT

A Sunday afternoon crash on the east side of Madison claimed the life of a 20-year old motorcyclist. According to an article by Channel 3000, the man was from Stoughton. “Madison Fire Department spokesperson Cynthia Schuster said crews were dispatched to the intersection of Cottage Grove Road and Acewood Boulevard at 1:26 p.m. for a report […]

A Sunday afternoon crash on the east side of Madison claimed the life of a 20-year old motorcyclist. According to an article by Channel 3000, the man was from Stoughton.

“Madison Fire Department spokesperson Cynthia Schuster said crews were dispatched to the intersection of Cottage Grove Road and Acewood Boulevard at 1:26 p.m. for a report of a vehicle versus motorcycle crash ,” the article reads.

Investigators told the news station that a 51-year-old Madison man was driving a vehicle east on Cottage Grove Road and when he attempted to make a left turn onto Acewood Boulevard, the 20-year-old motorcyclist struck the passenger side of the vehicle.

“The motorcyclist was taken to UW Hospital with traumatic injuries and later died from them,” the article reads.

A female who was a passenger in the vehicle was also injured as a result of the crash and she was transported to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

No other details about the incident were released, including the names of those involved or whether or not the driver of the vehicle is potentially facing charges in connection to the crash.

The cause of the crash is still under investigation.

The Milwaukee Wisconsin Journal-Sentinel published an article in 2015 showing that state records reported fatal motorcycle crashes were up 15 percent compared to the year before.

“There have been 39 motorcyclist fatalities in the first six months of the year, up from 34 for the same period in 2014. If the pattern holds, state officials say, this could be the deadliest year for motorcycle crashes since 2012, when 44 people were killed in the first six months of the year and 112 died in the 12-month period.”

The numbers had fallen to 83 deaths in 2013 and 67 in 2014.

Operating a motorcycle takes different skills than driving a car; however, the laws of the road apply to every driver just the same, according to Geico. A combination of consistent education, regard for traffic laws and basic common sense can go a long way in helping reduce the amount of fatalities involved in motorcycle accidents on a yearly basis.

Geico released a list of tips for motorcycle safety including:

Sheriff’s deputy injured in crash on U.S. Highway 2

Fri, 12 May 2017 13:00:00 GMT

A Douglas County Sheriff’s Office deputy was injured on Wednesday when someone rear ended her squad car on U.S. Highway 2. According to an article by the Duluth News Tribune, the deputy only sustained minor injuries. “Deputy Kris Witt, 44, was treated and released from a local hospital, said a Douglas County Sheriff’s Office news […]

“Deputy Kris Witt, 44, was treated and released from a local hospital, said a Douglas County Sheriff’s Office news release,” the article reads.

Witt was on the shoulder of the westbound lane of Highway 2 near Bayfield Road, just west of Poplar, when the incident occurred. Witt reportedly pulled onto the shoulder to check on a disabled vehicle.

A crash occurred in the westbound lanes and one of the vehicles reportedly careened into the rear of Witt’s squad car. The impact sent the squad car into a ditch, the Sheriff’s Office told the Duluth News Tribune.

“The crash happened at 7:35 a.m., when a white Jeep slowed to accommodate the deputy’s vehicle and was rear-ended by a Ford Explorer,” the article reads. “The Jeep was forced across the oncoming lanes and rolled into the ditch. The Explorer struck the deputy’s squad car and skidded to a stop farther down the road with heavy front-end damage.

The Wisconsin State Patrol issues a news release in regards to the crash saying that neither the driver of the jeep, who has been identified as 66-year-old Mark Baillie, of Brule; nor the driver of the Explorer, who has been identified as Kris Westerlund, 33, of Maple; was injured as a result of the crash.

“Westerlund was distracted and did not immediately notice the slowing of the Jeep, the State Patrol said,” the article reads.

The crash is still being investigated and it’s still not known whether Westerlund will face any charges in connection to the incident.

According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, as of April this year, 142 fatalities have been reported as a result of crashes on Wisconsin roads. Between 2009-2014, there were an estimated 29,036 injury crashes reported each year, the DOT reports.

DOD awards funds for TBI study

Thu, 11 May 2017 14:25:00 GMT

The U.S. Department of Defense announced recently it has awarded Abbott Laboratories millions of dollars to develop a traumatic brain injury test in a one-bid contract. “Abbott has been working with DoD on similar projects that clinicians can use to conduct tests via mobile devices already in place since at least 2014,” an article by […]

The U.S. Department of Defense announced recently it has awarded Abbott Laboratories millions of dollars to develop a traumatic brain injury test in a one-bid contract.

“Abbott has been working with DoD on similar projects that clinicians can use to conduct tests via mobile devices already in place since at least 2014,” an article by Mobile Health News reads. “DOD put the new contract total at $11.3 million and said of that, $2.5 million was obligated when it named Abbott.”

On its contract website, the DOD explained that the project by Abbott is expected to be complete by October 23, 2019 and that most of the work will be conducted in New Jersey.

“Abbott will collaborate with the U.S Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity in Frederick, Maryland, according to the DOD,” the article reads.

The DOD awarded Abbott a $19.5 million multi-year contract in August of 2014. That contract was to develop portable blood tests clinicians can use via existing i-Stat mobile diagnostic devices. Those devices measure concussions by reading biomarkers, such as proteins, that typically get released into a person’s bloodstream in the event of serious head injuries, Mobile Health News reports.

Traumatic brain injury occurs when an external mechanical force causes brain dysfunction, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Traumatic brain injury usually results from a violent blow or jolt to the head or body. An object penetrating the skull, such as a bullet or shattered piece of skull, also can cause traumatic brain injury .

Mild traumatic brain injury may cause temporary dysfunction of brain cells. More serious traumatic brain injury can result in bruising, torn tissues, bleeding and other physical damage to the brain that can result in long-term complications or death.

Traumatic brain injury can have wide-ranging physical and psychological effects. Some signs or symptoms may appear immediately after the traumatic event, while others may appear days or weeks later.

The signs and symptoms of mild traumatic brain injury may include:

Moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries

Moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries can include any of the signs and symptoms of mild injury, as well as the following symptoms that may appear within the first hours to days after a head injury:

One killed, another critically injured in head-on crash

Wed, 10 May 2017 10:00:00 GMT

One person was killed and another critically injured following a head-on collision in the Town of Lima on Monday. According to an article by the Daily Union, the man who died was from Janesville. The incident occurred on State Highway 59 by East Gould Road in the Town of Lima about 5:43 p.m., according to […]

One person was killed and another critically injured following a head-on collision in the Town of Lima on Monday. According to an article by the Daily Union, the man who died was from Janesville.

The incident occurred on State Highway 59 by East Gould Road in the Town of Lima about 5:43 p.m., according to the Rock County Sheriff’s Office, who responded to the two-vehicle crash .

Photos of the scene show the two vehicles that were involved in the collision were a sedan and a van.

“Preliminary investigation through physical evidence and witness statements at the scene revealed that the man had been driving the van east on State Highway 59,” the article reads. “The female reportedly was driving the sedan west in the eastbound lane of traffic, resulting in the collision.”

Sheriff’s officials who responded to the scene told media reporters they aren’t sure why the westbound vehicle deviated from its lane and that there were no signs of impairment involved in the crash . The incident is still under investigation.

An initial sheriff’s reports indicated that two people were injured as a result of the head-on collision and when officials arrived on scene, at least one person was already without a pulse and wasn’t breathing.

Fire and EMS workers extricated both drivers from their vehicles. At that time officials were able to confirm that one person was dead and one was in critical condition, the Daily Union reports.

“The deceased was a 59-year-old Janesville man, while the other motorist was a 52-year-old Whitewater woman,” the article reads. “According to a witness, the woman was transported by Whitewater EMS to Mercy North Hospital in Janesville and then flown to University of Wisconsin-Madison by Med-Flight helicopter.”

The Rock County Sheriff’s Office reported this week that the female driver is in critical, but stable condition as a result of injuries she sustained in the crash.

Traffic charges might be pending against the Whitewater woman.

Spit could predict head injury outcomes in children

Tue, 09 May 2017 14:58:00 GMT

A new study by researchers at Penn State revealed that testing a child’s spit following a potential concussion could tell doctors whether concussion symptoms will last for days or for weeks. The test measures fragments of genetic material found in saliva. According to an article on the NPR website, the saliva test was nearly 90 […]

A new study by researchers at Penn State revealed that testing a child’s spit following a potential concussion could tell doctors whether concussion symptoms will last for days or for weeks.

The test measures fragments of genetic material found in saliva.

According to an article on the NPR website, the saliva test was nearly 90 percent accurate in identifying children and adolescents whose symptoms persisted for at least a month. In contrast, a concussion survey that most doctors currently use was right less than 70 percent of the time.

“If the experimental test pans out, a pediatrician could collect saliva with a swab, send it off to the lab and then be able to call the family the next day,” says Steven Hicks, an assistant professor of pediatrics at Penn State Hershey,” the article reads. “Hicks helped develop the test and consults for a company that hopes to market concussion tests.”

The test could help doctors to properly asses and treat concussions, which affect more than one million children and adolescents in the U.S. each year.

While some cases of concussion are minor, only leaving children with symptoms for a few days, about 25 percent of child patients who sustain a concussion are left with prolonged symptoms such as nausea, headaches, cognitive issue, and fatigue. Those symptoms often last from one to four months following the injury.

There is currently no other test available that can evaluate how long concussion symptoms will last.

“Parents often say that their biggest concern is, ‘When is my child going to be back to normal again?’ ” Hicks says. “And that’s something we have a very difficult time predicting.”

Hicks and a team of researchers tested microRNAs, which often turn up in blood and even in saliva following an injury. The team studied 50 children between the ages of 7 and 18 who had sustained a concussion.

“When they came to our medical center and received the diagnosis of concussion, we evaluated them with some standard survey-based tools and then we also got a sample of their saliva,” Hicks says. Most samples were collected about a week after the injury.

The team measured the microRNA levels and eventually identified a handful that allowed them to predict how long concussion symptoms would last. The team also reportedly discovered one microRNA that allowed them to predict what symptoms a child with a concussion would experience.

“And microRNAs offer a promising way to assess concussions in adults as well as children,” the article reads.

Motorcyclist killed in Waukesha crash

Mon, 08 May 2017 14:33:00 GMT

A motorcyclist was killed and his passenger critically injured in a crash in Waukesha on Wednesday. According to an article by Waukesha Patch, the crash occurred on May 3 about 6:15 p.m. Multiple 911 calls came into the City of Waukesha Police and Fire Communications Center for a traffic crash that occurred at the intersection […]

A motorcyclist was killed and his passenger critically injured in a crash in Waukesha on Wednesday. According to an article by Waukesha Patch, the crash occurred on May 3 about 6:15 p.m.

Multiple 911 calls came into the City of Waukesha Police and Fire Communications Center for a traffic crash that occurred at the intersection of E. Main Street and Davidson Road.

“When the Waukesha Police and Fire Departments arrived on scene, they located a car and one motorcycle involved in the crash each with significant damage,” the Waukesha Patch article reads.

When first responders from the Waukesha Fire Department arrived on scene, they rendered aid to the two riders of the motorcycle. It was at that time they discovered the male rider was deceased. The female passenger on the motorcycle was transported by Flight for Life to Froedtert Hospital with life threatening injuries.

The driver of the car was not injured in the crash, Waukesha Patch reports.

“A Waukesha Police Accident Reconstruction Specialist was called to investigate the crash scene and that investigation is still ongoing,” the article reads. “The names of those involved are not being released until family notifications can be completed.”

No further information in relation to the crash has been released as of yet and there is no information in the article in regards to whose fault the crash was or whether anyone is facing any charges in connection to the crash.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation reports that an average of 509 people died each year on Wisconsin roads between 2009 and 2013. During that same time span, an average of 18,389 crashes occurred each year as a result of speeding, an average of 2,376 crashes involved a motorcyclist, an average of 91 motorcyclists died as a result of a crash, and an average of 2,161 motorcyclists were injured as a result of a crash each year on Wisconsin roadways.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation Crash Records Unit reports that so far this year, 142 people have died in a vehicle crash on Wisconsin roads.

Runner defies odds following traumatic brain injury

Sun, 07 May 2017 12:35:00 GMT

A distance runner in Colorado has defied the odds following a severe head injury and is set to run a 10K just three years and 11 months following a crash that left her severely injured and in a coma. An article by the Daily Camera News explains that Susi Devrient’s goal for this year’s Bolder […]

A distance runner in Colorado has defied the odds following a severe head injury and is set to run a 10K just three years and 11 months following a crash that left her severely injured and in a coma.

An article by the Daily Camera News explains that Susi Devrient’s goal for this year’s Bolder Boulder 10K was not just to run, but to run and not lose pace to the end of the race.

Devrient was in a coma that doctors said she would never wake from nearly four years ago. Now she is set to cross the finish line at Folsom Field.

“In 2013, Devrient suffered a severe traumatic brain injury when a driver parking his car literally ran her over,” the article reads. “It was one of the most harrowing incidents involving a driver hitting a pedestrian in Boulder County, one of the first responders said, and no one at the scene imagined that today she would be alive or enjoying such a high quality of life.”

A photo accompanying the article shows Devrient training for the race at Waneka Lake Park in Lafayette. Devrient is sporting a shirt in the photo that reads “I survived a brain injury , what’s your superpower?”

The Center for Disease Control says a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is caused by a bump, blow or jolt to a person’s head and it’s a major cause of disability and death across the U.S.

“Emergency rooms and hospitals report a general increase of cases over the last decade, with 2.8 million TBI-related ER visits, hospitalizations and deaths occurring in 2013 — the most recent year for which statistics are available. Survivors report multiple long-lasting effects, such as memory loss, impaired vision, hearing or speech, lack of hand-eye coordination, poor balance, fatigue and emotional changes, notably depression,” the CDC reports.

Devrient is set to run the 10K on Memorial Day. She not only trains and runs in long-distance marathons – she also shoots nature photography and spends time volunteering for Habitat for Humanity. At 57-years-old, Devrient says it’s thanks to first responders and doctors at Denver Health and Craig Hospital, the love and support from friends and neighbors, her Labrador retriever named Blue, and multiple fitness experts that she’s able to enjoy her life and pursue her passions.

“I’m also just stubborn,” Devrient says with a smile. “Life is tough, but so am I.”

According to CDC, the majority of deaths from TBIs are due to vehicle accidents, and TBI-related deaths account for 30 percent of all deaths caused by injury. Like many people with TBI, Devrient has no memory of the event, or 17 days after, which speaks to her diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Amnesia.

Devrient told reporters that throughout her extensive recovery, she already knew it was her goal to run in the Bolder Boulder again.

One killed, two others injured in two-vehicle crash

Sat, 06 May 2017 11:00:00 GMT

One person is dead and two others were injured following a two-vehicle crash in Oulu last week. According to an article posted on the Superior Telegram website, the Bayfield County Sheriff’s Office released the names of the three people involved in the fatal collision on Monday morning. “The deceased has been identified as Marcus Anthony […]

One person is dead and two others were injured following a two-vehicle crash in Oulu last week. According to an article posted on the Superior Telegram website , the Bayfield County Sheriff’s Office released the names of the three people involved in the fatal collision on Monday morning.

“The deceased has been identified as Marcus Anthony Tuura, 36, of Iron River. He is believed to have been the driver of one vehicle, according to Chief Deputy Dan Clark with the sheriff’s office,” the article reads. “His passenger was Renee Ann Ranta, 38, of Iron River. She was listed in fair condition at Essentia Health Tuesday, according to media relations specialist Maureen Talarico. The driver of the second vehicle was Zeke Nieder, 20, of Oulu. He has since been released from the hospital.”

The incident occurred just after 2 a.m. according to a media release sent out by Chief Deputy Dan Clark with the Bayfield County Sheriff’s Office. A 911 call reportedly came into the Bayfield County Communication Center about 2:09 a.m.

The caller informed the dispatcher that a crash had occurred near the intersection of county roads B and FF. About the same time as the first call was made, another person who called 911 reached the Douglas County Communication Center. That call came in from Maple and the person requested an ambulance for two people who were involved in the same crash.

When emergency responders arrived at the crash scene, they found Tuura, who was already dead. The two people in Maple were transported to Essentia Health in Duluth for injuries they sustained in the crash.

Responding officers told the media that there was no cell phone coverage available in the area where the crash occurred.

The Bayfield County Sheriff’s Office and the Wisconsin State Patrol are currently investigating the fatal crash. No other information about the incident, including whether or not someone is facing charges in connection to the crash, has been released to the public.

New study gauges outcome of war-time brain injuries

Fri, 05 May 2017 13:26:00 GMT

A new study recently published by JAMA Neurology studies the outcome of service members who have been diagnosed with concussive blast traumatic brain injury (TBI). While many wartime brain injuries are mild, such as mild concussions, some cause more permanent damage to the brain and can have long-lasting effects. “The study by Christine L. Mac […]

A new study recently published by JAMA Neurology studies the outcome of service members who have been diagnosed with concussive blast traumatic brain injury ( TBI ).

While many wartime brain injuries are mild, such as mild concussions, some cause more permanent damage to the brain and can have long-lasting effects.

“The study by Christine L. Mac Donald, Ph.D., of the University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, and coauthors included 50 active-duty U.S. military service members with concussive blast TBI and 44 service members who were combat-deployed but had no TBI,” according to an article published on the Science Daily website.

The service members were part of the study between 2008 and 2013 in Afghanistan or after being evacuated to a medical center located in Germany.

Clinical evaluations were completed after one and five years in the United States.

“Overall, 36 of the 50 patients with concussive blast TBI (72 percent) had a decline in an overall measure of disability from the one- to five-year evaluations, according to the results,” the article reads.

Some of the issues service members who had been diagnosed with concussive blast TBI dealt with as opposed to those without a TBI included, but were not limited to psychiatric problems, quality of life, neurobehavioral symptom severity, and sleep impairment.

Cognitive issues were reportedly no different between the two groups at the evaluation after five years, according to the article.

“Risk factors for poor outcomes after five years appear to be brain injury diagnosis, pre-injury intelligence, motor strength, verbal fluency and neurobehavioral symptom severity at one year, the authors report,” the article reads.

Also revealed in the study:

Eighty percent of those with a TBI reported seeking help from a licensed mental health professional, but only nine combat-deployed service patients with concussive blast TBI (18 percent) reported that mental health programs helped, according to the results.

The study notes some limitations, including its modest sample size.

“ Together these findings indicate progression of symptom severity beyond one year after injury. Many service members with concussive blast TBI experience evolution rather than resolution of symptoms from the one- to five-year outcomes. Even a small percentage of combat-deployed controls appeared to experience worsening over time. …”

One killed in crash with semi in Wisconsin

Thu, 04 May 2017 10:00:00 GMT

A crash early Thursday morning on State Highway 54 in Wisconsin Rapids claimed the life of one person. According to an article on the WSAW news website, the crash involved a car and a semi truck. “The crash was reported around 7:30 a.m. at the intersection of Highway 54 and Chestnut Street,” the article reads. […]

A crash early Thursday morning on State Highway 54 in Wisconsin Rapids claimed the life of one person. According to an article on the WSAW news website , the crash involved a car and a semi truck.

“The crash was reported around 7:30 a.m. at the intersection of Highway 54 and Chestnut Street,” the article reads. “That portion of the highway was closed for several hours.”

The driver of the car was an 88-year-old man who reportedly died at the scene of the crash. The crash is still under investigation.

According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation , as of April 23 of this year, 134 fatalities have been reported in the state as a result of a vehicle crash. Last year, 588 people died on Wisconsin roads, the Wisconsin DOT reports, 33 more than in 2015 and 94 more than in 2014.

According to the latest data gathered by the Wisconsin DOT, there was an average of 6,301 crashes between 2009 and 2014 involving large trucks and an average of 68 people died each year as a result of a crash with a large truck.

Within those same years there was an average of 1,975 injuries due to large truck collisions each year.

State Farm Insurance has posted a list of tips to share the road safely with semis and other large trucks.

According to the State Farm article , drivers of heavy trucks face a few difficulties on the road, including:

Here are a few tips to safely share the road with large trucks:

Jim Ross’ wife died due to brain injury complications, officials say

Wed, 03 May 2017 11:59:00 GMT

The Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiner released a public statement this week regarding the death of famed WWE broadcaster Jim Ross’ wife. Jim Ross wrote a blog post earlier this year about his wife, Jan, 55, who was in a vehicle crash and as a result sustained a brain injury. It was officially […]

The Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiner released a public statement this week regarding the death of famed WWE broadcaster Jim Ross’ wife.

Jim Ross wrote a blog post earlier this year about his wife, Jan, 55, who was in a vehicle crash and as a result sustained a brain injury . It was officially determined this week that Jan died as a result of the brain injury she sustained in the crash.

According to TMZ Sports , the examiner’s office determined Ross died after her Vespa was struck from behind by a car, an article on the Bleacher Report website reads.

TMZ reported that Jan was struck from behind by a Mercury Grand Marquis. A 17-year-old was driving the vehicle that struck her.

Jan was rushed to the hospital and was diagnosed with multiple skull fractures. A toxicology report in the case is still pending.

Each year traumatic brain injuries (TBI) contribute to a substantial number of deaths and cases of permanent disability. A TBI is caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head or a penetrating head injury.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an average of 52,000 deaths are reported each year as a result of traumatic brain injuries. An average of 275,000 people are hospitalized with a TBI each year in the United States, an average of 1.4 million people visit an emergency room as a result of a TBI each year, and the statistics of those who receive no medical care or treatment after sustaining a TBI is unknown.

An estimated 1.7 million people sustain a TBI annually in the U.S.

Falls are the leading cause of TBIs in the U.S. with the highest rates being for children under the age of 5-years-old and the elderly, those older than 75-years-old.

Motor vehicle and traffic-related injuries are the leading cause of TBI-related death. Rates are highest for adults aged 20 to 24-years-old.

There was an increase in TBI-related emergency department visits (14.4%) and hospitalizations (19.5%) from 2002 to 2006.

According to the Mayo Clinic, traumatic brain injury can have wide-ranging physical and psychological effects. Some signs or symptoms may appear immediately after the traumatic event, while others may appear days or weeks later.

A severe traumatic brain injury can cause loss of consciousness, fluid build-up, convulsions, seizures, vomiting, nausea, weakness and numbness in limbs, coma, and death.

Passenger on motorcycle seriously injured in crash, driver faces charges

Tue, 02 May 2017 10:00:00 GMT

A woman was seriously injured Saturday night in a motorcycle crash on Highway 8 in Polk County. According to an article by Hudson Patch, the woman is a 36-year-old from Minnesota. She was a passenger on the motorcycle and sustained life-threatening injuries after the driver crashed on a roundabout. The driver of the motorcycle has […]

A woman was seriously injured Saturday night in a motorcycle crash on Highway 8 in Polk County. According to an article by Hudson Patch, the woman is a 36-year-old from Minnesota.

She was a passenger on the motorcycle and sustained life-threatening injuries after the driver crashed on a roundabout. The driver of the motorcycle has since been charged in connection to the crash .

Police have identified the woman as 36-year-old Jennifer Bisel.

“According to police, on April 22, at 10:30 pm, a motorcycle with two occupants was westbound on Highway 8 in Polk County, when the operator failed to negotiate the roundabout at the intersection of Highway 46 southbound,” Hudson Patch reports.

Police told the media that the motorcycle ran through the grass section of the center mound of the roundabout, causing the driver to lose control and crash on the back side of the center mound. Both the driver and Bisel were injured as a result of the crash.

“The passenger, Jennifer Bisel, was airlifted and the operator was transported by ambulance to Regions Hospital in St. Paul, MN,” the article reads.

The driver of the motorcycle was arrested and charged as a result of the crash and neither of the occupants of the motorcycle was believed to be wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. The driver of the motorcycle reportedly sustained non-life-threatening injuries as a result of the crash.

The Milwaukee Wisconsin Journal-Sentinel published an article in 2015 showing that state records reported fatal motorcycle crashes were up 15 percent compared to the year before.

The numbers had fallen to 83 deaths in 2013 and 67 in 2014.

Mild TBI and long-term cognitive function

Mon, 01 May 2017 14:34:00 GMT

About half of individuals who have experienced a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), also referred to as a concussion, may also experience long-term cognitive function issues, according to a new study. Mild traumatic brain injury is the most common type of traumatic brain injury, according to a press release posted on the National Law Review […]

Mild traumatic brain injury is the most common type of traumatic brain injury , according to a press release posted on the National Law Review website.

mTBI has been known to cause symptoms ranging from severe headaches to cognitive function impairment. Other symptoms include depression, fatigue, anxiety, confusion, pain, and irritability.

Early MTBI symptoms may appear mild, but they can lead to significant, life-long impairment in an individual’s ability to function physically, cognitively, and psychologically, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Each year in the United States approximately 1.5 million Americans sustain traumatic brain injuries, ranging from mild to severe; 50,000 people die from TBIs; and 230,000 people are hospitalized due to TBIs and survive.

According to the CDC, data suggest that as many as 75 percent of all brain-injured people sustain mTBIs. mTBIs cost the nation nearly $17 billion each year.

Experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s mTBI Working Group define a case of mTBI as the occurrence of injury to the head arising from blunt trauma with acceleration of any of the aforementioned symptoms.

“The time it takes for symptoms to resolve in the majority of individuals is thought to be approximately three months; however, some individuals continue to experience symptoms beyond that time period,” the press release reads. “Those with persistent symptoms are said to experience persistent post-concussion syndrome.”

Previous data suggests about 15 percent of people who get a concussion will go on to experience long-term cognitive impairment, but a new study on the topic suggest that this widely cited figure could be a gross underestimation.

Researchers in the mTBI study performed a scoping review of the literature reporting such longer-term cognitive outcomes.

“The goal was to identify the impact of a single concussion on cognitive function in the chronic stage – more than three months – post-injury,” the release about the study reads. “Data relating to the presence/absence of cognitive impairment were extracted from 45 studies. The researchers noted the inconsistency between clear evidence of longer term pathophysiological changes resulting from mTBI and the number of individuals reporting longer term mTBI-related symptoms, particularly impaired cognitive function.”

It was concluded that about 50 percent of people who experienced a single mTBI demonstrate long-term cognitive impairment.

Trailer malfunction releases toxic gas in Kenosha

Sun, 30 Apr 2017 10:00:00 GMT

A pick-up truck hauling two tanks of anhydrous ammonia in the Town of Paris last Wednesday morning reportedly released the toxic gases after a valve on the tank trailer malfunctioned. According to an article by the Beloit Daily News, authorities gave the all-clear by about 3:40 p.m. Wednesday. Exposure to high concentrations of ammonia in […]

A pick-up truck hauling two tanks of anhydrous ammonia in the Town of Paris last Wednesday morning reportedly released the toxic gases after a valve on the tank trailer malfunctioned.

According to an article by the Beloit Daily News , authorities gave the all-clear by about 3:40 p.m. Wednesday.

Exposure to high concentrations of ammonia in air causes immediate burning of the nose, throat and respiratory tract, which can cause bronchiolar and alveolar edema, and airway destruction resulting in respiratory distress or failure. Inhalation of lower concentrations can cause coughing, and nose and throat irritation.

“Crews were able to close the valve, ending the leak,” the article reads. “But residents were told to stay indoors and close doors and windows, and roads entering the town were closed.”

The truck driver was not injured as a result of the leak and an elderly man who lived near where the leak occurred was evacuated from his home.

“By late afternoon authorities said roads had reopened and there was no longer any danger to the public. The incident remains under investigation,” the article reads.

Water is the most important emergency treatment given for anhydrous ammonia exposures before advanced medical services arrive, according to first aid safety information on the Minnesota Department of Agriculture website.

Anhydrous ammonia is hydrophilic, which is to say it has a strong affinity for water. When anhydrous ammonia vapor or liquid comes in contact with water it forms the corrosive alkaline ammonium hydroxide.

When anhydrous ammonia gas or liquid comes in contact with the human body three types of injuries may result:

There is no cure for ammonia poisoning. First aid consists of decontamination, maintaining open airway, and respiration support followed by rapid transport to an advanced medical care facility. After decontamination, no special protective clothing is required for those caring for the injured.

Children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems are more vulnerable to injury when exposed to ammonia.

Researchers: Circadian rhythm offers clues in brain injury recovery

Sat, 29 Apr 2017 11:48:00 GMT

A group of researchers at the University of Surrey are studying the role of the body’s circadian rhythm in relation to recovery of consciousness in patients with severe brain injuries. An article posted on the Psych Central website says that the circadian body temperature holds vital clues to the state of a brain injury patient’s […]

A group of researchers at the University of Surrey are studying the role of the body’s circadian rhythm in relation to recovery of consciousness in patients with severe brain injuries.

An article posted on the Psych Central website says that the circadian body temperature holds vital clues to the state of a brain injury patient’s consciousness. Learning more about the relation could possibly enable doctors to tailor medical treatments more effectively.

Circadian rhythm (also known as your sleep/wake cycle or body clock) is a natural, internal system that’s designed to regulate feelings of sleepiness and wakefulness over a 24-hour period, according to an article on the Sleep-Science website.

This complex timekeeper is controlled by an area of the brain that responds to light, which is why humans are most alert while the sun is shining and are ready to sleep when it’s dark outside.

Core body temperature tends to fluctuate throughout the day.

“Prior to our study little was known about the circadian rhythms of patients with brain injuries,” co-researcher Dr. Nayantara Santhi from the Surrey Sleep Research Centre at the University of Surrey said in the article. “What we have learned is that the circadian body temperature holds vital clues to the state of consciousness of patients which could potentially enable doctors to tailor medical treatment more effectively. Circadian rhythms hold the secret to the workings of the body and we will be looking further into this in future research.”

The study shows that patients who scored better on a Coma Recovery Scale-Revised had body temperature patterns more closely aligned with a healthy 24-hour rhythm.

Results of the study confirm a relationship between circadian body temperature changes and the level of consciousness of a brain injury patient.

“This new finding suggests that a patient’s consciousness levels should be assessed during time windows when their circadian rhythm predicts they will be more responsive,” the article reads.

The researchers also investigated the effects of bright light stimulation on patients with severe brain injuries.

One dead following crash in Brown County

Fri, 28 Apr 2017 10:00:00 GMT

One person is dead following a Sunday crash in Brown County, Wisconsin. Various media reports say the incident occurred on the shoulder of Interstate 41 just before noon. The Green Bay Press-Gazette reports that authorities closed part of the road for more than three hours to investigate the fatal crash. “Police said a car slammed […]

One person is dead following a Sunday crash in Brown County, Wisconsin. Various media reports say the incident occurred on the shoulder of Interstate 41 just before noon.

The Green Bay Press-Gazette reports that authorities closed part of the road for more than three hours to investigate the fatal crash .

“Police said a car slammed into [another] car that had stopped on the west shoulder of I-41 just before noon, killing a man in the stopped car,” the Green Bay Press-Gazette article reads. “The victim’s identity is not being released until family can be notified.”

Southbound 41 was closed until almost 3:30 p.m. as authorities investigated the crash scene.

Hobart-Lawrence Police Lt. Dan Van Lanen said in a news release sent to the newspaper that a 29-year-old Green Bay man was driving the car that struck the parked vehicle. Speed and other factors are thought to be what caused the crash.

Reports say that criminal charges are pending in connection to the incident.

“Authorities detoured southbound traffic west on Scheuring Road, to south on Mid Valley Drive to Brown County S to 41,” the Green Bay Press-Gazette reports.

The crash was immediately south of Scheuring Road.

Between 2009 and 2014, an average of 29,036 injury crashes were reported in the state of Wisconsin and a total average of 111,791 crashes were reported to the Wisconsin Department Of Transportation (DOT).

In Brown County, 18 fatalities as a result of a vehicle crash were reported to the Wisconsin DOT in 2016 – three more than in 2015 and nine more than 2014. As of April 17 of this year, seven fatalities have been reported to the Wisconsin DOT in Brown County.

Across the state, 590 fatalities were reported on Wisconsin roads last year, 35 more than in 2015 and 96 more than in 2014. So far this year (as of April 17), 126 people have died as a result of a crash on Wisconsin roadways, according to the Wisconsin DOT.

U.S. Army vets file suit after they say army fails to recognize mental health conditions

Thu, 27 Apr 2017 10:00:00 GMT

Two Army veterans who fought in Afghanistan and Iraq filed a federal lawsuit Monday against the U.S. Army. The lawsuit claims the Army has issued “less-than-honorable” discharges for potentially thousands of soldiers and other service members without adequately determining whether or not they suffer from mental health conditions such as traumatic brain injury and post […]

Two Army veterans who fought in Afghanistan and Iraq filed a federal lawsuit Monday against the U.S. Army.

The lawsuit claims the Army has issued “less-than-honorable” discharges for potentially thousands of soldiers and other service members without adequately determining whether or not they suffer from mental health conditions such as traumatic brain injury and post traumatic stress disorder.

The lawsuit, which was filed in Connecticut by Yale Law School Veterans Legal Services Clinic, is seeking class-action status, according to an article on the Military.com website.

“An Army spokeswoman said the branch doesn’t comment on pending litigation,” the article reads.

Steve Kennedy, who is one of the plaintiffs, said he developed PTSD and depression after fighting in Iraq in 2007 and 2008. Kennedy began abusing alcohol and cutting himself as a means to cope with his depression.

“After going absent-without-leave to attend his own wedding, he was diagnosed by the Army with depression, and he received a general discharge because he had gone AWOL,” according to the lawsuit.

Later, Kennedy was also diagnosed with PTSD by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Despite his diagnosis, Kennedy said his discharge status prevented him from receiving benefits including tax exemptions and scholarships that are open only to honorably discharged veterans, the lawsuit said.

Kennedy says in the article that his PTSD became impossible to manage without professional help, so his commander reportedly told him that the only way he could get the help he so desperately needed was to leave the Army with a “bad paper discharge.”

“Just like that, the Army wiped away years of distinguished service to my country and deemed it less than Honorable,” Kennedy says in the article.

The lawsuit is aimed at the review boards that give veterans the opportunity to contest discharges that may have been unjustly harsh.

“It is the first lawsuit to argue that the Army Discharge Review Boards are inconsistently following a requirement that they apply a liberal standard to considerations of veterans’ claims alleging PTSD or related conditions, according to Mario Gazzola, a law student intern with the Yale clinic.”

CRPS study could help those affected

Wed, 26 Apr 2017 15:44:00 GMT

A CRPS study is underway at select centers across the U.S. and other regions.

Doctors at the centers are currently seeking participants for a clinical study aimed at improving Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) symptoms in patients.

Participants will be asked to take an oral medication that may improve symptoms of CRPS.People who suspect they may have CRPS or those who have been diagnosed within the past six months may qualify to participate in the study.

What is CRPS?

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic condition that usually affects one limb, typically an arm, hand, leg, or foot, following an injury. CRPS is believed to be caused by damage to the peripheral and or central nervous systems. It is characterized by prolonged or excessive pain along with other changes in the limb such as swelling and temperature.

There are two types of CRPS-I and type-II.

CRPS Type I: People don’t have confirmed nerve damage, and people who do are diagnosed with CRPS-II.

CRPS symptoms can vary in severity. Sometimes mild CRPS eventually heals and goes away. In more severe cases, people may not recover and it’s classified as a long-term disability.

Who does CRPS affect?

CRPS can occur in anyone at any age, but it peaks at age 40. It is more common in women, and rare in the elderly and young children.

What are the symptoms of CRPS?

What causes CRPS?

Doctors and scientists aren’t sure why some people develop CRPS while others do not. It is confirmed that in more than 90 percent of CRPS cases, it’s triggered by trauma to the limb(s) such as a break, sprain, burn, or tissue/tendon injury. CRPS represents an abnormal response that exemplifies the symptoms of the injury. Small fibers in the nerves communicate with blood vessels, so injuries to the fibers may trigger different symptoms.

CRPS can also affect the immune system releasing high levels of inflammatory chemicals. It’s been suggested that CRPS could be genetic.

You may be eligible to participate in the study if your …

Should you qualify and choose to join the study, you will receive all study-related care at no cost. This includes medications and any visits associated with the study. You may also be compensated for your time and travel to attend study visits.

Wisconsin motorcyclist dies after striking stray cow

Tue, 25 Apr 2017 11:08:00 GMT

A Wisconsin man is dead after he crashed his motorcycle into a stray cow that was in the roadway on Saturday night. According to a Pierce County press release, the man was from Arkansaw, Wisconsin and was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. The Pierce County Sheriff’s Department were called to a motorcycle versus livestock […]

A Wisconsin man is dead after he crashed his motorcycle into a stray cow that was in the roadway on Saturday night.

According to a Pierce County press release, the man was from Arkansaw, Wisconsin and was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash .

The Pierce County Sheriff’s Department were called to a motorcycle versus livestock crash with injury at 8:49 p.m. April 15, according to an article that was posted on the WQOW website. “The department responded near the intersection of Cty Tk S and Cty Tk X in Rock Elm Township.”

David Alan Kelch, who was 56-years-old, was reportedly driving a 2005 Honda motorcycle south on Cty Tk S when he struck the cow, which was apparently in the middle of the road.

“Elmwood EMS arrived on scene and attempted to transport Kelch from the scene, but Kelch died before reaching the hospital,” the article reads.

Wisconsin Livestock laws require that no livestock shall run at large on a highway at any time except to go from one farm parcel to another.

“If the owner or keeper of livestock knowingly permits livestock to run at large on a highway, except when going from one farm parcel to another, and after notice by any peace officer fails to remove the livestock from the highway, the owner or keeper may be fined not more than $200.”

Other Wisconsin livestock laws have strict regulations in regards to required fencing of livestock animals.

There’s no mention in the article about whether the cow suffered injuries as a result of the crash or if someone is facing charges in connection to the fatal incident.

The crash remains under investigation by the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office.

The Milwaukee Wisconsin Journal-Sentinel published an article in 2015 showing that state records reported fatal motorcycle crashes were up 15 percent compared to the year before.

The numbers had fallen to 83 deaths in 2013 and 67 in 2014.

Documentary on TBI debuted Saturday

Mon, 24 Apr 2017 10:00:00 GMT

A documentary that follows a traumatic brain injury survivor and her family debuted this weekend in Delaware. The documentary was five years in the making. The documentary, entitled “Brain Crumbs” follows Corey Beattie and shares an inside look into how the family has used cooking therapy to help with Beattie’s recovery. Beattie was in a […]

A documentary that follows a traumatic brain injury survivor and her family debuted this weekend in Delaware. The documentary was five years in the making.

The documentary, entitled “Brain Crumbs” follows Corey Beattie and shares an inside look into how the family has used cooking therapy to help with Beattie’s recovery. Beattie was in a vehicle crash in 2010 that left her with permanent brain damage.

A screening of “Brain Crumbs” took place April 22, at the Penn Cinema Riverfront & Imax theater at 401 South Madison Street in Wilmington, Del. A panel of traumatic brain injury experts were also on hand after the showing for a question-and-answer session, according to an article by the Chester County Press .

It was a private screening with limited ticket availability.

According to Corey’s mother, Marie, Corey was a senior in high school at the time of her injury and was planning to pursue a career as a chef.

“Our unique approach is highlighted by interviews from an anthropologist from the University of Pennsylvania discussing the history of food and why food heals,” Marie Beattie explained. “In addition, a neuro-behavioral psychologist discusses why Corey’s memory is enhanced by the unique therapy.”

A family friend produced, wrote and directed the documentary through his production company Farmcat Media.

Farmcat Media also created Corey’s website and blog, www.recoverythyme.com , which she is using as part of the cognitive therapy.

Corey will be posting recipes on the site, and will be adding resource links for traumatic brain injury survivors and their families.

Marie told the Chester County Press they hope to enter the full-length feature film in festivals while also using it as a tool to spread awareness about traumatic brain injury and the recovery process involved when dealing with brain injuries. They also hope it helps other families and victims of traumatic brain injury.

Several films and documentaries about brain injuries have been created including, but not limited to, “Crush,” “Midnight Clear,” “The Vow,” “Broken,” and “My Beautiful Broken Brain.”

More traumatic brain injuries sustained in spring

Sun, 23 Apr 2017 11:44:00 GMT

Warmer weather usually means people spend more time outside. Hiking, boating, playing sports and traveling to vacation destinations means people are exposed to potential risky activities and experts say because of that, they tend to see more traumatic brain injuries reported in the spring. Brain injuries can range from a mild concussion to severe trauma, […]

Warmer weather usually means people spend more time outside.

Hiking, boating, playing sports and traveling to vacation destinations means people are exposed to potential risky activities and experts say because of that, they tend to see more traumatic brain injuries reported in the spring.

Brain injuries can range from a mild concussion to severe trauma, but following a blow to the head, a traumatic brain injury can lead to life-long physical and mental issues.

Dr. Gerald York, a neuroradiologist at Imaging Associates, monitors patients and looks at what’s known as white matter in the brain, an article on the KTUU website reads .

Activities such as skateboarding, contact sports, water skiing, swimming and roller skating puts individuals — especially young children — at risk of traumatic brain injury . York says in the article that the best way to prevent TBI is to wear a helmet, especially during sports or while riding a bicycle or motorcycle.

“While 80 percent of head injuries are mild, Dr. York said there are some tell-tale symptoms, when people should see a physician,” the article reads.

Some symptoms to look out for include dizziness, nausea, headaches, trouble with eyesight or speech, or unconsciousness.

According to the Mayo Clinic, mild traumatic brain injury may cause temporary dysfunction of brain cells. More serious traumatic brain injury can result in bruising, torn tissues, bleeding and other physical damage to the brain that can result in long-term complications or even death.

Traumatic brain injury can have wide-ranging physical and psychological effects. Some signs or symptoms may appear immediately after the traumatic event, while others may appear days or weeks later.

“If they have persistent headaches, they have dizziness-nausea, [or] they have severe worsening headaches – those are the patients we want to get in to see a provider and do imaging,” York said in the article. “Other symptoms can include a loss of consciousness, memory loss and difficulty processing or performing daily functions.”

Pedestrian struck, killed in Milwaukee

Sat, 22 Apr 2017 11:51:00 GMT

A pedestrian was struck by a vehicle on Milwaukee’s south side Tuesday. According to an article published by CBS-58, the 62-year-old was struck near 35th and Mitchell about 3:30 p.m. in front of Greenfield Bilingual School. The driver of the vehicle that struck the man didn’t stop, but kept driving. “When he got hit, he […]

A pedestrian was struck by a vehicle on Milwaukee’s south side Tuesday. According to an article published by CBS-58 , the 62-year-old was struck near 35 ^th and Mitchell about 3:30 p.m. in front of Greenfield Bilingual School.

The driver of the vehicle that struck the man didn’t stop, but kept driving.

“When he got hit, he got thrown in the air and he smacked onto the floor,” a witness told the news station. “[The driver] kept going. That’s crazy,” she said.

The article says there are unconfirmed reports that the man was walking two children across the street when he was struck.

“He pushed them out of the way as soon as he saw the dude coming, and he smacked him” a witness said. “It was too late to get himself out of the way. To save his kids he threw them out of the way, and that’s what a father is supposed to do, is save their kids.”

Due to an investigation into the pedestrian hit and run, police closed a portion of 35 ^th street for several hours to interview witnesses and take measurements of the crime scene.

“It’s a tragedy to see someone lose their life, and have two small kids growing up without a father,” another witness told CBS .

The Milwaukee Police Department said they believe they’ve found a vehicle that was involved in the hit and run and they are currently working to confirm that it is the vehicle that struck the victim.

The driver of that vehicle still hasn’t been found.

Witnesses told CBS they were shocked saying “who does that,” and that “they should turn themselves in” to police.

In 2001, one pedestrian was injured or killed every 5 hours and 12 minutes in Wisconsin,” according to a study by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation .

About 60 pedestrians are killed each year in Wisconsin and another 350 are seriously injured. Another 1,200 or more suffer injuries ranging from minor to serious, but not incapacitating. Only 36 pedestrians escaped injury in these crashes.

A study into pedestrian crashes in Wisconsin revealed that the most common type of crash involves a person crossing an intersection.

Wisconsin father honors daughter’s life with 2K mile bike ride

Fri, 21 Apr 2017 14:09:00 GMT

A Wisconsin father who lost his daughter to brain injury in January is putting foot to pedal in order to bring awareness to the importance of organ donation. According to an article on the WMTV website, April is also National Donate Life Month. Bill Conner told WMTV that his daughter, Abbey Conner, passed away at 20-years-old following […]

Bill Conner told WMTV that his daughter, Abbey Conner, passed away at 20-years-old following a tragic pool accident that left her with a brain injury when the family was on vacation in Mexico. She was a college student at UW-Whitewater at the time of her passing.

“At the mass in Pewaukee, they had to put chairs out. It’s a big church and they had to put chairs out for the amount of people who showed up,” Bill Conner told WMTV .

Bill told reporters that Abbey was the type of person who cared about people, calling her a pistol and remembering that she was always smiling.

It was during a family vacation to Cancun just three months ago that their lives were altered forever.

“My kids were at this hotel for less than two hours. The last thing my son remembers is having a drink in the pool,” said Conner. “The next thing my son remembers is they woke up in the hospital. Somebody got to them… This was at 5:30 in the afternoon, daylight, exclusive hotel and you just don’t think it’ll happen to you.”

The article does not mention whether Bill’s son, Austin, was injured also, but it does mention that he will be graduating on May 22 from UW-Milwaukee and Bill will start his journey from Madison, Wisconsin to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida the next day.

The ride is called Abbey’s Ride For Life and Bill said it’s all about healing and sharing the importance of organ donation.

“I’m riding to the hospital that took care of my daughter. I’m riding to the hospital that harvested Abbey’s organs,” said Conner.

According to the article, four recipients received Abbey’s organs. Her kidneys, eyes, liver, pancreas, and other tissues were donated following her accident .

Bill told the news station that his daughter’s organs being donated helped him to realize that her death wasn’t in vain.

Bill will bike more than 2 thousand miles and said his inspiration for every push of his pedal will be to carry Abbey’s name forward and to spread awareness about organ donation.

“That’s what she’d want me to do,” said Conner.

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee to host ‘Trauma in Our Community Conference’

Thu, 20 Apr 2017 10:00:00 GMT

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is partnering with community organizations to address the lasting effects of trauma on individuals, including traumatic brain injury. The conference, which is scheduled for June 15-16 at the Hilton Milwaukee City Center, is the first of its kind, according to a press release posted on the Urban Milwaukee website. “Some health […]

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is partnering with community organizations to address the lasting effects of trauma on individuals, including traumatic brain injury .

The conference, which is scheduled for June 15-16 at the Hilton Milwaukee City Center, is the first of its kind, according to a press release posted on the Urban Milwaukee website.

“Some health care professionals call it ‘the hidden epidemic’ – the long-lasting effects of traumatic experiences on children and families,” the press release reads. “According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, anyone can be subjected to a wide range of traumatic events, from being physically injured to sustaining traumatic brain injury , to witnessing suffering from the aftermath of violence.”

The press release cites a national study by the department that shows 61 percent of men and 51 percent of women will experience at least one form of trauma in their lifetime.

“This conference will feature national and regional experts on trauma and is designed for professionals in educational, medical and clinical practices throughout Southeast Wisconsin, including parents, teachers, school and youth counselors, therapists and psychologists,” the press release reads.

Trauma can be devastating to individuals, their families, and the community. And when trauma strikes children, it can be even more devastating, according to the press release. Because children aren’t yet physically or emotionally mature, it can be particularly hard from them and even affect their cognitive development.

“June has been designated as PTSD Awareness Month,” the press release reads. “Research by U.S. agencies concerned with trauma shows that trauma disrupts the central nervous system and overwhelms a person’s ability to cope. It often results in feeling vulnerable, helpless and afraid. It interferes with relationships and fundamental beliefs about oneself, others, and one’s place in the world.”

For more information on UWM’s “Trauma in Our Community” conference, and to register, visit www.uwm.edu/sce , or call Angela Kelber , 414-227-3314, kelbers2@uwm.edu .

Motorcyclist dead after being struck by Jeep

Wed, 19 Apr 2017 14:24:00 GMT

A motorcyclist was killed on April 15 after he was struck by a 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee. According to various media reports, the fatal crash happened about 10 a.m. Saturday at W. Appleton Avenue and W. Silver Spring Drive. “Authorities say a 32-year-old man was on his motorcycle and traveling at a high rate of […]

A motorcyclist was killed on April 15 after he was struck by a 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

According to various media reports, the fatal crash happened about 10 a.m. Saturday at W. Appleton Avenue and W. Silver Spring Drive.

“Authorities say a 32-year-old man was on his motorcycle and traveling at a high rate of speed when he was struck by the driver of a 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee,” an article published on the Greenfield Patch website reads.

According to the Patch article, emergency responders did use lifesaving measures on the motorcycle driver when they arrived on scene, but he was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash soon after.

“The adult male driver of the Jeep was uninjured and remained on scene,” the article reads.

The name of the victim and the driver of the Jeep were not released to the public as of Tuesday morning. There’s also no mention in the article whether the driver of the Jeep is facing any criminal charges in connection to the incident. Milwaukee police continue to investigate the incident.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation Crash Records Unit reports that so far this year, 126 people have died in a vehicle crash. Last year, 74 fatalities due to some sort of vehicle crash were reported to the Wisconsin DOT in Milwaukee and as of April 16, 24 people have reportedly died on Milwaukee roads so far this year.

Student walking on sidewalk struck, killed

Tue, 18 Apr 2017 14:32:00 GMT

A University of Wisconsin-Madison student was walking on a South Park Street sidewalk and was struck by a vehicle Saturday night. She died as a result of injuries she sustained from the incident. Two other people were also struck and injured. According to an article in the Wisconsin State Journal, Wenxin Huai, who was 24-years-old, […]

According to an article in the Wisconsin State Journal, Wenxin Huai, who was 24-years-old, is being remembered as a bright young woman who was just a month away from earning her master’s degree and moving back home to China to start her career. Now, the man who struck her and two other people is expected to face homicide charges.

“Madison police said Huai was walking in the 400 block of South Park Street around 7:40 p.m. Saturday when she was struck by the SUV,” the article reads. “Authorities said the man was driving west on West Washington Avenue and turning onto South Park Street when his car left the road and went onto the sidewalk of the block that includes Mason Lounge and Falbo Bros.Pizza.”

The Dane County Medical Examiner’s Office told reporters that Haui died later at the hospital due to her extensive injuries. As of Tuesday morning, the name of the driver who struck the three people had not been identified publicly. Police did say he is a 32-year-old man from Madison. He was also injured as a result of the crash and is currently being treated at a local hospital.

Madison police spokesman Joel DeSpain told reporters that once the driver is released from the hospital, he will be arrested on multiple tentative criminal charges.

“Two other pedestrians who were injured in the crash were treated at the scene and have not been identified,” the article reads.

A professor who worked with Huai on her research about how changing demographics in China is affecting the employment rates, spoke out and said that Huai was one of the best students she has worked with.

“She was just exceptionally hard working, very talented,” Ananth Seshadri, chairman of the Department of Economics said. “When you gave her a task or gave her suggestions she would take every one of them very seriously and come back the next week with well-thought-out ways of dealing with those ideas.”

Friends and family have started a small memorial at the site of the crash and as of Monday, there were flowers and a card filled with messages in both Chinese and English.

Parents of disabled teen defend Wisconsin independent living facility in letter to the editor

Mon, 17 Apr 2017 15:02:00 GMT

The parents of a 29-year-old developmentally and visually impaired daughter sent a letter to the editor of The Journal Times defending a Wisconsin independent living facility following a recent attack that occurred at the location. Some negative press about the facility prompted the parents to send the letter, which defends the facility their daughter currently […]

Some negative press about the facility prompted the parents to send the letter, which defends the facility their daughter currently resides at.

“Spanning the past couple decades, we have become familiar with many of the other organizations/companies across the state that serve the handicapped,” the letter reads. “Without exception, Alpha Homes of Wisconsin provides the most comprehensive and high quality services of any.”

Alpha Homes of Wisconsin was founded in 1986 with the belief that people with disabilities are valuable individuals capable of contributing to the community in which they live, according to their website.

“We are dedicated to empowering individuals to live and participate in community life, to meet their dreams and desire to live in the least restrictive setting. We take pride in providing a nurturing home environment and establishing a relationship with each individual based on friendship, trust, and support rather than custodial supervision.”

Alpha Homes has customized programs to represent individual clients’ needs.

“We are writing in response to recent stories covered in this newspaper about Alpha Homes of Wisconsin. … They currently operate 23 four-bed homes in the Racine and Kenosha areas. People placed in their care suffer from severe developmental disabilities, traumatic brain injuries, physical disabilities, mental illness, communication problems and hearing and vision problems,” the parents wrote.

The couple is referring to an incident last month in which the home’s manager called police to report a man had attacked a woman at one of the homes run by Alpha Homes.

A 21-year-old resident living at the facility was charged in connection to the incident.

According to the criminal complaint, the man punched and damaged a wall at the home and tried to throw an office chair. Police were called after the man became aggressive to a woman at the location and tried to punch her, but she was able to block the punch, according to the report.

The family who wrote the news outlet said Alpha Homes runs a tight ship and require excellence from their staff.

“Caring for these people requires special caregivers who provide extensive personal cares like bathing and managing toileting needs, dispensing medications, preparing meals, feeding the clients, dressing and undressing the clients, doing the laundry and taking the clients to doctor and dentist appointments, just to name a few,” the letter reads. “They require excellence from their staff and excellent care of the handicapped people in their homes. They all maintain good communication with the legal guardians and family members of their clients. They also do a superb job of maintaining the physical house and yard of the homes they operate which are in regular residential neighborhoods.”

Two injured in Pierce County crash

Sat, 15 Apr 2017 11:52:00 GMT

Two people were injured in a two-vehicle crash in Pierce County on Wednesday. According to various media reports, the incident occurred that afternoon. The two were driving in Trimbelle Township, Wisconsin when the vehicle they were traveling in was struck by a Ford F250. “The Pierce County Sheriff’s Office reports that a 1995 GMC Sierra […]

Two people were injured in a two-vehicle crash in Pierce County on Wednesday. According to various media reports, the incident occurred that afternoon.

The two were driving in Trimbelle Township, Wisconsin when the vehicle they were traveling in was struck by a Ford F250.

“The Pierce County Sheriff’s Office reports that a 1995 GMC Sierra driven by 37-year-old Angel M. Conner of Boyceville, Wis. was traveling west on County Road J near 870th Street at around 5:26 p.m. Wednesday.

An eastbound 2003 Ford F250 being driven by 32-year-old Jared M. Nelson of River Falls crossed the centerline while negotiating a curve,” an article published on the KSTP website reads.

As a result, the Ford F250 struck the Sierra.

The two people who were traveling in the Sierra, Conner and Michael J. Hultman, 47-years-old, who was riding in the front seat passenger side of the car, were injured as a result of the crash .

They were both transported to River Falls Area Hospital with injuries.

The article does not mention the extent of their injuries or whether Nelson was charged with anything in connection to the collision.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s preliminary data shows that 590 people died on Wisconsin roads last year as a result of some sort of traffic collision. So far, in 2017, 114 fatalities have been reported to the Wisconsin DOT. Ten fatalities were reported in Pierce County last year and two so far this year.

Between 2009 and 2014, an average of 29,036 injury crashes were reported in the state of Wisconsin and a total average of 111,791 crashes were reported to the Wisconsin DOT.

In Pierce County, an average of 504 crashes were reported to the Wisconsin DOT from 2009 to 2014. The county with the highest average of crashes between 2009 and 2014 was Milwaukee, with an average of 19,800 crashes being reported to the DOT.

Wisconsin nurse under fire following abuse allegations

Fri, 14 Apr 2017 14:20:00 GMT

A Wisconsin nurse who worked at a Norwood Health Care Center has been charged with intentionally abusing patients. An article posted on the Marshfield News-Herald website says that Rosemary Carlson, 60, of Arpin, allegedly pulled a patient’s hair and tried to force pills that had fallen on the floor into another patient’s mouth. The health […]

A Wisconsin nurse who worked at a Norwood Health Care Center has been charged with intentionally abusing patients.

An article posted on the Marshfield News-Herald website says that Rosemary Carlson, 60, of Arpin, allegedly pulled a patient’s hair and tried to force pills that had fallen on the floor into another patient’s mouth.

The health care center is located in Marshfield and Carlson was a nurse there. Another nurse who works at the facility said she witnessed Carlson pulling a man’s hair who has a traumatic brain injury . The incident occurred on Oct. 20 last year and Carlson made her initial appearance in Wood County Circuit Court Monday morning, according to the news article.

Court documents say another coworker also witnessed Carl telling the TBI victim that he acted like a 2-year-old, so she would treat him like a 2-year-old.

“When Carlson left the patient’s room, she said to the second nurse, ‘That’s what you do; you pull hair so there are no bruises,’ according to documents,” the article reads.

Court documents also say that one of the nurses witnessed Carlson trying to force-feed another patient pills that had fallen on the floor while she was working in the traumatic brain injury department.

“The nurse walked into the room and saw Carlson trying to force-feed medication to a patient by prying open his mouth, according to court documents,” the article reads. “The patient spit the pills onto the floor, and Carlson picked them up and against tried to stuff them into his mouth, according to the documents.”

The coworker reportedly tried to get Carlson to stop force-feeding the TBI patient by explaining to her the man had already taken his pills in pudding, but that wasn’t enough to stop her. Court documents say Carlson continued to force the medication into the patient’s mouth and then told her coworkers to not “breathe a word” about the incident.

“Wood County Circuit Judge Greg Potter set a $2,500 signature bond for Carlson and transferred the case to Wood County Circuit Judge Nicholas Brazeau Jr. for further proceedings,” according to the article.

Military studies effects of heavy weaponry

Thu, 13 Apr 2017 11:56:00 GMT

The U.S. military is studying whether certain heavy weapons are potentially putting U.S. troops in danger and at risk for a traumatic brain injury. Concerns are stemming from potential brain injuries due to shoulder-fired weapons such as the Carl Gustaf, which looks like a bazooka and is powerful enough to blow up a tank, according […]

The U.S. military is studying whether certain heavy weapons are potentially putting U.S. troops in danger and at risk for a traumatic brain injury .

Concerns are stemming from potential brain injuries due to shoulder-fired weapons such as the Carl Gustaf, which looks like a bazooka and is powerful enough to blow up a tank, according to an article posted on the NPR website.

“A single round for the Carl Gustaf can weigh nearly 10 pounds. The shell leaves the gun’s barrel at more than 500 miles per hour. And as the weapon fires, it directs an explosive burst of hot gases out of the back of the barrel,” the article reads.

There are safety measures in place when troops use weaponry such as the Carl Gustaf, like standing to the side of the weapon, but even still, once fired, soldiers can be exposed to powerful blast waves that come from the muzzle of the weapon.

Blast waves that one Army soldier described as feeling as if you’ve been punched in your entire body.

“During the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the military recognized that the blast from a roadside bomb could injure a service member’s brain without leaving a scratch. Hundreds of thousands of U.S. troops sustained this sort of mild traumatic brain injury , which has been linked to long-term problems ranging from memory lapses to post-traumatic stress disorder .”

During the same time, the military also began to consider the effects on the brain due to repeated blasts from weapons similar to the Carl Gustaf.

They reportedly did so after receiving hints about the risk of firing heavy equipment weapons from a program they had launched in Afghanistan.

“In 2011, the Army equipped thousands of troops with blast gauges — coin-sized sensors worn on the head and shoulders,” the article reads. “The gauges, made by a company in Slaughter’s district, were designed to measure the intensity of a blast from a roadside bomb. But they also revealed worrisome levels of blast exposure in some troops who were merely firing certain heavy weapons.”

For one reason or another, the military said they quit using the blast gauges last year stating that they just weren’t helpful in detecting brain injuries.

In a recent email to NPR though, an Army official confirmed they are still using the gauges in some research efforts, including some studies that look at “cumulative low-level blast” effects.

Three injured in roll-over crash

Wed, 12 Apr 2017 12:33:00 GMT

Three people were injured as a result of a roll-over crash that closed Highway 21 down for hours. Various media reports say the incident occurred near Omro on Friday afternoon. “The Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office says it appears the driver of a green SUV was going to try to pass a car and pulled out into the […]

Three people were injured as a result of a roll-over crash that closed Highway 21 down for hours. Various media reports say the incident occurred near Omro on Friday afternoon.

“The Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office says it appears the driver of a green SUV was going to try to pass a car and pulled out into the path of an oncoming sedan, hitting the sedan head-on,” an article posted on the WBAY website reads.

After the SUV struck the sedan, it reportedly ended up on its roof on the side of the highway. Two people were in the sedan at the time of the crash and one person was in the SUV.

“Medical helicopters from Neenah and Fond du Lac were called out, but when rescuers pulled the victims from the wreckage they determined the injuries weren’t life-threatening, and all three were transported by ambulances,” the WBAY article reports.

The crash reportedly occurred at Rushford Avenue in the town of Rushford, about five miles west of Omro. Part of Highway 21 was closed in both directions for approximately 3 hours as officials investigated the crash.

There’s no mention in the article whether anyone was charged in connection to the crash.

According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, 102 fatalities have been reported on Wisconsin roads so far this year. This time last year, 122 people were killed in a traffic accident in the state. In all, 590 people were reported as being killed in a traffic-related crash in 2016 in Wisconsin.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation reports that two people have been killed as a result of a traffic collision so far this year in Winnebago County. In 2016, 10 people died in a traffic crash in Winnebago County, according to WisDOT data, that’s three more than were reported in 2015.

So far, the highest number of reported deaths on Wisconsin roads came out of Milwaukee, with 19 fatalities. The second highest number of reported deaths so far this year is out of Shawano, with 6 deaths being reported to the state’s Department of Transportation.

One dead, two injured in two-vehicle crash

Tue, 11 Apr 2017 10:00:00 GMT

A crash last Thursday afternoon in a northwestern section of Marathon County left one dead and two others injured, according to various media reports. An article posted by the Wausau Daily Herald reports that the incident occurred near the intersection of County O and County F, according to Marathon County Sheriff’s Lt. Fred Goch. One […]

A crash last Thursday afternoon in a northwestern section of Marathon County left one dead and two others injured, according to various media reports.

An article posted by the Wausau Daily Herald reports that the incident occurred near the intersection of County O and County F, according to Marathon County Sheriff’s Lt. Fred Goch.

One person was reported dead at the scene of the crash . A medical helicopter was called for one of the persons injured and another person was taken to a nearby hospital by ambulance as a result of injuries they sustained in the crash.

“The call came at 3:24 p.m. reporting a crash in the rural area near the village of Athens,” the article reads. “The crash was a collision between a red car and a black pickup truck. At the scene Thursday afternoon, the car was overturned in the front yard of one of the several houses on the rural stretch of road in the town of Berlin.”

A team of officials were called in to conduct a crash reconstruction at the site of the accident as a part of an investigation into what occurred.

Police did not immediately release details about the cause of the crash or the direction of travel by either vehicle. As of Monday morning, those details still have not been released to the public and there’s no mention as to whether anyone is facing charges in connection to the deadly crash.

The identities of the people involved were not immediately released and were expected to be released upon notification of family members.

The condition of the two people who were injured as a result of the crash also were not available at the time of publication of the article.

As of April 2, 102 traffic deaths have been reported in Wisconsin so far in 2017, according to the state Department of Transportation.

DOT reminds people to put down their phones while driving

Mon, 10 Apr 2017 10:00:00 GMT

April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month and officials with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation are reminding people that it’s crucial they avoid texting or using their smart phones and other electronic devices while driving on Wisconsin roads. Warm weather might mean more people will be traveling on the road across Wisconsin, an article by […]

Warm weather might mean more people will be traveling on the road across Wisconsin, an article by WQOW explains .

Traffic crashes in Wisconsin are down compared to this time last year, according to preliminary data gathered by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. The data shows that in March, 28 people died in traffic crashers in Wisconsin. That’s seven people fewer that compared to March 2016.

“Since the start of 2017, the DOT said a total of 98 people were killed in traffic-related crashes, which is 24 crashes fewer than the same period in 2016,” the article reads.

Despite the slight decrease in traffic-related fatalities, distracted driving is still a dangerous concern.

Across the United States, distracted driving claimed the lives of 3,477 in 2015, according to the National Center for Statistics and Analysis. NHTSA leads the national effort to save lives by preventing distracted driving.

“Distracted driving is any activity that diverts attention from driving, including talking or texting on your phone, eating and drinking, talking to people in your vehicle, fiddling with the stereo, entertainment or navigation system—anything that takes your attention away from the task of safe driving,” the NHTSA website explains.

The NHTSA says one of the most dangerous and alarming distractions for drivers is texting. That’s because whether sending or receiving a text, it takes your eyes off the road for five seconds. At 55 mph, that’s like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed.

“You cannot drive safely unless the task of driving has your full attention. Any non-driving activity you engage in is a potential distraction and increases your risk of crashing,” the NHTSA website reads.

In 2015 alone, 3,477 people were killed, and 391,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers in the United States.

During daylight hours, approximately 660,000 drivers are using cell phones while driving. That creates enormous potential for deaths and injuries on U.S. roads. Teens were the largest age group reported as distracted at the time of fatal crashes.

Wisconsin man dies following motorcycle crash

Sun, 09 Apr 2017 10:00:00 GMT

A Western Wisconsin man was killed as a result of a motorcycle crash last Sunday. According to various media reports about the motorcycle crash, the person who died was a 33-year-old man who resided in Start Prairie, Wisconsin. The man reportedly fell from his motorcycle as a result of the incident. “Reed Shipley was southbound […]

A Western Wisconsin man was killed as a result of a motorcycle crash last Sunday.

According to various media reports about the motorcycle crash , the person who died was a 33-year-old man who resided in Start Prairie, Wisconsin. The man reportedly fell from his motorcycle as a result of the incident.

“Reed Shipley was southbound on County Hwy. CC/Wall Street in Star Prairie on Friday and was behind a turning truck when a 2012 Chevrolet Impala traveling east on County Hwy. C/CC drove into the intersection, according to the St. Croix County Sheriff’s Office,” an article published by the Star Tribune reads.

A sheriff’s office news released explained that because the Impala drove into the intersection, Shipley slammed on his breaks to avoid striking the car. When he did this, he lost control of his motorcycle and was ejected from the bike.

The car and motorcycle did not collide.

The news release also explained that Shipley was not wearing a helmet at the time of the incident.

“Shipley was transported to the hospital, where he died of his injuries Sunday,” the Star Tribune article reads. “The Impala driver, Angela Berg, and her three minor passengers were not injured.”

The article does not mention what type of injuries Shipley died from.

The crash is the third traffic fatality in the county this year, according to the news release.

In a 2013 crash statistics report, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation reports that 527 persons were killed in Wisconsin motor vehicle traffic crashes. This is an average of just over one life lost each day on Wisconsin roads.

That same year, 39,872 persons were injured in 28,747 reported injury crashes and 491 fatal crashes. More than 3,000, or 8 percent, of those injured were known at the time of the crash to have sustained incapacitating injuries.

Of the 527 persons killed, 9 percent (35 pedestrians and 10 bicyclists) were not drivers or passengers of motor vehicles. Sixteen percent (83) were motorcycle drivers or motorcycle passengers.

Seventy three percent of all motorcyclists killed in crashes (for instances in which helmet use could be determined) were not wearing helmets, according to the WisDOT.

Woman killed, three children injured in crash

Sat, 08 Apr 2017 12:14:00 GMT

Three children were injured and a mother was killed in a two-vehicle crash last Thursday in Brown County. According to various media reports about the incident, it occurred in the southern part of Brown County on State Highway 57 at Hill Road/County Road Z in the Town of Holland just before 10:30 a.m. last Thursday. […]

Three children were injured and a mother was killed in a two-vehicle crash last Thursday in Brown County.

According to various media reports about the incident, it occurred in the southern part of Brown County on State Highway 57 at Hill Road/County Road Z in the Town of Holland just before 10:30 a.m. last Thursday.

Officials told the media that a semi-type dump truck was traveling southbound on State Highway 57 when the truck struck an eastbound car with the woman and three children inside. After the dump truck hit the vehicle, which possibly failed to yield at a nearby stop sign, the dump truck then ran into a ditch and rolled onto the driver’s side.

“The driver of the car, a 31-year-old woman, was pronounced dead at the scene,” an article on the FOX 11 News website reports. “She had three minor children inside her car. The children were transported to a nearby hospital.”

It was unclear in the article whether all three children were related to the woman.

The extent of the childrens’ injuries was not mentioned in the FOX 11 News article , but it does say they were all three released following their hospital visit.

The crash shut down State Highway 57 at the intersection of Hill Road and County Road Z for several hours, according to the article.

The crash is still under investigation.

As of April 2, 2017, 102 people have died as a result of injuries they sustained from a vehicle crash this year on the roads of Wisconsin, according to statistics gathered by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. Last year, 590 people were killed on Wisconsin roads.

So far this year, five people have been killed on Brown County roads as a result of a crash. Eighteen people died from injuries they sustained from a crash in Brown County last year, according to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.

A 2013 report from the WisDOT, the latest information available, reveals that 53 people were killed by a large truck with a semi attached in Wisconsin in 2013 and 732 people were injured. In Brown County in 2013, one person was killed by a large truck and 52 people were injured.

TBI patient discusses struggle with depression, anxiety

Fri, 07 Apr 2017 14:36:00 GMT

Amy Zellmer fell on a patch of ice last year and was diagnosed with a severe concussion. She had no idea the emotional struggle she would face following her injury. Zellmer opened up recently about her struggles following her traumatic brain injury in an article posted to The Good Men Project website. While TBI symptoms […]

Amy Zellmer fell on a patch of ice last year and was diagnosed with a severe concussion . She had no idea the emotional struggle she would face following her injury. Zellmer opened up recently about her struggles following her traumatic brain injury in an article posted to The Good Men Project website.

While TBI symptoms are different for everyone, feelings of isolation, loneliness, and depression are common. Zellmer says in the article that it can be a very lonely, painful place. A misunderstood place. And no one is talking about it.

“I had no idea the journey that laid ahead — the ups and downs — and the feeling of moving backwards instead of forward,” she says in the article. “Also, I feel isolated — that no one understands, or even believes, what I’m going through.”

Zellmer was originally told that the symptoms from her severe concussion would go away within a few weeks. She said she remembers feeling very emotional in the weeks that followed, crying at the drop of a hat and feeling overwhelming sadness for no apparent reason.

“I rarely wanted to leave the house, as public places were too loud and over-stimulating. In the rare instance that I did go out with friends, I would have this feeling in the pit of my stomach that I couldn’t figure out,” she said. “I would have a hard time breathing, and would be fighting back tears most of the time. I usually ended up leaving early with an excuse that I was getting a headache — although that was often the truth.”

About 10 months later, she realized her symptoms weren’t getting any better. In fact, she was experiencing new ones. She was falling into a deeper depression; feeling overwhelmed by the constant pain, and was anxious and fearful of falling again.

“I was over protective of my body. Often I would not leave my house, all the while reasoning in my head that I could not get hurt again if I didn’t go near the icy sidewalks,” she said in the article.

Zellmer said she had not experienced anxiety prior to her accident , but now she was experiencing panic attacks. She wasn’t sure what was happening to her and she had no idea how to control it. She spent a lot of time in bed or staring blankly at the television screen.

“ Now that I am aware of what that feeling was, I am better able to manage it. However, at times it still gets a grip on me, and will paralyze me to the core with fear.”

Zellmer found that meditation and yoga help her to curb anxiety and the effects that come with panic attacks such as tightness in her chest. She’s also recognized triggers, like the first snow each year. She attends regular therapy sessions that are helping her to cope with her fears.

“There truly is light at the end of the tunnel, and when we are stuck in a dark place, it is challenging to see that,” she said.

College opens café to help TBI patients

Thu, 06 Apr 2017 10:00:00 GMT

A College in Florida has opened a food kiosk with the purpose of helping people with traumatic brain injury (TBI) to gain their workplace skills back following their injury. The faculty at the University of Central Florida wanted to improve the lives of young survivors of TBI, according to an article posted on the Babble […]

A College in Florida has opened a food kiosk with the purpose of helping people with traumatic brain injury (TBI) to gain their workplace skills back following their injury.

The faculty at the University of Central Florida wanted to improve the lives of young survivors of TBI, according to an article posted on the Babble website.

The food kiosk is called Knights on the Go Café , and while it serves the purpose of helping TBI patients regain their workplace skills, it has a dual purpose – to further the medical education of 118 physical therapy (PT) students.

“In this functional workspace, PT staff and advanced students are paired alongside survivors who volunteer part-time,” the article reads. “The goal is to support TBI patients in a work setting by sharpening their real-world skills and highlighting their strengths on the job — those that would otherwise go unnoticed by the community and business owners.”

The lead professor of the project, Dr. Jennifer Tucker, told Babble that she wanted to create a platform for education, research, and advocacy about traumatic brain injury .

Knights on the Go Café has a ceiling-based harness system that was created by University of Delaware PT professor Dr. Cole Galloway and Enliten designs. The system allows patients full mobility through the support of overhead guide bars.

“ The staff is urging universities nationwide to launch their own harness-equipped cafes,” the article reads. “Dr. Tucker hopes that this system could even transfer from academia to companies.”

Dr. Tucker said the harness doesn’t cost much to implement, so she’s hoping that businesses will replicate the café’s efforts, which would open doors for more people with disabilities in the workplace.

“ Not only has this opportunity allowed for more meaningful student engagement, creating a sense of community for all involved, but it’s also really helping the participating TBI patients.”

Participants in the program have experienced a boost in confidence, according to the article. One parent said her son who suffered a TBI that left him with cognitive disabilities, looks forward to socializing with peers while working at the café. She said he isn’t judged based on his disability while he’s working.

According to the Brain Injury Association of America, there are 5.3 million people in the U.S. living with a lifelong disability as a result of TBI .

Center uses holistic approach to treat soldiers with traumatic brain injury

Wed, 05 Apr 2017 10:00:00 GMT

The Intrepid Spirit Center, located in Fort Hood, Texas, recognizes the need to treat the whole person rather than just a body part that’s been injured. That’s why they use a holistic and integrated treatment plan on soldiers who have suffered traumatic brain injury at their center. More than 339,000 service members have reportedly been […]

The Intrepid Spirit Center, located in Fort Hood, Texas, recognizes the need to treat the whole person rather than just a body part that’s been injured.

That’s why they use a holistic and integrated treatment plan on soldiers who have suffered traumatic brain injury at their center.

More than 339,000 service members have reportedly been diagnosed with traumatic brain injury since 2000.

“Called the ‘invisible wound of war,’ traumatic brain injuries are hard to diagnose and difficult to treat because of the disease’s symptom diversity that can include anything from depression and anxiety to balance and memory issues,” an article in the Fort Hood Sentinel reads .

At a recent open house at the Intrepid Spirit Center, the director of the center, Dr. Scott Engle, described to the Fort Hood Sentinel that symptoms are so varied and diverse when it comes to brain injuries, that it’s better to treat the person as a whole, since every case is different.

“ Imagine all these symptoms put into a blender and mixed up. It would be very difficult to pull out one and just treat one symptom by itself alone,” he said.

Engle said that recent data confirms that the center and its programs are making a difference in helping Soldiers manage symptoms such as depression and post-traumatic stress, which aren’t uncommon following a traumatic brain injury .

Some of those symptoms include physical symptoms like nausea, headache, fatigue, and difficulty sleeping, while other symptoms may affect a person’s senses such as sight and smell, or their memory or mood.

The center’s open house was held in honor of March’s National Brain Injury Awareness Month and it featured displays, therapy, and equipment demonstrations.

This year’s theme was “Integrating Arts in the Healing Process” and featured several guest speakers.

Doctors using person’s own stem cells to treat TBI

Tue, 04 Apr 2017 10:00:00 GMT

A Texas surgeon (along with a team of doctors) is always looking for different ways to treat children and adults with traumatic brain injury. One of those treatments involves using the patient’s own stem cells. Dr. Kevin Lally is the surgeon in chief at Children’s Memorial Herman Hospital and chair of the department of pediatric […]

Dr. Kevin Lally is the surgeon in chief at Children’s Memorial Herman Hospital and chair of the department of pediatric surgery at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth. Lally is working to harness the power of the body’s own cells to heal itself.

“The team has found that using a patient’s own stem cells appears to dampen the body’s inflammatory response to trauma and preserve remaining brain tissue,” an article by the Houston Chronicle reports.

The Centers for Disease Control reports that 1.7 million people sustain a traumatic brain injury every year in, 275,000 are hospitalized with a brain injury , and 52,000 people die of a TBI annually in the U.S. Nearly a half million who end up in the emergency room with a brain injury are somewhere between newborns and age 14.

Lally recently sat down with The Houston Chronicle to talk about his team’s stem cell research and said that the team is able to use the patient’s own stem cells to repair their brains.

“When you have a brain injury, you have the immediate injury, but at the same time the body responds and may set up inflammations to joints or some other place. That’s dangerous,” Lally said during the interview. “When we use the stem cells, it shuts that inflammation off. It turns it off and allows the body to recover. We can’t fix the part that’s gone, but we can stop further injury and at the same time allow the brain to heal itself. Without the stem cells, you have this ongoing inflammation and injury in the brain.”

Lally said they’re hoping the treatment will impact TBI patients ’ quality of life and their life expectancy.

The group is currently in Phase 2 of trials for both children and adults with head injuries. The work is being funded by the National Institutes of Health for the children, and the adults are funded by the Department of Defense.

Lally told The Chronicle that results so far have been very promising.

New helmet may help diagnose brain injuries

Mon, 03 Apr 2017 10:01:00 GMT

A new helmet device could help doctors to diagnose traumatic brain injury. An article in the Smithsonian explained that the helmet will aid doctors in discerning between strokes that block blood flow and ones that involve bleeding. Because the helmet can determine if there’s bleeding in the brain, doctors could also use the helmet to […]

A new helmet device could help doctors to diagnose traumatic brain injury .

An article in the Smithsonian explained that the helmet will aid doctors in discerning between strokes that block blood flow and ones that involve bleeding. Because the helmet can determine if there’s bleeding in the brain, doctors could also use the helmet to help diagnose traumatic brain injuries ( TBI ).

The device is called the Strokefinder and was built by Medfield Diagnostics.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , 30 percent of deaths due to injury feature TBIs. In 2013, that amounted to nearly 50,000 deaths in the United States.

More serious brain injuries involve bleeding in the brain. These types of injuries often require that doctors open the patient’s skull to release pressure that’s built up from blood clots and swelling.

The Smithsonian article explains an injury that involves bleeding on the brain requires specialized care at a neurotrauma center. If a patient isn’t sent in time, it can be the difference between life and death.

“The survival rate for patients with intracranial bleeding due to TBI drops from 70 percent to 10 percent if the hematoma is not removed within four hours, according to a 1981 study in the New England Journal of Medicine ,” the article reads.

Diagnosing a concussion is inexact and when there’s bleeding in the brain, it takes a CT scan to discover it. A large machine that’s costly to use.

The Strokefinder has eight microwave antennas attached to it that send a small amount of microwave radiation through the brain (about the same amount of radiation people receive from a cell phone conversation).

“The process is repeated at several different frequencies. The microwaves will have progressed through the tissue in different ways, depending on the consistency of the tissue, and when filtered via an algorithm, the hematoma stands out, whether it’s due to a stroke or a TBI,” the article reads.

With a quick diagnosis, especially for TBI patients , doctors will be able to determine where the patient needs to go to get the neurological care they need.

Neurological surgeon discusses symptoms of brain injury

Sun, 02 Apr 2017 10:00:00 GMT

As part of National Brain Injury Awareness Month, which is in March, a neurological surgeon with the BayCare Clinic recently visited Wisconsin Tonight to talk about the impact of brain injuries, some symptoms associated with brain injury, and some preventative tips as the warmer weather approaches. Dr. Gerald Eckardt told Wisconsin Tonight that more than […]

As part of National Brain Injury Awareness Month, which is in March, a neurological surgeon with the BayCare Clinic recently visited Wisconsin Tonight to talk about the impact of brain injuries, some symptoms associated with brain injury , and some preventative tips as the warmer weather approaches.

Dr. Gerald Eckardt told Wisconsin Tonight that more than 3.5 million people suffer a brain injury every year in the U.S., according to the Brain Injury Association of America. About 12 million people living in America are living with the impact of brain trauma.

“Brain injuries typically occur anytime the head is bumped, jolted or penetrated, which interrupts the brain’s normal function. Some brain injuries are traumatic, such as a head injury during a car crash,” an article on NBC26 reads. “Other injuries are due to non-traumatic causes like drowning or a stroke. Still others, as in the case of a concussion, are less severe but can still disrupt normal brain function.”

Eckardt said symptoms vary for people who have suffered traumatic brain injury (TBI). A concussion can leave a person confused, dizzy, nauseated, and lightheaded – amongst other issues. A concussion is typically described as temporary unconsciousness caused by a blow to the head. The term is also used loosely of the aftereffects such as confusion or temporary incapacity.

A more traumatic brain injury may be long-lasting or even permanent and can include unconsciousness, internal bleeding, vomiting, numbness, the inability to recall the traumatic event, confusion, difficulty learning and remembering new information, trouble speaking coherently, unsteadiness, lack of coordination and problems with vision or hearing. A serious brain injury can also cause psychological issues and personality changes. Some brain injuries lead to death.

Certain types of traumatic brain injury may increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia years after the injury takes place.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has several tips to prevent situations that can lead to brain injury.

They include, but are not limited to:

Brain injury professionals call for more resources for patients

Sat, 01 Apr 2017 10:00:00 GMT

March is National Brain Injury Awareness Month and some who live with traumatic brain injury – along with brain injury professionals – are speaking out in Nebraska, saying there’s a real lack of resources for TBI patients in the state. An article posted by NBC Nebraska reports that people who have suffered a brain injury […]

An article posted by NBC Nebraska reports that people who have suffered a brain injury have a difficult time finding work.

“They’re not always visible but they can have a life-changing impact on survivors and their families,” the article reads. “There’s not a lot of work out there for people with brain injuries. No specialties or plans to make modifications for people who are a little bit slower,” said traumatic brain injury survivor Patrick Lange.

Brain injury professionals spoke out in the article saying that Nebraska has not tapped into its full potential and has limited resources for people who have suffered a traumatic brain injury.

“There’s not enough awareness. There’s not enough professionals within diverse occupations trained to treat brain injury,” said Information and Referral Specialist Gina Simanek of the Brain Injury Alliance.

Some TBI patients in Nebraska struggle to find therapy centers close to home. Simanek told NBC she knows patients who must drive more than an hour just to go to therapy.

“There aren’t many options for brain rehabilitation centers here, especially in smaller cities.”

Others say while the lack of resources is troubling, what’s even more troubling is the lack of awareness and empathy towards brain injury patients .

According to the Brain Injury Alliance, an estimated 36,000 Nebraskans live with a disability caused by a traumatic brain injury.

For those who have suffered traumatic brain injury in Wisconsin, there’s a Consumer Guide to Health Care for traumatic brain injury patients online. There’s five facilities listed on the page that are designated as traumatic brain injury (TBI) units. TBI units are regulated by the Division of Quality Assurance (DQA).

The website also offers consumer resources with links to organizations such as the Brain Injury Alliance of Wisconsin (BIAW) , the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA), the Brain Injury Resource Center of Wisconsin (BIRCofWI) , and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) .

TBI occurs when an external force injures the brain. TBI can be classified based on severity, mechanism, or other features. Head injury is a broader category that may involve damage to other structures such as the scalp and skull.

TBI can result in physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and behavioral symptoms, and outcome can range from complete recovery to permanent disability or death.

Causes include falls, vehicle collisions, and violence. Click below for your free TBI Symptom Checklist

New study at UW Health for those suffering with lingering pain

Fri, 31 Mar 2017 10:00:00 GMT

A new study at the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics (UW Health) is currently accepting patients who suffer with lingering pain following an injury in their hands, arms, legs, or feet. Chronic, intense pain following an injury or trauma, typically to the arms, hands, feet, or legs, is called Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). […]

A new study at the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics (UW Health) is currently accepting patients who suffer with lingering pain following an injury in their hands, arms, legs, or feet.

Chronic, intense pain following an injury or trauma, typically to the arms, hands, feet, or legs, is called Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). CRPS typically develops following a fracture (in the ankle or wrist) or after surgery.

According to the Mayo Clinic’s website , CRPS typically develops after an injury, surgery, stroke, or heart attack, but the pain is out of proportion to the severity of the initial injury.

The cause of complex regional pain syndrome isn’t clearly understood and treatment for complex regional pain syndrome is most effective when started early. In such cases, improvement and even remission are possible.

Signs and symptoms of complex regional pain syndrome include:

However, symptoms can change over time.

CRPS is considered one of the most painful types of chronic pain, and it can take a major toll on one’s quality of life.

The study is being conducted by trained, qualified, licensed physicians and medical specialists and is expected to last about six to seven months.

University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics is a 592-bed academic medical center with 85 outpatient clinics in Madison, Wisconsin.

For the study, doctors at select centers in the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Australia are currently accepting participants for the CREATE-1 Clinical Study. The study is for an investigational oral medication that may help improve CRPS symptoms.

Participants will receive all study-related care at no cost, which includes study medications and medical visits. Participants may also be compensated for their time and travel during the study.

To learn more, or to see if you qualify to participate, visit www.crpstrial.com/ .

TBI patients use art to spread awareness of brain injury

Thu, 30 Mar 2017 10:00:00 GMT

A number of people who have suffered traumatic brain injury recently displayed their artwork at a show as part of National Traumatic Brain Injury Day in Mississippi. One of the artists was Richard Stafford. Stafford along with the other artists participated in the Unmasking Traumatic Brain Injury project through the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services. […]

A number of people who have suffered traumatic brain injury recently displayed their artwork at a show as part of National Traumatic Brain Injury Day in Mississippi.

One of the artists was Richard Stafford.

Stafford along with the other artists participated in the Unmasking Traumatic Brain Injury project through the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services.

According to an article published by Djournal.com, the masks were on display at the department’s Tupelo district office last Wednesday as part of the national holiday.

“It allows brain injury survivors an opportunity to share their stories,” Allison Lowther said in the article, who serves as the department’s coordinator for the traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury trust fund. “It’s often an invisible disability.”

The artist took bits and pieces of their life and incorporated it into their masks. Stafford, a professed Christian, said he decorated his mask to reflect the power of prayer – and of course, his love of Mississippi State University. Some of the other artists used words of encouragement and flashy colors to decorate their masks.

“There are nearly 1,000 Mississippians living with traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries, said Anita Naik, director of the office of special disability programs,” the article reads. “The goal is to reintegrate individuals back into the community and help them live as independently as possible.”

Stafford described to the newspaper how he was injured. He said he was just 20-years-old when he was driving under the influence and crashed his truck. That crash left him in a coma for three weeks. When he finally came out of the coma, he still was unable to respond for months.

His mother was told by doctors that he would never be able to function independently again. That he would never walk again, and that he would never talk again.

Stafford says the most difficult part for him was feeling trapped inside his body. His brain was slowly healing and he was reportedly alert, but he was unable to communicate to others.

“When I gave it all to God, it got better,” Stafford said.

With time, he regained the ability to use his left side, his ability to eat and his ability to talk. While once he was completely dependent on other people to move him, he gained the ability to move himself into his wheelchair – and even the ability to button his shirt with one hand.

“He can take steps with the support of a walker,” the article reads . “He has become an ordained preacher.”

Stafford’s message to others is to never give up, never quit.

“With God, all things are possible,” he said.

Wife of WWE announcer suffers serious brain injury

Wed, 29 Mar 2017 10:50:00 GMT

The wife of WWE legend Jim Ross is reportedly in an Oklahoma hospital fighting for her life after being involved in a scooter crash last Monday night. Jim Ross wrote a blog post about it on his website last Wednesday, saying that his wife Jan “needs a miracle.” Jan reportedly was driving her Vespa when […]

The wife of WWE legend Jim Ross is reportedly in an Oklahoma hospital fighting for her life after being involved in a scooter crash last Monday night.

Jim Ross wrote a blog post about it on his website last Wednesday, saying that his wife Jan “needs a miracle.”

Jan reportedly was driving her Vespa when she was hit from behind by another driver. Jan was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash and suffered a serious brain injury as a result of the incident.

“This has been a week that has changed my life forever,” Jim wrote on the blog post.

“Monday night at approximately 9:30 pm while I was recording the Ross Report about 30 miles from our home, my wife Jan was riding her Vespa home from the gym when (she) was struck from behind by an automobile driven by a 17-year-old young man. Jan suffered a catastrophic brain injury including multiple skull fractures. My little Angel was unfortunately not wearing a helmet which arguably would have prevented the extreme nature of her injuries.”

“ I will fully admit that there has been no experience in my life that could have prepared me for this life changing week. To see one’s life partner and love of one’s life being kept alive via life support equipment is tragically heartbreaking.”

Jim also mentioned in the blog post that his wife has helped him battle multiple bouts of depression, Bells palsy attacks, a dependence on Ambian, and has nursed him back to health after serious colon surgery that threatened his life.

“And she never complained one time,” he said.

Jim said that in order for his wife to have a chance at survival, the swelling in her brain must subside.

“We hope that the swelling of Jan’s brain will subside soon as it must for her to survive,” Jim wrote. “It’s that simple. Nonetheless my little, Italian angel who loves her Steelers and all things Pittsburgh is fighting for all’s she worth to save her life.”

Update:

Unfortunately due to the nature of her injuries, Ross’ wife passed away on March 20th, she was 55-years old.

Pathologist, therapist discuss importance of speedy rehabilitation for TBI patients

Tue, 28 Mar 2017 12:58:00 GMT

Courtney Payne is a speech pathologist at Cone Health Inpatient Rehabilitation in North Carolina. She has six years of rehabilitation experience and is a member of the Traumatic Brain Injury, Acquired Brain Injury, and Spinal Cord Injury teams at Cone Health. Jennifer Smith also works at Cone Health as an occupational therapist and clinical specialist […]

Courtney Payne is a speech pathologist at Cone Health Inpatient Rehabilitation in North Carolina. She has six years of rehabilitation experience and is a member of the Traumatic Brain Injury , Acquired Brain Injury , and Spinal Cord Injury teams at Cone Health.

Jennifer Smith also works at Cone Health as an occupational therapist and clinical specialist for Cone Health Inpatient Rehabilitation. She has nine years of rehabilitation experience and is a member of the Traumatic Brain Injury and Acquired Brain Injury teams at Cone Health.

It’s National Brain Injury Awareness Month and both Payne and Smith were recently featured in an article by FOX8 News about the importance of starting rehabilitation quickly following a traumatic brain injury.

As spokespeople for Cone Health, Smith and Payne said a brain injury can impact every aspect of a person’s life including personality, mobility, thinking skills, eating and talking and life skills. It’s also not something that’s limited to race, age, gender or socioeconomic status.

“When it comes to brain injuries, the sooner you begin rehabilitation, the better the outcome may be. … The rehab process starts in the acute phase of injury and can continue to intensive inpatient rehab, skilled nursing facilities and outpatient locations,” the article reads.

One issue of importance mentioned in the article is that a brain injury can be overlooked if a patient is facing multiple injuries. If it’s overlooked and goes untreated, a brain injury can have long-lasting and disabling effects on a person’s life.

“Symptoms of a brain injury can include headache, dizziness, changes in behavior or sleep. If you are experiencing any of these things, it’s important to discuss your symptoms with your provider,” the article reads.

The recovery process varies with each person and the severity of the injury. While some patients end up with life-long symptoms following a significant trauma, others may be able to find a “new normal.”

“ However, the overwhelming majority of our patients are able to return home and reintegrated into both home and community life again. Everyone recovers at a different pace, but the support of family and friends can really help the patient reinforce and practice the skills they need to recover.”

Elderly woman dies after wandering outside Wisconsin nursing home

Mon, 27 Mar 2017 10:00:00 GMT

An elderly woman who was living at a Rice Lake nursing home was found dead outside of the building last Saturday. An article that was posted by Twin Cities Pioneer Press says the woman, whose name hasn’t yet been released to the public, was 88-years-old. Rice Lake Police were called about 3:35 a.m. Saturday and […]

Rice Lake Police were called about 3:35 a.m. Saturday and told that the woman was missing from Rice Lake Convalescent Center, located at 1016 Lakeshore Drive.

“While searching for her, they found her outside a door,” Rice Lake police Capt. Tracy Hom said in the article. “She was deceased. It was a short distance (from the building). There were alarms that should have gone off. She was probably outside a couple hours, at least.”

The Wisconsin Department of Health defines a nursing home as a place where five or more persons who are not related to the operator or administrator reside, receive care or treatment and, because of their mental or physical condition, require access to 24-hour nursing services, including limited nursing care, intermediate level nursing care and skilled nursing services.

An autopsy for the elderly woman was reportedly ordered and the case will be sent to Barron County District Attorney Angela Beranek after an investigation into the death is complete.

“Hom said employees at the home had indicated she had been seen wandering the halls of the center in the past. Hom declined to comment on her mental condition or reasons she was in the home, citing privacy concerns,” the article reads.

Rice Lake Convalescent Center has 85 beds and is listed as a for-profit nursing home. Reporters attempted to contact the center last Tuesday, but officials at the nursing home declined to comment on the situation. online records show.

The article does not mention whether the center may face neglect charges in connection to the woman’s death.

According to the National Council on Aging, passive neglect is a caregiver’s failure to provide an older adult with life’s necessities, including, but not limited to, food, clothing, shelter, or medical care. Approximately 1 in 10 Americans aged 60+ have experienced some form of elder abuse or neglect.

One study estimated that only 1 in 14 cases of abuse are reported to authorities. Recent studies show that nearly half of those with dementia have experienced abuse or neglect. Signs of neglect can include, but aren’t limited to bedsores, unattended medical needs, poor hygiene, or unusual weight loss.

Cottage Grove man dead following head-on collision

Sun, 26 Mar 2017 14:11:00 GMT

A western Wisconsin crash left a Cottage Grove man dead, an Ellsworth man injured, and shut a highway down for about three hours last Sunday night. Various media outlets report that the man who died was only 21-years-old. According to an article posted on Woodbury Patch, the incident occurred about 10:16 p.m. Sunday, March 19. […]

A western Wisconsin crash left a Cottage Grove man dead, an Ellsworth man injured, and shut a highway down for about three hours last Sunday night.

Various media outlets report that the man who died was only 21-years-old.

According to an article posted on Woodbury Patch , the incident occurred about 10:16 p.m. Sunday, March 19.

“On Sunday at about 10:16 p.m., the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office in Wisconsin was notified of a two vehicle accident with injuries on U.S. Highway 10 in Trimbelle Township,” according to the Woodbury Patch article .

Charles E. Hill, 38, from Ellsworth, WI., was reportedly driving a 2012 Ford F350 westbound on Highway 10. Jacob T. Stanger, 21, from Cottage Grove was traveling eastbound on Highway 10 in a 2008 Infiniti G37.

“Authorities say the initial investigation shows that both vehicles collided head-on. Both operators were the lone occupants of their vehicles, according to a news release,” the article reads.

Once officials arrived on scene, the Pierce County Medical Examiner announced that Stanger was pronounced dead on the scene. Hill was reportedly transported by the Ellsworth Area Ambulance Service to Regions Hospital in nearby Saint Paul.

There’s no information given in regards to the status of Hill’s injuries.

The Wisconsin State Patrol completed a reconstruction of the accident while the Pierce County Highway Department provided traffic control. The highway was shut down for approximately three hours while investigators conducted the accident reconstruction.

Woodbury Patch reports the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office was assisted on scene by the Wisconsin State Patrol, Ellsworth Ambulance Service, Ellsworth Fire Department and the Pierce County Highway Department.

The head-on collision remains under investigation and there’s no information in regards to whose fault the crash was, or if Hill might face charges in connection to the collision.

Cat alerts family to carbon monoxide poisoning

Sat, 25 Mar 2017 10:00:00 GMT

A Wisconsin family is crediting their cat to alerting them about a potentially deadly carbon monoxide leak last month. One, they likely wouldn’t have survived had it not been for their pet and also their son, who came home to help get them out of the toxic house. It all started on Feb. 4 when […]

It all started on Feb. 4 when Kevin and Annette Shanahan went to bed about 10 p.m. at their Willow Street home in Reedsburg. Their adult children had left for the evening and about 1 a.m. Annette told Madison.com reporters that she stumbled from her bed and somehow managed to get into a chair beside the bed.

She was lethargic, her mind felt hazy, and her chest was tight. She thought she was having a heart attack. Then, something strange happened, the family’s pet cat, Gracie, began fussing and banging on the door. Something the cat never does.

“Kevin said he heard the noise and decided to check on Gracie. He said he felt sick when he stood up and then noticed his wife in the chair. She was wide-eyed and staring into space, he said. Her body was rigid and her arms were wrapped tightly around her chest,” the article reads.

“Then I knew something was wrong,” he said.

The couple managed to make their way to the living room, but were so out of it and lethargic, they just couldn’t pull themselves to safety.

“ Your mind is so foggy. You can’t think,” he said. “I’ve never experienced anything like that in my life. You can’t put a thought together. “We were right there,” Kevin said, indicating his doorway. “We were that close to fresh air. We were five feet from it.”

Somehow the couple gathered enough energy to call their son, Taylor Schmidt, and 911. It would only take Schmidt a few minutes to get to his parents and help them out of the house. Then, police and ambulances arrived within minutes to help. Med Flight was called for backup and the Reedsburg Fire Department was dispatched to test for carbon monoxide , according to the article.

“The Fire Department found 620 parts per million (ppm) of carbon monoxide on the second floor of the home,” the article reads. “Normal levels vary from .5 to 5 ppm, or 5 to 15 ppm for dwellings with gas stoves, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Poisoning symptoms begin around 70-ppm mark.”

Readings downstairs showed 240 ppm on the main floor of the house and 150 ppm in the basement. Alliant Energy was called to assist.

The Shanahans were taken to Reedsburg Area Medical Center and treated for carbon monoxide poisoning with oxygen, before returning to their home. They told police they have a carbon monoxide detector, but for one reason or another, it didn’t alert them. They went right out and purchased new ones – along with batteries.

Authorities suggest Daylight Savings Time is the perfect time to update, test, and buy batteries for both carbon monoxide detectors and fire alarms.

Luckily, the entire family made it out of the house safely, including Gracie and two other cats.

60 vehicles involved in chain-reaction crash that sent 5 to hospital

Fri, 24 Mar 2017 10:00:00 GMT

A massive crash that involved about 60 vehicles in Washington County last week landed at least five people in the hospital, according to various media reports. Eight semis were reportedly involved in the incident and about 30 of the vehicles were directly involved. The crash occurred March 13 about 10:45 a.m. on I-41 between Sherman […]

A massive crash that involved about 60 vehicles in Washington County last week landed at least five people in the hospital, according to various media reports.

Eight semis were reportedly involved in the incident and about 30 of the vehicles were directly involved. The crash occurred March 13 about 10:45 a.m. on I-41 between Sherman Road and Hillside Road in the Town of Polk.

“There were approximately 30 vehicles directly involved in the crash — including eight semis, three heavy trucks (such as dump trucks and box-cargo trucks) and at least 12 passenger vehicles,” an article by FOX6-NOW reports .

According to the news station, there were an additional 30 vehicles that left the roadway to avoid hitting the other cars. Those cars were not damaged and were removed from a ditch and allowed to continue on their way.

The crash scene shut I-41SB down for more than six hours so authorities could investigate the pile-up.

“ Sheriff’s officials said it may take several weeks to conclude this investigation,” the article reads.

Some of the vehicles remained on the interstate through Monday night. Four tractor trailer rigs were eventually removed once the snowy weather cleared, allowing tow-trucks to safely remove them.

“All other units were removed with the collection of damaged vehicles being taken to a nearby truck stop for further investigation and collection of information,” the article reads.

Five people were transported to hospitals in the region as a result of the massive chain-reaction crash. News reports say no one had life-threatening injuries.

Sheriff’s officials commented on the incident and said the crash was likely a result of another multi-vehicle crash that backed up traffic. That crash was handled by the State Patrol and occurred just south of the massive pile-up.

“ Contributing to all of these incidents, Sheriff’s officials said, was drivers driving too fast on the snow covered roads — and whiteout conditions.”

Officials reportedly responded to 97 crash related calls involving an estimated 300 vehicles between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. in Washington County that day.

TBI patients use rocks to spread awareness during National Brain Injury Awareness Month

Thu, 23 Mar 2017 10:00:00 GMT

Several people who have suffered traumatic brain injury took paintbrushes to rocks to hopefully spread awareness about what it’s like to live with a brain injury. The project, which was held in Kentucky, was organized by Janice Osborne Dowdy. Dowdy works as a speech language pathologist, according to an article posted by The Daily Independent. […]

Several people who have suffered traumatic brain injury took paintbrushes to rocks to hopefully spread awareness about what it’s like to live with a brain injury .

The project, which was held in Kentucky, was organized by Janice Osborne Dowdy. Dowdy works as a speech language pathologist, according to an article posted by The Daily Independent .

Dowdy instructed the TBI patients as they used paintbrushes to slather rocks with a coat of white paint. The idea was born when Dowdy saw a news broadcast about a similar rock project used to raise awareness to spread kindness in Ohio.

All of the artists involved in the project are participants in a brain injury rehabilitation program called NeuroRestorative.

“They hope that the rocks that they are adorning with paint will serve as an educational tool for the community about what it’s like to live with a TBI,” the article reads.

Dowdy said the group will spread the rocks throughout the town after they’ve been painted.

“We do a group every morning at NeuroRestorative to work on orientation and I showed the clip from (an) episode (on CBS about the Ohio project) to our participants and they thought that would be great idea for us to jump on board to raise awareness for TBIs, since March is Brain Injury Awareness Month,” Dowdy explains in the article.

The rocks also don a green ribbon that’s been painted on them, which is related to brain injury awareness. On the backs of the rocks, artists painted a hashtag that says TBI.

“We’re hoping that hashtag TBI will help more people find out information and research resources about Traumatic Brain Injuries.”

Dowdy said the rocks will be placed in specific places throughout the community in hopes that residents will stumble upon them and share them on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram with the hashtag.

“ If you enjoy the rock take it with you, or leave it where it is for the next person to find,” Dowdy said. “We’re hoping this will encourage the community to look into NeuroRestorative and what we do here …”

Hundreds die on Wisconsin roads in 2016

Wed, 22 Mar 2017 10:00:00 GMT

Hundreds of people died as a result of a crash on Wisconsin roads last year. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Crash Records Unit reports that at least 590 people died as a result of a motor-vehicle crash in 2016. That’s 35 more deaths than in 2015 and 96 more than in 2014. The number […]

That’s 35 more deaths than in 2015 and 96 more than in 2014.

The number of deaths due to motor vehicle crashes in Wisconsin has been steadily increasing over the last several years, but has decreased slightly since 2012, when 601 people were reported to the WisDOT as being killed in a motor vehicle crash.

Seventy-nine people have been killed on Wisconsin roads so far this year.

Last year, the highest number of fatalities were reported in November, likely due to an increase in traffic with holiday traveling.

An average of 553 people were killed on Wisconsin roads each year between 2012-16.

According to the WisDOT, 2016 and 2017 data is preliminary.

Other statistics reported by WisDOT show that an average of 509 fatal crashes were reported from 2009-13 and an average of 29,036 injuries were reported during that same time. An average of 559 people were killed between 2009-13, some of them passengers.

The latest data available shows there was an average of 5,491 alcohol-related crashes from 2009-13 and an average of 218 people died as a result of an alcohol-related crash, while an average of 3,171 people were injured.

During that same time span, there were 18,389 speed-related crashes that killed an average of 167 people, an average of 1,244 pedestrian crashes that killed an average of 45 people, an average of 1,055 bicycle crashes that killed an average of 10 bicyclists, an average of 2,376 motorcycle crashes that killed an average of 91 people, and an average of 6,301 large truck crashes that killed an average of 68 people.

The U.S. government has released some safe driving tips to remind citizens they should stay alert, avoid using their smartphones while driving, never drink alcohol or take drugs and get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle, and always wear a seatbelt and ensure a child is properly harnessed in a car seat. For more information visit the website here .

Researchers studying biomarker to aid children with traumatic brain injury

Tue, 21 Mar 2017 10:00:00 GMT

A new study recently published in Neurology, the journal of the American Academy of Neurology, suggests that a biomarker might help identify children who might have more trouble recovering from a serious brain injury. An article published March 15 by Healthline discusses the subject. March is International Brain Injury Awareness Month and many health and […]

An article published March 15 by Healthline discusses the subject. March is International Brain Injury Awareness Month and many health and news outlets are publishing stories about the effects of traumatic brain injury to help spread awareness that sufferers and their families face when traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the number one cause of disability and death among children and adolescents in the United States.

The risk of sustaining TBI is even higher for children younger than 4-years-old and teenagers between the ages of 15 and 19, according to the Healthline article.

“ Research has shown that TBIs are particularly traumatic for children, as they impact the child’s brain development and can cause serious cognitive impairment over time. Negative effects include a decline in reasoning and trouble processing information.”

With a brain injury, every situation is different. Sometimes symptoms occur automatically while other times the effects don’t show until a child is older.

Some symptoms of TBI include cognitive difficulties such as trouble concentrating, impulsiveness, confusion, trouble concentrating, and issues with memory. Other symptoms can affect speech — or a child’s senses, perceptions, or vision might be affected. Sometimes these issues are a problem until a child is faced with various cognitive challenges.

The new research suggests that a new biomarker may help anticipate which children will have more trouble recovering from a TBI and consequently require more aggressive treatment.

The study examined 21 children between the ages of 8 and 18 who had been admitted to a pediatric intensive care unit as a result of a moderate to severe TBI. Reasons for the brain injury included traffic accidents and falls from skateboards or bikes.

The study also used a control group of 20 children who did not experience TBI.

Following multiple scans and memory tests, the researchers found that a few months after the injury, half of the children with TBI had slow transfer time while half had a normal transfer time – that is, within the same range as the healthy control group.

The TBI slow-transfer time group showed progressive decline during a specific period, while the other group showed signs of recovery. Memory tests also revealed poorer scores for the group.

“Although the study sample was small and the findings need to be confirmed by larger studies, the current results point to the disruption in the white matter as a reliable biomarker for predicting the children who will have more trouble recovering from a TBI,” the article reads .

Protect your family from carbon monoxide poisoning

Mon, 20 Mar 2017 10:00:00 GMT

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless, and tasteless gas that is nearly impossible to identify without a proper detector. It is caused by fuels not burning completely – including wood, gasoline, coal, propane, natural gas, gasoline, and heating oil. Daylight Savings time is the perfect reminder to make sure your home has working smoke and […]

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless, and tasteless gas that is nearly impossible to identify without a proper detector.

It is caused by fuels not burning completely – including wood, gasoline, coal, propane, natural gas, gasoline, and heating oil.

Daylight Savings time is the perfect reminder to make sure your home has working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. State fire marshals suggest changing out the batteries this time of year.

Because carbon monoxide is so hard to detect, a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm can alert you if there’s some sort of leak you’re unaware of.

A carbon monoxide (CO) alarm is a time-weighted alarm, according to an article posted by Kidde United Technologies.

“The way a time-weighted alarm works is by measuring the buildup of carbon monoxide in a house. For a person to begin feeling the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning, they would need to be exposed to a carbon monoxide level of 50 parts per million (PPM) for eight hours.”

The response time from a carbon monoxide alarm is dependent on the level of carbon monoxide found in the air.

For example , an alarm will sound after three and a half hours of continuous exposure at a level of 50 PPM, yet will sound after eight minutes of continuous exposure at a level of 400 PPM.

Levels of carbon monoxide exposure range from low to dangerous, as described in the following list:

To ensure your home or business has maximum protection, it’s important to have a CO detector on every floor, about five feet from the ground.

Carbon monoxide detectors can get the best reading of the air when they are placed five feet from the ground. They should also be placed near every sleeping area.

The most common symptoms of CO poisoning are headache , dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

CO symptoms are often described as “flu-like.” If you breathe in a lot of CO it can make you pass out or even kill you. People who are sleeping or drunk can die from CO poisoning before they ever experience symptoms.

If your carbon monoxide alarm sounds, or you suspect you are experiencing symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, you should immediately leave your home and call 9-1-1, the article reads.

New traveling simulator shows how dangerous texting and driving is

Sun, 19 Mar 2017 10:00:00 GMT

A new traveling simulator released by AT&T highlights just how dangerous texting and driving can be. The new technology is a virtual reality simulator meant to highlight the danger involved with using your smartphone while driving. AT&T visited the Wisconsin State Capitol last Wednesday to promote the simulator. The experience is part of AT&T’s “It […]

AT&T visited the Wisconsin State Capitol last Wednesday to promote the simulator. The experience is part of AT&T’s “It Can Wait” campaign.

The campaign urges drivers to keep their eyes on the road and not on their phones.

The “It can Wait” campaign website urges consumers to take out their phone and look at the last text they sent. It then ask “would that text be worth dying for?”

Definitely not!

FREE TBI Symptom Checklist

“Sending or looking at that text, tweet, post or email from behind the wheel can be deadly. In fact, studies show that those who text while driving are much more likely to be in a crash ,” the website reads .

Wisconsin AT&T officials say research shows 7 in 10 people engage in smartphone activities while driving, an article posted by WKOW reads.

“You will very quickly realize while you’re doing [the simulation] that your ability to drive as you had been without texting is completely compromised,” Wisconsin AT&T President Scott VanderSanden said in the article.

View the simulator here.

Distracted driving is any activity that could divert a person’s attention away from the primary task of driving, according to distraction.gov. All distractions endanger driver, passenger, and bystander safety.

These types of distractions include:

But, because text messaging requires visual, manual, and cognitive attention from the driver, it is by far the most alarming distraction.

The best way to end distracted driving is to educate all Americans about the danger it poses.

In 2014, 3,179 people were killed, and 431,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes in the U.S. involving distracted drivers. Ten percent of all drivers 15 to 19 years old involved in fatal crashes were reported as distracted at the time of the crashes.

The percentage of drivers text-messaging or visibly manipulating handheld devices increased from 1.7 percent in 2013 to 2.2 percent in 2014.

Those numbers are likely higher today.

Five seconds is the average time your eyes are off the road while texting. When traveling at 55mph, that’s enough time to cover the length of a football field blindfolded.

Improve your driving with new AAA app

Sat, 18 Mar 2017 12:23:00 GMT

Responsive web design, mobile banking, online shopping apps – there’s no denying that technology is constantly improving. Lately, our world seems eerily like the animated sitcom world of “The Jetsons,” minus the flying cars of course (for now). Consumers can get most things at the touch of a button. We can now order our groceries […]

Consumers can get most things at the touch of a button. We can now order our groceries on an app, to be delivered to our home. We can pay for things by simply holding our phone up to be scanned at various stores. We plan our days, budget our accounts, store important information, take selfies, shop, read emails, receive calls, and scroll social media account news feeds – all on one tiny device called a smartphone.

According to statista.com, in 2009 about 2.5 billion people downloaded an app to their smartphone. In 2016, that number is more than 89 times higher – at 224.8 billion app downloads. Statista.com estimates even more people will download apps this year, bringing the total to an estimated 268.7 billion app downloads worldwide.

Driving apps are no different. The new AAADrive tool on the AAAMobile app can monitor and score driving habits. The higher a person’s score , the better their driving habits are, according to an article by AAA.

In the article, AAA lists five good habits drivers should pay attention to. They’re also habits the new AAADrive tool can teach you.

The five habits are:

Proper evaluation necessary with head injury

Fri, 17 Mar 2017 12:22:00 GMT

Neuropsychologists with Bancroft NeuroRehab in Mount Laurel, NJ are reminding folks that a proper evaluation following a head injury – such as a concussion – is important. The group is spreading awareness as part of National Brain Injury Awareness Month, which is in March. According to an article by the Courier Post, more than 5 […]

According to an article by the Courier Post , more than 5 million people in the U.S. are living with a brain injury and some of those people suffered a mild to moderate concussion.

“While we often think of catastrophic injuries and disabilities when we hear the term brain injury, it’s important to know that mild to moderate concussions are included in this group, too,” the article reads. “And individuals who have experienced a concussion throughout their lifetime may need to seek evaluation and treatment to assist with the recovery process.”

The doctors said that most people who are diagnosed with a concussion receive their diagnosis through what’s called an ImPACT (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing) test at an emergency room.

ImPACT is the most widely used and most scientifically validated computerized concussion management tool on the market. It’s used by more than 7,400 high schools, 1,000 colleges and universities, 900 clinical centers, 475 Credentialed ImPACT Consultants, 200 professional teams, and select military units, expressly so medical clinicians, and other qualified healthcare providers, can better manage traumatic brain injury .

The test evaluates a patient’s symptoms such as attention span, cognitive functioning, reaction time and memory. It’s also helpful for obtaining baseline functioning and is sometimes administered prior to a sports season.

“But if you or a loved one experienced a concussion and did not receive this initial baseline testing for recovery progress, you may want to seek a proper neuropsychological evaluation, even if your injury happened in the past,” the article reads.

While most concussions resolve within seven to 10 days, some do not and can leave a person with long-term effects such as psychological issues, emotional issues, trouble sleeping, balance problems, sensitivity to light, headaches, and vision problems.

“When a concussion does not resolve as expected, a more comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation can provide insight into symptoms and factors that may interfere with recovery,” the article reads.

The doctors who wrote the article believe that evaluating these symptoms and getting a grasp on their severity can make all the difference when it comes to recovery.

At Bancroft NeuroRehab, an interdisciplinary team of experts assesses and treats each patient’s unique needs. From mild concussions and memory impairments to traumatic brain injuries, dedicated, compassionate clinicians aim to help individuals rebound, recover and reconnect after illness or injury.

If you or someone you know has questions about concussions or neurological health, Bancroft NeuroRehab can help. Learn more at BNRinfo.org .

Traumatic brain injury silent epidemic in prisons

Thu, 16 Mar 2017 10:00:00 GMT

It’s International Brain Injury Awareness Month in March and while many organizations are spreading the word about the effects of brain injury, the symptoms of brain injury and the different types of brain injury – an article posted by The Conversation is reminding people that traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a “hidden disability” within the […]

It’s International Brain Injury Awareness Month in March and while many organizations are spreading the word about the effects of brain injury , the symptoms of brain injury and the different types of brain injury – an article posted by The Conversation is reminding people that traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a “hidden disability” within the prison population.

“Despite evidence that TBI can lead sufferers to be more violent and reoffend, there is a worrying lack of information about the extent of the problem and there is no standard screening process,” the article reads.

FREE TBI Symptom Checklist

Prisoners who have suffered traumatic brain injury are reportedly more likely than their counterparts to suffer from mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, bouts of anger, thoughts of suicide, and substance abuse.

Recent studies also show that the rate of brain injury within prison systems is higher than that of the rate found in the general population.

“Despite studies highlighting the significant prevalence of TBI in inmates , there has been little consideration of this in the development of policies and procedures. An important review conducted in the UK and published in 2009 exploring the mental health needs of prisoners made no reference to brain injury at all,” the article reads.

Evidence shows that TBI is a leading cause of death and disability across the world and when considering prisoners, many have at one time or another lived violent lives, been exposed to childhood abuse, or have engaged in risky behavior.

“TBI can also lead sufferers to be more prone to violent behavior and therefore reoffend ,” the article reads.

Researchers recently published results of a study focused on a sample of prisoners and the findings reportedly revealed that those with TBI were more likely to commit crimes post release.

At least 17 studies on prison populations revealed that there are high rates of TBI within the system. One study found that about 82 percent of prisoners at one facility had suffered a TBI at some point in their lifetime.

Advocates for brain injury feel there’s a need of screening inmates for brain injury prior to entrance.

“When inmates are identified as having a TBI, they can then be placed into tailored programs which may reduce the risk of these potentially vulnerable individuals engaging in offending behavior when they are released,” the article reads. “The earlier in the criminal justice process that such screening can be made, the better.”

Increasing awareness, staff training, and specialized support for prisoners with TBI could help reduce the number of people reoffending, according to the article.

“Ultimately, it would aim to reduce the overall prison population.”

Brain particles following head injury may link to dementia

Wed, 15 Mar 2017 11:40:00 GMT

A recent study on the brains of mice have lead researchers to believe that micro particles that are secreted in the spinal cord following a brain injury might be linked to dementia later in life. According to a recent article on the New Scientist website, results of the study could help explain how inflammation spreads, […]

A recent study on the brains of mice have lead researchers to believe that micro particles that are secreted in the spinal cord following a brain injury might be linked to dementia later in life.

According to a recent article on the New Scientist website , results of the study could help explain how inflammation spreads, which ultimately increases the risk of developing dementia.

FREE TBI Symptom Checklist

“Head injuries are increasingly being linked to cognitive problems and degenerative brain disease in later life. Mysterious particles a micrometre in diameter have previously been found in the spinal fluid of people with traumatic brain injury , but their function has remained unknown,” the article reads.

But now, a researcher at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore along with his colleagues, have discovered that microglia, which are activated immune cells, actually secrete tiny particles after a brain injury occurs. According to Faden, the lead researcher, those particles seem to spread inflammation farther than just the location of the injury.

Another interesting find is that when the researchers injected the particles into mice without brain injuries, the mice’ brains swelled.

“ The particles have receptors that latch onto cells, and are packed with chemicals such as interleukins, which trigger inflammation, and fragments of RNA capable of switching whole suites of genes on or off,” the article reads. “The effect of these particles in driving inflammation even in animals without traumatic brain injury is convincing,” says Marie-Ève Tremblay of Laval University in Québec, Canada, who last year discovered unusual microglia that could be linked with dementia,”

Tremblay believes the microglia may also secrete other particles.

Stephen Thom, who co-authored the study with Faden, has already developed an agent they believe might work against the microparticles. The agent is called PEG-TB and its function is to basically neutralize the microparticles and cause them to fall apart before they have the chance to spread.

Wisconsin man spreading awareness about effects of traumatic brain injury

Tue, 14 Mar 2017 10:00:00 GMT

This month, people across the nation are devoting time and energy to spreading awareness about the effects of traumatic brain injury (TBI). That’s because it’s National Brain Injury Awareness Month. One of those people, Karl Curtis, has personal reasons for doing so. Curtis is the executive director for the Brain Injury Alliance (BIA) of Wisconsin. […]

One of those people, Karl Curtis, has personal reasons for doing so.

Curtis is the executive director for the Brain Injury Alliance (BIA) of Wisconsin. The BIA is a nonprofit organization serving the state’s brain injury community since 1980. Its mission is the prevention of brain injury and the full participation in life for individuals with brain injury.

Curtis has a son who experienced TBI as a result of brain cancer treatments.

“Nineteen years ago my oldest son, then 9 years old, fought and beat brain cancer with the help of surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Unfortunately, the same treatments that saved his life also damaged his brain,” Curtis explains in an article by The Cap Times. “The fact my son’s post-treatment TBI has had a far greater effect on his life than cancer may sound incredible to some, but it is true. Cancer can be defeated, but a brain injury lingers.”

Curtis says that the way his son got a brain injury is unusual and most people who experience TBI do so because of a fall, a motor vehicle accident, or an assault.

“This raises another important point: Nobody plans to get a brain injury. A missed step on the stairs, a driver who runs a red light, or a wayward foul ball at a baseball game can leave anyone with a life-altering injury,” the article reads.

March is Brain Injury Awareness Month and Curtis is determined to share the fact that TBIs occur more frequently than HIV/AIDS infections, breast cancer diagnoses, multiple sclerosis cases, and spinal cord injuries – combined.

Curtis’ son was 9-years-old when he suffered TBI and went from preparing to enter into a gifted class at his school – to struggling with simple math, cognitive skills and remembering to turn in his homework. Curtis says his son, 19 years later, is still dealing with the effects of cognitive problems, which have limited him both personally and professionally.

“Brain injuries can also hamper social and communication skills,” Curtis says in the article. “We laugh at fictional Sheldon Cooper from ‘The Big Bang Theory’ as he struggles to read emotions and detect sarcasm or humor in conversation. My son has these struggles every day. It’s not funny.”

Other symptoms his son faces each day include fatigue, depression, bouts of anger, and anxiety. He has poor short-term memory and struggles to concentrate.

“Too much stimulation, even from something as benign as a family holiday gathering, overwhelms him,” the article reads. “Fortunately, he does not experience the headaches other TBI survivors live with, nor the sensitivity to bright lights and loud noises.”

About 50,000 people in Wisconsin reportedly live with a brain injury. Curtis says that’s a low estimate because many people who experience TBI don’t seek treatment.

“Most of the 44,000 people in Wisconsin who go to the emergency room with a TBI each year recover without lingering symptoms, but for those who do not recover fully life can be a constant struggle,” Curtis said.

Protecting your child from traumatic brain injury

Mon, 13 Mar 2017 10:00:00 GMT

As Brain Injury Awareness Month kicks off, the Brain Injury Alliance of Wisconsin is reminding parents that in spring and summer months, head injuries are more common among children. Often this is because with nice weather, children spend more time playing outside and participating in sports. The CDC reports that more than 600,000 people will […]

As Brain Injury Awareness Month kicks off, the Brain Injury Alliance of Wisconsin is reminding parents that in spring and summer months, head injuries are more common among children.

Often this is because with nice weather, children spend more time playing outside and participating in sports.

The CDC reports that more than 600,000 people will visit an emergency room this year as a result of a bike injury and one-third of those injuries will be some sort of head trauma.

Kevin Pasqua with the Brain Injury Alliance of Wisconsin joined Real Milwaukee recently to talk about the best ways to prevent head injuries.

Pasqua explains that wearing a helmet when bike riding, skateboarding, rock climbing, or being involved with any high-risk activity is crucial. The foam insert inside of a helmet is what takes the brunt of an impact, so it’s important to not only wear one, but to wear a helmet that fits correctly.

A helmet should sit right above your child’s eyebrows parallel to their forehead. It shouldn’t cover the child’s eyes or slide down easily. It should also have a chin strap to help hold it in place. The head should move with the helmet and it shouldn’t slip around, according to Pasqua. A properly worn helmet can protect a child from brain injury if they fall off a bike or other toy and hit their head.

Some of the physical signs of a brain injury Pasqua pointed out during the interview include a loss of consciousness (for a few seconds to a few minutes), headaches, sensitivity to light, mood swings, being dazed or disoriented following a blow to the head, nausea, vomiting, difficulty sleeping, fatigue, dizziness, sleeping more than usual and a loss of balance.

Pasqua said if a child hits his head and has just one of the symptoms , they really should be checked out by a doctor.

The Brain Injury Alliance of Wisconsin (BIAW) provides education, advocacy, prevention, information & resources, and support services to brain injury survivors, their families, and the people who serve them throughout the State.

BIAW is a non-profit organization that brings together people with brain injuries, their families, friends, and concerned professionals.

It’s the BIAW’s mission to help prevent brain injury and encourage the full participation in life for individuals with brain injury.

BIAW was formed in 1980 by a group of individuals with brain injury, their family members, friends and professionals, in response to the lack of available services specific to the unique needs of individuals with brain injury.

BIAW Promoting Brain Injury Awareness Month with ‘Purple Thursdays’

Sun, 12 Mar 2017 10:00:00 GMT

March is Brain Injury Awareness Month and the Brain Injury Alliance of Wisconsin (BIAW) along with the United States Brain Injury Alliance (USBIA) and various affiliates from more than a dozen states across the U.S. are combining their efforts to promote awareness of traumatic brain injury. Two campaigns the BIAW is promoting with the USBIA […]

Two campaigns the BIAW is promoting with the USBIA for the month of March include one called Purple Thursdays and another called Pennies for Your Thoughts. The campaigns are designed to shine a spotlight on traumatic brain injury , which is often referred to as “the silent epidemic.”

The mission of the United States Brain Injury Alliance is to engage the community in preventing brain injury and improving lives. Similarly, the BIAW states its mission is the prevention of brain injury and the full participation in life for individuals with brain injury.

Brain injury is the leading cause of death and disability in children and young adults, according to the USBIA. This year alone, 1.7 million Americans will sustain traumatic brain injury (TBI).

To bring awareness to the issue of TBI, the BIAW has invited anyone touched by brain injury to wear purple every Thursday in March. Doing so will show support to those who have been affected by brain injury in Wisconsin – and will show support to those who have family members or loved ones who have been affected by TBI.

“People wearing purple are then invited to share their support by sending a photo of themselves or their group to the BIAW at admin@biaw.org. The BIAW will use the pictures to spread awareness by posting them on its web site and via social media.”

A second campaign called Pennies for Your Thoughts is also being held the month of March in recognition of those who have been affected by TBI, their loved ones, and their caregivers. The campaign encourages people to donate change from their piggy bank, couch cushions, or car’s cup holder to BIAW. The spare change will help the BIAW continue their work to advocate for those with brain injuries and their loved ones. A donation jar can also be placed on a desk at work and then turned over to the BIAW.

“Any method and any size donation helps,” the BIAW says.

For more information on Purple Thursdays or Pennies for Your Thoughts, or for general information on brain injury, contact the Brain Injury Alliance of Wisconsin at 262-790-9660 or visit BIAW.org .

Photos of Purple Thursday can be e-mailed to admin@biaw.org. Pennies for Your Thoughts donations can be mailed to BIAW, 6409 Odana Rd., Ste 1H, Madison, WI 53719.

The BIAW is a 501(c)(3) organization and is a registered charity in the state of Wisconsin.

Scientists using math, artificial intelligence to study concussions

Sat, 11 Mar 2017 11:00:00 GMT

A new technique utilizing computational techniques to sift through large amounts of data is helping scientists to streamline a process that could help diagnose and treat traumatic brain injury patients quicker and more thoroughly. A press release about the study was issued last Wednesday. For the study, data was collected from 586 patients with acute […]

A press release about the study was issued last Wednesday.

For the study, data was collected from 586 patients with acute traumatic brain injury from trauma centers. The results revealed that concussion, or mild traumatic brain injury , could be stratified into multiple subgroups with diverse prognoses.

Among them was a large group of patients who, despite normal brain scans, demonstrated poor recovery and a tendency to get worse, three-to-six months after the injury. These patients were likely to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder.

“Scientists have used a unique computational technique that sifts through big data to identify a subset of concussion patients with normal brain scans, who may deteriorate months after diagnosis and develop confusion, personality changes and differences in vision and hearing, as well as post-traumatic stress disorder,” the press release reads.

The computer is able to identify a particular set of molecular biomarkers that could pave the way to precision medicine for TBI patients .

“ Investigators headed by scientists at UC San Francisco and its partner institution Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center (ZSFG) analyzed an unprecedented array of data, using a machine learning tool called topological data analysis (TDA), which ‘visualizes’ diverse datasets across multiple scales, a technique that has never before been used to study traumatic brain injury.”

TDA actually uses math derived from topology to create a summary or compressed representation of all the data points using algorithms that map patient data.

Traumatic brain injury results in approximately 52,000 deaths, 257,000 hospitalizations and 2.2 million emergency department visits in the United States annually, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Injury Center.

These injuries can lead to widespread lesions throughout the brain’s white matter, as well as a “cascade of secondary injury mechanisms that evolve over times.” The heterogeneity of the manifestations of these secondary injuries is one significant obstacle that thwarts the development of new treatments, the authors note in their paper.

Professional snowboarder on tour with clothing company to bring awareness to TBI

Fri, 10 Mar 2017 11:00:00 GMT

A professional snowboarder who sustained traumatic brain injury is taking to the road with a clothing company to tell his story. Lululemon is partnering with professional snowboarder Kevin Pearce for Brain Injury Awareness Month. Lululemon is a Canadian self-described yoga-inspired athletic apparel company and a designer and retailer of technical athletic apparel, which produces a clothing […]

Lululemon is a Canadian self-described yoga-inspired athletic apparel company and a designer and retailer of technical athletic apparel, which produces a clothing line and runs international clothing stores from its company base in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

The company makes a number of different types of athletic wear, including performance shirts, shorts, and pants, as well as lifestyle apparel and yoga accessories. They sell their clothing internationally.

“Pearce will be traveling the West Coast in a ’73 airstream, making pit stops in San Francisco, Tahoe, Bend, Portland, Vancouver and Whistler,” an article by the Observer reads. “Each town will host a different event, including yoga, meditation and dinners. But at each locale, the athlete will also premiere a short film focused on his personal recovery from brain injury .”

Pearce suffered a near-fatal injury while he was training for the 2009 Winter Olympics. He hit his head on the halfpipe and sustained traumatic brain injury as a result. HBO premiered a documentary on Pearce’s recovery at Sundance in 2013.

“He was competing against his biggest rival, Shaun White and both men tried increasingly difficult tricks in the months leading up to the Winter Olympics in 2010,” the article reads. “After his brain injury, Pearce was barely able to move or speak. He has now fully recovered, and credits that mostly to yoga and meditation. And surprisingly, he’s still riding, albeit at a different pace, despite the danger of a potential second traumatic experience.”

Pearce has made a point to speak out about his experience, even starting a non-profit foundation called LoveYourBrain.

“LoveYourBrain is the message that embodies our positive approach to brain injury prevention and healing. Our programs are designed to build community, foster resilience, and help people understand the importance of loving your brain,” the LoveYourBrain website explains .

The foundation supports brain injury survivors and caregivers, along with providing workshops for yoga teachers so they can personally teach brain injury survivors. They also offer a yearly retreat in Pearce’s home state, Vermont, for both caregivers and survivors,” the Observer reports.

U.S. Department of Defense observes National Brain Injury Awareness Month

Thu, 09 Mar 2017 11:00:00 GMT

The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) released an article March 1 to help bring awareness to the effects and symptoms of traumatic brain injury (TBI). March is National Brain Injury Awareness Month and according to the DOD, it’s a time to recognize the more than 5 million Americans who are living with mental and physical […]

The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) released an article March 1 to help bring awareness to the effects and symptoms of traumatic brain injury (TBI).

March is National Brain Injury Awareness Month and according to the DOD, it’s a time to recognize the more than 5 million Americans who are living with mental and physical disabilities as a direct result of a traumatic brain injury .

“TBI is caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head or by a penetrating head injury that disrupts the brain’s normal function, though not all blows or jolts to the head result in a TBI,” the article on the DOD website reads.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , TBI contributes to about 30 percent of all U.S. injury deaths each year.

Dr. Kirsten Pollick who is Naval Hospital Jacksonville’s neuropsychologist, TBI program director and mental health department head, is quoted in the article saying that it’s important to spread the word about traumatic brain injury because people need to know the signs to look for so they can seek proper care promptly if they sustain a TBI.

“ The severity of a TBI can range from mild , with a brief change in mental status or consciousness; to severe, with an extended period of unconsciousness or amnesia,” Pollick said in the article.

Each year at least 2.5 million children and adults suffer traumatic brain injuries in the U.S. Of those, about 2.2 million are treated in emergency departments, and about 280,000 are hospitalized.

TBI Symptoms

Physical signs and symptoms of TBI can include loss of consciousness, a state of being dazed, headaches, fuzzy or blurry vision, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, sensitivity to light, balance problems, or feeling tired or having no energy.

While some of the symptoms can appear immediately following an injury, sometimes it might take days or even months following a traumatic brain injury for symptoms to appear.

“Children with a brain injury can have the same symptoms as adults, but it’s often harder for them to let others know how they feel,” the article reads.

Some leading causes of TBI include vehicle crashes, contact sports injuries, falls, or being hit by an object.

Service members are also at an increased risk of traumatic brain injury while deployed to areas with a high risk of blast exposures.

Although, about 80 percent of new TBI cases among military personnel occur in non-deployed settings, such as motor vehicle crashes, falls, sports and recreation activities, and assaults, the article reads.

How to drive with caution around large trucks

Wed, 08 Mar 2017 11:00:00 GMT

Sharing the road with large trucks can be both frustrating and at times, dangerous. When a large truck or a semi is moving slowly, it can be tempting to accelerate, switch lanes, and pass it. While this is something most everyone has done at one time or another, not everyone is aware of how to […]

In fact, according to an article on the AAA website , about one in 10 highway deaths occur in a crash that involves a large truck – and 85 percent of the victims are traveling as passengers in a vehicle, are on a motorcycle, are a pedestrian, or are sharing the roadway on a bicycle.

Trucks are often so large; they have many blind spots. That, combined with the fact that cars’ side mirrors show things further away than they are can be a dangerous combination. When passing and re-entering another lane, a driver may think they are far enough away from a large truck being passed, when they actually are not.

This is one of the daily challenges truckers must deal with when interacting with cars. It can endanger not only the trucker, but also traffic surrounding the truck. Keep in mind that cutting off a semi-truck causes the driver to have to brake suddenly, which due to the size of the vehicle can cause them to lose control.

While passing a truck can be intimidating, with the right driving habits, you can avoid unnecessary risks. AAA has published on their website steps to take to pass a large truck safely.
Here are some tips on how to share the road with large trucks:

Avoid a truck driver’s blind spots
Large trucks have at least four blind spots that all motorists should avoid. In fact, driving in one of the blind spots essentially makes your vehicle invisible from the truck driver’s view. According to AAA , one-third of fatal crashes between cars and trucks occur in these four blind spots. And the larger the truck, the larger its blind spots.

Keep your distance behind large trucks
You might have noticed that some trucks have a sign on the back, prompting drivers to keep their distance. Well, those signs are there for good reason. Sometimes debris such as pebbles, loose dirt or even lumber can fly off the back of a truck and hit your vehicle. Depending on the size of what hits your vehicle, it could cause you to lose control and crash . The best way to avoid this is to keep a safe distance between your vehicle and a large truck. Make sure you’re at least three-seconds (minimal) behind a truck, or more. Most rear-end collisions are caused because the vehicle in back is following too closely.

Don’t cut in front of trucks
Cutting in front of a truck is just as dangerous as following too closely. AAA reports that a loaded truck needs 20 to 40 percent more distance than cars, to stop. When it’s raining or the roads are wet or slippery, they need even more distance to stop safely. If you do pass a truck, make sure you leave plenty of room between your car and the truck – and always use your turn signal before changing lanes to alert the truck driver.

Pay attention to signs
Many large trucks have signs behind them warning drivers of safety measures such as how much distance should be left between your car and them – or signs like “If you can’t see my side view mirrors, I can’t see you.” Pay attention to what those signs say. When you can’t see the truck’s mirrors, it means you’re following too closely, which of course puts you in the truck driver’s rear blind spot.

Be especially aware during the day
According to AAA , nearly eight in 10 fatal crashes in 2013 involving large trucks happened during the weekday, mostly from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Always pay close attention, especially in the daytime, when sharing the roadway with large trucks.

Review more tips on how to drive safely next to big trucks.

BioDirection announces involvement with 12th World Congress on Brain Injury

Tue, 07 Mar 2017 11:00:00 GMT

BioDirection, Inc. announced Wednesday that it will participate in the International Brain Injury Association’s 12th World Congress on Brain Injury. The event is scheduled for March 29-April 1 at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel. BioDirection, Inc. is a privately-held medical device company developing novel and rapid point-of care products for the objective management of concussion […]

BioDirection, Inc. announced Wednesday that it will participate in the International Brain Injury Association’s 12 ^th World Congress on Brain Injury . The event is scheduled for March 29-April 1 at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel.

BioDirection, Inc. is a privately-held medical device company developing novel and rapid point-of care products for the objective management of concussion and other traumatic brain injuries (TBI).

BioDirection’s first product is called the Tbit system. The Tbit system is the world’s first multiplexing platform utilizing patented biosensing nanowire technology that can detect and measure very low concentrations of “biomarker” proteins released from the brain after a traumatic brain injury .

“The flexible platform is fully scalable with multiplexing functionality, providing the ability to measure virtually any protein biomarker panel from whole blood,” the press release reads . “The Tbit System includes a disposable cartridge and portable analyzer capable of generating a test result in less than two minutes from a single drop of blood at the earliest stages of an injury.”

IBIA World Congress is the largest gathering of international professionals working in the field of brain injury. Delegates are comprised of physicians, psychologists and neuropsychologists, therapists, social workers, nurses, case managers, legal professionals, advocates and all others working in the field of brain injury.

The aim of the 12th World Congress is to provide an opportunity for establishing collegial relationships with international professionals focused on the care and/or service of persons with acquired brain injury and/or the science of brain injury research.

More than 1,400 brain injury professionals attended the 2014 World Congress held in San Francisco, and the 2017 Congress is expected to exceed those numbers.

Woman involved in crash that killed her husband also dies

Mon, 06 Mar 2017 11:00:00 GMT

A woman who was involved in a deadly crash with her husband on Highway 30 on Feb. 12 has died. Her husband, Kirk U’Ren, a 37-year-old Cottage Grove man was also killed as a result of injuries he sustained in the crash. According to an article published Feb. 27 by the Wisconsin State Journal, the […]

According to an article published Feb. 27 by the Wisconsin State Journal , the Dane County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed the woman’s death last Sunday, while Madison police announced tentative charges against the driver of the vehicle being blamed for the crash.

“Jenni Steiner, 34, was riding in an SUV driven by her husband, Kirk U’Ren, when an oncoming car entered the median, went airborne and landed on the couple’s vehicle,” the article reads. “She died Saturday morning, said her former supervisor, Vicki Hellenbrand. Her husband died at the crash scene.”

The crash happened near the Fair Oaks Avenue exit. A Madison police investigator said speed appears to have been a factor in the crash.

Friends and family spoke out about the couple’s death, saying they’re still in shock that it occurred. The husband and wife were on their way to a UW men’s basketball game when the crash happened.

Steiner was a CPA, auditor, and senior manager in Baker Tilly’s state and local government group. U’Ren worked as a sales supervisor at Pepsi-Cola of Madison. The couple has 1-year-old twin sons.

Sunday night the Madison police released a statement about the crash saying that Brandon Ballweg, 25, of the town of Dunn has been tentatively charged with two counts of second-degree reckless homicide, three counts of second degree recklessly endangering safety and one count of reckless driving causing injury, the article reads.

Ballweg has been held at the Dane County Jail since Feb. 13.

Collision between vehicle and semi leaves one dead, others injured

Sun, 05 Mar 2017 13:14:00 GMT

A Wisconsin man died last week in a head-on collision between a car and a semitrailer truck. The man, from Brillion, was 21-years-old, according to various media reports on the incident. The collision occurred Friday on U.S. 10 just west of Calumet County D in Woodville. “Dakota A. Steinmetz was a passenger in the car […]

A Wisconsin man died last week in a head-on collision between a car and a semitrailer truck. The man, from Brillion, was 21-years-old, according to various media reports on the incident.

The collision occurred Friday on U.S. 10 just west of Calumet County D in Woodville.

“ Dakota A. Steinmetz was a passenger in the car and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Calumet County Sheriff’s Department,” an article published by the Post-Crescent reads.

The collision happened just before 4:45 p.m. Friday.

Heather Besaw-Benz, who is 23-years-old and from Neenah, was reportedly traveling east on U.S. 10 when she lost control of her vehicle. Besaw-Benz then crossed the center line and traveled into the westbound lane where she struck the semi-truck.

Steinmetz was a passenger in Besaw-Benz’ vehicle. The truck was driven by 56-year-old Donald Guzowski, from Green Bay.

Road conditions are suspected to be connected to the incident.

“Road conditions were very poor at the time of the crash ,” Lt. Bill Tyson of the sheriff’s department told the Post-Crescent . “After the crash with the truck, Besaw-Benz’s car hit an eastbound vehicle driven by Gina Glover, 42, of Menasha.”

Besaw-Benz was injured as a result of the crash and was transported by ambulance to a local hospital to be treated for non-life threatening injuries.

Also injured were Guzowski, Glover and a passenger in Glover’s vehicle, Scott Rice, 46, of Neenah. All parties were transported by ambulance to area hospitals to be treated for non-life threatening injuries, according to the news story.

A section of U.S. 10 between Harvestore Road and County D didn’t reopen until 3 a.m. on Saturday, according to the Wisconsin State Patrol.

Wisconsin crash sends three to hospital

Sat, 04 Mar 2017 12:46:00 GMT

A Wisconsin crash last week sent three people to the hospital with injuries, according to various media reports. The Wisconsin State Patrol released information to media that the collision occurred on County Highway F “Emergency responders were called at 10:58 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 24 to the scene of a two-vehicle crash at County Highway […]

“Emergency responders were called at 10:58 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 24 to the scene of a two-vehicle crash at County Highway F at Arrowhead Lane in Sawyer County, just north of Birchwood,” an article reads on the Hudson Patch website .

An investigation into the crash revealed that a woman and child were traveling northbound in their vehicle at which time the woman lost control of the vehicle and traveled into the path of a southbound vehicle and crashed into it. There was one male driver in the vehicle that was hit.

The Wisconsin State Patrol described the scene in an accident report that was released to the public on Tuesday.

All three people involved in the crash were transported by ambulance to the Lake View Medical Center in Rice Lake.

The man, woman, and child were reportedly treated for non-life threatening injuries at the hospital.

“Assisting agencies included the Birchwood Police Department, Birchwood Ambulance, Birchwood Fire Department, and Sawyer County Sheriff’s Department,” the article reads.

The crash remained under investigation Tuesday by the Wisconsin State Patrol. There is no mention as to whether or not the woman is facing any charges in connection to the crash.

Wisconsin man killed in crash near Dane County Regional Airport

Fri, 03 Mar 2017 11:00:00 GMT

A Wisconsin Dells man was killed in a two-vehicle crash last Thursday, according to various media reports. The crash occurred on Highway 51 north of the Dane County Regional Airport, according to an article by the Wisconsin State Journal. “The crash happened at about 11:15 p.m. at the Highway 51 and Highway CV intersection in […]

“The crash happened at about 11:15 p.m. at the Highway 51 and Highway CV intersection in the town of Burke, the Dane County Sheriff’s Office said,” the article reads.

As of last Friday afternoon the victim’s identity had not been released pending the notification of his family.

An investigation into the crash revealed that the victim, who is reportedly 60-years-old, was traveling northbound and made a turn onto Highway 51 from Highway CV. He was driving an SUV and when he turned, he was struck by a Chevy Trailblazer that was traveling southbound.

The driver of the Chevy Trailblazer was 18-year-old Noah Davis, who is from Madison. He was arrested at the scene on tentative charges of homicide by negligent use of a motor vehicle, the Wisconsin State Journal reports.

“Driver speed appears to be a contributing factor in the crash,” Lt. Jeff Heil told a Wisconsin State Journal reporter.

The details of the crash remain under investigation.

Green Bay man killed in three-vehicle crash

Thu, 02 Mar 2017 11:00:00 GMT

A Green Bay, Wisconsin man was killed last Friday afternoon due to complications from injuries he sustained in a three-vehicle crash in Marinetta County, Wisconsin. According to an article by The Mining Journal, the man who died was 81-year-old Carl J. Bernetzke. Bernetzke was extricated from his four-door sedan following the collision, but reportedly died […]

A Green Bay, Wisconsin man was killed last Friday afternoon due to complications from injuries he sustained in a three-vehicle crash in Marinetta County, Wisconsin.

According to an article by The Mining Journal, the man who died was 81-year-old Carl J. Bernetzke.

Bernetzke was extricated from his four-door sedan following the collision, but reportedly died from head injuries he sustained as a result of the crash , while he was on the way to the hospital.

“Bernetzke was traveling south on U.S. 141 near Jossart Road in Beecher, Wisconsin, when he was struck by a northbound blue pickup truck that had crossed the centerline,” the article reads. “The driver of the pickup truck, Leroy D. Poglud, 67, of Goodman, Wisconsin, was treated for his injuries at Dickinson County Memorial Hospital in Iron Mountain, police said.”

Poglud’s truck also struck another vehicle, a pickup truck, that was southbound. Authorities said that 48-year-old Donald E. Britten Jr., of Langlade, Wisconsin was driving the pickup truck at the time of the collision. Britten was not injured as a result of the crash.

“Police said the accident remains under investigation by the sheriff’s office and coroner. Assisting at the scene were the Pembine rescue and fire departments, Amberg Fire Department, Beacon Ambulance and the Marinette County deputy coroner.”

Police told various media outlets that this is the first traffic fatality of 2017 in Marinette County.

Researchers look at long-term effect of brain injury

Wed, 01 Mar 2017 11:00:00 GMT

Researchers from Cincinnati Children’s presented their study on the long-term effects of traumatic brain injury (TBI) recently at the Association of Academic Physiatrists in Las Vegas. The study, which looked at multiple patients on an average of seven years following TBI showed that people with mild to moderate brain injuries are twice as likely to […]

Researchers from Cincinnati Children’s presented their study on the long-term effects of traumatic brain injury (TBI) recently at the Association of Academic Physiatrists in Las Vegas.

The study, which looked at multiple patients on an average of seven years following TBI showed that people with mild to moderate brain injuries are twice as likely to develop attention problems such as ADHD and those with severe head injuries are five times more likely.

But, their research also concluded that a child’s environment influences the development of the attention problems.

“Parenting and the home environment exert a powerful influence on recovery,” the study revealed. “Children with severe TBI in optimal environments may show few effects of their injuries while children with milder injuries from disadvantaged or chaotic homes often demonstrate persistent problems.”

According to an article in Science Daily, early family response is important for long-term outcomes, which suggests that effective parenting plays a key role in a child’s progress following a brain injury .

“More than 630,000 children and teenagers in the United States are treated in emergency rooms for TBI each year. But predictors of recovery following TBI, particularly the roles of genes and environment, are unclear,” the article reads.

The environmental factors outlined by the study included parenting practices, the home environment, how the family functions and the family’s socioeconomic status.

“Researchers at Cincinnati Children’s are working to identify genes important to recovery after TBI and understand how these genes may interact with environmental factors to influence recovery.”

The researchers collected DNA samples from more than 330 children and tested outcomes at 3,6, and 12-months following a traumatic brain injury .

“Using neuroimaging and other technologies, scientists are also learning more about brain structure and connectivity related to persistent symptoms after TBI,” the article reads.

Investigators at Cincinnati Children’s have conducted a series of studies to develop and test interventions to improve cognitive and behavioral outcomes following pediatric brain injury .

U.S. health company to launch blood test thought to help detect TBI

Tue, 28 Feb 2017 11:00:00 GMT

A major United States healthcare company has plans to launch a portable device that is thought to help doctors detect traumatic brain injury by using a blood test. According to an article in the Business Standard, Abbott is currently testing the device and plans to launch it in India in coming months. The device is […]

The device is a blood-base biomarker test that will run on Abbotts i-STAT device. The i-STAT handheld device is an easy-to-use blood analyzer that provides healthcare professionals with access to real-time, lab-quality results within minutes – rather than hours.

The system provides healthcare professionals with the information they need to rapidly make treatment decisions, which may lead to enhanced quality of care and improved system efficiency.

“Currently, the company’s point of care tests includes those for hemoglobin and kidney,” the article reads. “Abbott is initiating its trials in the US market this year after which the device will be brought to India. The device will be available in India in the next 18 months.”

The device is designed to test protein levels within blood samples that are said to assess the extent of an injury and also determine whether a person is prone to brain injury . The device is portable, but is specialized, so will not be sold as an over-the-counter product.

Abbott collaborated with the U.S. Department of Defense beginning in 2014, to develop the device. The Department of Defense committed to funding $19.5 million for two years to make the project happen.

Abbott claims that the test will be able to detect concussions, which are a form of mild traumatic brain injury , but some doctors are skeptical of the device.

One doctor is quoted in the article as saying that no blood test can determine the extent of a brain injury – only a CT Scan can do that.

Campaign initiative launched to bring awareness to TBI

Mon, 27 Feb 2017 12:27:00 GMT

An advertising campaign has recently been launched in North Dakota aimed at educating the public about traumatic brain injury (TBI). The North Dakota Brain Injury Network, who works with people whose lives have been impacted by traumatic brain injury, launched the campaign last Tuesday in an effort to let people who have sustained a TBI […]

An advertising campaign has recently been launched in North Dakota aimed at educating the public about traumatic brain injury (TBI).

The North Dakota Brain Injury Network, who works with people whose lives have been impacted by traumatic brain injury , launched the campaign last Tuesday in an effort to let people who have sustained a TBI know that they are not alone and there are programs and services that can help them.

“This is an opportunity to bring attention to brain injury …,” North Dakota Brain Injury Network program director Rebecca Quinn said in a state Capitol press studio Tuesday . “To help them understand there’s resources available.”

The campaign project was launched by the North Dakota Department of Human Services and North Dakota Brain Injury Network. Information will be spread to the public through radio, print, online and television ads through June. The campaign coincides with Brain Injury Awareness Month, which is in March.

The campaign is called “Know Your Noggin” and is being funded by federal dollars.

It’s a common misperception that traumatic brain injuries typically involve athletes, but everyone is susceptible, including the elderly.

The television ads will air across the state over the next few months.

“The group also spoke in favor of House Bill 1085, which would create a statewide brain injury advisory council,” the article reads. “The group would be able to discuss and work toward promoting programs and ways to improve quality of life for those living with such injuries.”

HB1085 recently passed the House by an 81-9 vote.

One killed in Wisconsin truck collision

Sun, 26 Feb 2017 13:13:00 GMT

One person is dead following an incident where two trucks collided near Mosinee last Friday morning. According to various media reports, the Kronewetter Police Department identified the man as 58-year-old Charles Rodeback. “Investigators said the crash happened at 10:19 a.m. Friday and involved two vehicles. Both vehicles had a single occupant,” an article posted to […]

“Investigators said the crash happened at 10:19 a.m. Friday and involved two vehicles. Both vehicles had a single occupant,” an article posted to the NewsChannel 7 website reads .

Kronenwetter Police Chief Terry McHugh told NewsChannel 7 that a utility pickup truck with a male driver collided with another truck that was pulling a trailer. Rodeback was driving the vehicle that was pulling the trailer and he reportedly was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash .

“We’ve got one vehicle that was traveling east bound on 153,” McHugh explained in the article . “Then the second vehicle was traveling south on Pioneer and went through the stop sign and went through the intersection.”

McHugh told media that he believes the truck running the stop sign is likely what caused the trucks to crash. There’s no mention in the article whether the man driving the utility truck was charged or is facing charges in connection to the collision.

Both trucks landed in the front lawn of a home at the intersection, but neither vehicle hit the home during the crash. No other injuries were reported as a result of the incident.

Authorities have said that alcohol does not appear to be a factor in the crash.

The intersection reopened just before 3 p.m. last Friday following an investigation into the matter.

As of February 19, 57 people have been killed on Wisconsin roads, according to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. Thirty-six of the deaths occurred in January and 21 people have died so far this month.

According to the Wisconsin DOT website , 38 of those who have been killed on Wisconsin roads this year were drivers, 14 were passengers in vehicles, four were pedestrians and one is unknown.

11 people injured when school bus collides with semi

Sat, 25 Feb 2017 13:34:00 GMT

At least 11 people were injured when a school bus collided with a semi-truck last Tuesday morning in Wisconsin, according to various media reports. The incident occurred about 7:30 a.m. along Highway 45 south of New London. At least three of the 11 people treated for injuries were children. The crash involved a school bus […]

At least 11 people were injured when a school bus collided with a semi-truck last Tuesday morning in Wisconsin, according to various media reports.

The incident occurred about 7:30 a.m. along Highway 45 south of New London. At least three of the 11 people treated for injuries were children.

The crash involved a school bus and semi-truck near the Waupaca County and Outagamie County line, according to an article posted on the FOX6-News website .

“The sheriff’s department says the semi driver was airlifted to ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah Tuesday morning,” the article reads.

There was no information in regards to the condition of the driver as of last Wednesday afternoon.

WLUK-TV reported that 10 people, including three children between the ages of 11 and 14, were being treated at ThedaCare in New London. The bus involved in the crash was from the New London School District and officials said there were approximately 30 students aboard the bus at the time of the crash.

The New London School District posted the following on their Facebook page:

We are providing this update to confirm that a School District of New London bus was involved in an accident this morning. One student was transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries and all others were taken to school. All parents of students on this bus are being contacted. We will release additional information as it is confirmed. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

No information in regards to who was at fault for the crash, or if anyone was facing charges in connection to the crash, was mentioned in the article.

Elderly couple killed in logging truck crash

Fri, 24 Feb 2017 11:00:00 GMT

An elderly couple was killed when their car was hit by a logging truck in the Town of Grant, Wisconsin last week. According to various media reports, the couple who were hit were from Marion. The incident happened last Monday about 4 p.m. in an intersection of County Highway G, according to the Shawano County […]

“The crash that killed Ireneo Gonzalez, 77, and Soila Gonzalez, 76, happened about 4 p.m. Monday in the Town of Grant,” an article published on the WAOW website reads. “The driver of the truck, a 57-year-old Bowler man, was not hurt. The victims were traveling westbound on Leopolis Road at the time of the crash .”

The Shawano County Sheriff’s Office said an initial investigation into the crash showed that the vehicle the elderly couple were driving in was headed westbound on Leopolis Road and when it was in the intersection of County Trunk G, a log truck that was traveling northbound on County Trunk G collided with it.

“The 77-year-old man driving the westbound vehicle and his 76-year-old female passenger both died from injuries suffered during the crash,” the article reads. “The 57-year-old northbound driver from Bowler was not hurt.”

The crash is currently under investigation. No additional information is being released at this time.

Vision test could lead to earlier diagnosis of brain injury

Thu, 23 Feb 2017 11:00:00 GMT

A new test that uses peripheral vision reaction time might help doctors to diagnose mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) earlier. An estimated 3.8 million people get a mild traumatic brain injury, also referred to as a concussion, in the U.S. each year from playing sports or being involved in some other type of recreation, according to […]

A new test that uses peripheral vision reaction time might help doctors to diagnose mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) earlier.

An estimated 3.8 million people get a mild traumatic brain injury , also referred to as a concussion, in the U.S. each year from playing sports or being involved in some other type of recreation, according to protectthebrain.org . During 2001-2005, children and youth ages 5-18 years accounted for 2.4 million sports-related emergency department (ED) visits annually, of which 6% (135,000) involved a concussion.

A concussion occurs when a blow or jolt to the head disrupts the normal function of the brain. Doctors may describe these injuries as “mild” because concussions are usually not life threatening. But, the effects of a concussion can be serious, according to brainline.org .

Following a concussion, some people lose consciousness for a short time, but not always — you can have a brain injury without losing consciousness.

Every brain injury is different, so some symptoms may appear right away, while others may not show up for days or weeks after the concussion. The signs of concussion can be subtle. Most people with mild injuries recover fully, but it can take time. Some symptoms can last for days, weeks, or longer.

Peter J. Bergold, PhD, professor of physiology and pharmacology at SUNY Downstate Medical Center is a corresponding author of the study focused on peripheral vision reaction time.

An earlier diagnosis of brain injury could lead to better management of patients who are at risk for developing persistent symptoms, according to Dr. Bergold and his co-authors.

“Lingering symptoms may include loss of concentration and/or memory, confusion, anxiety, headaches, irritability, noise and light sensitivity, dizziness, and fatigue,” an article on News Medical Life Sciences reads.

“Mild traumatic brain injury is currently diagnosed with subjective clinical assessments,” says Dr. Bergold. “The potential utility of the peripheral vision reaction test is clear because it is an objective, inexpensive, and rapid test that identifies mild traumatic brain injury patients who have a more severe underlying injury.”

Hit-and-run crash leaves two injured, one critically

Wed, 22 Feb 2017 11:00:00 GMT

A hit-and-run crash on Highway 77 in Sawyer County left one man fighting for his life and another injured Thursday, Feb. 16. According to various media reports, the incident left a 35-year-old Stone Lake Man in critical condition after sustaining life-threatening injuries when he was ejected from his vehicle due to the force of the […]

A hit-and-run crash on Highway 77 in Sawyer County left one man fighting for his life and another injured Thursday, Feb. 16.

According to various media reports, the incident left a 35-year-old Stone Lake Man in critical condition after sustaining life-threatening injuries when he was ejected from his vehicle due to the force of the impact.

Another man, 46-years-old, from Hayward, also suffered injuries as a result the collision, but his injuries were not life threatening, according to an article in Hudson Patch.

“The Wisconsin State Patrol was asked to investigate a crash that occurred during a pursuit of hit and run suspects by the Sawyer County Sheriff’s Department and the Hayward Police Department,” the article reads.

The crash occurred about 1:35 p.m. on Highway 77 at West of Hwy 63 in Sawyer County near Hayward.

The vehicle that was struck was a 2008 Pontiac G6. The driver was ejected and transported by helicopter to St. Marys Hospital in Duluth with serious injuries , Hudson Patch reports.

A passenger in the vehicle was transported to the Hayward Area Memorial Hospital by ambulance.

No other vehicles were reportedly involved in the collision.

The crash is under investigation by members of the Wisconsin State Patrol Technical Reconstruction Unit.

Portable helmet could change the way brain injuries are assessed

Tue, 21 Feb 2017 13:35:00 GMT

A new transportable brain-scanning helmet called the PET (positron emission tomography) helmet could change the way doctors asses brain injuries right after they occur. Researchers at West Virginia University are working to put the new wearable devices to work, according to an article by The Guardian. The helmets would be used for rapid brain injury […]

A new transportable brain-scanning helmet called the PET (positron emission tomography) helmet could change the way doctors asses brain injuries right after they occur.

Researchers at West Virginia University are working to put the new wearable devices to work, according to an article by The Guardian. The helmets would be used for rapid brain injury assessment of stroke victims, athletes, soldiers on the battlefield and more.

The PET helmet is a miniaturized version of the hospital positron emission tomography (PET) scanner, a large doughnut-shaped machine which takes up a small room.

“Julie Brefczynski-Lewis, the neuroscientist leading the project at West Virginia University, said that the new helmet could dramatically speed up diagnosis and make the difference between a positive outcome and devastating brain damage or death for some patients,” the article reads.

Despite its small size, the new device produces remarkably detailed images that could help doctors to identify brain trauma early on. The helmet is currently in its testing phase, but could be released for clinical use in as little as two years.

Being able to spot signs of brain injury quickly can help doctors diagnose and treat patients early on, which means they can catch issues before they become more widespread and cause more damage.

For instance, the longer a stroke patient waits to be diagnosed, the more damage is caused.

“Depending on the brain region affected by stroke, a patient’s speech and language abilities could be saved or paralysis prevented,” the article reads. “In the future, the team said it may be possible to diagnose sports concussion ‘within minutes’.”

The wearable scanner works similar to a conventional PET scan. The patient would be injected with glucose tagged with a radioactive tracer. Radiation emitted by the tracer is captured by sensors on the helmet, which allows scientists to pinpoint which regions in the brain are metabolizing glucose most rapidly.

“The device, which can be worn while walking around could also enable scientists to study people’s mental patterns as they move about, socialize and respond to threats in their day-to-day environment,” the article reads.

New study links soccer move to dementia

Mon, 20 Feb 2017 13:23:00 GMT

A new study by UK scientists suggests that repeated blows to the head, similar to headbutting a soccer ball, can cause brain damage that leads to dementia. According to an article on Science.com, scientists from Cardiff University and University College London studied the brains of five people who at one time or another were professional […]

A new study by UK scientists suggests that repeated blows to the head, similar to headbutting a soccer ball, can cause brain damage that leads to dementia.

According to an article on Science.com, scientists from Cardiff University and University College London studied the brains of five people who at one time or another were professional soccer players for an average of about 26 years.

All of the former ball players developed dementia in the 60s. Their findings revealed signs of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) or brain injury , something that’s not uncommon in contact sports.

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) describes a gradual degeneration in brain function due to repeated head injuries that cause concussions. Even after symptoms of concussions fade, months and sometimes years later, people with CTE can experience new symptoms.

“Initially, there may be concentration and memory problems with episodes of disorientation and confusion, dizziness, and headache ,” according to medicinenet.com . “As CTE progresses, behavior becomes even more erratic, with aggression and symptoms similar to those of Parkinson’s disease. Finally, thought processes decrease even further, leading to a dementia with more Parkinson’s symptoms including speech and walking abnormalities. The symptoms are progressive and cannot be stopped.”

Prof Huw Morris, of University College London who was a part of the study, said when the team examined the brains they noticed similar changes to what one might see in ex-boxers’ brains.

“Changes that are often associated with repeated brain injury , which is known as CTE,” he said.

The researchers said their findings aren’t clear-cut and there may be several other factors involved that led to CTE in the brains of the deceased players. More research is needed.

One dead, two others injured in 4-vehicle crash

Sun, 19 Feb 2017 11:00:00 GMT

One person was killed and two others injured in a 4-vehicle pile-up last Sunday afternoon on the East Side of Madison, Wisconsin. According to an article by the Wisconsin State Journal, the crash occurred about 4:50 p.m. at North Fair Oaks Avenue on Highway 30. According to reports, an eastbound vehicle crossed the median and […]

One person was killed and two others injured in a 4-vehicle pile-up last Sunday afternoon on the East Side of Madison, Wisconsin.

According to an article by the Wisconsin State Journal , the crash occurred about 4:50 p.m. at North Fair Oaks Avenue on Highway 30.

According to reports, an eastbound vehicle crossed the median and struck a westbound vehicle.

Madison police said a 37-year-old man died and two other people were sent to the hospital as a result of injuries they sustained in the crash .

“A preliminary investigation report said a vehicle traveling east on Highway 30 crossed the median and struck a vehicle headed west,” an article on the WISC-TV website reads. “Madison police said a 25-year-old driver lost control of his car as he was headed east on Highway 30. He drove into a ditch and went airborne as he entered the west lanes. The car landed on an SUV, killing the 37-year-old SUV driver, a Cottage Grove man.”

A 34-year-old Cottage Grove woman was a passenger in the SUV and sustained critical, life-threatening injuries as a result of the collision. She was still hospitalized and in critical condition as of last Monday, according to a news release.

“The impact caused the SUV to collide with two other vehicles, Madison police said. One contained a 35-year-old Madison woman,” WISC-TV reports. “She suffered a minor injury. The other contained a couple from Pewaukee, a 50-year-old man and 48-year-old woman. They were not injured.”

Police said the driver of the car that crossed the median, a town of Dunn man, was sent to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The highway was shut down for several hours while crews worked the scene. No other information about the incident has been released.

Three teens killed in Monroe crash, another seriously injured

Sat, 18 Feb 2017 13:06:00 GMT

Three teenagers were killed in a crash last Friday and a truck driver remained in the hospital as of last Sunday, fighting for her life. According to various media reports, the incident occurred about 2:30 p.m. at the intersection of Melvin and Clarno roads just south of Monroe in the township of Clarno. “First responders […]

Three teenagers were killed in a crash last Friday and a truck driver remained in the hospital as of last Sunday, fighting for her life.

According to various media reports, the incident occurred about 2:30 p.m. at the intersection of Melvin and Clarno roads just south of Monroe in the township of Clarno.

“First responders on the scene from Monroe extinguished a fire on one of the cars,” an article on the WXOW website reads. “Three persons were airlifted to the UW Hospital in Madison, while one was pronounced dead the scene.”

The other two students died shortly after being transported to the hospital.

A news release from the Green County Sheriff’s Office said initial reports indicated a sedan was traveling westbound on Melvin Road, when it failed to stop at the intersection and collided with a northbound truck.

The roads were closed for about six hours following the collision to permit the county and the Wisconsin State Patrol to investigate the crash scene.

Three sophomore high school students were killed as a result of injuries they sustained in the crash, according to the Wisconsin State Journal.

People were informed of the accident via an e-mail Friday night sent to students’ parents by MHS principal Chris Medenwaldt.

“The Green County Sheriff’s Office identified the driver as Gage P. Noble, 16, of rural Monroe, who died at the scene,” the WSJ reports. “His passengers were Anya T.L. Teasdale, 16, and Joseph T. Wyss, 15, also of Monroe, who were taken by medical helicopter to UW Hospital, where they died Saturday, the Sheriff’s Office said”

The driver of the truck, who has been identified as Jennifer L. Hopkins, 35, of rural Monroe, remained in the hospital in serious condition as of last Sunday.

Alcohol wasn’t a factor in the crash, according to statements from the sheriff’s office.

Students and friends have left memorials for their friends and gathered to remember them. Various media reports say it’s unclear where the students were headed at the time of the crash.

Nebraska Bill would establish Brain Injury Council

Fri, 17 Feb 2017 13:42:00 GMT

Many people living in Nebraska who have suffered traumatic brain injury (TBI) currently lack access to proper resources about their condition. According to an article in the Columbus Telegram, a new bill could change that for the more than 36,000 people who are diagnosed with a brain injury each year in Nebraska. The bill, called […]

Many people living in Nebraska who have suffered traumatic brain injury (TBI) currently lack access to proper resources about their condition.

According to an article in the Columbus Telegram , a new bill could change that for the more than 36,000 people who are diagnosed with a brain injury each year in Nebraska.

The bill, called LB227, would help to establish a Brain Injury Council and Brain Injury Trust Fund, according to Sen. Anna Wishart of Lincoln.

“This would help all Nebraskans dealing with effects of traumatic brain injury ,” Wishart said in the article . “The council and trust fund would be created by using an existing four-year federal grant, she said. Friday’s hearing on her bill was her first hearing as a senator.”

Many people in attendance testified in favor of the LB227 bill, including representatives from the Brain Injury Alliance of Nebraska, Nebraska Medical Association and the Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital. According to the article, there were no opponents who spoke out against the bill at the hearing.

“Peggy Reisher, executive director of the Brain Injury Alliance of Nebraska, said the nonprofit is manned by three full-time employees and three part-time employees,” the article reads. “They help people who call asking how to set up Medicaid, how to find transportation services, where to get specific mental or physical health services, among other requests.”

Reisher said they’re basically “middlemen” because many victims of traumatic brain injuries aren’t sure how to find the services they need.

“Brain injury does not discriminate,” Reisher said.

The council proposed by LB227 would help decide how to allocate the funds. Proponents of the bill said that they plan to raise money for the trust fund to continue efforts started under the legislation after the four-year grant runs out, according to the article.

Much of the money would be used to hire people to work one-on-one with families or people who are victims of traumatic brain injury, to help them find the resources they need.

Companies team with Harvard researchers to study neonatal brain injury

Thu, 16 Feb 2017 13:25:00 GMT

Two companies have joined forces with Harvard Medical School in an attempt to learn more about neonatal brain injury. According to an article on the Fierce Biotech website, while there’s current technology to help doctors and surgeons detect brain injury in infants, there’s also a lot of concerns about the technology in place when it […]

Two companies have joined forces with Harvard Medical School in an attempt to learn more about neonatal brain injury .

According to an article on the Fierce Biotech website, while there’s current technology to help doctors and surgeons detect brain injury in infants, there’s also a lot of concerns about the technology in place when it comes to sensitivity of the devices and the cost to use them.

That’s why NFANT Labs and Boston Children’s Hospital have teamed with Harvard Medical School to investigate a link between feeding performance and neonatal brain injury .

“Specifically, the trio will study neonatal sucking patterns as an indicator of neurodevelopment,” the article reads.

The team will use magnetoencephalography to find a clear association between early feeding patterns and brain abnormalities, according to a statement.

“The partners will use the nfant Feeding Solution in their project. It’s a smart baby bottle that measures an infant’s tongue motion on its nipple and wirelessly transmits this data to a mobile app,” the article reads. “It helps determine if an infant’s tongue is strong enough to transition from tube feeding to bottle or breast feeding. The FDA cleared the device in 2015.”

NFANT Labs is a medical device and digital health company dedicated to improving the standard of care in infant feeding by providing medical products and services without prohibitive cost.

Currently, the NICU feeding experience is one of uncertainty and financial hurdles. At NFANT Labs, the company state’s its belief is that care in the NICU can be continuously improved and affordable when caregivers are empowered with the right tools for vital decisions and treatments.

“Neonatal feeding screening could help identify at-risk infants early, so caregivers may identify brain injury and intervene sooner rather than later,” NFANT Labs said in the statement . “This partnership with leaders in the scientific community will further demonstrate the value of nfant Feeding Solution beyond just feeding disorders and help patients with underlying neurodevelopmental issues typically not detected until early childhood.”

Researchers hope long-term TBI study will help prevent future incidents

Wed, 15 Feb 2017 11:00:00 GMT

A federally funded study in the U.S. will examine more than 1,000 service members in an attempt to better understand the effects of mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) in soldiers and hopefully help researchers evaluate, treat and prevent future TBI cases. According to a press release by the Department of Defense, the study has already […]

A federally funded study in the U.S. will examine more than 1,000 service members in an attempt to better understand the effects of mild traumatic brain injury ( TBI ) in soldiers and hopefully help researchers evaluate, treat and prevent future TBI cases.

According to a press release by the Department of Defense , the study has already enrolled hundreds of service members who fought in either Afghanistan or Iraq. The goal is to enroll at least 1,100 soldiers.

The researchers hope to follow the service members for 20 years or more to better understand the long-term neurologic effects of mild TBI and other deployment-related conditions, according to the press release. Ongoing funding is not guaranteed, though.

“The research group reported recently on the first stages of the study in the journal Brain Injury . As of today, more than 700 volunteers are participating,” the release reads. “About 80 percent of those being enrolled have a history of at least one mild TBI, while the others have no TBIs. That will allow the researchers to compare the two groups. The focus is strictly on mild TBI; those with more severe brain injuries are excluded.”

Leading the new study is Dr. William Walker, a TBI expert at the Richmond VA Medical Center and Virginia Commonwealth University. He says the study is one of the most comprehensive TBI projects to date.

“The cornerstone of this study is that we’re doing a very intensive standardized interview to get at all of the lifetime potential concussive events,” he says. “Many of these individuals have had multiple concussions throughout their lifetimes. We’re looking at it from an epidemiologic standpoint of lifetime exposures.”

The research team wants to know not only about mild TBIs that occurred in combat zones, but also ones that occurred earlier in a soldier’s life, or perhaps after military service.

The team will interview soldiers and also examine them using computerized balance tests, brain scans, eye-tracking devices, neuropsychological tests, blood tests, and more.

“Aside from the initial study visit, veterans taking part in the study will need to come into the clinic for the whole array of tests, about eight hours’ worth, usually once every five years,” the press release reads . “In the intervening years, however, however, they will complete a 45-minute phone assessment with a study team member. That phone interview will test for memory and concentration, among other measures.”

The annual contact with participants will not only help researchers keep track of the soldiers, but will also give them valuable information over a long period of time.

Nearly 20 percent of the 2.5 million service members and veterans who deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan since 2003 are known to have sustained at least one TBI, and the vast majority of these are classified as mild.

Two dead, one critically injured in Wisconsin crash

Tue, 14 Feb 2017 12:41:00 GMT

Two people are dead and another was critically injured in a deadly crash last week in Shawano County, Wisconsin. According to various media reports, the incident occurred on Highway 47 near Bonduel last Wednesday in the town of Lessor. The victims of the crash were publicly identified after notification of family – last Thursday afternoon. […]

The victims of the crash were publicly identified after notification of family – last Thursday afternoon.

“The Wisconsin State Patrol says 84-year-old John Lindert from Brookfield was driving a Toyota Camry and tried passing a semi as they were both going north on Highway 47,” an article on the WBAY website reads . “Lindert entered a no-passing zone and crashed head-on into a Ford Focus driven by 57-year-old John Fischer from Shawano, killing them both.”

The impact of the crash was so severe that it reportedly sent the Camry into the path of the semi. A passenger in the Camry, which is Lindert’s car, was 81-year-old Donna Lindert, who is also from Brookfield. Donna Lindert was flown to a hospital in Green Bay with life-threatening injuries as a result of the crash.

A man from Prentice who is 61-years-old was driving the semi at the time of the incident. He was not injured in the collision, according to the article.

“The state patrol says everyone involved in the crash was wearing a seat belt,” the article reads. “Highway 47 was closed for several hours for about a mile in either direction from the crash scene, from County Highway F in Outagamie County to Highway 156 in Shawano County.”

During an investigation into the incident, a team of Wisconsin State Patrol employees reconstructed the crash scene. The Wisconsin State Patrol is currently leading the investigation in connection to the deadly crash.

The Shawano County Sheriff’s Office, Pulaski Tri-County Fire Department, Navarino Fire and EMS, Eagle III rescue helicopter, Shawano County Highway Department, and Wisconsin State Patrol all reportedly responded to the crash scene.

New scanners incorporated into boxing can diagnose brain bleeds

Mon, 13 Feb 2017 11:00:00 GMT

Brain injuries in boxing could be a thing of the past as the British and Irish Boxing Authority recently incorporated Infra-Scanners. The new scanners are an effort towards preventing disasters following head trauma in the sport. According to an article by the Daily Mail, the infra-red devices will detect brain bleeds with a 90 percent […]

Brain injuries in boxing could be a thing of the past as the British and Irish Boxing Authority recently incorporated Infra-Scanners.

The new scanners are an effort towards preventing disasters following head trauma in the sport. According to an article by the Daily Mail , the infra-red devices will detect brain bleeds with a 90 percent accuracy rate. The scanners are able to do this before symptoms like headaches or dizziness even occurs.

Another benefit to the Infra-Scanner – it only takes about three minutes to finish a scan. The scanners work by shining a laser beam into the head. In contrast, MRI scans take anywhere from 20-45 minutes to complete and require that a person be transported somewhere to undergo the scan.

“The equipment will be used for the first time at a BIBA sanctioned event in Bradford on February 26, and it is hoped that there will be ten units in operation in 2018,” the article reads. “It should be noted however that the British Boxing Board of Control, which sanctions most professional bouts in the UK, doesn’t recognize the BIBA, and instead will continue with its own investigations into brain injuries, though the equipment will be offered for use for any BBBoC fighter by the BIBA.”

In a statement on their website, BIBA vice president Gianluca Di Caro said they are extremely proud to be the first to introduce Infra-Scanners at events in the United Kingdom and Ireland, as they whole heartedly believe having them ringside will significantly prevent further tragedies within the sport of boxing.

Researchers hope that the equipment becomes commonly used widespread. If so, athletes who are injured seriously can be withdrawn from games/fights before it’s too late – therefore preventing further damage to the brain.

‘Helper cells’ not always helpful in brain injuries

Sun, 12 Feb 2017 13:12:00 GMT

A new study reveals that certain cells thought of as “helper cells” can turn toxic in brain injuries and cause damage to neurons. According to an article posted by Medical News Today, astrocytes, which are a type of cell that surround and support neurons, have a subtype that can eventually kill neurons rather than helping […]

A new study reveals that certain cells thought of as “helper cells” can turn toxic in brain injuries and cause damage to neurons.

According to an article posted by Medical News Today , astrocytes, which are a type of cell that surround and support neurons, have a subtype that can eventually kill neurons rather than helping them to repair following injury or disease.

The study comes from researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine and the University of Melbourne.

“The researchers suggest that the findings could lead to new treatments for brain injuries and major neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease,” the article reads. “Lead author Dr. Shane Liddelow, of the department of pharmacology and therapeutics at Melbourne, and the department of neurobiology at Stanford, says that while astrocytes have often been described as ‘helper’ cells, it has also been shown that they can become toxic and contribute to the damage caused by brain injury and disease by killing other brain cells.”

Astrocytes, which are shaped like a star and reside in the central nervous system, outnumber neurons by about five times. It has been thought for a long time that the cells provide structural support for neurons. But recent studies have shown that astrocytes offer more than just support for neurons, they actually perform a variety of complex roles in the brain and central nervous system.

“For example, it is now known that astrocytes enhance neuron survival and help to shape brain circuitry. It is also known that astrocytes can change from benign ‘resting astrocytes’ into ‘reactive astrocytes’ with altered features, following brain trauma, infection, stroke, and disease,” the article reads.

With all the studies that have been done on astrocytes though, it still isn’t clear whether they are good or bad cells.

The researchers in this particular study found a subtype of reactive astrocytes, which they call A1, that occurs in disease and injury.

It is A1 astrocytes that appear to be toxic and rather than helping neurons to grow, they kill them and other cells known to help grow the myelin sheath that insulates connections between neurons.

One dead, two injured in head-on collision

Sat, 11 Feb 2017 16:25:00 GMT

A head-on crash in Kenosha County claimed the life of one person and injured another last Sunday, Feb. 5. According to various media reports, the incident occurred near the intersection of Antioch Road and Highway C around 6:45 p.m. in the Town of Salem. “When crews arrived on scene, it was determined that a northbound Hyundai […]

“When crews arrived on scene, it was determined that a northbound Hyundai Accent and a southbound Chevrolet Cavalier collided head-on at that location,” an article on the FOX 6 Now website reads. “The operator of the Hyundai, a 20-year-old woman from Trevor, Wisconsin, was transported by Flight for Life to Froedtert Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.”

A 30-year-old Bristol woman who was driving the Chevrolet was pronounced dead at the scene.

There’s no information in regards to the cause of the crash or if anyone is facing charges in connection to the deadly collision. The article however does mention that when officials with the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department were investigating the scene about 8:15 p.m., several deputies were in charge of controlling the traffic. At one point, a vehicle attempted to pass a traffic control point that was marked with road flares and a flashing patrol vehicle. In doing so, the driver of that vehicle ran over a deputy’s foot. This incident took place at County Highway JF and Antioch.

The operator of that vehicle, a 65-year-old man from Illinois, was arrested on multiple charges and the deputy was transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

During the investigation the road was closed from about five hours.

The investigation in this collision is ongoing and the names of the people who were involved had not been released as of Monday afternoon.

UCLA to lead study of epilepsy after traumatic brain injuries

Fri, 10 Feb 2017 11:00:00 GMT

The University of California’s international consortium of academic research institutions is hoping to find better ways of preventing epilepsy following traumatic brain injuries with its new study. The university was awarded a $21 million grant by the National Institutes of Health to conduct the study. According to a news release on the UCLA website, there […]

The University of California’s international consortium of academic research institutions is hoping to find better ways of preventing epilepsy following traumatic brain injuries with its new study.

The university was awarded a $21 million grant by the National Institutes of Health to conduct the study.

According to a news release on the UCLA website, there will be seven investigators to lead the grant at five separate institutions. The seven groups will collaborate in various fields of sciences to conduct the study.

“UCLA, which operates both the Seizure Disorder Center and the Brain Injury Research Center , will receive about $7.5 million of the five-year grant from the NIH’s National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke,” the news release reads.

The researchers will be looking to identify biomarkers that are associated with the development of epilepsy following traumatic brain injury . Once the biomarkers are identified, the researchers will then work to design therapies to prevent or modify the condition.

“They will also engage with people who have epilepsy and their families to help identify their most pressing needs and concerns, encourage them to participate in research, and provide educational resources,” the release reads.

The project, which has been dubbed the Epilepsy Bioinformatics Study for Antiepileptogenic Therapy, or EpiBioS4Rx, includes an international network of 13 centers for traumatic brain injuries and seven preclinical research centers.

Epilepsy is a broad term used for a brain disorder that causes seizures. About 2.9 million adults and children in the United States have active epilepsy, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Drugs do not adequately control about a third of those patients’ seizures. Traumatic brain injuries are the most significant cause of epilepsy in people ages 15 to 24. There is currently no cure for epilepsy.

More traffic crashes reported on Eau Claire County highways than last year

Thu, 09 Feb 2017 11:00:00 GMT

More traffic crashes occurred in Eau Claire County in 2016 compared to the year before. According to an article by the Leader-Telegram, based on reports gathered from multiple law enforcement agencies, traffic crashes rose as did injuries and fatalities as a result of traffic crashes. “Sheriff’s deputies responded to 651 crashes last year, which was […]

More traffic crashes occurred in Eau Claire County in 2016 compared to the year before. According to an article by the Leader-Telegram , based on reports gathered from multiple law enforcement agencies, traffic crashes rose as did injuries and fatalities as a result of traffic crashes.

“Sheriff’s deputies responded to 651 crashes last year, which was up from 629 in 2015, based on figures the Eau Claire County sheriff’s office recently reported,” the article reads. “Of those crashes last year, six were fatal and 83 injured people. By comparison, the sheriff’s office handled three fatal and 79 injury crashes in 2015.”

Eau Claire city police experienced similar numbers involving overall crashes on city roads, but there were fewer injuries and more fatalities than in 2015.

“Eau Claire Police Department officers responded to a total of 2,152 crashes last year — 133 more than the year before. Last year there were 450 injuries from traffic crashes in the city, a decrease from 478 in 2015,” the article reads.

One person died as a result of a traffic crash on a city street in 2015 and last year, the number of fatalities rose to three people.

The Wisconsin State Patrol also reported more overall crashes in Eau Claire County. State troopers reportedly responded to 142 crashes in the county in 2016, up from 133 in 2015.

Fatal crashes throughout the state were up last year. There were 592 traffic deaths in Wisconsin — 37 more than last year and 38 more than the five-year average, according to state Department of Transportation statistics.

Ten died on Eau Claire County’s roads, which was the same as 2012, but higher than the 7.2 annual average.

According to the article, part of the uptick in crashes is being blamed on distracted driving. An Altoona police officer told the news outlet that people checking their cellphones rather than keeping an eye on the road in front of them, continues to be a problem.

“A contributing factor is distracted driving,” he said of numerous crashes he’s seen.

Sgt. John Staber of the county sheriff’s office agrees.

“In spite of all the public education and new laws regarding cellphone use while driving, drivers continue to use their phones while they drive.”

SUV crashes into school bus

Wed, 08 Feb 2017 11:00:00 GMT

More than a dozen students were on board a school bus last Thursday when an SUV slammed into the back of it in Milwaukee.Various media reports say that 16 children were on the bus at the time of the crash. The crash happened on Thursday afternoon, Feb. 2 about 4 p.m. near the intersection of […]

The crash happened on Thursday afternoon, Feb. 2 about 4 p.m. near the intersection of Sherman and Congress in Milwaukee, according to an article on the FOX6 Now website.

“According to one of the students, the moments during the accident were terrifying for those on board,” the article reads.

One of the students told a FOX6 Now reporter that all the children were laughing and talking like it was just a regular day and the next thing they knew there was a loud crash. The student said after that happened, students were flying to one side of the bus and everyone started crying, yelling and screaming.

It was that moment that the student’s school bus had been struck by an SUV. It’s unclear in the article who was at fault. Police say the Chevy suburban struck the school bus as it was making a turn. It’s not clear whether the bus was making the turn or the SUV.

“It was bad. There [were] kids crying everywhere, you could see kids being walked away by parents or other adults that came to get them — it was a bad scene,” Tama Robinson, a student’s mom told FOX6 .

Several of the students who were on board the bus during the crash were transferred to the hospital. The driver of the suburban was also transported to the hospital with injuries. Police have said that none of those injuries were life threatening, but no other information in regards to the condition of the children or drivers was released.

The mother of one of the students on board said she’s thankful because the incident could have been much worse.

“It could have been tragic, it could have been worse,” said Robinson.

Brain Injury Association of Virginia holds rally at State Capitol

Tue, 07 Feb 2017 11:00:00 GMT

A rally was held last week at the Virginia State Capitol to advocate for brain injury awareness. Each year, traumatic brain injuries (TBI) contribute to a substantial number of deaths and cases of permanent disability, according to the Centers for Disease Control. A TBI is caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head […]

A TBI is caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head or a penetrating head injury that disrupts the normal function of the brain. The severity of a TBI may range from “mild” to “severe.”

An estimated 1.7 million people sustain a TBI annually. Of those who are affected, 52,000 die; 275,000 are hospitalized and 1.365 million (nearly 80 percent) are treated and released from an emergency department.

TBI is a contributing factor to a third (30.5%) of all injury-related deaths in the United States and about 75 percent of TBIs that occur each year are concussions or other forms of mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI).

The Brain Injury Association of Virginia held the rally as part of its 14 ^th Annual Brain Injury Awareness Day on Feb. 1. Attendees had the opportunity to meet with legislators, dozens of survivors, advocates and caretakers of people with brain injuries, according to an article by Fredericksburg.com . The rally was a call for improvements in service for those who have experienced traumatic brain injury and are disabled.

“Because of a budget deficit, in October the state cut $375,000 in funds for brain injury services, the rally’s organizers said,” the article reads.

Several lawmakers have introduced budget amendments to help people with brain injuries:

Nearly 168,000 Virginians are disabled as a result of a traumatic brain injury, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

New clinical trial testing for brain trauma

Mon, 06 Feb 2017 12:43:00 GMT

A new clinical trial will test former professional athletes in an effort to understand brain trauma better. The trial is being performed through a subsidiary of San Diego’s Aethlon Medical. According to an article on the San Diego Tribune website, the trial by Exosome Sciences of Houston is expected to begin in the second quarter, […]

A new clinical trial will test former professional athletes in an effort to understand brain trauma better. The trial is being performed through a subsidiary of San Diego’s Aethlon Medical.

According to an article on the San Diego Tribune website, the trial by Exosome Sciences of Houston is expected to begin in the second quarter, said James Joyce, Aethlon’s president and CEO.

Some of the athletes who will be recruited to participate in the trial include boxers and football players. Basically, any professional athlete who plays in a full-contact sport. Full contact sports are known to potentially cause repeated brain trauma in athletes, which leaves them susceptible to chronic traumatic encephalopathy.

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a progressive degenerative disease found in people who have had a severe blow or repeated blows to the head. The disease was previously called dementia pugilistica (DP), or “punch-drunk,” as it was initially found in those with a history of boxing.

CTE has been most commonly found in professional athletes participating in American football, rugby, ice hockey, boxing, professional wrestling, stunt performing, bull riding, rodeo, Association football and other contact sports.

Up to 200 former professional football players will be recruited for the trial.

“CTE is known to affect boxers and has also been found in football players and military veterans,” the article reads. “All these groups are at risk for repeated head injuries. At present, the disease can only be diagnosed after death by examination of the brain.”

Junior Seau, a former Chargers linebacker who killed himself in 2012 reportedly had clusters of an abnormal protein called tau on his brain. Tau has also been linked to Alzheimer’s disease.

The test will look for signs of tau in blood plasma in the athletes. Higher levels of tau have been associated with a greater level of cognitive decline.

Man critically injured when struck by pickup

Sun, 05 Feb 2017 11:00:00 GMT

A Grand Rapids man was critically injured last week when he was using a tractor trailer to blow snow near his residence and was struck by a pickup truck in the process. According to various media reports, the incident occurred on Monday evening about 5:43 p.m. The man who was struck by the pickup, who […]

A Grand Rapids man was critically injured last week when he was using a tractor trailer to blow snow near his residence and was struck by a pickup truck in the process.

According to various media reports, the incident occurred on Monday evening about 5:43 p.m. The man who was struck by the pickup, who was listed in critical condition as of Thursday afternoon, was 57-years-old.

“The man was on a lawn tractor with a snow-blowing attachment when he backed out of his driveway in the 6000 block of Whitrock Avenue and onto the road at about 5:43 p.m. Monday,” an article posted on the Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune website reads.

The man was reportedly trying to reposition the tractor in order to continue blowing snow, according to a Grand Rapids Police Department crash report.

Another man from Wisconsin Rapids was driving a pickup with a snowplow attached to the front of the truck. He drove down Whitrock Avenue and reportedly did not see the Grand Rapids man who was on the tractor in the road, and struck him.

“The tractor had an amber strobe light on it, but the pickup driver did not see it, according to the report,” the article reads . “The impact caused the tractor to overturn and the man to be thrown to the ground, according to the report.”

The 57-year-old Grand Rapids man was transported by ambulance to Aspirus Riverview Hospital, where he was listed in critical condition.

There’s no mention in the article whether anyone is facing any charges in connection to the crash .

Grand Rapids City ordinance requires that property owners clear all ice and snow, down to the concrete, from public sidewalks adjacent to their property within 24 hours of a snow fall, according to the city’s website page.

If the City receives a complaint about a sidewalk that has not been cleared, the property owner is mailed a written notice of the violation. If the sidewalk is not cleared within 48 hours following the notice, the City will hire a contractor to complete the work and bill the property owner for the labor.

Individuals needing assistance in clearing sidewalks are asked to contract a private snow-plowing company or seek possible alternatives via the United Way (2-1-1) or their neighborhood association.

Crash leads to manure spill, injuries

Sat, 04 Feb 2017 11:00:00 GMT

A crash involving a semitrailer that was hauling manure caused a driver to be seriously injured, another driver to be injured, and a spill of manure on the roadway in Manitowoc County T. According to an article posted on the Herald Times Reporter website, the semitrailer that was hauling manure collided with some farm equipment […]

A crash involving a semitrailer that was hauling manure caused a driver to be seriously injured, another driver to be injured, and a spill of manure on the roadway in Manitowoc County T.

According to an article posted on the Herald Times Reporter website, the semitrailer that was hauling manure collided with some farm equipment on Manitowoc County T near Polifka Road.

The crash occurred about 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 1.

According to various media reports, the driver of the semi was trying to pass the driver of a Loadall telescopic handler.

A telescopic handler, which is also called a telehandler, teleporter, or boom lift, is a machine widely used in agriculture and industry. It’s similar to a forklift but has a boom, making it more a crane than a forklift. It offers increased versatility of a single telescopic or articulating boom that can extend forwards and upwards from the vehicle.

On the end of the boom the operator can fit one of several attachments, such as a bucket, pallet forks, muck grab, or winch. Telehandlers are sometimes called cherry pickers in North America, as that name can refer to any truck or heavy equipment that has such a boom.

Both the driver of the semi and the driver of the Loadall telescopic handler were headed south on Manitowoc County T. The driver of the semi reportedly hit the Loadall as the driver was attempting to make a left turn onto Polifka Road, according to a news release from the Manitowoc County Sheriff’s Department.

When the semi and Loadall collided, the Loadall landed in a ditch south of Polifka Road and the semi turned over onto its driver’s side. The incident blocked both lanes of traffic.

“The tanker spilled its load of liquid manure on County T, according to the Sheriff’s Department,” the article reads. “The Reedsville man, 58, driving the semi was taken by helicopter to Baycare Aurora Medical Center in Green Bay with serious injuries .”

Also injured as a result of the collision was a 60-year-old man from Cato. The Cato man was operating the Loadall at the time of the crash. He was not transported to a hospital at the time of the crash.

The Sheriff’s Department and Wisconsin State Patrol continue to investigate the incident. There’s no mention in the article as to whether or not anyone is facing charges in connection to the collision.

Study shows therapy used for abnormal heartbeats may cause brain injury

Fri, 03 Feb 2017 11:00:00 GMT

A new study revealed that a common treatment used on patients who have irregular heartbeats may cause brain injury. A press release on the subject, posted to Medical Press, says that catheter ablation may result in the formation of brain lesions when it’s performed on the left side of the heart. The research, which was […]

A new study revealed that a common treatment used on patients who have irregular heartbeats may cause brain injury .

A press release on the subject, posted to Medical Press , says that catheter ablation may result in the formation of brain lesions when it’s performed on the left side of the heart. The research, which was conducted at UC San Francisco, shows evidence that the lesions may not be benign.

“In a small study of patients undergoing catheter ablation for common abnormal heartbeats from the lower chamber of the heart (premature ventricular contractions (PVCs)), researchers found a significantly higher rate of seemingly asymptomatic brain injury due to embolism among the patients whose therapy occurred on the left ventricle of the heart, which supplies blood to the brain, compared to patients whose therapy was conducted on the right ventricle, which pumps blood to the lungs,” the press release reads .

The researchers recommend studying the topic further in order to understand the lesions and how to avoid their occurrence.

Other information determined during the research concluded that PVCs (premature ventricular contraction) are a predictor of heart failure and mortality.

“Further, such early beats occurring continuously for more than 30 seconds is a potentially serious cardiac condition called ventricular tachycardia (VT),” the press release reads. “Given growing recognition of all these phenomena, catheter ablation for PVCs and VT is mainstream and becoming even more common, with well more than 235,000 such procedures performed annually. It is also increasingly used for patients with heart failure due to weak heart muscle that may improve after frequent PVCs are eradicated.”

Data from previous left heart-based procedures has shown that brain injury thought to be due to embolism rarely occurs. In the past, it’s been said brain injury was due to risks involved with common heart rhythm disturbance.

In the study, left ventricular (LV) ablation was performed in 12 patients compared to a control group of six patients who underwent right ventricular (RV) ablation.

An MRI was performed about a week after the procedure. Overall, seven of the 12 patients who underwent ablation on the left side of the heart experienced 16 brain embolism overall and seven of those patients developed a brain lesion.

Their study was published online Jan. 24, 2017, in the American Heart Association Journal Circulation.

Patrol vehicles collide while deputies responding to call

Thu, 02 Feb 2017 11:00:00 GMT

Two Waukesha County Sheriff’s deputies were injured last Monday after their patrol vehicles crashed while responding to a call. According to various media reports, the incident occurred Monday, Jan. 23 about 10:10 p.m. Both Waukesha County Sheriff’s deputies were injured as a result of the crash and were transported and treated at Waukesha Memorial Hospital […]

Both Waukesha County Sheriff’s deputies were injured as a result of the crash and were transported and treated at Waukesha Memorial Hospital for their injuries.

“According to the Waukesha County Sheriff’s office, on Monday, January 23, 2017, at 10:10 p.m., two Waukesha County Sheriff’s marked patrol units were responding to assist the Town of Mukwonago Police Department with an armed suicidal subject,” an article posted on the Sussex Patch website reads . “While responding to that call, one of the Sheriff’s patrol units rear-ended the other patrol unit on Hwy Z at School Section Lake Road in the Town of Ottawa.”

As of Thursday afternoon, no information on the condition of the deputies had been released to media, other than that they were both taken to Waukesha Memorial Hospital with minor injuries.

The accident is being investigated by Wisconsin State Patrol and remains under investigation at this time.

There’s no mention in the article as to who may have been at fault for the crash or if anyone is facing potential charges in connection to the collision. There’s also no mention in the article about the status of the suicidal subject call the deputies were responding to.

There were 7,248 crashes on Waukesha roads in 2014 and an average of 6,737 crashes between 2009-2014.

So far this year, according to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, 26 people have died as a result of a fatal crash in the state of Wisconsin, 18 of them were drivers.

Preventing slips and falls in the winter

Wed, 01 Feb 2017 12:47:00 GMT

A general and vascular surgeon with Aurora BayCare recently joined the Wisconsin Tonight show to discuss the dangers of slipping and falling during winter months. Dr. Michael Mackowski also offered tips to avoid and prevent falls. According to an article posted by NBC-26, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that one out of […]

According to an article posted by NBC-26 , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that one out of every three adults falls each year. About 2.5 million of non-fatal falls were treated in emergency departments in 2013, the latest data available on the CDC website. Of those falls in 2013, 734,000 people were admitted to the hospital, 25,500 elderly people died from unintentional falls, and more than 250,000 hip fractures were reported with 95 percent of them due to falls.

“Many of these instances are preventable, hence, the need to remind people of the dangers of slipping and falling and ways to minimize the likelihood of experiencing a serious incident related to a slip and fall,” the article reads. “Inattentiveness, tripping over clutter, ice on the walkway … there are many reasons people slip and fall.”

According to the CDC, in 2005, more than 15,000 people over the age of 65 died as a result of a fall. Falls are also the second-leading cause of brain injury in the United States. For people aged 65-84 years-old, falls are the second-leading cause of injury-related death; for those aged 85 years or older, falls are the leading cause of injury-related death.

The majority of falls are caused by a combination of risk factors. The more risk factors a person has, the greater their chances of falling, according to the article .

Falls can have significantly more severe results, including, in extreme cases, death.

Severe results include:

Mackowski offered some tips for avoiding slips and falls indoors such as removing clutter, electrical cords or other items that could cause someone to trip, making sure there’s ample walking space, cleaning-up any spills and using non-skid mats in the bath and shower.

Outside, Mackowski suggests making sure walkways and outdoor areas are well lit, avoid walking on ice if possible, wear shoes that have good traction, don’t talk on the phone or text when walking on ice or snowy areas and always pay attention to where you are going.

Bicycle accident victim awarded $7.25 million verdict in Milwaukee County

Wed, 01 Feb 2017 02:11:00 GMT

Recently a Milwaukee County jury returned a verdict in my client’s favor in the amount of $7.25 million in a bicycle versus pickup truck accident . My client was riding a bicycle when he was struck by a pickup truck. He sustained a severe injury to his spinal cord. A Milwaukee County jury believed his version of what had happened. He was previously represented by a prominent TV advertising law firm, but when they withdrew from his case because of the challenges, he came to me and we were able to succeed in front of the jury.

See more: Bicycle Accident Attorney, Milwaukee Wisconsin

Two UW-Whitewater students die in one week

Tue, 31 Jan 2017 13:55:00 GMT

Two University of Wisconsin-Whitewater students died last week, one from injuries she received as a result of a vehicle crash and the other from traumatic brain injury. According to an article in the Gazette Extra, university announcements were sent to students, faculty and staff last Wednesday and Thursday about the deaths, which occurred separately. “Abigail […]

Two University of Wisconsin-Whitewater students died last week, one from injuries she received as a result of a vehicle crash and the other from traumatic brain injury .

According to an article in the Gazette Extra , university announcements were sent to students, faculty and staff last Wednesday and Thursday about the deaths, which occurred separately.

“Abigail Conner, 20, died Jan. 12 as a result of a traumatic brain injury , according to the announcement. Ryan T. Gellings, 21, died Jan. 13 from a traffic accident ,” the article reads. “Conner was a first-semester junior in the College of Letters and Sciences after transferring from Waukesha County Technical College, according to the announcement. Gellings majored in integrated science/business.”

The announcement did not include how Conner suffered traumatic brain injury , but it was confirmed in the announcement by university spokesman Jeff Angileri that she did not die on campus.

Memorial services for both Gellings and Conner were held on Thursday at different locations.

The UW-Whitewater flag flew at half-staff Thursday in Gellings’ memory and on Saturday in Conner’s memory, according to the announcements.

The university also offered counseling services through the University Health and Counseling Services department in the Ambrose Health Center.

No other details about Gellings’ crash or Conner’s TBI were mentioned in the announcements.

An estimated 1.7 million people sustain a TBI annually in the United States. Of those affected, 52,000 die and 275,000 are hospitalized, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

About 1.4 million (nearly 80%), are treated and released from an emergency department.

Motor vehicle/traffic injury is the leading cause of TBI-related deaths in the U.S. Rates are highest for adults aged 20 to 24-years-old.

Woman publishes book about husband’s recovery from TBI

Mon, 30 Jan 2017 14:08:00 GMT

One New York woman is trying to make the best of a traumatic situation. Hope Moffett, whose husband, Bill was in a terrible car crash in December of 2008, has written a book about the horrific experience and the journey of recovery she and Bill have endured since the accident, which left Bill with traumatic […]

“It is shocking to discover your loved one has turned into another person, often a person who not only does not recognize your efforts to care for him, but is belligerent,” writes Hope at the beginning of her book “ Traumatic Brain Injury : The Long Road Back, ” according to an article by the Daily Messenger . “Published by Hope this past May and available on Amazon, the journal spans the six-month period after the accident. The book also contains epilogues by Hope and Bill, information about TBI, and an addendum from Hope: In a nutshell, ‘what I learned through our ordeal.’”

According to Medline Plus, traumatic brain injury (TBI) happens when a bump, blow, jolt, or other head injury causes damage to the brain. Every year, millions of people in the U.S. suffer brain injuries. More than half are bad enough that people must go to the hospital. The worst injuries can lead to permanent brain damage or even death. Half of all TBIs are from motor vehicle accidents.

Symptoms of TBI range from headaches, vomiting, convulsions and slurred speech to the inability to awake from sleep. Long-term effects include an array of symptoms, often based on the severity of the injury. Some possible symptoms include disturbances in sleep, affected thinking, emotional issues, coordination problems, memory issues and speech disturbances.

Hope began keeping the journal soon after the crash. She told the Daily Messenger it was her intent to keep a record of things so Bill would know what happened. As Hope and Bill struggled through the daily challenges brought on by TBI, they realized that her writing could help others who are faced with similar circumstances.

“In addition to selling the book, Hope is donating copies to organizations and other places where people could benefit,” the article reads. “What she learned ranged from the ins-and-outs of Medicare and other aspects of healthcare, to the effects TBI has on behavior, personality, expectations and relationships.”

Child killed in Sunday collision

Sun, 29 Jan 2017 13:33:00 GMT

A Clintonville boy who was traveling with his father in a semi-tractor trailer filled with milk died in a western Wisconsin crash last week. The incident occurred on Sunday about 4 a.m. on Hwy. 8 near TT, west of Barron, according to various media reports. “A car driven by a 22-year-old Rice Lake man was […]

“A car driven by a 22-year-old Rice Lake man was headed east when it crossed the center line and hit the milk tanker head-on, sheriff’s officials say. The tanker flipped over and slid into the ditch,” an article by FOX11-News reads . “The driver (of the semi), 48-year-old Jerald Olmsted of Clintonville, had to be cut out of the cab. He was taken to the hospital with severe injuries . Olmstead’s 9-year-old son, Alex, was riding with him. He was trapped under the truck and pronounced dead at the scene.”

The driver of the car was also injured as a result of the crash and was transported to a nearby hospital.

He is expected to survive.

The crash closed a stretch of Hwy. 8 for about eight and a half hours.

The Barron County Sheriff’s Department received a call about the two-vehicle crash and when they responded to the scene, along with Gold Cross Ambulance, Barron-Maple Grove Fire Department, and Turtle Lake First Responders, deputies found Olmsted and his son trapped in the semi and the driver of the car with injuries.

Following an investigation, the highway was reopened around 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 22

Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald said that the crash remains under investigation by the department along with the Wisconsin State Patrol.

There’s no mention in the article as to whether or not the driver of the car was charged or is facing charges in connection to the fatal crash.

TBI drugs have negative effect on children

Sat, 28 Jan 2017 12:00:00 GMT

While there’s no drugs to specifically treat traumatic brain injury (TBI), new research has shown that certain antibiotics used to prevent inflammation in the brain following a TBI have been helpful for adults, while simultaneously having a negative effect on children and infants. “The treatment was found to have a negative effect on the brains […]

While there’s no drugs to specifically treat traumatic brain injury ( TBI ), new research has shown that certain antibiotics used to prevent inflammation in the brain following a TBI have been helpful for adults, while simultaneously having a negative effect on children and infants.

“The treatment was found to have a negative effect on the brains which did not complete the development process,” according to an article published in Tech Times .

The study showed that when antibiotics were administered to newborn rats in the immediate aftermath of the injury, it aggravated the cognitive impairment.

“The developing brain is not the same as the fully mature brain. This study suggests that acute interventions targeting the inflammatory cascade may not be a viable strategy for treating traumatic brain injury in infants and young children,” noted Ramesh Raghupathi, PhD, a professor of neurobiology and anatomy in the College of Medicine.

The drug decreases the primary immune cells in the spinal cord and brain, which are responsible for protecting the body against foreign pathogens. However, haltering microglia only seems to work in adult brains.

“There was a lot of cell death, damage and inflammation,” Raghupathi, lead author of the study, said about treating infant rats.

The team treated the newborn rats with minocycline, in one daily dosage over a three-day period. The results showed no improvement in t brain activity. The researchers extended the period to nine days and the baby rats reportedly showed significant memory issues as well as complementary behavioral problems.

The researchers believe the issue has to do with the role microglia plays in brain development, cleaning the brain of debris and dead neurons as to make room for the functional neurons left to work under normal conditions.

“By inhibiting this function inside the brains of newborns, the normal process of brain maturation is negatively affected, and cognitive functions can suffer long-term impairment,” the article reads .

At least one injured in 30-40 car pileup in Wisconsin

Fri, 27 Jan 2017 12:00:00 GMT

A massive pileup of about 30-40 vehicles was reported in Wisconsin last Tuesday. The Weather Channel reports that icy roads were a contributing factor in the chain-reaction crash. At least one person was injured as a result. Winter Storm Jupiter has reportedly killed at least seven people after frozen precipitation created dangerous driving conditions from […]

Winter Storm Jupiter has reportedly killed at least seven people after frozen precipitation created dangerous driving conditions from the Texas Panhandle through the Plains and all the way up to Michigan.

Multiple states declared emergencies ahead of the storm, and accidents – some fatal – were reported across the region.

“Tuesday a driver was sent to a hospital with minor injuries after icy roads led to a pileup involving an estimated 30 to 40 vehicles , the article reads . “The Dane County Sheriff’s Office began receiving calls around 4:30 a.m. when drivers were unable to navigate an icy hill and curve on Highway G.”

The Weather Channel reports that cars were hitting the guard rail and multiple vehicles ended up in a cornfield. When morning commuters made their way across Wisconsin roads, more and more vehicles began to pile up.

“Dane County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Elise Schaffer told Madison.com that deputies were called out to 70 incidents Monday night due to terrible road conditions ,” the article reads. “We had 80 vehicles, seven semi-trailers, including three jackknifed trucks, three salter trucks, two tow trucks and two squad cars in slide-offs, said Schaffer.”

Because of hazardous conditions on the roadways, several school districts either delayed or canceled classes all together.

Several jackknifed semis also forced authorities to close a stretch of Highway 26.

Freezing rain led to multiple slide-offs and collisions. So many that police began to only respond to injury crashes.

“Chris Kelley, street superintendent for the city of Madison, told the Wisconsin State Journal that drivers should expect rough travel to continue,” the article reads. “Ugly, icy conditions persist,” Kelley said Monday afternoon. “All roadway users should anticipate a challenging evening commute, that will require everyone to make good choices.”

Study shows concussions accelerate Alzheimer’s Disease

Thu, 26 Jan 2017 12:42:00 GMT

According to a new study recently published online in Brain, concussions may accelerate memory decline in Alzheimer’s disease-relevant areas. But research efforts to develop effective treatments and preventative measures are underway – along with work to develop better ways to care for people who have already been diagnosed with the disease, their families, their friends […]

According to a new study recently published online in Brain , concussions may accelerate memory decline in Alzheimer’s disease-relevant areas.

But research efforts to develop effective treatments and preventative measures are underway – along with work to develop better ways to care for people who have already been diagnosed with the disease, their families, their friends and also their caregivers.

“The Alzheimer’s Association is moving these research efforts forward by funding scientists who are searching for more answers and new treatments, collaborating with stakeholders, fostering worldwide partnerships among scientists, and raising the visibility of Alzheimer’s as a global health challenge,” according to an article posted by the Psychiatry Advisor.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, a general term used to describe various diseases and conditions that damage brain cells. Alzheimer’s disease accounts for 60 to 80 percent of dementia cases.

Other types include vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies and frontotemporal dementia. In some cases, a person may have more than one type and are said to have mixed dementia. Ultimately, Alzheimer’s is fatal, and currently, there is no cure.

For the study, Jasmeet Hayes, PhD, an assistant professor of psychiatry at the Boston University School of Medicine in Massachusetts, along with several colleagues, examined 160 U.S. veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

The researchers discovered that concussions seem to accelerate Alzheimer’s disease-related brain deterioration and mental decline in people who are at genetic risk for the disease.

“We found that having a concussion was associated with lower cortical thickness in brain regions that are the first to be affected in Alzheimer’s disease,” Hayes said. “Our results suggest that when combined with genetic factors, concussions may be associated with accelerated cortical thickness and memory decline in Alzheimer’s disease-relevant areas.”

New system helps recognize TBI in soldiers

Wed, 25 Jan 2017 12:00:00 GMT

Soldiers on the battle field face an array of dangers, one of which can be invisible. But thanks to a new device at the forefront of technological advances, the developed portable system will be able to measure the impact of an explosion and help doctors establish injury thresholds for the brain. According to an article […]

According to an article posted by the Fort Campbell Courier , the Office of Naval Research is sponsoring the development of the portable, which is a three-part system that can measure blast pressure, establish injury thresholds for the brain and analyze potential traumatic brain injury ( TBI ) symptoms . It’s called Blast Load Assessment Sense and Test – BLAST, for short.

“A system like BLAST is vitally important because it can help recognize the signs of TBI early and tell warfighters they might need medical attention,” said Dr. Timothy Bentley, a program manager overseeing the research for ONR’s Warfighter Performance Department. “This reduces the likelihood of someone enduring multiple blasts and suffering more serious brain injury . BLAST also is unique for its unique suite of technology.”

If someone is exposed to a blast within about 165 feet of where they’re standing, the Department of Defense currently requires them to undergo a medical checkup and take at least 24 hours to recoup. But Bentley says this strategy poses some problems.

For starters, many bases are only about 330 feet across, which means about half of personnel would be required to take the time off and be evaluated by a doctor should a blast occur. Another issue Bentley brought attention to is that 24 hours is not enough time for standard medical tests to detect even a mild TBI.

The way BLAST works is through sensors about the size of a coin that are developed to withstand an explosion. The sensors can be worn on the body or helmet and when an explosion occurs, they are able to record the blast pressure, which is then downloaded by a special scanner. The data can then be analyzed to determine whether or not a soldier can return to his duties – or needs a TBI-focused medical exam.

Biotech company invests millions to develop TBI diagnostics

Tue, 24 Jan 2017 14:01:00 GMT

Multinational biotechnology company bioMérieux announced its investing millions of dollars in partnership with Banyan Biomarkers, a San Diego-based company. According to an article by GEN (Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News), bioMérieux will invest $7 million. The agreement is to develop and commercialize in vitro diagnostics (IVD) for traumatic brain injury (TBI) using Banyan’s proprietary TBI blood biomarkers. […]

Multinational biotechnology company bioMérieux announced its investing millions of dollars in partnership with Banyan Biomarkers, a San Diego-based company.

According to an article by GEN (Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News), bioMérieux will invest $7 million. The agreement is to develop and commercialize in vitro diagnostics (IVD) for traumatic brain injury ( TBI ) using Banyan’s proprietary TBI blood biomarkers.

An IVD Medical Device is defined as a device which, whether used alone or in combination, is intended by the manufacturer for the in-vitro examination of specimens derived from the human body solely or principally to provide information for diagnostic, monitoring or compatibility purposes.

BioMérieux (Euronext: BIM) is a multinational biotechnology company founded and headquartered in France. A world leader in the field of in vitro diagnostics for 50 years, bioMérieux is present in more than 150 countries through 42 subsidiaries and a large network of distributors.

bioMérieux provides diagnostic solutions (reagents, instruments, software) which determine the source of disease and contamination to improve patient health and ensure consumer safety. Its products are used for diagnosing infectious diseases and providing high medical value results for cancer screening and monitoring and cardiovascular emergencies. They are also used for detecting microorganisms in agri-food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic products.

The deal gives bioMérieux preferred rights to develop the biomarker assays for use on its VIDAS ^® immunoassay platform, according to the article. The team will also explore other potential co-development prospects in TBI and other areas including critical care.

“Banyan says it has secured more than $100 million in grants and contracts. The firm raised $8 million in its Series A fundraising in 2013. A pivotal, 2000-patient TBI trial has been funded through a $26.3 million contract with the U.S. Department of Defense,” the article reads. “Most recently, in August 2016, Banyan inked a TBI biomarker collaboration with Quanterix, and at the start of 2016 the firm teamed up with Royal Philips to develop and commercialize a handheld blood test, based on Philips’ Minicare I-20 system, for detecting and evaluating mild TBI, or concussion , at the point of care.”

Two vehicle crash leaves two injured

Mon, 23 Jan 2017 13:02:00 GMT

In Wisconsin last Wednesday two people were injured following a two-vehicle crash. According to various media reports, the incident occurred on Highway US 63 at 690th Street near Ellsworth, Wisconsin in Pierce County. One of the drivers reportedly sustained injuries that are life-threatening. “Around 12:43 p.m., the driver of a southbound Chevrolet Impala lost control […]

One of the drivers reportedly sustained injuries that are life-threatening.

“Around 12:43 p.m., the driver of a southbound Chevrolet Impala lost control on the highway and crossed into the northbound lane where it was hit by a GMC Sierra pick-up truck and trailer, according to a report from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and state patrol,” an article posted on the KSTP-TV website reads.

The person who was driving the Impala is the one whose injuries are life-threatening, according to the KSTP article . That driver was reportedly airlifted from the crash scene. A passenger in that same car was also injured.

According to the article, the people who were in the truck did not suffer any life-threatening injuries. It’s unclear if they were injured at all and if so, the extent of those injuries – or whether or not anyone in the truck was transported to a hospital for injuries sustained as a result of the crash.

According to the article, the passenger in the Impala only suffered minor injuries.

The crash is still under investigation. An update on the injuries sustained had not been released as of Friday morning. No names were released to the public either.

There’s no mention in the article as to whether or not anyone is facing charges in connection to the crash.

Multiple people injured when vehicle crashes through bus stop shelter

Sun, 22 Jan 2017 12:45:00 GMT

Several people were injured when a vehicle struck a bus shelter in Wisconsin last Saturday. According to various media reports, the incident occurred near 27th and Wisconsin in Milwaukee on Saturday, January 14, about 2:15 a.m. An article posted on the FOX-6 Now website reads that it’s believed at least two vehicles were involved in […]

Several people were injured when a vehicle struck a bus shelter in Wisconsin last Saturday. According to various media reports, the incident occurred near 27 ^th and Wisconsin in Milwaukee on Saturday, January 14, about 2:15 a.m.

An article posted on the FOX-6 Now website reads that it’s believed at least two vehicles were involved in the crash .

“According to police, two people were taken to Froedtert Hospital. Their conditions are unclear at this time,” the article reads. There’s no other mention in the article how many others were injured or the extent of their injuries.

An accident construction team was called to the scene and as of Thursday, is still investigating what exactly happened.

No other details have been released since the incident.

A photo gallery on the FOX-6 Now website shows photos of what looks like a silver 4-door vehicle that has driven completely through a bus shelter. It’s unclear if it caught fire, but fire fighters can be seen in the photos with a water hose out and the vehicle also looks charred in the photos.

Another white vehicle is seen in the photos with passenger front-end and side damage. The white 4-door car is dangling from a sidewalk and the bus shelter isn’t seen in those photos.

There’s no mention in the article whether those who were injured were drivers or passengers in the vehicles – or pedestrians who were waiting at the bus stop. There’s also no mention of how serious the injuries were or whether or not someone is expected to face charges in connection to the crash .

Researcher awarded grant to research TBI

Sat, 21 Jan 2017 14:45:00 GMT

A Dallas researcher was recently awarded a $2.7 million grant from the Department of Defense (DoD) under the Joint Warfighter Medical Research Program. According to a press release published Jan. 11 – about the grant money – Dr. Daniel Krawczyk, deputy director of the Center for BrainHealth at UT Dallas was awarded the funds to fund […]

A Dallas researcher was recently awarded a $2.7 million grant from the Department of Defense (DoD) under the Joint Warfighter Medical Research Program .

According to a press release published Jan. 11 – about the grant money – Dr. Daniel Krawczyk , deputy director of the Center for BrainHealth at UT Dallas was awarded the funds to fund research via a virtual technology platform to improve cognitive and functional deficits for veterans who have experienced traumatic brain injuries (TBI).

“The project is a follow-up effort from a Cognitive Rehabilitation for Traumatic Brain Injury Clinical Trial Award previously given by the DoD’s Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury Research Program,” the press release reads. “It was conducted under the strategic oversight of the DoD’s Clinical and Rehabilitative Medicine and Military Operational Medicine Research programs.”

“Those who experience a traumatic brain injury often struggle with working memory, planning and cognitive control, which impacts real-life functionality,” said Krawczyk, associate professor of cognitive neuroscience and cognitive psychology and Debbie and Jim Francis Chair in the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences . “Utilizing an innovative virtual-reality platform, we hope to improve cognitive difficulties in individuals with chronic TBI by training strategies to accomplish complex real-life tasks.”

More than 100 veterans who have sustained traumatic brain injury will be included in the study, regardless of their service status. The research team will collect structural and functional brain imaging, and neuropsychological evaluations from participants before and after training.

“The team also will use Expedition, a virtual-reality platform developed by Virtual Heroes, a division of Applied Research Associates Inc., to establish training remotely over a four-week period,” the press release reads. “The real-life training scenarios include packing for a trip, planning and executing various modes of transportation, selecting and remembering locations as well as money and time management.”

Milwaukee PBS set to air, Alzheimer’s: Every Minute Counts

Fri, 20 Jan 2017 18:47:00 GMT

Alzheimer’s: Every Minute Counts, premiering January 25, 2017, at 9:00 pm on Milwaukee PBS,channel 10.1 and 36.2, is an urgent wake-up call about the national threat posed by Alzheimer’s disease. Many know the unique tragedy of this disease, but few know that Alzheimer’s is one of the most critical public health crises facing America. This powerful 60 minute documentary illuminates the social […]

Alzheimer’s: Every Minute Counts, premiering January 25, 2017 , at 9:00 pm on Milwaukee PBS,channel 10.1 and 36.2, is an urgent wake-up call about the national threat posed by Alzheimer’s disease. Many know the unique tragedy of this disease, but few know that Alzheimer’s is one of the most critical public health crises facing America. This powerful 60 minute documentary illuminates the social and economic consequences for the country unless a medical breakthrough is discovered for this currently incurable disease.

The Alzheimer’s Association is proud to serve as National Partner for this PBS documentary. The program has been sponsored in part by Home Instead Senior Care, Margaret A. Cargill Foundation, and the Helen Daniels Bader Fund, a Bader Philanthropy. For more information on the program and local resources access the Milwaukee PBS website

Eight injured in Milwaukee bus crash

Fri, 20 Jan 2017 13:14:00 GMT

Eight people were reportedly injured after a car collided with a parked Milwaukee County Transit System bus (MCTS). The incident occurred early Thursday morning, on Jan. 12. According to an article posted on the Milwaukee Wisconsin Journal Sentinel, the collision happened near N. 30th and Burleigh streets about 5:45 a.m. “Brendan Conway, a spokesman for […]

Eight people were reportedly injured after a car collided with a parked Milwaukee County Transit System bus (MCTS). The incident occurred early Thursday morning, on Jan. 12.

According to an article posted on the Milwaukee Wisconsin Journal Sentinel , the collision happened near N. 30th and Burleigh streets about 5:45 a.m.

“Brendan Conway, a spokesman for MCTS, said the Route 30 bus had pulled over and was parked when a car ran into it from behind. The driver and six passengers were taken to hospitals for checks, but no one appeared to be seriously injured, Conway said. He said another bus and driver were put into service to continue to the 30 route,” the article reads.

A Milwaukee Fire Department spokesman told the Milwaukee Wisconsin Journal Sentinel his agency responded, but none of the injuries sustained as a result of the crash appeared to be life threatening or critical.

The people involved or injured in the crash were reportedly transported for evaluations by private ambulances. At least eight people were transported, suggesting the striking vehicle’s driver also suffered injuries as a result of the collision, the MWJS reports.

Neither Conway nor the fire department knew if the car’s driver was charged in connection to the crash, according to the article.

Silver lining despite devastating TBI

Thu, 19 Jan 2017 13:57:00 GMT

Six months after suffering life threatening injuries, David Musicant counts his blessings. Almost two years ago avid bicyclist and triathlon competitor, Musicant, was involved in a near death truck accident that caused a multitude of ailments including a sever traumatic brain injury. On June 25, 2015, while training for an upcoming Iron Man competition in […]

Six months after suffering life threatening injuries, David Musicant counts his blessings.

Almost two years ago avid bicyclist and triathlon competitor, Musicant, was involved in a near death truck accident that caused a multitude of ailments including a sever traumatic brain injury .

On June 25, 2015, while training for an upcoming Iron Man competition in Hawaii, the 51-year-old Franklin Lakes, N.J. resident, suffered a severe motor vehicle accident.

According to a witness, while Musicant was cycling at 30 mph and checking his racing time a truck struck him sending his body 40 feet in the air, striking a guardrail before landing on the ground.

Musicant did not remember the accident nor how he made it to the hospital. The last thing he recalled after checking his watch was waking up at the hospital.

He suffered severe injuries including eight broken ribs — three in multiple places — a punctured lung, an exposed hipbone, a shoulder blade broken in three places, and traumatic brain injury .

The only reason for his survival was due to his superior conditioning, according to the medical staff at the hospital.

After several weeks, his physical ailments healed but then the most difficult recovery began.

The TBI was a lot more complicated, Musicant said. The simple joys of taking a drive, working out or going to a Mets game with his wife and two children was all but a longing memory.

“You’re confused, you’re depressed and you just don’t think you’ll ever be yourself again and you kind of don’t want to be here anymore,” Musicant said.

Every year in New Jersey, about 15,000 people suffer traumatic brain injuries, according to the state’s data.

These numbers include 1,000 that are fatal, almost 175,000 people in the state are living with disabilities associated with the condition.

Nationally, traumatic brain injury affects nearly 2 million people a year with an economic impact estimated at $80 billion, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

For his rehabilitation process, Musicant completed physical therapy to walk again, then ride indoors.

He worked with neurological specialists for months to regain cognitive ability and manage the emotional fallout from suffering so many limitations.

The remarkable recovery has included another mission: Musicant; his wife, Julie; their daughter, Casey; and their son, Ross, have started a foundation raise money for research and to aid families forced to endure brain injuries that may not have the resources or support.

This past October his hard work paid off when he finally competed in the Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, in which athletes have to qualify based on previous standings in Ironman competitions to compete in the 2.4-mile open water swim, 112-mile bicycle ride and a 26.2-mile run.

“I cried during the race which is like weird,” he said. “I cried on the bike. I cried seeing those two at the finish line,” Musicant said referring to his wife Julie and daughter Casey. He then phoned his son Ross.

After all the struggle and setbacks, the family created The Musicant Family Brain Trust as a way to aid research and fund direct services for people impacted by brain injuries.

Musicant’s hospital care was well in the $400,000 range, which was paid by a successful lawsuit against the trucking company that struck him. The family also donated up to $500,000 of their own personal funds.

The beneficiaries of the Musicant family fund are the Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey, a statewide non-profit with chapters in every county that provides direct services and support research at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s Traumatic Brain Injury Clinic.

Antibiotics target brain’s inflammatory response

Wed, 18 Jan 2017 12:57:00 GMT

No drugs have been specifically developed to treat traumatic brain injuries (TBI), but a new study shows that an FDA-approved antibiotic targets the inflammatory process and could potentially be a viable option for doctors in treating TBI patients. An article about the study, which was published Jan. 11, explains that traumatic brain injury is one […]

No drugs have been specifically developed to treat traumatic brain injuries ( TBI ), but a new study shows that an FDA-approved antibiotic targets the inflammatory process and could potentially be a viable option for doctors in treating TBI patients .

An article about the study, which was published Jan. 11, explains that traumatic brain injury is one of the leading causes of disability and death in infants and children in the United States, with more than half a million affected annually, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Those under age four who experience brain trauma can suffer lifelong problems with memory, attention and other executive functions.

“While there are no drugs available to treat these injuries, scientists have shown that certain antibiotics — which inhibit the brain’s inflammatory response — can improve outcomes for adult animal models that have suffered a blow to the head,” the article on News Medical Life Sciences reads. “However, this treatment seems to negatively affect brains that have not yet developed, according to a new study from Drexel University College of Medicine. When administered to newborn rats immediately after head injury , the FDA-approved antibiotic minocycline exacerbated cognitive deficits, says the study, which was published in the journal of Experimental Neurology.”

The reason being that a developing brain is not the same as a fully mature brain, according to Ramesh Raghupathi, PhD, a professor of neurobiology and anatomy in the College of Medicine.

“The drug minocycline works by decreasing the activation of microglia — the primary immune cells in the brain and spinal cord that protect against foreign pathogens,” the article reads. “Inhibiting microglia appears to be an effective strategy to prevent long-term brain damage, since studies have shown an association between increased activity of these cells and neuron degeneration. And repurposing FDA-approved drugs to fit a new medical need is a desirable approach.”

Raghupathi said he believes the antibiotic had an adverse effect on the neonate rats, because microglia play an important role during early brain development: These cells clear out dead neurons and debris to make a path for surviving neurons to function normally. By targeting the microglia in the pediatric animal model, the antibiotics seemed to prevent the brain from undergoing its natural maturation process, according to the article.

“While treating acute inflammation in the pediatric brain may not be effective, the researchers hypothesize that extending the window of intervention could have more positive outcomes.”

Researchers say concussions could cause Alzheimer’s

Tue, 17 Jan 2017 12:00:00 GMT

A new study focused on wounded war veterans with brain trauma revealed clear evidence that mild head injuries can wear down the defenses of brain regions vulnerable to Alzheimer’s – concluding that concussions drastically increase one’s risk of the disease “Until now, doctors considered severe traumatic brain injury a key risk factor for developing neurodegenerative […]

“Until now, doctors considered severe traumatic brain injury a key risk factor for developing neurodegenerative diseases such as late-onset Alzheimer’s,” an article by the Daily Mail reads. “But this is the first study to prove even lower impact like concussion could have life-threatening consequences. The findings come amid a surge in studies investigating the prevalence of concussions in the National Football League and high school sports.”

The new study was conducted at Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) and it involved 160 Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans, some who had suffered one or more concussions and some who had never had a concussion .

“Using MRI imaging, the thickness of their cerebral cortex was measured in seven regions that are the first to show atrophy in Alzheimer’s disease, as well as seven control regions,” the article reads. “We found that having a concussion was associated with lower cortical thickness in brain regions that are the first to be affected in Alzheimer’s disease, explained lead author Dr. Jasmeet Hayes, PhD, assistant professor of psychiatry at BUSM.”

Hayes told Daily News that the results suggest that when combined with genetic factors, concussions may be connected with accelerated cortical thickness and memory decline. Also, the abnormalities were found in a relatively young group of participants, the average age being 32-years-old.

“These findings show promise for detecting the influence of concussion on neurodegeneration early in one’s lifetime,’ said Hayes, thus it is important to document the occurrence and subsequent symptoms of a concussion, even if the person reports only having their ‘bell rung’ and is able to shake it off fairly quickly.”

Concussions combined with other factors like genetics, may produce negative long-term health consequences, according to Hayes.

“The researchers hope that others can build upon these findings to find the precise concussion-related mechanisms that accelerate the onset of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, Parkinson’s and others,” the article reads.

Guide to Personal Injury Claims

Mon, 16 Jan 2017 23:52:00 GMT

What I have done is I have authored a book that provides victims of personal injury with a guide to what lays ahead of them. Everything from hiring the right lawyer for their particular injury case to what they can expect as they go through this legal process. The book is written in a way that it allows the injury victim to see what they can expect in the future, and it provides them with common insurance company tactics that they are going to face, and it shows them different ways that they can protect themselves against these tactics.

See More: Personal Injury Claims Attorney, Wisconsin

Study: More athletes dying from brain trauma

Mon, 16 Jan 2017 12:00:00 GMT

A recent study was released by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention showing a small increase in high school football player deaths attributed to brain and spinal injuries within the last few years. “The study, led by University of North Carolina researcher Kristen Kucera, shows that most traumatic head and spinal injury deaths from […]

“The study, led by University of North Carolina researcher Kristen Kucera, shows that most traumatic head and spinal injury deaths from the years 2005-2014 occurred during games and were the result of tackling or being tackled,” according to an article posted on the Athletic Business website. “The study, which has been gathering data about college and high school football-related injuries since 1965, found that roughly 20 percent of brain injury -related fatalities occurred in players who had suffered a previous concussion within a month of the fatal injury.

Each year, traumatic brain injuries (TBI) contribute to a substantial number of deaths and cases of permanent disability. A TBI is caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head or a penetrating head injury that disrupts the normal function of the brain. The severity of a TBI may range from “mild” to “severe”.

According to the CDC, an estimated 1.7 million people sustain a TBI each year.

Of them:

Children aged 0 to 4 years, older adolescents aged 15 to 19 years, and adults aged 65 years and older are most likely to sustain a TBI.

Falls are the leading cause of TBI. Motor vehicle–traffic injury is the leading cause of TBI-related death. Rates are highest for adults aged 20 to 24 years.

“UNC’s Kucera told CBS News that the fatality rate due to brain and spinal injuries in young football players is still lower than in past decades,” the article reads. “In the years 1965-1974, approximately 4 times the number of fatal injuries occurred as in the years 2005-2014.”

Kucera attributes the decrease to better helmet safety, league regulations, and improvements in medical care.

“According to Kucera, it is possible that the recent increase in head and spinal injury-related deaths shown by the study is merely caused by an increase of media attention and greater accuracy in injury reporting,” the article reads.

Green Bay crash claims life of 23-year-old

Sun, 15 Jan 2017 12:00:00 GMT

A 23-year-old man was killed last Tuesday in a crash that shut down Interstate 41 in Green Bay for several hours. According to an article posted on the WBAY website, authorities recently identified the man as being 23-year-old Jason Broeckel, who was reportedly from the Howard area. “Broeckel was in a car that collided with […]

“Broeckel was in a car that collided with a dump truck driven by a 42-year-old man from the Green Bay area,” the article reads. “They crashed near Shawano Avenue, also known as State Highway 29.”

The Brown County Sheriff’s Office is reportedly still investigating how the crash happened and no further details the incident were available as of the morning of January 12. There’s no mention as to whether anyone involved is facing potential charges in connection to the crash.

“Roads were slippery Tuesday morning because of snow and a wintry mix, but authorities haven’t said if the weather contributed to the crash,” WBAY reports.

The Wisconsin DOT contracts with all 72 county highway departments in the state to maintain the state highway system. There are 113,000 miles of local streets and county and state highways in Wisconsin, including 11,508 miles or 34,339 lane miles of state maintained highways.

The Milwaukee County Metro Area has 1,136 lane miles to plow during winter weather and snow storms. This figure includes freeway lane miles, ramps and frontage roads. The downtown area, however, is maintained by the City of Milwaukee and not the Milwaukee County Highway Department.

Wisconsin average snowfall ranges from about 40 inches in the south to as much as 160 inches along the shores of Lake Superior. On average, about 35 to 40 winter weather events hit Wisconsin each winter, according to the DOT.

Frost on bridge decks and pavements typically occurs in October, November, and March.

Two injured in head on collision involving semi

Sat, 14 Jan 2017 12:00:00 GMT

Two people were injured last Wednesday morning in Walworth County, one of them critically, following a head-on collision involving a semi-truck. According to an article posted on the FOX-6 News website, the vehicle, which involved a semi-truck and smaller vehicle, took place on the Highway 12 bypass just east of the South Wisconsin Street overpass in […]

Two people were injured last Wednesday morning in Walworth County, one of them critically, following a head-on collision involving a semi-truck.

According to an article posted on the FOX-6 News website, the vehicle, which involved a semi-truck and smaller vehicle, took place on the Highway 12 bypass just east of the South Wisconsin Street overpass in the Town of Whitewater, Wednesday morning, January 11.

“According to the Walworth County Sheriff’s Office, shortly after 10 a.m. on Wednesday, a 1997 BMW traveling eastbound on Highway 12 crossed the centerline,” the article reads. “Officials say a Volvo semi was traveling westbound on Highway 12 and swerved to the right to avoid the BMW. Both vehicles collided head-on in the westbound lane of Highway 12.”

The sheriff’s office revealed that the driver of the BMW was identified as 21-year-old Ryan Gellings of Whitewater. Gellings was transported by ambulance to a local trauma center. He was listed as being in critical condition following the crash .

The driver of the semi was identified as 43-year-old Marc Tracy of Carpentersville, Illinois. Tracy was also transported to a local trauma center with moderate injuries he sustained as a result of the head-on crash .

The drivers were reportedly the only occupants in each of their vehicles.

“The Crash remains under investigation by the Walworth County Sheriff’s Office Crash Investigation Team and the Wisconsin State Patrol,” the article reads. “Agencies who responded to this scene include Walworth County Sheriff’s Office, City of Whitewater Police Department, University of Wisconsin Whitewater Police Department, Whitewater Fire and Rescue, Wisconsin DOT, Wisconsin State Patrol, Walworth County Department of Public Works.”

There is no mention in the article whether any charges in connection to the crash are expected to be filed.

Market increasing for non-invasive brain trauma monitoring

Fri, 13 Jan 2017 12:00:00 GMT

The market for non-invasive brain trauma monitoring devices is growing at a significant rate due to increasing awareness and improvement in healthcare facilities. According to a report posted on Med Gadget, non-invasive brain trauma monitoring devices refer to the devices that help to monitor neural and electrical activity and pressure enclosing the brain. The devices have […]

The market for non-invasive brain trauma monitoring devices is growing at a significant rate due to increasing awareness and improvement in healthcare facilities. According to a report posted on Med Gadget , non-invasive brain trauma monitoring devices refer to the devices that help to monitor neural and electrical activity and pressure enclosing the brain.

The devices have made it possible for neurologists to measure brain health without being invasive.

“Non-invasive brain trauma monitoring devices help to get results fast and safely. In addition, they are easy to use and give accurate results,” the report reads. “Factors such as growing incidence of diseases, technological advancement and increasing awareness of neurological disorders and their treatment have been driving the non-invasive brain trauma monitoring devices market.”

Other factors driving the market include lower costs as compared to invasive procedures, no requirement of operation and their small size.

“However, stringent government regulations in some countries and lack of experience medical professionals have been restraining the non-invasive brain trauma monitoring devices market,” the report reads. “North America dominates the global market for non-invasive brain trauma monitoring devices due high incidence of brain disorders and technological advancements in the region.”

Some of the recent trends that have been observed in the non-invasive brain trauma monitoring devices market include companies involved in partnerships and collaborations.

“Standardization in the procedure for brain monitoring, increasing number of clinical trials for neuro-cognitive diseases are expected to offer good opportunity for non-invasive brain trauma monitoring devices market,” MedGadget reports. “In addition, companies are focusing on production of digitalized devices such as mobile devices and wireless technology for easy and fast processing.”

Falling furniture can lead to TBI in young children

Thu, 12 Jan 2017 13:13:00 GMT

While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that motor vehicle crashes and traffic-related incidents result in the largest percentage of traumatic brain injury-related deaths – 31.8 percent – other incidents can also lead to a brain injury such as playing contact sports, falls, or in the instance of one Texas child, a […]

While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that motor vehicle crashes and traffic-related incidents result in the largest percentage of traumatic brain injury -related deaths – 31.8 percent – other incidents can also lead to a brain injury such as playing contact sports, falls, or in the instance of one Texas child, a 32-inch box television fell off the stand and on top of him.

According to an article by KXAN , Danielle Henchcliffe’s son, Stanley, suffered traumatic brain injury in 2013 when he put his feet in the drawer and started rocking the drawer back and forth, eventually making the TV tumble over on top of him.

A Consumer Product Safety Commission study found tipping furniture sends more than 38,000 people to the emergency room every year. Two-thirds of them are children under 5-years-old. The study also found a child dies every two weeks from being crushed by a piece of furniture.

“Henchcliffe thought Stanley was already asleep, until she and her husband heard a crashing sound come from his room,” the article reads. “He wasn’t responding and he started turning blue, she remembered. Stanley was in a coma for five days and suffered a traumatic brain injury . To this day, he still struggles with sleep issues and magnified symptoms of autism, but the seven- year-old is alive.”

Henchcliffe told KXAN she doesn’t take any chances now and bolts her son’s television to the wall where he can’t reach it. She wanted to speak out about the incident after video of a recent scare out of Utah went viral. In that video , a camera caught a dresser falling on top of a toddler and his twin brother was able to lift it off of him.

Dell Children’s Medical Center says there are precautions parents can take before an accident happens.

“What we recommend is you use some sort of tether on the back of it,” Stewart Williams, manager of the Injury Prevention Program with Dell Children’s Medical Center says in the article . “Williams says it’s a good idea to anchor your book shelves, televisions and dressers. Keeping drawers closed and latched is another preventative measure, that way children can’t climb them.”

Experts also recommend keeping heavy items on bottom shelves.

One dead following head-on collision in Town of Omro

Wed, 11 Jan 2017 12:08:00 GMT

One person was killed and another injured following a head-on collision Wednesday. According to an article by the Oshkosh Northwestern, the crash involved a semitrailer and another vehicle. The collision happened just before noon last Wednesday (January 4) on State Highway 21, just east of Omro, authorities confirmed. “The male driver of the passenger vehicle […]

One person was killed and another injured following a head-on collision Wednesday. According to an article by the Oshkosh Northwestern , the crash involved a semitrailer and another vehicle.

The collision happened just before noon last Wednesday (January 4) on State Highway 21, just east of Omro, authorities confirmed.

“The male driver of the passenger vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene, about ¼ mile east of Sand Pit Road, Winnebago County Sheriff’s Lt. Joe Kroncke told USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin,” the article reads. “The driver of the semi was not injured but taken to a hospital as a precaution.”

As of about 10:38 a.m. Thursday, January 5, authorities had not released the man’s name, pending notification of his family.

There is no mention in the article whether or not the semitrailer driver is facing any charges in connection to the fatal crash .

“The highway was closed until about 4 p.m. from Winnebago County FF to Sand Pit Road, as the Sheriff’s Office reconstruction team continued its investigation, Kroncke said,” the article reads. “Authorities rerouted westbound traffic at Leonard Point Road to Reighmoor Road, with the detour reversed for eastbound traffic.”

In addition to the sheriff’s and coroner’s offices, the Oshkosh Fire Department and the Town of Omro First Responders also responded to the scene.

The crash follows an announcement from the Department of Transportation that traffic fatalities are on the rise in Wisconsin, with 588 people killed in crashes on Wisconsin roads in 2016, which is 33 more than the previous year and 40 more than the five-year average.

The 588 death toll was the highest since 2012, when 601 people were killed on state roads. The DOT attributes the high fatality rate to low gas prices and a better economy.

Researchers study impact of TBI on the elderly

Tue, 10 Jan 2017 12:00:00 GMT

Researchers from the University of Denver are studying the impact of traumatic brain injury on the elderly. According to a press release by the university, Kim Gorgens, a clinical associate professor in DU’s Graduate School of Professional Psychology, has been making headlines for years for her research on traumatic brain injury (TBI). Her 2010 TEDxDU talk […]

Researchers from the University of Denver are studying the impact of traumatic brain injury on the elderly. According to a press release by the university, Kim Gorgens, a clinical associate professor in DU’s Graduate School of Professional Psychology , has been making headlines for years for her research on traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Her 2010 TEDxDU talk on youth sports concussions went viral, and she was involved in drafting and supporting the 2011 Jake Snakenberg Youth Concussion Act for the state of Colorado.

“For her latest research project, Gorgens has partnered with Dan Linseman, an associate professor in DU’s Department of Biological Sciences , to study the impact of traumatic brain injuries on aging adults,” the press release reads. “Together, the researchers hope to uncover the reasons older adults take longer to recover from concussions—and why they suffer more severe consequences than younger people.”

Gorgen says in the article that falls are a huge public health crisis and it’s also one of the leading causes of injuries among aging adults. It’s Gorgen’s belief that the more we can do about brain injury and reducing the severity, the greater improvement we can provide in terms of quality of life for elderly people who have sustained traumatic brain injury .

“The two theorize that some of the difference in age-dependent recovery is due to aging-related oxidative stress and the depletion of a critical antioxidant in the brain called glutathione,” the release reads. “We are testing a nutritional supplement in mice that will boost levels of glutathione, Linseman says. We want to see if we can make them recover more like a younger mouse.”

The project is funded by a pilot grant from DU’s new Knoebel Institute for Healthy Aging, which focuses on finding ways to increase the healthy years of life through interdisciplinary coursework, research and collaboration with community partners.

“If we are able to generate proof that levels of this particular antioxidant are different depending on age and severity of injury, then we can press forward for larger funding,” Gorgens says. “The hope is we can design interventional studies, perhaps a nutritional supplement, that people could take to reduce the severity of a brain injury.”

University of Wisconsin women’s hockey team and staff suffer carbon monoxide poisoning after victory Friday

Mon, 09 Jan 2017 22:42:00 GMT

University of Wisconsin women’s hockey team and team staff members were tested for carbon monoxide poisoning at their hotel lobby shortly after their Friday night win at Lindenwood in Wentzville, Missouri. Mikayla Johnson, a redshirt senior forward, was at a St. Louis-area hospital for over four hours early Saturday morning because, according to her father and team […]

Mikayla Johnson, a redshirt senior forward, was at a St. Louis-area hospital for over four hours early Saturday morning because, according to her father and team coach Mark Johnson, her carbon monoxide levels were dangerously high.

Even one of my assistants was throwing up, he said.

Several Badger players were having a difficult time breathing and were experiencing headaches during the competition, but they assumed it was because it was their first game after being on a three-week hiatus.

“It was crazy,” Mikayla Johnson told the Wisconsin State Journal . “I’ve never actually had anything like that where it was like (you were) out of breath and you feel like you’re going to faint. We all thought we were out of shape and we were like, ‘This is so weird. How are we all out of shape?’”

Mark Johnson told the paper that he and his assistant coaches couldn’t understand why the game, which was won by the Badgers 5-1, didn’t have the high energy that team skaters usually perform at.

According to reports, the carbon monoxide level in the arena was measured by firefighters at 200 parts per million, a level at which headaches, fatigue, nausea and dizziness are common with just two to three hours of exposure.

“It was a pretty serious situation,” Mark Johnson told the paper. “We were lucky that we had enough help and the EMS people were very, very good and very professional.”

Mark Johnson said Badgers athletic trainer Denny Helwig was the one who recognized the issue on Friday and acted by getting emergency personnel to the team’s hotel.

Saturday’s second game of the non-conference series at Lindenwood was canceled because of the gas issues at the 750-seat ice rink and won’t be rescheduled.

All available Wisconsin players were back at practice on Monday morning. For more information about common symptoms following carbon monoxide poisoning visit our Carbon Monoxide Poisoning page .

Traffic fatalities on the rise in Wisconsin

Mon, 09 Jan 2017 12:04:00 GMT

There was an increase in traffic death fatalities in Wisconsin in 2016, according to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation – an increase the DOT is contributing to lower gas prices and a better economy. According to an article posted by the Wisconsin State Journal, the Department of Transportation said 588 people were killed in crashes […]

According to an article posted by the Wisconsin State Journal , the Department of Transportation said 588 people were killed in crashes on Wisconsin roads in 2016, 33 more than the previous year and 40 more than the five-year average.

The numbers in 2016 were the highest they’ve been since 2012, when 601 people were killed on state roads.

“Low gas prices and an improving economy in 2016 likely contributed to an increase in the number of vehicles on the road and the miles traveled,” David Pabst, director of the Bureau of Transportation Safety at the DOT told the Wisconsin State Journal . “An increase in vehicle miles traveled can also increase the risk for crashes.”

The breakdown of traffic fatalities:

Pabst told the Wisconsin State Journal that about 90 percent of crashes in Wisconsin are caused by drivers making bad decisions or engaging in dangerous habits.

In recent years, according to Pabst, there’s been an increase in distracted driving, including the use of cellphones behind the wheel.

“Since 1990, the worst year for traffic fatalities in Wisconsin was in 2003 when 836 people were killed in crashes, and the best year was in 2014 when 494 people lost their lives in crashes,” the article reads.

Adaptive yoga sessions used as therapy for people with traumatic brain injuries

Sun, 08 Jan 2017 12:14:00 GMT

Yoga is an ancient philosophy and practice of health and well-bring. Today, most people identify with the physical practice of Yoga, but Yoga is also used in meditation, breathing exercises, visualization, and lifestyle and diet changes. Now, an adaptive version of yoga is being used as therapy for people recovering from traumatic brain injury. News5 […]

Now, an adaptive version of yoga is being used as therapy for people recovering from traumatic brain injury .

News5 attended a yoga session at Rocky Mountain Healthcare’s BrainCare division to discover how it’s used to heal mind, body and spirit. Instructor Stacie Wyatt has been teaching at BrainCare for four years.

“I just was inspired to take yoga into a place where people who couldn’t access a traditional setting can still get the benefit of the practice,” Wyatt says in the article .

BrainCare provides daily support for individuals with acquired or traumatic brain injury .

“We help participants relearn lost skills and grow toward independence and self-sufficiency through a range of services including a day treatment program with skills training, coordinated care and specialized living communities,” the BrainCare website reads. “For those with greater independence, participants live on their own and receive cognitive rehabilitation through individual treatment, group classes and social activities at the Neuropathways Center. For those who need more care, participants live in one of our specialized living communities and participate in our day program, with skills training, treatment and coordinated care at our Neuropathways Center.”

“In a world where there’s a new normal after sustaining a brain injury , sometimes it’s okay to just have a nice relaxation moment,” Valerie Torres told News5 , the Director of Brain Injury Services. “That’s what Stacie provides.

Wyatt said she believes yoga allows patients to feel whole despite their cognitive or other disabilities.

“I think yoga brings them back to that place within them that, even if I can’t move my left side, I’m still whole,” Wyatt said in the article . “For patients struggling with a mind-body disconnect, yoga can be integral to recovery. It brings them into right now. They can’t go back. They walk out of here, or wheel out of here, OK with who they are today.”

Teaching the adaptive yoga sessions is good for Wyatt’s spirit as well. She told News5 she has learned courage, vulnerability and wisdom from teaching the class.

“If I can grow through them, then we’re completely one,” she said.

Truck crash kills one, injures two others

Sat, 07 Jan 2017 13:41:00 GMT

An early morning crash on I-90 near Wisconsin Dells claimed the life of a Minnesota truck driver and injured two others, according to various media reports. “The Wisconsin State Patrol said Koshin Mohamed Omar, 42, of St. Cloud, Minnesota, was driving a Freightliner semi-truck eastbound on I-90 at about 1:30 a.m. when he ran off […]

An early morning crash on I-90 near Wisconsin Dells claimed the life of a Minnesota truck driver and injured two others, according to various media reports.

“The Wisconsin State Patrol said Koshin Mohamed Omar, 42, of St. Cloud, Minnesota, was driving a Freightliner semi-truck eastbound on I-90 at about 1:30 a.m. when he ran off the road,” an article published by the Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel reads. “The truck struck a guard rail, traveled into a ditch line and hit several trees.”

According to the article, the impact of the crash caused the guard rail to protrude into the highway’s lanes, which caused two cars to collide with it. A 33-year-old Pardeeville woman was the driver of one of those vehicles and a 39-year-old Milwaukee woman was driving the other vehicle that crashed into the guard rail.

The two women reportedly suffered injuries that are not life threatening. There was no mention in the article about whether or not either woman was transported to the hospital as a result of their injuries.

“An investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing. Omar was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. The crash remains under investigation,” the article reads.

No other information in regards to the crash was released as of Jan. 3.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation reports on its website that there was an average of 6,301 large truck crashes each year between 2009-14 on Wisconsin roads, an average of 1,975 injuries each year in the same timespan as a result of a large truck crash, and an average of 68 fatalities each year due to crashes involving large trucks.

According to the WisDOT-DMV Accident Records database, a total of 581 people were killed on Wisconsin roads in 2016, that’s 26 more than in 2015 and 87 more than in 2014. According to the data, more people died in November of 2016 than any other time of the year with a total of 70 people being killed on Wisconsin roads that month.

Linear association found between low blood pressure and TBI

Fri, 06 Jan 2017 12:00:00 GMT

Doctors are thinking differently about blood pressure in patients with a serious brain injury thanks to a new study that found a linear association between lowest prehospital systolic blood pressure and severity-adjusted probability of mortality – across the whole range of pressures between 40 and 120 mmHg. “For patients with acute traumatic brain injury (TBI), […]

“For patients with acute traumatic brain injury (TBI), the higher the prehospital systolic blood pressure the better — a finding that challenges the conventional wisdom that there is a clinically meaningful threshold, new research suggests,” an article about the study posted to the MedScape website reads. “The researchers note these findings, which were published online December 7 in JAMA Surgery , show that for the injured brain, physiologically detrimental hypotension may occur at significantly higher blood pressure levels than current guidelines advise.”

The researchers said their findings highlight the need for specific trials comparing various blood pressure treatment thresholds well above the classic 90 mmHg.

“This data really changes how we think about blood pressure in patients with a serious brain injury in an acute setting. This is a major paradigm shift,” study coauthor, Joshua Gaither, MD, associate professor of emergency medicine, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, told Medscape Medical News .

“Historically we have been taught that when considering blood pressure in the setting of acute traumatic brain injury there is a magic number of 90 and as soon as the pressure is below 90 mmHg then damage will occur. We show in this study that this is not the case and for patients with systolic pressures anywhere between 40 and 120 mmHg, mortality rises as blood pressure falls. There is no magic cutoff. This suggests we need to treat blood pressure aggressively across a larger spectrum than previously thought,” he added.

TBI causes two types of damage: the primary injury — the damage to the brain when the head is hit — which is thought to be irreversible, and secondary damage caused by the injured brain being extra susceptible to secondary insults, such as low blood pressure.

“Because this is observational data we cannot say for sure that raising blood pressure will reduce mortality in these patients. But it does show that the lower the blood pressure, the more likely a patient is to die,” Gaither said in the article. “We really need a randomized trial to investigate whether more aggressive treatment with fluids does make a difference in terms of mortality in patients at all levels of blood pressure.”

Sheriff’s deputy, others injured in chain-reaction crash

Thu, 05 Jan 2017 14:11:00 GMT

Multiple people landed in the hospital last Friday night after a chain-reaction crash in Brown County. According to various media reports, at least three people, one of them a sheriff’s deputy, were transported to an area hospital due to injuries they sustained in connection with the crash. “At about 10:30 p.m., a deputy responded to […]

“At about 10:30 p.m., a deputy responded to a vehicle slide off in the median of northbound Interstate 41, near County Road S., an article on the FOX-11 News website reads . “While outside of the sheriff’s squad car discussing the incident with a Suamico tow truck driver, a 19-year-old Appleton-area driver hit the back of the tow truck at a highway speed.”

According to FOX-11, due to the high-rate of speed, the tow truck rushed forward at the time of impact and knocked both the deputy and the wrecker driver to the ground before rear-ending the squad car.

“The tow truck went over the top of the deputy and wrecker driver, forcing them to crawl out from underneath,” the article reads. “The 19-year-old had to be freed from his vehicle and was taken to a hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries.”

The deputy and wrecker driver were also taken to area hospitals with injuries. Both were reportedly treated and released.

No other information about the incident has been released, including what authorities believe caused the crash or whether or not the 19-year-old driver will face any charges in connection to the crash.

The cause of the collision is still under investigation.

Several injured in four-vehicle crash north of DeForest

Wed, 04 Jan 2017 12:00:00 GMT

Four people were injured, two of them seriously, in a four-vehicle crash on Highway 51 north of DeForest on Dec. 20. Two drivers involved in the crash were transported to the hospital with what media reports say were serious injuries. Two other people were also reportedly injured as a result of the crash and the […]

Two other people were also reportedly injured as a result of the crash and the highway was closed for more than two hours during morning rush hour while investigators were on the scene.

“The crash happened at about 6:30 a.m. near Highway DM in the town of Windsor, the Dane County Sheriff’s Office said. A Honda driven by Antonio Carrillo-Maya, 53, of Madison, was northbound on Highway 51 on the snow-covered road, crossing into the southbound lane and striking a Chevy Blazer driven by Chad Holmes, 39, of Pardeeville,” an article by the Wisconsin State Journal reads. “A northbound Jeep and a southbound pickup truck were not able to avoid the initial crash and both vehicles hit the first two vehicles.”

Bill Novak, a reporter with the Wisconsin State Journal reports that Carrillo-Maya and Holmes were both seriously injured as a result of the crash. Med Flight reportedly responded to the scene, but was unable to transport anyone due to mechanical issues. Both Carrillo-Maya and Holmes were transported to the hospital by ambulance.

“The drivers of the third and fourth vehicles had minor injuries and were not taken to a hospital,” the article reads. “Carrillo-Maya was to be ticketed for failure to maintain control and for having no driver’s license.”

Guide to Hiring a Personal Injury Attorney

Tue, 03 Jan 2017 20:02:00 GMT

Video Transcipt: What I have done for brain injury survivors is I have written a book guiding them through the process of finding the right brain injury lawyer for their case. The book is a free download or free hard copy. It can be ordered from our website, but it essentially walks them through what they can expect in the legal process, what to look for as far as finding an experienced brain injury attorney, and not making the mistake of hiring the wrong attorney from the beginning, which can be devastating for their case.

The book has forms and allows them to keep track of common symptoms following their brain injury, and basically instructs them how to deal with their doctor to make sure that their doctor has experience dealing with brain injuries, and the symptoms, and the treatment for brain injuries.

See more: Personal Injury Attorney, Wisconsin

The high cost of home care for families with special-needs children

Tue, 03 Jan 2017 13:42:00 GMT

A large national study shows that U.S. families provide nearly $36 billion each year in uncompensated medical care at home for children who have special needs such as traumatic brain injury or muscular dystrophy. A press release from the University of Southern California says that researchers at USC, Boston Children’s Hospital and RAND Corp. appear […]

A press release from the University of Southern California says that researchers at USC, Boston Children’s Hospital and RAND Corp. appear to be the first to document the volume and cost of the children’s in-home medical care.

“They found that an estimated 5.6 million children with special health care needs receive 5.1 hours of weekly medical care at home. In many cases, depending on their condition, children receive much more. While home care is beneficial for the children, it comes at great cost to family members or guardians,” the press release reads. “Many parents and guardians are of limited means and would struggle to afford a professional caregiver, which would cost an estimated $6,400 a year per child, the study found. Even an unskilled professional to assist with care would cost them $2,100 a year.”

Although advances in care have enabled families to take on medical tasks such as changing feeding tubes or providing physical therapy at home, the families do not receive reimbursement or pay for the hours they spend caring for the children. The value and cost of this care was unknown until now.

“The financial burden of caring for children with special medical conditions can weigh heavily on families. Their efforts are time-intensive. Many miss work to care for their children. Collectively, the families lose more than $17 billion in income each year, the researchers determined,” the press release reads. “For the study, the researchers analyzed data collected in the 2009-10 National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs. The survey results were based on telephone interviews with a sample of 40,242 parents and guardians of children with special needs.”

About 11 million U.S. children have special health needs. Half of them receive at least 5.1 hours per week in medical care at home.

Care is much more time-intensive for certain conditions. The researchers found that 12 percent of the children receive more than 21 hours per week of care – largely for conditions such as muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury or concussion .

“The researchers estimated the value of their in-home care by calculating how much a family would spend to hire a caregiver. They based their estimates for lost earnings on the caregivers’ wages,” the release reads. “For every child with special health needs, family caregivers forego an estimated $3,200 in earnings each year.”

The families of these children do not just lose potential earnings or compensation, the researchers noted. … Out-of-pocket health care costs for a special health-needs child are three times more expensive than the out-of-pocket costs for children without any special conditions.

Researchers find link between homelessness and brain injury

Mon, 02 Jan 2017 13:00:00 GMT

Researchers in Wisconsin studied more than 3,000 homeless men in Wisconsin and discovered that many of them have evidence of a prior traumatic brain injury (TBI). The researchers are hoping the information will improve the ability to identify, assess, diagnose and treat TBI in homeless persons. According to a release about the study on Brainline.org, […]

According to a release about the study on Brainline.org , 80 percent of the men studied were found to have evidence of cognititve impairment.

“Given the growing evidence . . . an underdiagnoses and inappropriate treatment problem of crisis proportions may exist in the [ homeless] population. Further clarification of the size and nature of this problem could have a major effect on the allocation of funding and level of staff training needed for developing, implementing, and evaluating appropriate services for homeless people,” the release reads. “Without more attention to these issues, homelessness will continue to persist as a pervasive social problem that creates a massive amount of preventable suffering.”

The study has gone on for seven years and researchers discovered in that time that undiagnosed TBI is just one aspect of a much broader problem when it comes to common risk factors for homelessness. Some other issues include childhood neglect, substance abuse, mental illness and low levels of education.

“Many of these risk factors have their origins in childhood and adolescence and are likely to have set the stage for the development of major problems later in life,” the study reads. “Although these risk factors are well-known, one of the most common sequelae of these experiences — traumatic brain injury — often goes undetected among homeless persons.”

According to the Mayo Clinic, Traumatic brain injury is when an external mechanical force causes brain dysfunction. Traumatic brain injury usually results from a violent blow or jolt to the head or body. An object penetrating the skull, such as a bullet or shattered piece of skull, also can cause traumatic brain injury.

“These individuals had a blow to the head, were dazed and confused, perhaps even lost consciousness, perhaps got medical attention and then went on with their lives,” the study reads.

After performing more than 3,000 comprehensive psychiatric evaluations of persons experiencing homelessness, most of whom had spent the past year or more on the street, in a shelter, drop-in center or other transitional setting, a striking commonality became evident … at least half of the patients reported histories of blows to the head.

Many times these injuries went unreported.

“At present, the impact of traumatic brain injury and cognitive dysfunction on the cost of homelessness cannot be calculated, since the research that would bring those costs to light has yet to be undertaken,” the study reads .

Child Injured in Wisconsin Crash

Sun, 01 Jan 2017 19:00:00 GMT

An 8-year-old child was injured last week after the vehicle she was riding in was involved in a collision. According to an article posted on the Waukesha Patch website, the girl was treated for a head injury following the crash last Wednesday morning in Waukesha. “According to the police report, an SUV and black Chevy […]

“According to the police report, an SUV and black Chevy Cruze were involved in the accident , which took place at about 7:45 a.m. near the intersection of Ruben Dr. and Springdale Rd.
Both vehicles were towed from the scene, after one was reported pinned against a snow bank there,” the article reads. “There is no word on the seriousness of the 8-year-old’s condition. No other injuries have been reported as a result of the crash.”

There is no mention in the article about whether or not someone will face charges in connection to the crash. No other details were released in regards to the collision.

According to the most recent data collected by the Department of Transportation in Wisconsin, 451 people died as a result of a vehicle crash on Wisconsin roads in 2014. There were 28,801 injury crashes reported that same year. In 2014, the total number of vehicle crashes on Wisconsin roads was 119,736, up from 118,254 crashes in 2013.

So far this year, 24 fatalities have been reported to the Wisconsin DOT Accident Records Unit in Waukesha County. Last year, only 10 people died as a result of a crash in Waukesha.

No information is listed in regards to why the number of fatalities in Waukesha County has more than doubled since last year. There were a total of 7,248 crashes reported in Waukesha County in 2014, according to the Wisconsin DOT.

Knapp man killed in three-vehicle crash

Sat, 31 Dec 2016 13:21:00 GMT

A three-vehicle crash in Dunn County left one man dead and four others injured last Friday. According to various media reports, a 70-year-old man from Knapp died as a result of the injuries he sustained in the crash .

“Ronnie Imboden, 70, of Knapp, was taken to the hospital after he was ejected from the vehicle he was driving in a three-vehicle crash on Friday night,” an article by WEAU reads . “The other drivers and one passenger were also taken to the hospital. Their medical conditions are unknown at this time.”

The crash was reported last Friday about 5:15 p.m. on U.S. 12 near 429th Street in the Town of Menomonie, the Dunn County Sheriff’s Office told WEAU.

When deputies arrived on the scene they discovered that three cars were involved in the crash.

“A 2013 Kia Soul operated by a 56-year-old male from Colfax was traveling east on USH 12 when it collided with a westbound 2004 Chevy Venture van operated by a 70-year-old male from Knapp,” the article reads. “The driver of the van (Imboden) was ejected and then the cars were struck by an eastbound 2011 Chevrolet Colorado operated by a 43-year-old female from Wilson.”

The truck came to rest on top of Imboden and he had to be extricated before being taken to Mayo Clinic in Eau Claire. He died at the hospital.

“The male driver and passenger of the Kia Soul and the female driver of the Chevrolet Colorado were transported Mayo Clinic in Menomonie,” the article reads.

The crash remains under investigation by the Dunn County Sheriff’s Office and the Wisconsin State Patrol. The article does not mention whether anyone is facing charges in connection to the incident or the current status of the other four people who were injured in the crash.

Link found between sleep patterns and TBI recovery

Fri, 30 Dec 2016 12:00:00 GMT

A new study of patients with traumatic brain injuries shows there’s a link between their sleep patterns and recovery. “A study of 30 patients hospitalized for moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries found that sleep quality and brain function improved in tandem, researchers reported Wednesday in the journal Neurology,” an article on NPR reads.

“Patients who still had low levels of consciousness and cognitive functioning would sleep for a couple of minutes and then wake up for a couple of minutes, both day and night, says Nadia Gosselin, the study’s senior author and an assistant professor in the psychology department at the University of Montreal.”

But “when the brain recovered, the [normal] sleep-wake cycle reappeared,” Gosselin says .

The results of the study raise the possibility that patients with brain injuries might recover more quickly if hospitals took steps aimed at restoring their normal sleep patterns. Gosselin recommends utilizing drugs to help patients sleep or making sure patients are exposed to enough sunlight during the day and darkness at night to help with sleeping. A dark, quiet environment helps, she says.

“The findings are consistent with other research showing that sleep is essential to restore body and brain functions,” according to an editorial accompanying the study . “…The authors also cite evidence linking sleep disorders to cognitive changes in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.

The idea for the study came from something Gosselin observed in traumatic brain injury patients during her training as a neuropsychologist. The team studied patients at Hopital du Sacre-Coer in Montreal who’d been injured by a motor vehicle accident , a fall or a blow to the head.”

About two to four weeks following an injury, the team would test the patients’ level of consciousness and cognitive function. All the patients wore devices on their wrists that tracked when they were sleeping and when they were awake.

“The researchers hoped to learn whether an improvement in sleep patterns came before signs of brain recovery. What they found, though, was that sleep and brain function improved together, apparently in lock step,” the article reads. “That could be because better sleep simply helped patients perform better on tests of brain function, Gosselin says. But it’s also possible that improved sleep was helping the brain heal.”

Gosselin’s lab is now looking to see whether better sleep really does help patients with brain injuries recover more quickly.

Crash kills Reedsburg woman

Thu, 29 Dec 2016 13:57:00 GMT

One woman was killed after a head-on collision near Reedsburg. According to the Reedsburg Times-Press, the incident occurred on Dec. 21 on Highway 33 and the woman who was killed was a 73-year-old Reedsburg resident.

“The Sauk County Sheriff’s Office was notified around 1:36 p.m. that two vehicles had collided just west of Coon Bluff Road in the town of Excelsior,” the article reads . “A preliminary investigation found that a 2001 Pontiac Grand Am driven by a 23-year-old Prairie du Sac woman was traveling east on Highway 33 and attempted to pass a rural postal vehicle that was delivering mail. When the Pontiac crossed the center line, it struck a westbound Mazda driven by a Reedsburg woman, the sheriff’s office reported.”

The driver of the Pontiac Grand Am was flown by medical helicopter to the University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison for treatment of her injuries. There is no information included in the article about the extent of the 23-year-old’s injuries or whether or not she is being charged in connection to the incident.

The Reedsburg woman was pronounced dead at the scene.

The names of those involved in the crash were not yet released pending notification of family.

“Traffic on Highway 33 was closed for more than three hours as a result of the crash . The incident remains under investigation by the Sauk County Sheriff’s Office,” the article reads. “Also responding to the scene were the Reedsburg Fire Department, Reedsburg Area Ambulance Service, Wisconsin State Patrol and the Sauk County Highway Department.”

This was the second serious collision on Highway 33 in the same area within a week’s time. On Dec. 13, a woman and her two children were injured in a collision after authorities say Kevin Robert Swanson 43, of Reedsburg, slammed into their vehicle while driving. He has been charged as a result of the crash.

Immune cell could help in TBI treatment

Wed, 28 Dec 2016 14:19:00 GMT

A powerful and rare immune cell has been discovered in the meninges around the brain, according to an article posted on Science Daily . The immune cell suggests that cells may play a critical role in battling Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, meningitis and other neurological diseases, in addition to supporting healthy mental functioning.

“By harnessing the cells’ power, doctors may be able to develop new treatments for neurological diseases, traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injuries – even migraines,” the article reads. “Further, School of Medicine researchers suspect the cells may be the missing link connecting the brain and the microbiota in our guts, a relationship already shown important in the development of Parkinson’s disease .”

The cells are known as “type 2 innate lymphocytes.” They have previously been found in the gut, lung and skin – the body’s barriers to disease.

“Their discovery in the meninges, the membranes surrounding the brain, comes as a surprise. They were found as UVA researcher Jonathan Kipnis, PhD, explored the implications of his lab’s game-changing discovery last year that the brain and the immune system are directly connected via vessels long thought not to exist,” the article reads. “Curiously, the immune cells were found along the vessels discovered by Kipnis’ team. ‘They’re right on the lymphatics, which is really weird,’ noted researcher Sachin Gadani. ‘You have the lymphatics and they’re stacked right on top. They’re not inside of them — they’re around them.’”

Immune cells play several important roles within the body. Not only do they help guard against sicknesses and injuries, they also help to trigger allergic reactions.

“In exploring their role in protecting the brain, the Kipnis team has determined they are vital in the body’s response to spinal cord injuries. But it’s their role in the gut that makes Kipnis suspect they may be serving as a vital communicator between the brain’s immune response and our microbiomes,” the article reads. “That could be of great importance, because our intestinal flora is critical for maintaining our health and wellbeing.”

Researchers have said it’s almost certain that the cells are important in a variety of neurological conditions.

Hypothermia beneficial to adult TBI patients

Tue, 27 Dec 2016 14:03:00 GMT

A new study shows that hypothermia therapy is beneficial for adults who sustain traumatic brain injury . According to an article in Neurology Advisor , the therapy is not however beneficial for children with traumatic brain injury .

Therapeutic hypothermia, which is also called targeted temperature management, refers to deliberate reduction of the core body temperature, typically to a range of about 32° to 34° C (89.6° to 93.2° F). It’s practiced most commonly in patients who don’t regain consciousness after return of spontaneous circulation following a cardiac arrest.

The study was recently published in Critical Care Medicine .

“Ellie M. Crompton, from the Institute of Cardiovascular Research at the Royal Holloway University of London, and colleagues conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis to quantify the benefits of hypothermia therapy for traumatic brain injuries in adults and children,” the Neurology Advisor article reads. “Data were reviewed from 41 studies in adults and from 8 studies in children. The researchers found that therapeutic hypothermia in adults was associated with an 18% reduction in mortality … compared with adults who were kept normothermic, and a 35% improvement in neurologic outcome.”

In children, hypothermic treatment was associated with a 66% increase in mortality and a trend toward deterioration in neurologic outcome.

“Therapeutic hypothermia is likely a beneficial treatment following traumatic brain injuries in adults, but cannot be recommended in children,” the authors wrote .

Program to gauge TBI in combat troops sidelined

Mon, 26 Dec 2016 16:50:00 GMT

A program by The Pentagon that placed blast gauges on thousands of combat troops in Afghanistan has been sidelined. According to an article by NPR, the gauges were discontinued because they reportedly failed to show whether service members were close enough to an explosion to sustain ill effects, such as traumatic brain injury or a concussion .

“But the small wearable devices did produce a trove of data on blast exposure that could eventually have helped researchers understand the links between bomb blasts, concussions and brain diseases,” the article reads. “And they produced evidence that many service members are exposed to worrisome levels of blast pressure simply by being near a heavy weapon when it’s fired.”

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a blow or jolt to the head or a penetrating head injury that disrupts the function of the brain. It is not currently known how neurological trauma resulting in TBI exactly interferes with the emergence of PTSD, but like PTSD, traumatic brain injury is difficult to recognize, diagnose and treat. While the creation of mine-resistant ambush-protected armored vehicles has saved many lives, TBIs suffered through these blasts have become known as the new silent signature war wounds of the war in Afghanistan.

Mild TBI has affected more than 200,000 troops.

“When NPR contacted the Army, a spokesman said it would be early 2017 before it could respond to an interview request,” the article reads . “… An overpressure of just 5 pounds per square inch can burst an eardrum. One-hundred PSI can be fatal. And somewhere in between is probably where most concussions occur. The Army began outfitting thousands of combat troops with blast gauges in 2011.”

One soldier who reportedly shot a shoulder-fired rocket received a concussion from shooting his own weapon. It was the gauges that alerted medical workers of his injury.

“As researchers began looking at the data from the gauges, it became clear that sort of exposure … was pretty common. Firing something like a recoilless rifle generates a powerful pressure wave both in front of and behind the weapon. Those pressure waves are usually less intense than those from a bomb,” the article reads. “But exposures are far more common, and not limited to the battlefield. A service member on the training range may experience 30 to 300 exposures per day, multiple days per week.”

City employee struck, killed in Racine

Sun, 25 Dec 2016 15:07:00 GMT

A Racine employee died Dec. 14 after he was pinned between a car and a city recycling truck. City official said that Mark D. Gates was rushed from the scene via ambulance to Ascension All Saints Hospital, then flown by Fight for Life helicopter to Froedtert Hospital in Wauwatosa. Mayor John Dickert’s office confirmed Gates’ death in a news release sent Wednesday evening.

“We received official word that our colleague, Mark Gates, died this afternoon from injuries sustained after having been struck by a speeding vehicle while collecting recyclables as part of his job,” the release states. “Mark was a highly respected and dedicated employee as well as a deeply faithful and caring pastor, and he will be missed by all who knew him.”

According to an article by The Journal Times, the crash occurred at about 9:50 a.m. in the right-hand, westbound lane of Washington Avenue between Illinois and Oregon streets.

“Joenathan Gholston of Racine, who witnessed the crash , said he was traveling west on Washington when he saw the Ford Mustang going at a rate he estimated at 50 mph to 60 mph, weaving back and forth between both lanes just before crashing into the recycling truck,” the article reads. “The crash occurred just a few blocks west of the intersection of Lathrop and Washington.”

Gholston told The Journal Times he got out of his car quickly to render aid, which is when he found Gates pinned at waist level between the two vehicles.

“I parked my car and I asked if I could help,” Gholston said. “They said it was Gates. I came around and I grabbed his hand and I told him to squeeze my hand because his hand was out. I told him, ‘Mark, squeeze my hand,’ and I told him to keep breathing, keep breathing, and then he stopped. I said, ‘Keep breathing, keep breathing,’ and it was like he stopped for a few seconds, and all of a sudden I could see barely a little steam because of the cold.”

State police traffic investigators were called to investigate the crash.

Two killed in Rock County crash

Sat, 24 Dec 2016 13:18:00 GMT

Two people were killed last Monday afternoon in a head-on crash on Highway 14 in Rock County.According to various media reports, the crash occurred in the Janesville area and reportedly killed both drivers.

“The Rock County Sheriff’s Office says a 75-year-old woman from Janesville lost control of her pickup truck on U.S. Highway 14 Monday afternoon,” an article by WLUC reads . “Her vehicle traveled into the oncoming lane of traffic and collided with another truck driven by a 57-year-old man from Davis, Illinois.”

The man was reportedly pronounced dead at the scene. The woman was flown to a hospital in Madison, where she was pronounced dead on the same day of the crash, later in the evening.

The Rock County Wisconsin medical examiner’s office released Wednesday afternoon the names of the two people killed.

“Authorities say 57-year-old Bradley Britt of Davis, Illinois and 75-year-old Carolyn Rhodes of Janesville, Wisconsin were both killed when the two trucks they were driving crashed on Highway 14 near Janesville Monday afternoon,” an article by WREX reads. “The Rock County Sheriff’s Office says the crash occurred on US-14 near North River Road shortly before 3:30 p.m. Monday. Officials say it was a head-on collision.”

Traffic on the highway had to be rerouted for about five hours due to the crash.

Various media reports suggest that speed is not thought to be a factor in the incident. An investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Surgery after TBI may restore vision

Fri, 23 Dec 2016 12:00:00 GMT

A small study from researchers at Washington University School of Medicine revealed that surgery can restore vision in patients who have suffered hemorrhaging in the eye following a traumatic brain injury (TBI).

According to an article on Technology.com , the surgery is even successful if it occurs several months following the TBI or brain injury .

“During a retinal surgery, Rajendra Apte, MD, PhD, removes blood from a hemorrhage that had interfered with the patient’s vision. Apte and his colleagues have found that such surgery can restore good vision in patients who have suffered traumatic brain injuries, even if the surgery has to be delayed for several weeks or months,” the article reads . “During a retinal surgery, Rajendra Apte, MD, PhD, removes blood from a hemorrhage that had interfered with the patient’s vision. Apte and his colleagues have found that such surgery can restore good vision in patients who have suffered traumatic brain injuries, even if the surgery has to be delayed for several weeks or months.”

Researchers with the study discovered that surgery to remove vitreous gel, which is the liquid that fills the space between the eye lens and the retina, netted patients 20/20 vision following surgery – even those who going into the surgery were legally blind.

“The researchers … studied patients who developed hemorrhaging in the eye related to brain injuries suffered in motor vehicle accidents. Prior to surgery, some patients could barely detect a hand waved in front of their faces. But a few months later, the majority had 20/20 vision,” the article reads . “These patients often have other issues related to brain injury , and we can’t work on the eye until a patient has stabilized, said principal investigator Rajendra S. Apte, MD, PhD. It was important to learn how long we could wait to operate without having a negative effect on vision. In the majority of cases, it appears vision can be restored, even if the surgery is done several months after a traumatic brain injury .”

The average vision in patients after their accidents, but prior to their surgeries was reportedly 20/1290. Within one month of the surgery, the average was 20/40.

A few months later, almost all patients had 20/20 vision, according to the article. There was no significant difference between those who had surgery right away and those who waited more than three months.

More than a dozen students injured in school bus crash

Thu, 22 Dec 2016 14:02:00 GMT

Fourteen students were injured in a school bus crash in Sparta, Wisconsin on Friday, December 9. According to various media reports, it was a Sparta Area School District bus involved in the crash , which was transporting students from school at the time of the incident.

“ The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office said there were 37 students on the bus. According to a news release, 14 students and the driver of a pickup were treated at local hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries. One student was transported by ambulance,” an article by WEAU reads.

The crash reportedly happened at about 3:30 p.m. on Hwy 21, just west of County Hwy. Q in the Town of Angelo.

“The school bus was east bound when the driver of the bus, David E. Ames of rural Sparta, turned in front of a west bound pickup truck operated by Robert H. Brueggen of rural Sparta,” the article reads . “Brueggen was trapped in the truck and had to be extricated. He was transported by Sparta Area Ambulance service to Mayo Clinic Sparta campus for non-life threatening injuries.”

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office is continuing an investigation into the crash with aid from the Wisconsin State Patrol.

“The sheriff’s office said Lamers Bus Service is cooperating with the investigation,” the article reads.

The article does not mention whether or not Ames was charged with anything in connection to the crash. There’s also no mention of the ages of the children involved or their current conditions.

From 2009-14, there was an average of 542 school bus crashes and an average of 140 injuries in school bus-related crashes each year. There were no fatalities in school bus crashes within that same time period, according to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.

Test developed for deer may help TBI patients

Wed, 21 Dec 2016 16:09:00 GMT

A test that was initially developed by wildlife disease experts from Colorado State University may help to identify the onset of brain disorders, including concussion -related trauma, in humans.

According to an article on the Innovation News website , the test was created to detect early-stage chronic wasting disease (CWD) in deer.

“In a sign of its potential significance, the research is funded with a $850,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Defense. The agency hopes to find better ways to detect and prevent concussion -related brain injuries, such as chronic traumatic encephalopathy, in U.S. soldiers exposed to munitions blasts in the field,” the article reads. “Such use of a diagnostic test designed for deer is possible because CWD is in a family of neurodegenerative ailments called prion diseases, characterized by protein misfolding that triggers a cascade of ultimately fatal brain damage.”

Researchers say that the misfolding in prion disease is nearly identical to cellular malfunction that occurs in humans who experience a concussion or chronic traumatic encephalopathy.

“In the last five years, there’s been an interest in applying this new technology to other neurological diseases,” said Davin Henderson , a researcher in the Hoover Laboratory. “Chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, is similar to prion disease.”

CTE is a progressive degenerative disease of the brain found in athletes (and others) with a history of repetitive brain trauma, including symptomatic concussions as well as asymptomatic subconcussive hits to the head. CTE has been known to affect boxers and other contact sport enthusiast since the 1920s.

“The CSU team is collaborating on the study with the Center for Cognitive Neurology at New York University’s Langone Medical Center, which will provide tissue samples from patients with dementia who donated these tissues to science,” the article reads. “CSU is renowned for its research breakthroughs on chronic wasting disease, a contagious neurological disease that affects deer, elk and moose: CWD was first identified as a fatal wasting syndrome of mule deer – and as a prion disorder – at CSU research facilities. CSU Professor Terry Spraker also first discovered chronic wasting disease in a captive research herd of elk in Colorado in the 1970s.”

Researchers say that the protein they’re studying is rich in the brain and performs tasks not fully understood, but when it misfolds, it somehow seduces other proteins to misfold with it, which eventually spreads into the brain tissue and can damage the nerve cells in the brain.

“The test that detects CWD at very low levels in the urine, saliva or feces of deer, elk and moose may also be used to detect one of several misfolded proteins found in people with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, traumatic brain injury and other similar diseases,” the article reads. “Researchers and clinicians are also interested in learning more about the connection between traumatic brain injury and short-term and long-term disorders resulting from concussion.”

New technology to aid in diagnosing TBI for MMA fighters

Tue, 20 Dec 2016 12:38:00 GMT

Traumatic brain injuries are not uncommon in contact sports – including boxing and MMA fighting. For instance, Nick Blackwell was fighting Chris Eubank Jr. in March and his forehead swelled so much he couldn’t see. After being transported to the hospital, it was discovered there was blood pooling between his brain and skull. He was placed into a medically induced coma and not long after, Blackwell retired from boxing.

Similarly, MMA fighter Joao Carvalho suffered traumatic brain injury during a fight. He experienced bleeding from his brain and died in the hospital just three days later.

That’s why it’s so important to incorporate tools that will help diagnose the damage as quickly and efficiently as possible. New technology is on its way to MMA fighting rings to help with just that – handheld brain scanning devices.

According to an article posted on the SB Nation website , brain hematomas (bleeds) occur in two varieties: epidural and subdural.

“An epidural hematoma is a bleed that occurs between the skull and the outermost layer of the brain (the dura mater). Subdural hematomas are bleeds beneath the dura mater. Both injuries are commonly caused by linear acceleration of the brain within the skull,” the article reads. “Linear acceleration is when the brain moves at a different rate from the skull, explained Dr. Tator, a neurosurgeon from Toronto Western Hospital. [And that causes] bruising of the brain and blood clots in the brain as well, because veins can be torn off during that type of movement to and fro, or front to back, or side to side.”

In as many as 50% of cases involving an epidural hematoma the sufferer says that they feel fine at first, before suddenly falling unconscious. The period in which the sufferer appears symptom free is called a ‘lucid interval.’

“Without a lucid interval, people experiencing brain bleeds may have headaches and/or bouts of confusion that slowly increases in intensity,” the article reads. “The Glasgow Coma Scale (GSC) is commonly used to detect brain bleeds, this test includes checking a patient’s eye response to stimuli as well as their verbal and motor skills. A CT or an MRI scan is traditionally used to confirm a diagnosis of a brain bleed .”

Bleeds from ruptured veins and arteries put pressure on the brain itself. This pressure can be fatal if it damages delicate brain tissue or causes the brain to herniate.

“Both epidural and subdural hematomas can be treated with surgical openings of the skull, where blood is removed and pressure on the brain is alleviated,” the article reads. “Because of the subtly of the early symptoms associated with brain bleeds, many fighters have died before a diagnosis or a surgery can be performed.”

The GSC can help detect brain injuries early so a patient can get the treatment they need. But, according to the article innovation in medical sciences has led to the handheld brain scanner, which could actually help protect fighters from life-threatening brain injuries.

A Consumer’s Guide to Auto Accidents in Wisconsin

Mon, 19 Dec 2016 19:13:00 GMT

I have written a book for victims of automobile accidents. This book is designed to protect the victims’ rights from the beginning. They may not be in a position immediately to hire an attorney and I want to protect their rights from the insurance company, who will do everything they can to jeopardize those rights including asking for a recorded statement, which they’re not required to provide.

This book discusses common insurance company defenses, including the ten things that can ruin an auto accident victim’s case right from the beginning. The book also covers one of the common problems following an auto accident , and that is doctors don’t pay attention to complaints of the victim. I have provided readers of the book with five ways to get their doctor’s attention to make sure that the doctors are properly documenting the injuries and providing treatment for the same.

See more: Auto Accident Attorney, Wisconsin

Largest effort to study concussions in young people underway in Texas

Mon, 19 Dec 2016 12:59:00 GMT

Texas is implementing the largest effort ever undertaken to track brain injuries among young athletes and the program launched last week.

According to various media reports, the University Interscholastic League, Texas’ governing body for public high school sports, is partnering with the O’Donnell Brain Institute at UT Southwestern Medical Center for the project.

The group hopes to gauge whether current rules or equipment changes are improving player safety and determine what more can be done to protect athletes.

“A state as large as Texas, which has more than 800,000 public high school athletes, would be a key step in developing a national database of brain injuries in youths, officials say. Already, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is seeking federal funding for such a database,” an article by The Dallas Morning News reads. “All 50 states in recent years have passed rules or laws to address concussions in youth athletics, from research to protocols for identifying concussions and setting rules for return to play.”

The CDC estimates approximately 3.8 million concussions occur in sports and recreational activities each year, but some experts think those numbers may be underestimated because when it comes to brain injuries, some people may not seek treatment for mild or moderate symptoms , therefore, they aren’t diagnosed.

The Texas study will collect more concussion data than has ever been gathered before. Currently, only one school from each district is required to report concussions as part of a weekly injury reporting system, though each school in the football playoffs is required to report concussions.“The Texas program will track about two dozen sports, from football to girls’ soccer, recording what caused an injury, recovery time and other data. Other states have researched head injuries, too,” the article reads. “In Michigan, which requires schools to report concussions, a recent concussion study showed 755 schools reported 4,452 head injuries in the 2015-16 school year. Football had the most — 1,907 — and girls’ basketball ranked No. 2 with 454.”

One dead after multi-vehicle crash involving semi-truck

Sun, 18 Dec 2016 13:56:00 GMT

One person is dead following a multi-vehicle crash involving a semi-truck. According to various media reports, the incident occurred last Saturday morning on I-35 near Osceola. A Wisconsin woman died as a result of injuries she sustained in the crash .

The crash reportedly happened about 10 a.m. as the woman was traveling southbound on Interstate 35.

“According to a crash report, the woman’s vehicle started slowing down when a semi-truck behind her struck her (vehicle), causing the woman’s vehicle to strike a cable barrier in the median,” an article on the KCCI-TV website reads. “Three vehicles were involved in the crash, which was a result of slick, wintry conditions.”

Officials had not released the names of the victims as of last Tuesday afternoon. There was also no information in regards to whether or not anyone else was injured in the crash or if anyone involved is potentially facing charges in connection to the crash.

An average of 559 people died each year on Wisconsin roads between 2009-2014 and an average of 40,373 were injured each year, according to information posted on the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) website.

When it comes to large trucks, there was an average of 6,301 large truck crashes each year between 2009-14 and an average of 68 people each year died from injuries they sustained as a result of a crash with a large truck.

An average of nearly 2,000 people are injured in a crash with a large truck on Wisconsin roads each year, according to the Wisconsin DOT.

Several seriously injured in fatal I-94 crash

Sat, 17 Dec 2016 12:00:00 GMT

Multiple people were injured last Monday after an SUV crossed the I-94 median and crashed into oncoming traffic. According to various media reports, the crash occurred on Interstate 94 near Baldwin, Wis.

One woman was killed in the crash and three others were seriously injured. A semitrailer was also involved in the incident.

“The crash happened at U.S. 63 at about 8:50 a.m., according to a statement from the Wisconsin State Patrol. Westbound traffic was detoured, and the eastbound lanes were slowed as first responders worked,” an article posted on Twincities.com reads. “Right now, we know that it wasn’t weather related because the roads were good in that area, so we aren’t sure what caused the woman to go through the median and into oncoming traffic, Patrol Sgt. Kirk Danielson said.”

A press release from the State Patrol explains that an eastbound Chevrolet Equinox SUV traveled through the median and into the westbound lanes. The Chevrolet struck a Toyota Prius and a Ford Fusion after crossing into the lanes. A westbound semitrailer then struck the Chevrolet and Toyota.

“The Chevy driver was thrown from her vehicle,” the article reads . “Two other people were trapped in the Toyota and needed to be extricated; they suffered serious injuries as a result of the crash. All three were taken to Regions Hospital in St. Paul, where the ejected driver died.”

The driver of the Ford was reportedly taken to River Falls Hospital with minor injuries. The Wisconsin State Patrol is currently investigating the crash along with help from the St. Croix sherriff’s department and Baldwin-Woodville fire and EMS.

“The woman who died is from Wisconsin, though not from the area,” Danielson said in the article. The woman’s name had not been released as of last Tuesday afternoon.

“According to information gathered from the police scanners, hazmat was called to the scene shortly after the occupants of the vehicles were taken away … to check on a 55-gallon drum of highly corrosive materials that was reportedly being hauled by a semi,” the article reads.

According to the article, the drum slid to the front of the trailer when the semi came to a stop. Hazmat arrived on scene at 10:27 a.m. to help handle the materials.

Two dead after dump truck fails to stop at 4-way

Fri, 16 Dec 2016 12:00:00 GMT

Two people are dead after a crash in Oneida last week.

Outagamie County Sherriff’s Deputies told NBC26 the crash happened just after 3 p.m. at the intersection of CTH E at CTH EE in the Town of Oneida.

“Deputies say a four door Mercury Marquis driven by a 91 year old man from the Town of Oneida was northbound on CTH E,” and article posted to the NBC26 website reads. “The vehicle stopped at the 4-way stop sign and entered the intersection. A dump truck towing a dual axle trailer was westbound on CTH EE and failed to stop at the stop sign. The dump truck, owned by a tree service from Appleton, hit the car on the passenger side.”

When authorities arrived on scene they found that both of the vehicles were in a field near the northwest corner of the intersection. The dumptruck was overturned and on its side.

The 91-year-old driver of the car and a 56 year-old female passenger who was with him both died at the scene of the crash.

“The 40-year-old male driver of the dump truck was transported to a Green Bay hospital with non-life threatening injuries,” the article reads. “The investigation of the crash is continuing. The Outagamie County Sheriff’s Department was assisted on scene by the Wisconsin State Patrol, Oneida Police Department, Oneida and Freedom Fire, an Oneida First Responders.”

Study show woman with severe brain injury recovered ability to communicate

Thu, 15 Dec 2016 13:52:00 GMT

A study published Dec. 7 in Science Translational Medicine followed Margaret Worthen’s progress for three years after suffering massive strokes that left her with severe brain damage. According to the study, she eventually regained the ability to communicate by using her left eye. The study suggests that Worthen eventually had restored function and connections in the areas of her brain responsible for producing expressive language and responding to human speech.

The study was conducted by scientists from Weill Cornell Medicine.

“To measure the changes in Ms. Worthen’s brain as she improved this form of communication, the researchers used a number of imaging tools. The main technique, called diffusion tensor imaging, uses structural information about the brain obtained by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to make measurements that enable scientists to infer connection between specific areas,” a press release on Science Daily reads. “The research signifies the first time that scientists have captured the restoration of communication of a minimally conscious patient by measuring aspects of brain structure and function before and after communication resumed.”

Scientists say it also raises the question of whether other patients who appear to be minimally responsive or completely unresponsive may harbor organized, higher-level brain function.

“For the first 21 months after Worthen’s strokes, most doctors diagnosed her as being in a vegetative state, unable to speak and unaware of herself and her environment. Then, during her first visit with Dr. Schiff’s team, doctors detected an ability to respond to their command to look down with her left eye,” the press release reads. “Her ability was initially intermittent, but over the course of a year she developed a one-way communication system. She was able to respond to yes and no questions, such as ‘Is your name Margaret?’ or ‘Is your father’s name Michael?’ by moving her left eye down or up, but lacked a method to ask questions or use a brain-computer interface.”

Researches used imaging tools to track Worthen’s progress with the main one being diffusion tensor imaging, which uses MRI technology to make measurements that enable scientists to infer connection between specific areas.

“Dr. Schiff and his colleagues found evidence for two critical processes — most prominently, reconnection of Broca’s area, the region of the brain located in the frontal lobe of the dominant hemisphere that is associated with language and speech,” the press release reads. “In addition, the two hemispheres of the patient’s brain had increased their connectivity. The findings suggest that reconnection began within the left hemisphere and extended to the right, corresponding to the restoration of Ms. Worthen’s ability to communicate.”

Omega-3 fatty acids beneficial for TBI patients

Wed, 14 Dec 2016 14:23:00 GMT

A long-standing clinical challenge for doctors has been treating concussions and other forms of traumatic brain injury .

“Clinical studies thus far have failed to identify an effective treatment strategy,” an article on the Knowridge Science Report website reads. “According to emerging science and clinical experience, aggressive intake of omega-3 fatty acids (n-3FA) seems to be beneficial to TBI, concussion, and post-concussion syndrome patients.”

The research was recently presented in “Concussions, Traumatic Brain Injury , and the Innovative Use of Omega-3s,” a review article from the American College of Nutrition.

“Research suggests that early and optimal doses of omega-3 fatty acids (n-3FA) have the potential to improve outcomes from traumatic brain injury . The article reviews preclinical research and cites three brain injury case studies that resulted from a mining accident, a motor vehicle accident, and a drowning accident,” the article reads. “Each instance showcased evidence of safety and tolerability, wherein the patients who sustained life-threatening brain injuries recovered brain health with the aid of omega-3 fatty acids (n-3FA).”

According to the research, the brain needs to be saturated with high doses of n-3FA in order for it to have the opportunity to heal.

“Without an optimal supply of omegas, healing is less likely to happen. It is well recognized that n-3FAs are not a drug and not a cure and every situation is different,” the article reads. “Clinically, some patients respond better than others. However, there is no downside to providing optimal levels of nutrition in order to give a patient the best opportunity to regain as much function as possible following a TBI.”

Bill provides funding for TBI research and treatments

Tue, 13 Dec 2016 12:00:00 GMT

The House of Representatives last week approved the 21st Century Cures Act and it received Senate approval. President Obama has promised to sign it, according to an article on the Health Line website. The legislation is 1,000 pages long.

“I don’t think anybody can wrap their head around an omnibus bill like this,” Dr. George Demetri, an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and a member of the board of directors of the American Association for Cancer Research, told Healthline. “However, while there are plenty of supporters for the additional research funding the bill provides, there are critics who are opposed to the provisions that would allow the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to more quickly approve new drugs and treatments,” the article reads.

The Cures Act bill is worth $6.3 billion and about $4.8 billion of the bill will go to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) over the next 10 years.

“This money would go toward research on diseases such as Alzheimer’s, cancer, and traumatic brain injuries,” the article reads. “This is going to be a game-changer,” House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wisconsin) said at a news conference last week. “It will fundamentally transform the way that we treat and cure diseases in this country.”

A representative from Colorado told USA Today that the bill will potentially save countless lives in the future because it makes vital innovations in biomedical research within reach for scientists and researchers.

About $1.8 billion will go towards cancer research and $1 billion will be put towards combatting the opioid addiction crisis. It’s estimated that about 14,000 people die in the United States every year from overdoses involving prescription drugs.

“This part of the bill will also establish a mental health and substance abuse ‘policy laboratory’ for prevention and treatment of those ailments,” the article reads. “It will also require insurers to cover mental health the same way they cover other medical costs.”

Wisconsin researchers announce last subject randomized in TBI study

Mon, 12 Dec 2016 13:10:00 GMT

The trial is now fully enrolled.

The trial is similar in design, subject population and outcome measures to Helius’ ongoing, 120-subject registrational study, however, the Helius trial is a 5-week treatment protocol.

For more information, please visit www.heliusmedical.com .

One man dead, several injured following Milwaukee crash

Sun, 11 Dec 2016 12:00:00 GMT

A teenager who was fleeing from police crashed a vehicle, killing one and injuring others on Nov. 29.

According to various media reports, 18-year-old Samira Coleman-Wilks was driving a Chevrolet Impala along N. 27 ^th Street about 9:45p.m. that Saturday. A criminal complaint says that Milwaukee police officers who were on patrol along that street noticed the Chevrolet Impala had a suspended registration plate.

“The officers pulled over the vehicle – driven by Coleman-Wilks. As officers approached the vehicle, the Chevrolet suddenly accelerated northbound on N. 27th Street,” an article by FOX6 News reads. “A few moments later, the officers hear a large crash sound and observed a large cloud of smoke coming from the intersection of N. 27th Street and W. Capitol Drive.”

A passenger in the Impala driven by Coleman-Wilks, 20-year-old Shawn Oliver, died from injuries he sustained as a result of the crash . Another man who was a passenger in the vehicle told FOX6 News he has been physically and mentally scarred from the crash. Adrian Pyatt said he still has nightmares about the incident.

“It messes me up in the head to know that one boy died and the other in a coma and she is paralyzed from the waist down,” Pyatt is quoted as saying in the article. “Pyatt was asleep in the car when the wreck happened. He was startled awake by a screeching noise. His face and shoulder struck the dashboard, according to the criminal complaint.”

Pyatt told news reporters he woke up and couldn’t move due to a shoulder injury . When he did eventually get out of the car, he just started crying.

“The complaint indicates investigators downloaded the airbag control module from the Impala and found the ‘vehicle was traveling at 83 mph with throttle at 100 percent, just prior to impact.’ The speed limit in that area is 30 mph,” the article reads. “Meaning the defendant was traveling 53 mph over the speed limit. The complaint also indicates Coleman-Wilks never had a valid driver’s license of any sort.”

There were three people in the vehicle struck who were also injured, but with non-life threatening injuries – two men, ages 28 and 29, and a 22-year-old woman.

Coleman-Wilks of Milwaukee now faces multiple criminal charges in connection with the fatal crash.

One injured in Milwaukee crash involving semi

Sat, 10 Dec 2016 13:24:00 GMT

On person was reportedly injured following a Dec. 6 crash on Highway 100. According to various media reports, a car and semi crashed between Oklahoma Avenue and Morgan Avenue early that morning.

All lanes of the highway were closed while authorities investigated the scene. The highway then reopened about 9:45 a.m.

“Greenfield police say upon arrival to the scene, the operator of the car was found to be injured and trapped inside his vehicle. The West Allis Fire Department was able to extricate the man, who was then transported to Froedtert Hospital due to the severity of his injuries,” according to an article by FOX6 News . “The operator of the vehicle was identified as a 33-year-old man from Greenfield. The driver of the semi-truck was identified as a 54-year-old man from Mukwonago, who remained on scene and was cooperative with investigators.”

Authorities have told the media that prior to the crash occurring, the semi-truck had been traveling southbound on S. 108th and the car had been traveling eastbound on W. Morgan. At some point, the two vehicles collided at the intersection.

“The Wisconsin State Patrol was requested and is assisting with the investigation and reconstructing the accident scene,” the article reads. “The crash remains under investigation by the Greenfield Police Department.”

No other details had been released in regards to the incident as of late afternoon on Dec. 7. The article does not mention whether speed or distracted driving is thought to be a factor or whether anyone involved is potentially facing charges in connection to the crash.

Young TBI patients more likely to experience psychiatric illness

Fri, 09 Dec 2016 12:53:00 GMT

A new study out of the University of Oxford reveals that young people who sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI) before the age of 25 are more likely to experience a psychiatric illness and die compared to people who haven’t experienced TBI.

The analysis was funded by the National Institutes of Health and was published in PLOS Medicine .

The researchers also found that those who had a head injury may complete fewer years of school and are more likely receive a disability pension, according to a press release on the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Development.

“ Traumatic brain injury (TBI) may result when the head hits an object or when an object pierces the skull and brain tissue. TBI can be mild, moderate, or severe, depending on the extent of damage to the brain. According to the study authors, TBI accounts for roughly 848,000 hospital admissions and emergency room visits in the United States each year among people under age 25,” the article reads. “Previous studies of adults have linked TBI to psychiatric illnesses and higher rates of cognitive impairment later in life. However, few large studies have been conducted of young people with head injury .”

The researchers reportedly reviewed medical, health, and other records of people born between 1973 and 1982, looking for people who had a TBI before age 25. Out of more than 1 million people, the researchers identified more than 104,000 who had a TBI before age 25.

“The researchers found that, on average, young people who had a TBI were nearly twice as likely to have been hospitalized for a psychiatric illness, compared to those who did not have a TBI before age 25. Additionally, those with a TBI were nearly twice as likely to die prematurely (before age 41) and to have a disability pension,” the article reads. “Compared to younger TBI patients , those who had their injury at ages 20 to 24 had a 25 percent higher risk for psychiatric hospitalization and premature death. Similarly, the TBI patients also did not progress as far educationally and were more likely to be receiving government assistance (welfare benefits). Those who had more than one TBI had three times the risk for any of these outcomes.”

The TBI patients had essentially the same high risk when compared to their siblings, which the researchers said discounts the likelihood that hereditary and environmental factors could account for their adverse outcomes.

The study authors noted that young TBI patients typically did not receive follow-up care after their injury. Given that these people tend to be at higher risk for illness, death, and lower educational and economic achievement, medical practitioners may want to consider programs to follow them over a longer period of time.

The study authors stressed the importance of preventing traumatic brain injuries in children.

One dead in Buena Vista crash

Thu, 08 Dec 2016 12:11:00 GMT

One person is dead following a 2-vehicle crash in Buena Vista.

Various media reports, reported the crash occurred in the Portage County township of Buena Vista.

“According to a press release, dispatch received a report at 2:28 p.m. Tuesday afternoon of a crash at the intersection of County Highway J and County Highway N,” an article by WSAU reads. “A 59-year-old male pickup driver from Waushara County was driving southbound on County Highway J. He was hit by an SUV that failed to stop at a stop sign. The SUV was driven by a 31-year-old female from Iowa.”

The pickup truck reportedly entered the southeast ditch and overturned once following the incident. The driver of that truck was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.

The SUV driver was also injured, but escaped with non-life threatening injuries.

“She was taken to Saint Michael’s Hospital. There were no passengers in either vehicle,” the article reads.

The names involved in the crash were not released as of late Wednesday afternoon on Nov. 30 – pending family notification.

There is no mention in the article as to what charges, if any, the driver of the SUV faces.

According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, there have been 548 fatalities as a result of crashes on Wisconsin roads so far this year. There were 60 deaths as a result of a vehicle crash in November. Last year, 555 people died on Wisconsin roads, 61 more than in 2014.

The Wisconsin DOT website shows that one other person has died in Portage County this year as a result of a vehicle crash. Three people died last year on Portage roads, four less than in 2014.

Teenager in crosswalk struck by two cars

Wed, 07 Dec 2016 14:27:00 GMT

A teenager was struck by two vehicles last Monday in Oshkosh, according to various media reports.

The 15-year-old was reportedly crossing Witzel Avenue on foot. She is currently recovering from her injuries.

“The Oshkosh police and fire departments responded about 4:30 p.m. Monday to reports of a pedestrian being hit by a car at Witzel Avenue and Westbrook Drive, police said,” according to a news article by the Oshkosh Northwestern . “A witness told investigators the girl was walking across the street in a crosswalk near Westbrook Avenue when a Toyota Camry hit her, according to a release from Oshkosh Police Lieutenant Kevin Konrad.”

The girl was thrown across the center line of the road and into the path of a Dodge Ram pickup truck, which also hit her, the release stated. She was reportedly taken to a local hospital with injuries to her head and pelvis. The extent of those injuries were not released in the article, but she was in stable condition last Tuesday morning, according to the news report.

“Police are not yet releasing information about the drivers, as Konrad said the investigation and accident report are not completed. Witzel Avenue was closed Monday from Washburn Street to Westbrook Drive while authorities responded to the scene and investigated the crash ,” the article reads.

According to Wisconsin Pedestrian Laws, at an intersection or crosswalk where traffic is controlled by traffic control signals or by a traffic officer, the operator of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian, or to a person who is riding a bicycle or electric personal assistive mobility device in a manner which is consistent with the safe use of the crosswalk by pedestrians, who has started to cross the highway on a green or “Walk” signal and in all other cases pedestrians, bicyclists, and riders of electric personal assistive mobility devices shall yield the right-of-way to vehicles lawfully proceeding directly ahead on a green signal.

No operator of a vehicle proceeding ahead on a green signal may begin a turn at a controlled intersection or crosswalk when a pedestrian, bicyclist, or rider of an electric personal assistive mobility device crossing in the crosswalk on a green or “Walk” signal would be endangered or interfered with in any way.

At an intersection or crosswalk where traffic is not controlled by traffic control signals or by a traffic officer, the operator of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian, or to a person riding a bicycle or electric personal assistive mobility device in a manner which is consistent with the safe use of the crosswalk by pedestrians, who is crossing the highway within a marked or unmarked crosswalk.

No pedestrian, bicyclist, or rider of an electric personal assistive mobility device shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk, run, or ride into the path of a vehicle which is so close that it is difficult for the operator of the vehicle to yield. Whenever any vehicle is stopped at an intersection or crosswalk to permit a pedestrian, bicyclist, or rider of an electric personal assistive mobility device to cross the roadway, the operator of any other vehicle approaching from the rear shall not overtake and pass the stopped vehicle.

There’s no mention in the article as to whether either of the drivers might face charges in connection to the incident.

Guide to Hiring a Brain Injury Attorney

Tue, 06 Dec 2016 16:43:00 GMT

Mental health issues in ABI and TBI

Tue, 06 Dec 2016 13:57:00 GMT

A common symptom following brain injury includes mental health issues, but those with an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) may have symptoms difficult to differentiate, according to Kenneth Murnaghan, director of Brain Injury Association of P.E.I.

By definition, an acquired brain injury is an injury to the brain that has occurred after birth, but is not related to congenital defect or degenerative disease. Causes of ABI include (but are not limited to) hypoxia, illness, infection, stroke, substance abuse, toxic exposure, and tumor. ABI may cause temporary or permanent impairment in such areas as cognitive, emotional, metabolic, motor, perceptual motor and/or sensory brain function.

In contrast, a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a traumatically induced structural injury and/or physiological disruption of brain function as a result of an external force that is indicated by new onset or worsening of at least one of some of the following clinical signs, immediately following the event:

1.7 million people sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI) each year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Injury Prevention , the leading causes of TBI are:

“With brain injury survivors the issues remain generally stable or improve over time while mental health patients display symptoms that come and go depending on the mood,” an article on brainbehappy.com reads. “Those living with an ABI are often more vulnerable than the general population to mental health disorders such as anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and depression.”

Murnaghan says his concern is that the needs and issues of brain injury survivors will be overlooked and fall through the cracks. He suggests proper training is essential.

“Substance use is of greater concern following a brain injury due to the impact of drugs and/or alcohol on the healing brain. Use of alcohol and illicit drugs can hamper the brain’s ability to heal, increase risk of seizures, and increase impairments,” the article reads. “Tolerance for certain substances including alcohol is also reduced following a brain injury. Compounding the nature of addiction issues, the brain injury can affect the individual’s self-awareness and perceptions, reducing their ability to recognize concerns and consequences of substance misuse.”

Individuals with a brain injury are reportedly more susceptible to addiction issues.

“Alcohol or drug use may be used by the survivor to self-medicate,” the article reads. “Additionally, many individuals experience impairment in the areas of impulse regulation, decision-making and problem solving which may allow the circumstances for substance use to become excessive.”

Researchers receive grant to study benefits of antibody in TBI

Mon, 05 Dec 2016 13:11:00 GMT

Omeros Corporation last week announced that an international consortium of complement experts from Italy, United Kingdom, Germany, Spain and Poland was awarded $1.4 million in grant funding to study the benefits of inhibiting mannan-binding lectin-associated serine protease-2 (MASP-2) and the lectin pathway in traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Omeros’ (OMS721) is a human monoclonal antibody that inhibits MASP-2.

According to a press release posted on the Business Wire website, the international consortium was awarded the grant by the Network of European Funding for Neuroscience Research (ERANET-NEURON), which is part of a European research area network funded by the European Commission.

Traumatic brain injury is a leading cause of death and permanent disability worldwide, contributing to about 30 percent of all injury deaths in the U.S.

Those who survive a TBI can face cognitive and emotional effects lasting a few days – to disabilities that may last the rest of their lives. In 2010, about 2.5 million emergency department visits, hospitalizations, or deaths in the U.S. were associated with TBI.

Within minutes following the trauma, TBI induces the activation of several injurious cascades that develop over time and account for the majority of brain damage. A cascade is basically a biochemical reaction that is initiated in the brain and other tissues after seconds to minutes of inadequate blood supply to the brain. Among these, the lectin pathway of complement and its effector enzyme MASP-2 have been identified to contribute substantially to the detrimental outcome of TBI.

“The consortium’s project is entitled, ‘New therapeutic strategies in the treatment of traumatic brain injury by targeting the LEctinActivation Pathway of complement,’ or LEAP, and is focused on defining the contribution of lectin pathway activators and enzymes (MASP-1, MASP-2, and MASP-3) in driving post-traumatic brain injury and on assessing the therapeutic utility of MASP-2-blocking antibodies to reduce TBI-related morbidity and mortality in patients,” the press release reads. “The program also targets the development of biomarkers for use in TBI clinical trials.”

Omeros currently has an ongoing Phase 3 clinical program evaluating OMS721 as well as Phase 2 programs assessing the drug.

Researchers study depression in brain injury patients

Sun, 04 Dec 2016 13:23:00 GMT

Researchers have conducted brain scans on soldiers with brain injuries in an attempt to tackle the issue of depression.

According to an article posted on the Pantagraph website, disruption of certain brain circuits may be related to depression in soldiers with brain injuries.

“The researchers conducted brain scans on 130 male soldiers who suffered mild traumatic brain injury and a control group of 52 men without brain trauma,” the article reads. “The scans revealed that brain-injured soldiers with moderate to severe depression had disruptions in the circuits that connect brain regions that play important roles in thinking and emotional control.”

The study was to be presented last Tuesday at the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) annual meeting, in Chicago.

“We can link these connectivity changes in the brain to poor top-down emotional processing and greater maladaptive rumination, or worrying, in symptomatic depressed soldiers after [mild traumatic brain injury ],” study author Ping-Hong Yeh said in a RSNA news release. Yeh is a physicist at the U.S. National Intrepid Center of Excellence at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md.

“Though the results of this study were not applied directly to patient care, the neuroimaging changes we found might be incorporated into treatment plans for personalized medicine in the future,” Yeh said.

Traumatic brain injury is a significant health issue which affects service members and veterans during times of both peace and war. The high rate of TBI and blast-related concussion events resulting from current combat operations directly impacts the health and safety of individual service members and subsequently the level of unit readiness and troop retention, according to the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center . The impacts of TBI are felt within each branch of the service and throughout both the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care systems.

Nearly 353,000 U.S. service members worldwide have been diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury since 2000, and most of those have been mild. Mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression are becoming common in military personnel with brain injuries.

Until published in a peer-reviewed journal, research presented at meetings is considered preliminary.

Father and daughter killed by intoxicated driver

Sat, 03 Dec 2016 15:22:00 GMT

A father and his daughter were killed in a Friday afternoon crash last week when their car was rear-ended by an alleged drunk driver.

According to various media reports, the two were near 4 Mile and Short roads when the pickup truck crashed into their car.

“And police reported that the driver of the pickup, who was taken to the Froedert Hospital in Wauwatosa, was arrested on two pending counts of homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle,” an article by The Journal Times reads. “Police identified the deceased as Kevin M. Dalley, 39, and Emily Dalley, 9, both of Caledonia.”

Another child, a 6-year-old girl was a passenger in the Dalley car and was injured as a result of the crash . She was transported to Ascension All Saints Hospital in Racine following the incident.

“The driver of the truck was identified by police as Levi G. Ruohonen, 25, also of Caledonia. Police say he has a previous conviction for operating while intoxicated ,” the article reads. “ Caledonia police and fire units were dispatched at about 4:50 p.m. to 4 Mile and Old Farm Road for a crash with possible entrapment and possibly an injured child.”

According to media reports, both vehicles were eastbound on 4 Mile Road at the time of the crash. The car slowed down to turn left into a subdivision, which is when it was rear-ended by the truck.

“Caledonia Fire Department officials said that one occupant of the car was pinned between seats but no heavy equipment was necessary to remove them from the vehicle,” the article reads. “Bottom of FormFlight for Life was called to start responding toward Racine County to transport victims from the crash. A helicopter did not land at the scene, but was sent to land at the hospital. The Racine, South Shore and Oak Creek fire departments were also called to send ambulances to the scene and the South Shore Fire Department sent an engine company to assist.”

The Oak Creek ambulance transported Ruohonen to Froedtert Hospital, the regional trauma center in Wauwatosa. Traffic on 4 Mile Road was closed while crews worked at the crash scene. Wind Point and Mount Pleasant police and the Wisconsin State Patrol assisted Caledonia police at the scene.

There was no mention in the article of the extent of the 6-year-old’s injuries or who she is in relation to Kevin M. Dalley.

Scientist identify new drug to treat TBI

Fri, 02 Dec 2016 12:00:00 GMT

A team of scientists in Arkansas have discovered what causes fluid swelling of the brain following traumatic brain injury .

According to biomedical engineering researchers at the University of Arkansas pre-treating the cells with an existing, FDA-approved drug used for epilepsy and altitude sickness reduces the expression of a specific protein that causes swelling following a TBI or concussion.

Their findings were published in a recent issue of Nature’s Scientific Reports.

“Our study found that mild traumatic brain injury resulted in increased expression of a protein called aquaporin-4, which caused a massive cellular influx of fluid, leading to increased astrocyte cell volume and injury,” Kartik Balachandran, assistant professor of biomedical engineering said in an article posted to Medical News . “We then worked with a drug called Acetazolamide. Our results showed that Acetazolamide minimized cell swelling and injury, suggesting a therapeutic role for this drug in reducing the detrimental effects of concussions.”

Research was also conducted by Nasya Sturdivant, a biomedical-engineering doctoral candidate; Jeffrey Wolchok, assistant professor of biomedical engineering; and partners at the FDA’s National Center for Toxicological Research in Jefferson, Arkansas.

“Mild traumatic brain injury, also known as a concussion, is a devastating condition that is commonly experienced in car accidents , full-contact sports and battlefield injuries,” the article reads . “One of the main factors that leads to the high death rate in patients who experience mild traumatic brain injury is the swelling or edema of astrocytes, the most abundant cell type in the brain.”

Brain swelling after a concussion has the potential to amplify the severity of the injury. A blow to the head can cause a more serious initial injury to the brain. A contusion is a bruise of the brain tissue involving bleeding and swelling in the brain while a skull fracture occurs when the bone of the skull breaks.

The researchers engineered a benchtop bioreactor to examine astrocyte cells. This is the device that helped them to see that mild traumatic brain injury led to an increased expression of aquaporin-4, which is the protein that causes a large cellular influx of fluid, which in turn leads to increased astrocyte cell volume.

“This study demonstrates the collaborative neuro-engineering efforts that are contributing to both diagnostic and therapeutic methods for addressing traumatic brain injury,” said Raj Rao , professor and chair of the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Arkansas.

New podcast launched for caregivers of veterans with TBI

Thu, 01 Dec 2016 12:57:00 GMT

A new podcast was launched November 22 that focuses on providing information for caregivers of service members and veterans with traumatic brain injury .

According to a press release on Global News Wire, the podcast was launched in recognition of Warrior Care Month and National Family Caregivers Month.

Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center (DVBIC) launched the new podcast for family caregivers. The podcast is called “The TBI Family,” and it revolves around providing information about TBI, sharing resources for caregivers and telling caregiver stories.

According to DVBIC, the high rate of TBI and blast-related concussion events resulting from current combat operations directly impacts the health and safety of individual service members and subsequently the level of unit readiness and troop retention. The impacts of TBI are felt within each branch of the service and throughout both the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care systems.

In the VA, TBI has become a major focus, second only to recognition of the need for increased resources to provide health care and vocational retraining for individuals with a diagnosis of TBI, as they transition to veteran status.

“We know family caregivers don’t have a lot of free time, but do need access to information,” Col. (Dr.) Geoffrey Grammer said in the release , DVBIC director. “Podcasts are a great way to get our message to caregivers in a way that works for their schedules.”

There are 5.5 million military family caregivers in the United States and 29 percent of them are helping someone who experienced a TBI, according to a recent study by Rand Corp. The study found that the term “family caregiver” can be misleading as well. Nearly a quarter of military caregivers are actually friends and neighbors.

“We really hope this podcast helps caregivers overcome the challenges they face every day,” said Grammer , “but the only way we can really be sure is feedback from the caregivers themselves. We hope they’ll let us know what they’d like to hear and whether we’re providing that.”

DVBIC has reportedly planned a 10-episode first season.

DVBIC serves active-duty military, their beneficiaries, and veterans with traumatic brain injury through state-of-the-science clinical care, innovative clinical research initiatives and educational programs, and support for force health protection services. Please visit the DVBIC website for more information.

Two dead following crash in Sheboygan County

Wed, 30 Nov 2016 15:24:00 GMT

Two people are dead following a two-car crash in Sheboygan County.

According to various media reports, the incident occurred about 6:30 p.m. Nov. 16, at the intersection of State Highway 57 and County Road FF in the Town of Rhine, Sheboygan County.

“When deputies arrived, the passenger, a 79 year-old woman was found dead at the scene. The 80-year-old man who was driving died on the way to HSHS Saint Nicholas Hospital in Sheboygan as a result of his injuries,” according to an article by NBC 26 News . “Both were from rural Elkhart Lake Wisconsin.”

The Sheboygan County Sheriff’s Office recently released the names of the two people who died. The two individuals have been identified as 80-year-old Lewis Schmidt and his wife, 79-year-old Geraldine Schmidt.

“A 72 year-old woman in the other car from rural Kiel had serious non-life threatening injuries and was taken to Aurora Sheboygan Memorial Medical Center,” the article reads. “According to deputies, the preliminary investigation indicated that one vehicle was east bound on County Road FF and failed to stop at the stop sign and collided with the vehicle traveling northbound on State Highway 57 in the intersection.”

The article does not mention which car failed to stop.

According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, at least 10 people have died as a result of a fatal crash in Sheboygan County so far this year. Thirteen people were killed on Sheboygan County roads last year as a result of a vehicle crash. An average of 10 people died from 2013-2015 on Sheboygan County roads.

An average of 509 people died as a result of a crash on Wisconsin roads between 2009-13. In 2014, 451 people died as a result of a crash on a Wisconsin road and 28,801 people were reportedly injured in a crash.

VA admits TBI exams mishandled

Tue, 29 Nov 2016 12:25:00 GMT

The Department of Veterans Affairs recently sent letters to 25,000 veterans nationwide admitting that traumatic brain injury (TBI) examinations between 2007 and 2015 were not handled properly.
“They were not conducted by properly qualified neurological and psychiatric specialists, resulting in not only potential misdiagnosis, but disability compensation claims that may have been unfairly denied,” according to an article by FOX 47-News . “It doesn’t surprise me at all,” veteran Kenneth McDonald told FOX 47, who detailed the trouble getting a diagnosis at Detroit’s VA. “I knew they weren’t gonna recognize it.”

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), often called the signature wound of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, occurs when a sudden trauma or head injury disrupts the function of the brain. Common causes of TBI include damage caused by explosive devices, falls and vehicle or motorcycle accidents . Most reported TBI among Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom service members and veterans has been traced back to Improvised Explosive Devices, or IEDs, used extensively against Coalition Forces, according to Military.com .

TBI may happen from a blow or jolt to the head or an object penetrating the brain. When the brain is injured, the person can experience a change in consciousness that can range from becoming disoriented and confused to slipping into a coma. The person might also have a loss of memory for the time immediately before or after the event that caused the injury.

The letter has led to lawmakers on Capitol Hill raising questions.

“We don’t have numbers on how many of those contacted have actually shown up to get retested. We’ve also learned, vets have less than 7 months from today to do so and apply for benefits if rediagnosed,” according to the article . “TBI is caused by trauma to the brain and can be mild or serious,” says Rep. Ralph Abraham. TBI is also referred to as the invisible disease, because it can be difficult to detect,” says Abraham.”

Making the proper diagnosis, by the proper doctor, is essential.

If you are a veteran concerned about your original TBI exam, you can call the VA hotline at: 1-800-749-8387.

Drug combo looks hopeful in TBI treatment

Mon, 28 Nov 2016 12:00:00 GMT

Researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine have reported that a combination of the stimulant drug methylphenidate with a process known as cognitive-behavioral rehabilitation is a promising option to help people who suffer from persistent cognitive problems following traumatic brain injury .

The study is believed to be the first to systematically compare the combination therapy to alternative treatments. It was published recently online in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology , a Nature publication.

“The researchers, led by Brenna McDonald, PsyD, associate professor of radiology and imaging sciences, and Thomas McAllister, MD, chairman of the Department of Psychiatry, compared the effectiveness of two forms of cognitive therapy with and without the use of methylphenidate, a drug used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and better known by its trade name, Ritalin,” a press release by Indiana University reads . “In the Memory and Attention Adaptation Training intervention – also used to assist patients with cognitive issues following breast cancer chemotherapy – therapists work with patients to help them develop behaviors and strategies to improve performance in memory and other cognitive tasks. In this study, this ‘metacognitive’ approach was compared with Attention Builders Training, which Dr. McDonald likened to more of a ‘drill and practice’ approach.”

Seventy-one people participated in the six-week study. The adult participants had at one time or another experienced either a traumatic brain injury or a blow to the head with some alteration of consciousness. All participants had experienced the TBI at least four months prior to the study and all had complained of having cognitive issues or had identified with cognitive problems in testing.

“The participants were divided into four groups: the two cognitive therapy approaches with the drug therapy, and the two approaches with placebo. After six weeks, the researchers found that participants in the combination metacognitive-Ritalin group improved significantly better in word list learning, nonverbal learning and measures of attention-related and executive function,” the press release reads. “However, Dr. McDonald cautioned that due to the relatively small number of participants in the each of the four arms of the trial – 17 to 19 people each – the results of the trial should be considered preliminary.”

Nonetheless, the work breaks new ground in providing evidence for the combination therapy.

Two injured in Monroe County crash

Sun, 27 Nov 2016 12:00:00 GMT

Two people were seriously injured Saturday afternoon following a crash in Monroe County.

According to various media reports, two people had to be extricated from their vehicles and transported to local hospitals as a result of the incident.

“According to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Matthew E. Kuruzovich, 33 of Sparta, was driving a 2014 Kia Optima westbound on Fillmore Avenue in Monroe County about 3:22 p.m. Saturday afternoon,” an article by WEAU News reads . “Kuruzovich failed to stop at the stop sign at the intersection of Fillmore Avenue and County Highway I. Kuruzovich hit a 2005 Ford F-250 traveling northbound on County Highway I driven by David L. Wacker, 32 of Sparta.”

When law enforcement arrived on scene, both vehicles were reportedly in a ditch. Kuruzovich and Wacker both had to be extricated from their vehicles.

“Wacker was transported to Gundersen Health System in La Crosse by the Sparta Area Ambulance Service with life-threatening injuries,” the article reads. “Kuruzovich was transported to Sparta Mayo Hospital by the Sparta Area Ambulance Service with non-life-threatening injuries.”

At the scene assisting the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office was the Monroe County 911 Communications Center, the Sparta Area Ambulance Service, the Fort McCoy Fire Department, the Sparta Area Fire Department, and the Wisconsin State Patrol.

The article does not mention whether Kuruzovich was charged in connection with the crash or whether or not charges are expected. There’s also no mention of whether speed or alcohol may have been contributing factors.

One dead, three injured in head-on crash

Sat, 26 Nov 2016 12:00:00 GMT

At least one person is dead and three others injured following a two-vehicle crash west of Waupun.

According to various media reports, the crash happened last Monday evening.

“At 5:46 p.m. Monday, the Fond du Lac County Dispatch Center received a report of a head-on collision on County Highway AW just east of Oak Grove Road, west of Waupun in the town of Alto,” an article by the Fond du Lac Reporter reads. “According to Captain Ryan Waldschmidt of the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Department, a car driving east on County Highway AW crossed the center line and collided head on with a westbound car.”

A passenger in the westbound vehicle, a 23-year-old Waupun man, was pronounced dead at the scene. Two other people in that vehicle, a 17-year-old Waupun teen and a 52-year-old Waupun woman, were reportedly taken to Waupun Memorial Hospital with serious injuries .

“The lone occupant of the eastbound car, a 57-year-old Waupun man, was taken to the Aurora Medical Center in Summit by a Flight For Life helicopter to treat his serious injuries ,” the article reads. “While the occupant of the eastbound vehicle was wearing a seat belt, the 23-year-old deceased man was not. It is undetermined if the two surviving occupants of the westbound vehicle were wearing seat belts, according to the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office.”

The Fond du Lac Sheriff’s Department were investigating the scene along with assistance from the Dodge County Sheriff’s Department, the Waupun Police Department, Waupun and Alto Fire Departments, an ambulance from Lifestar in Waupun and Fox Lake EMS.

According to the article, The Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office said alcohol is not thought to be a factor in the crash.

The crash is still under investigation and names had not been released as of Tuesday pending notification of the victim’s family.

The article does not mention whether or not charges are expected in connection to the crash.

Waukesha motorcyclist killed in crash

Fri, 25 Nov 2016 12:00:00 GMT

A 25-year-old man was killed Nov. 4 when the motorcycle he was driving collided with a vehicle in Waukesha. That man was identified by authorities recently as Kyle T. Hahn, of Waukesha, 25 years of age.

According to an article posted on the Waukesha Patch website , the crash occurred that Friday evening about 6:40 p.m.

“The City of Waukesha Police and Fire Communications Center received numerous 911 calls for a traffic crash with injuries at the intersection of Macarthur Rd and Comanche Ln., the article reads. “When the Waukesha Police and Fire Departments arrived on scene, they located a car rolled over on its hood and a motorcycle and rider down in the roadway.”

When the Waukesha Fire Department arrived on scene authorities rendered aid to the operator of the motorcycle, Hahn, who was transported to Waukesha Memorial Hospital with life-threatening injuries.

He reportedly died a short time later as a result of injuries he sustained in the crash. The operator of the car reportedly was not injured in the incident.

A Waukesha Police Accident Reconstruction Specialist has been called in to investigate the crash scene and that investigation is still ongoing.

The article does not mention if charges are expected against the driver of the vehicle. It also doesn’t mention if authorities believe speed or alcohol were potentially thought to be a factor in the crash.

According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, there were 92 fatalities in 2013 due to motorcycle crashes and 1,765 injuries – the latest data available on the website. In 2012, 2,398 motorcyclists were injured on Wisconsin roads. That represents a 14.2% increase from the 2,100 injured in 2011 and a 17.0% increase from 2002. An additional 136 non-motorcyclists were injured in crashes involving motorcycles in 2012.

The article does not mention whether or not Hahn was wearing a motorcycle helmet at the time of the crash.

New approach to treating traumatic brain injury looks promising

Thu, 24 Nov 2016 12:00:00 GMT

Researchers in California have discovered a new approach to treating traumatic brain injury (TBI) through calcium release-activated calcium and they presented their findings last week at the 46 ^th Annual Society for Neuroscience meeting.

The scientists, who are from the San Fransisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center and UCSF along with CalciMedica, Inc., presented a poster at the meeting in San Diego last Wednesday.

The poster described the use of calcium release-activated calcium (CRAC) channel inhibitors in traumatic brain injury . The poster is titled “Calcium release-activated calcium (CRAC) channel inhibition protects against experiment brain injury by inhibiting microglial activation.”

“It indicates that a CRAC channel inhibitor developed by CalciMedica protected neurons in association with microglia, both in vitro and in vivo, to various insults, including oxygen deprivation, immune activation with pro-inflammatory agents and blunt force trauma, through modulation of microglia,” an article in News Medical Life Sciences reads. “In the TBI model, the CRAC channel inhibitor decreased lesion size, brain hemorrhage and neurological deficits.”

Midori Yenari, MD, Professor in the Dept. of Neurology at UCSF School of Medicine and the San Francisco VA Medical Center Neurology Dept. and senior author of the paper, said in the article that the work opens up a new approach to regulating acute inflammation, which is a common problem in patients who suffer traumatic brain injury and stroke.

“Microglia are immune cells that reside in the central nervous system; they are similar to macrophage cells in other tissues. They are typically quiescent, but support and protect neurons when activated by scavenging extracellular debris, including dead or dying cells, and bacteria and viruses,” the article reads. “They can release cytotoxic substances like H2O2, or release cytokines to either directly kill bacteria or mount an immune response against them, but this can also injure neurons if uncontrolled. It is hypothesized that during and shortly after brain trauma, activated microglial cells contribute to the injury, and by limiting this response, damage can be reduced.”

Researchers from the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center and UCSF, and CalciMedica, Inc., are presenting a poster at the 46th annual Society for Neuroscience meeting in San Diego describing the use of calcium release-activated calcium (CRAC) channel inhibitors in traumatic brain injury (TBI). The poster, to be presented on Wednesday, November 16 ^th , is titled “Calcium release-activated calcium (CRAC) channel inhibition protects against experiment brain injury by inhibiting microglial activation”. It indicates that a CRAC channel inhibitor developed by CalciMedica protected neurons in association with microglia, both in vitro and in vivo, to various insults, including oxygen deprivation, immune activation with pro-inflammatory agents and blunt force trauma, through modulation of microglia. In the TBI model, the CRAC channel inhibitor decreased lesion size, brain hemorrhage and neurological deficits.

Midori Yenari, MD, Professor in the Dept. of Neurology at UCSF School of Medicine and the San Francisco VA Medical Center Neurology Dept. and senior author of the paper, said “This work potentially opens up a new approach to modulate the acute inflammation that can be so damaging in neurological emergencies like TBI and stroke. We are excited about expanding this work, better characterizing the effects of these compounds in our disease models, and hopefully making the transition to human studies, where the need for effective therapies is so great.”

Researchers receive grant to study phone apps for measuring TBI

Wed, 23 Nov 2016 12:00:00 GMT

Researchers from the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC) have received a grant that will allow them to study how smartphone apps and video game technology may help improve the assessment of patients who suffer traumatic brain injury .

The grant was given to the team by the Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV).

“The study by USC PhD students and practicing neurological physiotherapists Michelle Kahn and Megan Banky aims to develop low-cost technology for clinicians to use when measuring outcomes for patients with Acquired Brain Injury (ABI),” an article by Noosa News reads. “The pair, who work at Epworth Hospital, were delighted to receive a $57,000 Sir Edmund Herring Memorial Scholarship from the RACV that will help them find ways to assist people who have sustained brain injuries from vehicle crashes.”

Researchers currently use methods of assessing people with ABI using motion tracking systems that cost about $250,000 and are only available in a few locations in each state, according to the article.

But researchers from USC explain that while smartphones and video games get continual updates, researchers are still using technology developed in the 1950s to measure brain trauma.

“We want to utilize the modern motion sensor technology used in mobile phones and devices like the Xbox to measure a patient’s impairments, whether that’s a walking abnormality, spasticity or problems with upper limb movement, Kahn says in the article. “Because of the low cost of this equipment, this technology could be immediately integrated into hospitals and smaller clinics, including in rural or remote areas. This would allow people to access more accurate assessment and therefore better treatment sooner.”

The Sir Edmund Herring Memorial Scholarship supports projects to prevent road trauma and improve the quality of care delivered to road trauma victims.

The research is being supervised by USC Senior Research Fellow Dr Ross Clark, along with expert clinicians Professor John Olver and Associate Professor Gavin Williams.

Nekoosa boy struck by vehicle

Tue, 22 Nov 2016 12:00:00 GMT

A young teenager from Nekoosa was struck by a vehicle in Wood County Tuesday night.

According to various news reports, the 13-year-old was standing on the side of a road after a deer was struck by a car on State 73.

“The boy was listed in stable condition early Wednesday morning after Spirit Air Helicopter took him to Ministry Saint Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield, according to a Wood County news release,” an article posted on Wisconsin Rapids Tribune’s website reads. “Wood County deputies were investigating a car-deer crash on State 73, near Wood County Z, in Saratoga at 7:08 p.m. Tuesday, according to the report. While a deputy investigated, an approaching vehicle slowed and began to pull to the side of the road, hitting a 13-year-old boy standing there.”

A 25-year-old Nekoosa woman was also reportedly injured and transported to Aspirus Riverivew Hospital in Wisconsin Rapids.

Pedestrians are still in a world dominated by motorists and collisions with motor vehicles do occur. Some 60 pedestrians are killed each year in Wisconsin, and more than 1,600 suffer injuries, according to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. Children ages 5-9 and adults over 75 years old are particularly vulnerable to these collisions. Injury prevention and travel safety begins with a mutual respect between both motorists and pedestrians.

The DOT says children can be difficult to protect since they lack the skills and experience that most adults have come to take for granted. They may also have a difficult time judging the speed of approaching cars. Their smaller stature also makes them harder for motorists to see.

Deer-vehicle crashes continue to be a major concern for Wisconsin motorists, according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources . The majority of deer-vehicle collisions occur during the months of October and November when deer are most active during the breeding phase. Many collisions also occur during May and June during spring fawning, when yearling deer are seeking out new home ranges.

According to compare.com , if you hit a deer with your vehicle, it’s important to pull over in a safe place and call the police to report it.

Common Symptoms Following TBI

Mon, 21 Nov 2016 15:39:00 GMT

The symptoms of TBI for anyone following a brain injury can be basically put into four categories. We have physical changes, headaches, or the most common physical change. We have emotional changes, which also include the behavioral changes, which can be devastating for the individual. There are cognitive changes, meaning inability to concentrate, word finding problems, things of that nature. And then there very common sleep disorders following a brain injury . And if we think about it in those four categories, physical, cognitive, emotional or behavioral and sleep we see common symptoms for every brain injury survivor that they have to overcome.

New technology aimed at preventing traumatic brain injury

Mon, 21 Nov 2016 12:00:00 GMT

Head injuries are always a concern when it comes to impact sports. A new tool is now being used to gauge the speed and force of impacts sustained in competitive sports that researchers hope will one day help prevent future traumatic brain injuries.

“Anyone who has seen the 2015 biographical sports drama, Concussion , featuring Will Smith as a Pittsburgh forensic pathologist, already knows that sports-related head injuries have repeatedly made headlines over the last decade,” an article in Medical-Expo E-Magazine reads. “As the neurobehavioral problems associated with such traumatic brain injuries are increasingly analyzed, trainers and team physicians are attempting to prevent injuries by gaining a better understanding of the forces at play.”

According to the article, scientists are still working to establish baseline brain function parameters. In the meantime, constant monitoring of in-game impacts may help limit injuries.

“It is difficult to accurately assess the intracranial damage produced by a blow to the head without significant medical testing. Measuring the acceleration of the head during the blow, however, can give us a good idea of potential injury,” the article reads. “One company responding to the increasing concern over TBI is BlackBox Biometrics (B3). Founded in 2011, the Rochester, New York company has developed a small, wireless sensor and app that can detect blows and measure head acceleration during training and competition.”

The device was first developed to measure the impact of explosion shock waves in soldiers on the battle field. It fits snuggly against the skull on a fabric headband and can wirelessly transmit the strength of potentially concussive forces to a recording app.

The measurements can also assist parents, trainers and coaches in making prompt decisions when it comes to training and treatment following an injury.

Brainscope, a Maryland-based neurotechnology company is also currently working to develop a new generation of handheld systems for evaluating TBI symptoms in mild concussions.

“Beyond the professional sports arena, more and more parents are worried about the TBI risks faced by their children,” the article reads. “Increasingly sophisticated sensors from companies such as B3 can’t prevent potentially damaging impacts, but they do provide useful, timely information.”

Two injured in alleged drunk driving crash

Sun, 20 Nov 2016 14:01:00 GMT

Two people were reportedly injured the night of Wednesday, November 9 in a crash in Brown County that authorities say was caused due to an intoxicated driver.

The crash occurred on Interstate 41, according to various media reports.

“The Wisconsin State Patrol Fond du Lac Region says it was called at 6:22 p.m. to the southbound lanes at Scheuring Road near Green Bay,” an article by WBAY reads. “A 33-year-old Green Bay woman was traveling southbound on I-41 when she somehow lost control of her vehicle and crashed into a wall. A second vehicle that was traveling up a nearby on-ramp then collided with the first vehicle.”

Authorities released information about the crash the following day saying the 33-year-old woman lost control of the vehicle she was driving because she was under the influence of alcohol, according to a report by the Wisconsin State Patrol.

The Green Bay woman was seriously hurt, although authorities said her injuries were not life-threatening. She has since been arrested for Operating While Under the Influence (2nd Offense).

“A 60-year-old grandmother who was traveling with her 5-year-old granddaughter was entering the ramp to merge on to the interstate and hit the rear end of the car,” the article reads. “Both drivers were taken to a local hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. The child was not hurt.”

The State Patrol has said the 33-year-old Green Bay woman, whose name was not mentioned in the article, was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the incident. The grandmother and her grandchild were reportedly buckled in.

The two right lanes of I-41 southbound were closed for about 20 minutes following the crash. The incident remains under investigation.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy beneficial in TBI recovery

Sat, 19 Nov 2016 14:10:00 GMT

Many soldiers who return from war zones suffer from traumatic brain injury . In fact, blast injury overwhelmingly is the most common wound etiology from soldiers returning from Afghanistan and Iraq.

The brain is vulnerable to both secondary blast injury caused by flying debris and fragments and tertiary blast injury, caused by being thrown by blast wind. Blunt trauma is also a concern.

Although there is some controversy whether the brain is vulnerable to primary blast injury, which is caused by the overpressurization wave, animal models suggest that it is.

Consequently, many soldiers try different kinds of treatments upon returning home, including therapies, to relieve themselves of the condition and underlying symptoms, according to an article recently posted on Lera Blog.

“Interestingly, a majority of them have conceded that Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) has been more beneficial than other treatments that they have undergone. This further highlights the importance of exploring the possibility of using the therapy based treatment for the treatment of traumatic brain injury ,” the article reads.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI), also known as intracranial injury, occurs when an external force traumatically injures the brain. TBI can be classified based on severity, mechanism, or other features.

Head injury usually refers to TBI, but is a broader category because it can involve damage to structures other than the brain, such as the scalp and skull.

“What constitutes a major difficulty related to the condition is the fact that unlike an injury to any other part of the body, it brings both psychological and neurological symptoms traumatic injury to the brain,” the article reads. “Therefore, the symptoms and disabilities that arise from it oftentimes have a devastating effect on both body and mind. In many cases, a TBI may go undetected. Further, the symptoms of TBI may either appear immediately or gradually down the line. Based on severity, TBI is classified as either mild or severe.”

Hyperbaric medicine, also known as hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), is the medical use of oxygen at a level higher than atmospheric pressure.

The equipment required consists of a pressure chamber, which may be of rigid or flexible construction, and a means of delivering 100 percent oxygen through a mask the patient wears. The barometric pressure in the tube or chamber is also heightened to more than normal.

“Two types of tubes or chambers are used to administer the therapy – monoplace and multiplace. The former is designed to accommodate only 1 person in a session, whereas the latter can accommodate two or more people in it at the same time,” the article reads. “For safety, a qualified practitioner is present throughout a session. The FDA has approved HBOT for treating 13 medical conditions. It is also used for treating other medical conditions.”

HBOT brings cells back to life, which enables the cells to heal wounds. The treatment also enhances the cells ability to fight infections.

Pedestrian struck, killed in Milwaukee

Fri, 18 Nov 2016 14:06:00 GMT

A woman was struck and killed while walking in a Milwaukee crosswalk on Monday, Nov. 7.

According to various media reports, Shelly Jarvey, who was 50-years-old, was struck by 27-year-old Ruben Tovar of Milwaukee. Jarvey was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash .

Tovar has reportedly been charged in connection with the fatal pedestrian crash that occurred at the intersection of 60th and Norwich. Tovar faces a criminal charge of “knowingly operating a motor vehicle while suspended – causing death.”

Fox 6 News reports that police said the striking vehicle and driver remained on scene at the time of the incident.

“The criminal complaint indicates the Jarvey was struck near 60th and Norwich on Milwaukee’s southwest side around 2:20 p.m. on Monday. The car Tovar was driving had been northbound on S. 60th St. in the lane of traffic closest to the center median,” an article by Fox 6 News reads. “At the time of the collision, the complaint says ‘the victim was making her way from the center median to the east side of N. 60th St. The front passenger side bumper of the Audi struck the victim and sent her flying the rest of the way across 60th St.’”

The news station reports that a review of records maintained by the Wisconsin Department of Motor Vehicles show “the defendant’s driver status was suspended.” His car’s registration was also suspended. Tovar also stated to police that “the vehicle is also not insured.”

“When questioned by police, the complaint indicates Tovar stated that ‘he observed a bus pull to the side of the street. The defendant states that he sneezed twice, and when he looked up he observed a female pedestrian in front of his car. The defendant stated that he swerved to his left but struck the pedestrian anyway,’” the article reads. “Tovar pulled over and called 911 for help.”

Tovar faces up to six years in prison and $10,000 in fines if he’s convicted of a crime.

New device helps paralyzed monkey walk

Thu, 17 Nov 2016 12:00:00 GMT

Scientists from Swiss Federal Institute of Technology recently discovered that a wireless connection from the brain to the spinal cord in a monkey with one paralyzed leg helped the monkey to eventually regain the ability to walk.

The scientists reported their findings last Wednesday, according to an article in the New York Times.

“In recent years, scientists have achieved brain control of robotic hands in monkeys and humans, helped a paralyzed man regain some use of a hand through a chip implanted in his brain, and used electrical stimulation of nerves to enable paralyzed rats to walk again,” the article reads. “The new system is unusual because it concentrates on the lower body, and allows a monkey — and perhaps in the near future a human — to use a wireless system rather than be tethered to a computer.”

The tool utilizes new developments in brain recording and nerve stimulation. While it’s wireless, it does require a computer to decode and translate brain signals and send them to the spinal cord.

Grégoire Courtine is a specialist in spinal cord repair at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology. Courtine told the New York Times he hoped the system he and his colleagues developed could be transferred to humans for therapy within the next 10 year.

The therapy would aid in rehabilitation and improve recovery and quality of life for people who have suffered spinal cord injuries due to traumatic brain injury , stroke or various impact injuries.

“But, he emphasized, the goal is better rehabilitation, not a science fiction fix for paralysis. ‘People are not going to walk in the streets with a brain-spine interface,’ in the foreseeable future, he said,” the article reads. “Andrew Jackson, at Newcastle University, who has worked on upper body paralysis and was not involved in the study, said the research was ‘another key milestone’ in research on treating paralysis.”

The research was conducted with collaborators in China because Swiss restrictions on animal experiments at the time would not allow the work, according to the article. “Now that the work is proving successful, he has permission to proceed with similar experiments in Switzerland, he said.”

Research shows concussions can cause long-term effects

Wed, 16 Nov 2016 12:56:00 GMT

There’s always risk with any activity. Of course the risk is greater when an activity involves an impact sport or is high risk – such as rock climbing, skateboarding or racing.

And according to an article in the Hillsboro Tribune, all active sports, not just football, involve injuries — bruises, sprains, lacerations, dislocations and broken bones — which usually heal with no long-term concerns.

“But brain injuries, also called concussions, even if classified as ‘minor’ traumatic brain injuries (MTBI) are different. Brain injuries after recovery can be subtle or dramatic but last a lifetime,” the article reads. “Recent work by Dr. Ann McKee (Boston Medical College) and others reveal two new important facts. Even minor concussions have cumulative effects. It is not just the big hit … that renders a player confused or unconscious that are dangerous. And it is now documented that the hundreds and thousands of typical ‘normal’ head impact events from blocking and tackling have cumulative and significant lifelong health impacts.”

McKee studied more than 100 professional ball players’ brains after their deaths. All the players’ deaths were a result of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). Some symptoms of CTE are depression, drug abuse, violence, irrational behaviour and suicide.

“When deaths occur in high school football, brain or spinal injuries are usually causal. Particularly dangerous is secondary impact syndrome when a player sustains an MTBI, continues to play and receives a second brain impact,” the article reads. “Basketball, lacrosse and soccer also involve both acute and cumulative brain injuries. CDC data notes significant incidence of concussion when basketball players’ heads strike hardwood floors.”

Along with protective gear, such as helmets, new protocols such as awareness training for coaches and players, on-field penalties, and Return To Play (RTP) protocols have emerged in recent years. Many states have also imposed Concussion Protocols to protect players.

“New technologies are emerging. Better helmets are good and are being adopted. Shock sensors connected to helmets or in the chin strap cup don’t indicate what is experienced by the head mass and brain,” the article reads. “… De facto medical device liabilities, patent conflicts and high incidence of “false positives” are ongoing issues.”

Study shows sertraline could prevent depression in TBI patients

Tue, 15 Nov 2016 11:00:00 GMT

Many people who suffer traumatic brain injury suffer from various levels of depression following diagnosis.

According to an article by Brain Blogger , the prevalence and functional effects of depressive disorder following traumatic brain injury are significant.

After a study on the issue, researchers now say sertraline may be effective for preventing depressive symptoms after TBI.

“A group of researchers at Baylor College of Medicine evaluated 94 patients aged 18 to 85 years who had been hospitalized for mild, moderate, or severe traumatic brain injury (TBI),” the article reads. “Most of the patients were Caucasian and more than half were male. The research team randomized the patients to receive either 100 mg daily of sertraline or placebo for 24 weeks or until symptoms of a mood disorder occurred.”

The research revealed that overall the sertraline was effective at preventing the onset of depressive symptoms compared to placebo, according to the article. It was also tolerated well and adverse effects in both treatment groups were mild.

It is unclear how long the effects of sertraline last in this patient group.

“The incidence of TBI is rising and it now is a major cause of death and disability. TBI can occur from injury, stroke, falls, motor vehicle accidents, and violence. People suffering moderate to severe TBI are at risk for depression and loss of life roles,” the article reads. “Life satisfaction declines in this population, so prevention of depressive symptoms is imperative for maintaining health and function.”

Sertraline is an antidepressant and has been used to treat PTSD. Whether or not it’s effective in treating TBI patients is still being studied.

“The results of the study, which were published in JAMA Psychiatry , need to be confirmed with larger sample sizes and in multicenter trials,” the article reads. “Further, a question remains if combining sertraline with cognitive behavioral interventions will optimize long-term outcomes.”

New Public Service Announcement highlights TBI

Mon, 14 Nov 2016 13:41:00 GMT

The Brain Injury Association of America along with Helius Medical Technologies has released a new Public Service Announcement called “Tackling TBI.” The announcement features patient and veteran advocate Montel Williams and former NFL player Marvin Washington.

The PSA was created with the intent of bringing awareness to health issues and to provide patients with education, resources and encouragement to participate in clinical trials to support the development of new therapies for traumatic brain injury .

“Currently more than 5.3 million Americans in the U.S. live with a lifelong disability as a result of a TBI and there are 1.7 million new cases each year,” Montel Williams says in the announcement. “Our goal is to ensure that the public at large understands the problem and that patients and caregivers understand where to go for resources that can help.”

The PSA featuring Williams and Washington reminds viewers that a TBI can range from subtle to severe, symptoms can take years to progress and that it’s important to speak with a doctor or healthcare professional if they think they’ve had a brain injury , according to a press release posted on Yahoo Finance .

To view the PSA, visit www.tacklingtbi.com .

“We are proud to partner on the launch of this PSA initiative to raise awareness and understanding of brain injury,” said Susan Connors, president and chief executive officer of the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA). “A diagnosis of TBI can be the start of a misdiagnosed and misunderstood neurological disease. We need to continue to provide help, hope and healing for the millions of Americans who sustain this life-altering, sometimes devastating, injury.”

A TBI is an injury that disrupts the normal function of the brain and can be caused by a host of things such as sports, car accidents , military service, trips, slips or falls. For many people, TBI causes fatigue, headaches, and difficulty with balance or motor skills, slurred speech, or seizures.

About the Brain Injury Association of American (BIAA)
The Brain Injury Association of America is the country’s oldest and largest nationwide brain injury advocacy organization. Our mission is to advance awareness, research, treatment, and education and to improve the quality of life for all people affected by brain injury. BIAA is dedicated to increasing access to quality health care and raising awareness and understanding of brain injury.

About Helius Medical Technologies, Inc.
Helius Medical Technologies is a medical technology company focused on neurological wellness. Helius seeks to develop, license and acquire unique and non-invasive platform technologies that amplify the brain’s ability to heal itself. For more information, please visit www.heliusmedical.com .

One dead, another injured in Wisconsin crash

Sun, 13 Nov 2016 12:50:00 GMT

One man was killed and another injured in a western Wisconsin crash last Wednesday.

According to various media reports, the two-vehicle crash occurred in Polk County.

“The sheriff’s office says about 9:15 p.m. it got a report of the head-on crash on Wisconsin Highway 35 near 160th Avenue, just south of the Village of Centuria in the Town of Saint Croix Falls, an article posted on the KSTP website reads. AAdvertisement – Content Continues Below 64-year-old man from rural Centuria was driving a Ford Ranger pickup northbound when the truck crossed the centerline and collided with a southbound Chevrolet Suburban, officials said.”

It was the driver of the Ford Ranger who reportedly died at the scene as a result of injuries he sustained in the crash. He was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the incident.

“The other driver, a 53-year-old rural Centuria man, was airlifted to a Twin Cities hospital. He was wearing a seat belt. There’s no word on his condition at this time,” the article reads.

Officials had not released the names of the men as of November 11 pending family notification.

“The sheriff’s office says no passengers were in either vehicle, and there’s no indication that alcohol or drugs were factors in the crash,” the article reads.

The cause of the crash is still under investigation.

According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, 688 people died in Polk County crashes in 2014 – the latest data available. An average of 584 people died on Polk County roads as a result of crashes from 2009-2014.

Intoxicated driver hits, kills pedestrian

Sat, 12 Nov 2016 14:00:00 GMT

A man who authorities say was intoxicated struck and killed a pedestrian last Thursday night in Janesville.

Authorities told various news media that the crash happened just after 1 p.m. last Thursday at the intersection of Parkside Dr. and Charles St. Police reportedly closed Riverside Park, which is close to the scene of the crash , following the incident because a power pole hit by the driver caused blockage to the park access.

Officers identified the driver as 71-year-old Michael Perry of Janesville, according to an article posted by 27 News .

The Janesville Police Department released a statement Friday afternoon saying the pedestrian killed Thursday was Christopher Rabuck, 37, of Janesville. Police had identified the victim early Friday morning.

Janesville Police are planning to refer a charge of homicide by intoxicated use of a motor vehicle against Perry in connection to the crash.

“Janesville Police Sgt. Todd Kliesner tells 27 News the victim was hit further down the street. ‘We believe the deceased was actually a pedestrian standing near his own vehicle when he was struck by the suspect vehicle,’” Sgt. Kliesner told 27 News. “Sgt. Kliesner believes speed and alcohol were factors in the crash. Perry is currently at Mercy Hospital in Janesville for medical reasons, but Sgt. Kliesner says he is also in police custody, and will be going to the Rock County Jail when he is released from the hospital.”

The article reports that police believe Perry was arrested in October in a separate OWI case, but he has not been convicted in that case at this point in time.

Riverside Park was closed for several hours while the department investigated the crash. According to the article, the park was closed due to the power pole causing blockage to the park access.

Janesville Police and Fire, as well as Janesville Public Works and Alliant Energy were all on the scene of the crash. No further information in regards to the incident was released as of last Friday night.

Children and traumatic brain injury

Fri, 11 Nov 2016 12:00:00 GMT

Many children who injure their brains at a young age are able to grow into the injury, but may suffer emotional and behavioral issues later on, such as once they are enrolled in elementary school.

“Health experts say while no two children or their brain injuries are alike, many children struggle with similar emotions and challenges. A child’s ability to cope with or develop ways to deal with these changes will vary depending on several factors,” an article by WVEC in Virginia reads.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the leading cause of disability and death in children and adolescents in the U.S. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the two age groups at greatest risk for TBI are age 0-4 and 15-19.

Among those ages 0 to 19, each year an average of:

Among children ages 0 to 14 years, TBI results in an estimated in:

In its 2004 Report to Congress, Traumatic Brain Injury in the United States: Emergency Department Visits, Hospitalizations, and Deaths, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes falls are the leading cause of TBI for children age 0-4, according to the Brain Injury Association of America.

Approximately 1,300 U.S. children experience severe or fatal brain trauma from child abuse every year.

“The term head injury describes an array of injuries that can happen to the scalp, skull, brain and underlying tissue and blood vessels in a child’s head. Head injuries are also referred to as brain injury , or traumatic brain injury, depending on the extent of the head trauma,” the WVEC article reads. “The risk of head injury is high in adolescents and twice as frequent in males than females.”

Studies also show that more injuries occur during the spring and summer months, which is when children are typically outdoors playing more. Activities such as skating, skateboarding, climbing or riding a bike put children more at risk for a head injury.

“Head injuries are one of the most common causes of disability and death in children, health officials say,” the article reads.

Man dead following industrial work accident in Wisconsin

Thu, 10 Nov 2016 14:25:00 GMT

One man has died and another was seriously injured last Thursday following an industrial accident at ATI Ladish Forging in Cudahy, Wisconsin.

Through operations in Wisconsin, California, Connecticut, Indiana and Kentucky in the U.S. and Stalowa Wola in Poland, ATI spans materials from carbon and alloy steel to nickel/cobalt alloys, powder metals, titanium and other specialty metals.

The company employs a wide range of forging technologies, including isothermal and hot-die forging for advanced aerospace materials and components. And ATI provides a full range of post-forging inspection, machining and finishing services.

A spokesperson for Ladish confirmed the death, according to a report by the Milwaukee Biz Times , but declined to offer specifics.

“The Milwaukee County medical examiner responded to the accident around 2:30 p.m. A 48-year-old Cudahy man has been hospitalized, according to WISN 12,” an article by the Oak Creek Patch reads. “Ladish makes engineered metal components for jet engines, aerospace and industrial markets. The Biz Times is reporting that an OSHA investigator was at the site conducting an investigation alongside authorities. OSHA has cited Ladish for 13 safety violations since 2007.”

The article does not mention what type of accident happened or give details about the survivor’s status.

A search on OSHA’s website shows the ATI Wisconsin location had a serious violation in 2015 and was penalized $7,000. The site does not reveal what the violation was other than that it was a safety violation.

There were two OSHA reports made in 2012, one was a complaint, which OSHA recognized as a serious safety hazard and fined the Wisconsin branch $8,500. The website shows three issues were settled in that case. The other report was a referral that found the branch to have three serious safety violations. The branch was fined $11,000 initially. The case was settled informally, according to the OSHA website.

Houston researchers pinpoint stem-cell treatment for TBI recovery

Wed, 09 Nov 2016 15:20:00 GMT

Researchers from UTHealth have launched a clinical trial at Memorial Hermann Hospital that could be the answer to treatment for patients who have suffered traumatic brain injury .

And the treatment would be the same across the board, whether the patient was injured in a vehicle crash or on a battle field.

Annually about 3.6 million people from the U.S. are estimated to have concussions each year, 50,000 people die from traumatic brain injuries and 235,000 people are hospitalized. More than 1 million people each year are treated for some type of brain injury and released from an emergency department.

Those who do survive the injury often suffer permanent disabilities, in part because swelling in the brain in the days and weeks after the injury cuts off blood flow, killing neurons, according to an article posted by the Houston Chronicle.

“

Air Force testing new stretcher for TBI patients

Tue, 08 Nov 2016 12:20:00 GMT

Scientists who are with the U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine (USAFSAM) are currently helping to test and evaluate an aeromedical evacuation stretcher. The stretcher is designed to transport traumatic brain and spinal injury patients safely in both air and ground vehicles.

Cornerstone Research Group (CRG), which is based in Ohio, developed the stretcher.

“Having adequate spinal immobilization is very critical when transporting patients with these types of injuries. Our wounded warfighters experience a much rougher ride back to definitive care than we experience stateside,” Dr. David Burch, a biomedical engineer from the 711 ^th Human Performance Wing, School of Aerospace Medicine, Aeromedical Research Department said in a press release posted on the EMS World website. “Military medical transport relies on vehicles of opportunity, which were never designed to provide a smooth ride. There is a lot of vibration and perturbation from turbulence or terrain gets transmitted to the patient, making adequate fixation necessary to prevent further neurologic damage.”

It was a cooperative effort between Cornerstone Research Group and USAFSAM. The two organizations entered into a cooperative research and development agreement in 2013 for the project. The team’s efforts made it possible to test and evaluate the new stretcher.

“Under this agreement, USAFSAM provides experts who have an in-depth understanding of medivac needs and access to C-130 and C-17 High-Bays for ongoing device compatibility testing and evaluation,” the press release reads. “We would not be where we are now without this CRADA (cooperative research and development agreement),” says Kristin Cable, Team Leader with CRG. “Our goal is to exceed safety requirements for use and safety. Feedback from users and access to the military vehicles for testing has been hugely beneficial.”

According to the release, CRG began the design of the device under a Phase I Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) agreement with the U.S. Army.

“Since military medical evacuation concerns are truly multi-service concerns, there is value in providing a stretcher design that not only meets Army requirements, but also meets the specifications for use on Air Force aeromedical evacuation platforms,” the release reads.

Such a design could result in a common stretcher platform between the services, eliminating the need to transfer a patient from an Army stretcher (designed for ground transport) to an Air Force stretcher (designed for interface with airborne medical systems) in the field.

The new device is compatible with both ground and air vehicles. It also improves multiple aspects of the stretcher currently being used.

How Can We Help You After an Orthopedic Injury?

Tue, 08 Nov 2016 01:47:00 GMT

An orthopedic injury is a fracture to any part of the body, leg, bone, rib, sternum, hand, arm.

What we have done in our orthopedic injury cases is unique in that we work with a certified medical illustrator look at the MRIs, the x-rays, the CT scans, and then provide us with an illustration that can allow us to explain to the jury what an individual went through following their orthopedic injury. Showing the jury the actual fracture on a medical illustration based upon the x-ray, and most juries respond to that favorably, because they put their selves in the place of the individual that was injured.

Learn more: Wisconsin Orthopedic Injury Attorney

Scientists make progress in brain injury treatment

Mon, 07 Nov 2016 12:20:00 GMT

Researchers have worked hard to discover treatments for traumatic brain injury and stroke patients – hoping for the day that a TBI or stroke wouldn’t cause brain cells to be permanently lost.

One thing scientists have been experimenting with is finding a way to transplant new neurons into brain tissue following an injury, according to an article by the Huffington Post.

“But neurons form precise connections with each other, and are guided by physiological signals that are active during early brain development ― meaning that you can’t sow a fistful of new neurons into mature brain tissue and expect them to grow the way they should,” the article reads. “Embryonic neurons transplanted into the damaged brain of mice formed proper connections with their neighbors and restored function, researchers wrote in a study published Wednesday in the journal Nature .”

Four weeks later, the transplanted cells had transformed into the type of cells normally seen in that area of the brain.

“They were functional and responded to visual signals from the eyes. Moreover, the cells didn’t develop aberrant connections, something that could lead to epileptic seizures,” the article reads. “What we did there is proof of concept,” said neuroscientist Magdalena Götz of Ludwig-Maximilians University and the Institute of Stem Cell Research at the Helmholtz Center in Munich, Germany.”

The finding is an important step forward for someday being able to treat brain injury by using replacement neurons, but researchers reportedly have a lot of kinks to work out before this can happen.

“The new study is promising, Götz said, but acknowledged that things are a lot messier outside the lab. Injuries to the brain are not clean-cut. They can occur in various sites, involve different types of neurons, and are accompanied by inflammation and other meddling signals. But Götz is hopeful that these problems can be solved,” the article reads. “‘We are doing this now in more realistic models, she said. In models of traumatic and ischemic brain injury and all I can say is that it looks pretty good.’”

One dead, several injured in Halloween crash

Sun, 06 Nov 2016 12:19:00 GMT

A teenager is dead and several others were injured following a crash on Halloween night in Oneida.

According to various media reports, a van carrying five teenage boys flipped and a 13-year-old Seymour boy was killed as a result of the crash .

“Action 2 News has learned a Town of Oneida firefighter who responded to the scene suffered chest pains and died,” an article posted on the WBAY website reads . “Fire Chief Chet Olson says the 65-year-old firefighter complained of feeling ill while setting up a landing zone for the medical helicopter, and was pronounced dead after being transported to a Green Bay hospital.”

The teenager who died as a result of the crash has been identified as Braxton Kasee. He was flown to St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay, where he died.

“The minivan was the only vehicle involved in the crash off Bain Road at about 10 o’clock Monday night. The minivan was traveling west on Bain Road when the driver, an 18-year-old, lost control near County Highway U, rolled, and hit the utility pole,” the article reads. “Four other teenagers, all males, were transported by ambulance. They’ve all been released from the hospital. The sheriff’s office says they’re all from Seymour.”

The Outagamie County Sheriff’s Office told reporters that everyone in the van was wearing a seat belt, and investigators do not believe alcohol or drugs were factors. Investigators are still unsure as to why the driver lost control. The incident remains under investigation.

“They failed to stop at a stop sign. We still have investigators out right now going through evidence, interviewing the occupants and witnesses, and we’re trying to figure out what the actual cause of the accident was that caused them to roll and hit the power pole,” Sgt. Ryan Carpenter of the sheriff’s office said in the article. “When you have a traffic crash that involves a fatality it’s a very difficult and sad situation every time, but when it’s something involving a group of teens and a teenager that’s killed it’s even more so.”

The firefighter who died has been identified by the U.S. Fire Administration as John C. Brocker. Brocker’s cause of death is listed as a heart attack by stress/overexertion.

Electricity was temporarily knocked out in the surrounding area after the SUV hit the power pole. Wisconsin Public Service was on scene until early last Tuesday morning, according to the news report.

“Outagamie and Brown County sheriff’s departments, and Oneida, Hobart-Lawrence, and Seymour emergency personnel all responded to the scene,” the article reads.

A GoFundMe campaign was set up for Braxton’s family.

Four dead following Wednesday night crash

Sat, 05 Nov 2016 11:55:00 GMT

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation released information Thursday about a three-vehicle crash on I-94 in Dane County, Wisconsin.

Four people have died as a result of injuries they sustained in the crash and two other people have been hospitalized with life-threatening injuries.

The incident occurred near Deerfield on the eastbound lane of I-94, according to various media reports about the crash.

“According to a press release from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, the Wisconsin State Patrol responded to a report of an SUV driving erratically just before 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday,” an article posted on the WMTV website reads . “When responding units tried to catch up to the SUV, it turned around in the eastbound lanes of I-94 and began driving against traffic, officials say. A responding trooper was nearly hit head on, but avoided the collision and continued pursuit.”

Officials told reporters with the news station that the SUV then collided head-on with two sedans.

“Three passengers in one sedan were pronounced dead at the scene. They have been identified as 26-year-old Katy Pasqualini of Milwaukee, 28-year-old Kimberly Radtke of Pewaukee, and 26-year-old Clenton Hall of Waterloo,” the Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal article reads “The driver of that sedan, 28-year-old Brian Falk, male from Whitefish Bay, was extricated and flown to the hospital via Med Flight with life-threatening injuries.”

The driver of the second sedan was alone when the SUV collided with it. Authorities have reported that 23-year-old-male Patrick Wasielewski from Northbrook, Illinois, who was the driver of that vehicle, was also pronounced dead at the scene as a result of injuries he sustained in the crash.

“The driver of the SUV, 32-year-old male Brysen Willsmale from Waunakee, is in the hospital with critical injuries,” the article reads .

Officials have said they do suspect alcohol contributed to the crash, but the article does not mention what indications were visible – or what charges Willsmale faces in connection to the crash.

The incident is still under investigation as of late Thursday afternoon.

Tadpoles may be key to treating TBI

Fri, 04 Nov 2016 11:19:00 GMT

Medicinal breakthroughs can come in the unlikeliest forms. The chair of the University of Houston’s biology and biochemistry department, Amy Sater, is looking to tadpoles for treating traumatic brain injury (TBI).

According to an article recently published in the Houston Chronicle , Sater is in the early stages of research that will examine how different compounds affect tadpoles’ astrocytes, which are cells in the brain that respond to injury and keep neurons healthy.

Houston Chronicle reporter Lindsay Ellis conducted a Q&A with Sater about the unusual research.

Read the Q&A below, or click here to read it on the Houston Chronicle website.

Ellis: What are you looking for in these trials?

Sater: We’re hoping to look at how the astrocytes are responding to a focused impact injury in tadpoles. At a molecular level, what are the common elements? My hope is that two years from now, we’ll be in a position to start screening for compounds that show some sort of impact. We want to promote responses that are positive for regeneration. We want to inhibit responses that are hindering regeneration.

Ellis: Why use tadpoles instead of mice?

Sater: It’s a way to do a very broad scan in a reasonable amount of time. Using tadpoles, you can generate a whole bunch of embryos, and they will grow up to be a whole bunch of tadpoles. You can make them all be genetically the same. We’re going to screen 12,000 compounds and see if we can identify a small handful that would produce a desired effect. That’s not something that’s really feasible with a mouse. It’s just way too expensive. There are way too many mice. But it’s pretty straightforward to do in tadpoles.

Ellis: Why will this research change the world?

Sater: Brain injury is a debilitating condition. It’s one of these things that comes out of nowhere for people. When we thought about brain injury 15 to 20 years ago, it was something sudden and severe causing long-term damage. We’re kind of coming to understand now that repeated small injuries can be really damaging. My hope is that if we can do something that will contribute to people recovering more effectively, that would be such a huge improvement in the quality of the lives, of not just brain injury patients but the people who care for them.

Pedestrian killed on I-94

Thu, 03 Nov 2016 12:10:00 GMT

A pedestrian was struck and killed in an early Thursday morning crash last week on Interstate 94.

Various media reports say the man, who was in his thirties, was from the Burlington area. The incident happened just south of Highway 158, according to a press release from the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department.

“At 3:05 a.m. Thursday (Oct. 27), Kenosha County deputies and the Wisconsin State Patrol responded to a vehicle versus pedestrian accident . The southbound vehicle, a 2007 Acura SUV, was in the far left southbound lane and struck a pedestrian on the passenger side of the vehicle,” an article by The Journal Times reads. “The vehicle was being driven by a 30-year-old male with a 29-year-old female passenger, both of Milwaukee.”

Neither the 30-year-old driver of the SUV or his occupant were injured as a result of the crash . Names were still being withheld as of the Friday morning after the crash, pending notification of family members.

“Traffic on I-94 was rerouted while the investigation was taking place,” the article reads. “Southbound traffic was reopened at 5:23 a.m. At this point, speed and alcohol do not appear to be factors.”

There was no mention in the article as to whether or not the driver would face any charges in connection to the incident.

Heading a soccer ball may be damaging your brain

Wed, 02 Nov 2016 12:00:00 GMT

A new study out of the United Kingdom shows that repeatedly heading a soccer ball can cause damage to brain structure and function

The study is the first to detect direct neurological changes by impacts that are too minor to cause a concussion .

“The research , published this week in EBioMedicine, studied brain changes among amateur players, ages 19 to 25, who headed machine-projected soccer balls at speeds modeling a typical practice. Though the results seen were temporary, they trigger questions about possible cumulative damage done over time,” an article in the Washington Post reads. “‘

17 people being treated for Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Tue, 01 Nov 2016 15:29:00 GMT

Carbon monoxide poisoning hospitalizes 13 people at Manitowoc Hospital with four others transported to the Milwaukee Hospital for intensive treatment.

Earlier this morning in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, several local businesses in the vicinity of the 1200 block of Washington Street, including apartment buildings that reside above said businesses have been evacuated.

According to Manitowoc Fire/Rescue Chief Todd Blaser, fire crews were alerted about a possible carbon monoxide leak around 9:15 a.m.

A resident who lives on the second floor of the apartments located above an affected business reported seeing a number of sick people.

17 people – 10 on the second floor and seven in the first floor café – were seen by paramedics and then taken to the hospital for further testing.

Scott Cochrane, a local resident whose wife works at Susy’s Café, one of the businesses evacuated, rushed to the hospital after learning his wife was one of the people being treated.

“I was very concerned, I know carbon monoxide is the deadly killer,” Cochrane, told Fox 11 News in Green Bay, Wisconsin . “I was immediately on the phone and when I couldn’t get a hold of anybody, I was very concerned.”

At this time, firefighters are still trying to piece together where the carbon monoxide leak originated.

“There are multiple common areas that these buildings do share, so it’s really kind of difficult to decide where, if anything is a fuel fire of where that origin may have come, so that’s where it is going to take some time,” Blaser specified to Fox 11 News.

Two women die in head-on collision in Dexter

Tue, 01 Nov 2016 13:17:00 GMT

Two women were killed in a crash on State 80 last Tuesday afternoon in Dexter, Wisconsin, according to various media reports.

According to Wisconsin authorities, both of the women were from the Juneau County town of New Lisbon.

“Barbara Baldwin, 71, of New Lisbon, was driving the car that was involved in a head-on crash with an SUV driven by a 30-year-old Wisconsin Rapids man, Wood County Sheriff’s Department Capt. Shawn Becker is quoted as saying in an article posted on the Daily Tribune website Wednesday. “Wood County Coroner Dara Hamm pronounced Baldwin and one of her two passengers, Louise Hemenway, 74, of New Lisbon, dead at the scene of the crash.”

A third passenger in Baldwin’s car, a 72-year-old Fallon, Missouri, woman received injuries critical enough to be taken by helicopter to a nearby hospital. The 30-year-old driver of the SUV was also taken by helicopter to Ministry Saint Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield.

“The Wisconsin Rapids man was expected to be released on Wednesday,” the article reads.

No information was available on the condition of the 72-year-old woman who was injured in the crash, as of late Wednesday afternoon.

The article does not mention who was at fault in the crash or whether anyone would face charges as a result of the incident.

The crash is still under investigation.

Three Uber passengers killed when vehicle struck

Mon, 31 Oct 2016 12:00:00 GMT

Three women who were Uber passengers died after the vehicle they were traveling in was struck.

Milwaukee police said a Lexus was southbound on 2nd Street when it apparently disregarded a red light and struck a Ford that was westbound on Clybourn, according to a report by Fox 6 . Officials say the two male occupants of the Lexus fled the scene on foot after the accident .

The incident occurred early Sunday morning in Milwaukee.

“Three women were killed in a car crash at Second St. and Clybourn in Downtown Milwaukee early Sunday and the suspect in that crash has now turned himself in, an article posted by the Milwaukee Patch reads . “Jasen Randhawa, of Mequon, was being held in the Milwaukee County Jail on Tuesday. His bond amount is currently unspecified, and charges are pending, according to jail records.”

The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office recently released the identities of the women who were killed. They have been identified as Amy C. Taylor, 32; Ashley L. Sawatzke, 30; and Lindsey B. Cohen, 35.

The Uber driver was also reportedly injured as a result of the crash. A GoFundMe page has been set up for the driver. You can access it here .

“

First Japanese patient in TBI clinical trial enrolls

Sun, 30 Oct 2016 12:20:00 GMT

The first patient in Japan in a new clinical trial that studies regenerative cell medicine enrolled this week.

The trial, which is called the STEMTRA Phase 2 clinical trial is the world’s first global Phase 2 clinical trial of allogeneic stem cell medicine for traumatic brain injury .

“The STEMTRA trial is designed to study the safety, efficacy and tolerability of SB623 in patients with chronic motor impairments persisting at least twelve months following traumatic brain injury . It is being conducted across approximately 30 clinical trial sites in the United States and Japan. The first patient was enrolled in July, 2016, in the United States, and total enrollment is expected to reach 52 patients,” a press release in Business Wire reads .

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a complex injury with a broad spectrum of symptoms and disabilities. The impact on a person and his or her family can be devastating. TBI can result from a fall, sports injury, vehicle crash or combat-related incidents. Since our brain defines who we are, the consequences of a brain injury can affect all aspects of a person’s life, including their personality. A brain injury is different from a broken limb or punctured lung. An injury in these areas limit the use of a specific part of your body, but your personality and mental abilities remain unchanged. Most often, these body structures heal and regain their previous function.

Brain injuries do not heal like other injuries, according to traumaticbraininjury.com . Recovery is a functional recovery, based on mechanisms that remain uncertain. No two brain injuries are alike and the consequence of two similar injuries may be very different. Symptoms may appear right away or may not be present for days or weeks after the injury.

One of the consequences of brain injury is that the person often does not realize that a brain injury has occurred.

There are more than 5.3 million people living with disabilities resulting from traumatic brain injury in the United States alone. The trial is designed to demonstrate the efficacy and safety required to address this area of high unmet medical need, according to the press release.

“Damien Bates, Chief Medical Officer and Head of Research at SanBio said this is an important milestone for SanBio. ‘We’ve demonstrated that we can work with regulators to obtain approval for, and rapidly launch, a landmark clinical study for regenerative medicine in Japan,’” the release reads. “Japan grants marketing approval for regenerative medicines earlier than any other country, due to an amendment to the Pharmaceutical Affairs Law in 2014. This amendment introduced a conditional and term-limited Accelerated Approval system for regenerative medicine products and established Japan as a world leader in this field. SanBio intends to utilize Japan’s Accelerated Approval system upon the completion of the STEMTRA study to market SB623 in Japan prior to the rest of the world.”

Teenager killed due to distracted driver

Sat, 29 Oct 2016 12:13:00 GMT

A Wisconsin girl was killed last week in a Hudson County crash that authorities are saying was the result of a distracted driver, who nearly struck the vehicle the girl was driving, causing the teen to lose control of her vehicle and crash .

Various media reports and St. Croix County authorities say 16-year-old Kyra F. Hayes of Beldenville died on Friday, Oct. 21 when she swerved off the road to avoid being struck by another motorist who was on her cellphone.

“The victim, identified by the St. Croix County sheriff’s office as 16-year-old Kyra F. Hayes of Beldenville, died Friday in a crash on Wisconsin 35 in Troy. She was not wearing a seatbelt, according to the sheriff’s office news release,” an article by Twin City Pioneers Press reads. “A preliminary investigation revealed Hayes’ vehicle was nearly struck by another northbound vehicle just moments before the crash. The driver of that car, identified as 21-year-old Makellia S. Jensen, was witnessed with both hands on a cellphone ‘seconds before the crash,’ according to the release.”

Deputies revealed in the press release that Hayes’ 2004 Oldsmobile Bravada left the roadway at 3:21 p.m. and crashed. Hayes was reportedly thrown from the vehicle, which also rolled several times.

“Deputies said Jensen, of Big Lake, Minn., turned around after the crash and returned to the scene. She and a passenger, Kalen L. Chase, 22, of Minneapolis, were not injured in the incident,” the article reads. “The sheriff’s office did not state what, if any, consequences Jensen might face as a result of the incident.”

Hayes is one of four children of Ione and Luke Hayes. She was a junior at Ellsworth High School, according to a GoFundMe.com fundraiser. The fundraiser was created by Cari Williamson in an effort to create a memorial scholarship in her name.

“Kyra enjoyed singing at events, and working together with her family at her father’s local sandwich shop,” the GoFundMe page reads. “Through her strong faith, her involvement in school activities, her work as a camp counselor, and involvement in her church, Kyra touched many lives and was an excellent role model for the children she cared for. All funds go directly to Ione & Luke Hayes for a Memorial/scholarship in Kyra’s name. … This beautiful girl was taken from us far too soon, and her light and beauty will be missed terribly.”

New therapeutics could overcome blood-brain barrier

Fri, 28 Oct 2016 12:00:00 GMT

Developing therapeutics can be challenging due to a blood-brain barrier while delivering drugs.

Traumatic Brain Injury or TBI is sustained from severe or mild damage to the brain tissue from falls, vehicle crashes, sports injuries, various accidents or assaults.

In North America, more than 1.7 million people suffer annually from TBI and the consequent medical care costs exceed USD 70 billion, according to a press release by Persistence Market Research posted on the Med Gadget website .

Persistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. The company’s research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.

According to The World Health Organization (WHO), about 10 million people suffer a TBI each year.

Unlike some organs, brain tissue can’t repair itself easily, making it highly vulnerable to injuries and often leading to permanent loss or disability of motor functions. Many who suffer a TBI experience a dramatically reduced quality of life.

“Most neuronal damage occurs sometime after the injury takes place giving a chance for a therapeutic intervention,” the press release reads. “In May 2013, DARPA awarded USD 6 million to develop nanotech therapy for combating TBI to a team from University of California San Diego. Nanotechnology offers chances to overcome this physiological challenge of blood-brain barrier to deliver therapeutics.”

These silicon nanoparticles are porous, so they can carry a significant drug load through the blood brain barrier in order to treat TBI patients .

“Cognosci, a privately held start-up from North Carolina, U.S. has novel therapeutic compounds in pipeline for the treatment of TBI, which the company expects to launch in coming years with a strategic partnership alliance,” the release reads. “Currently there are two notable clinical trials for gauging the capability of progesterone for traumatic brain injury . The ProTECT III (progesterone for traumatic brain injury ) is currently conducted by the Emory University and is sponsored by the NIH. … SyNAPSe, initiated by BHR, a branch of Besins Pharma … is another Phase III study investigating the efficacy and safety of progesterone in patients with severe traumatic brain injuries.”

Currently there are no approved therapeutic products, so the sector is teeming with opportunities. Increasing incidences of TBI due to rising assaults, accidents and military combats are expected to drive the growth of the market.

Cooking is therapy for group of TBI survivors

Thu, 27 Oct 2016 16:39:00 GMT

While cooking multiple courses for more than three dozen people seems like a daunting task to most people, a group of brain injury survivors say it’s more like therapy to them.

“Headway East London, a charity that supports people recovering from serious brain injuries, hosts a supper club every other month. The food is made from scratch by its service users, who spend hours in the kitchen,” an article by Sam Gelder in the Hackney Gazette reads. “One of those is Dave Mercer, who cannot speak highly enough of the experience.”

Mercer tells the Gazette that it’s an amazing opportunity for him. One he never would have experienced if he hadn’t sustained a brain injury .

“I like cooking,” Mercer says in the article. “I wasn’t able to do it for a long time after my injury but to think people are paying to eat food you have created is like ‘wow.’ Watching someone make a curry with 20 spices is incredible. Once I just suggested making matcha tea ice cream – I’ve never made ice cream before but they let me do it. People were saying it was the best ice cream they’ve ever had. That sense of achievement is really important because we find things other people take for granted really difficult.”

Mercer told the Gazette that it’s days like that – long days none-the-less, that send him home feeling 12-feet-tall. All the chefs bring something different to the table, it’s their differing abilities along with a strong team ethic that allows them to get things done. Things like baking fresh bread from scratch.

“To have everyone paying, eating your food and giving you a big pat on the back afterwards can bring people to tears. It’s a great thing,” Mercer said in the article. “A lot of people here live in isolation – friends disappear when you get ill. But it gives people the feeling of community spirit they don’t get at home. It’s like therapy.”

All money raised goes to Headway, which relies solely on funding.

Mercer said being a part of the program makes him feel like he’s able to give back to the people who are helping him.

Study offers evidence into treating blast-associated TBI

Wed, 26 Oct 2016 12:16:00 GMT

A brain injury can directly alter many aspects of a person’s life, including their personality.

Andrew Pieper, University of Iowa Professor of psychiatry, recently led a new study in mice that has shown early damage to axons to be the key to the development of the subsequent long-term neurological complications that develop after blast injury, according to an article by Kasra Zarei in The Daily Iowan.

“Blast-associated injuries have become the signature injury for U.S. soldiers serving in the Middle East, creating a great need for targeted therapies,” the article reads. “‘Before

Do I Have a Wrongful Death Claim in Wisconsin?

Tue, 25 Oct 2016 19:47:00 GMT

Wisconsin Law allows two different types of claims for individuals that have been wrongly killed. The first is the pain and suffering leading up to their death, and the latter is the wrongful death claim itself for family members of the lost loved one. Unfortunately our legislature has capped the latter amount to $350,000. Essentially, our legislature has decided that the value of a human life is only worth that amount.

That being said, an individual that has lost a loved one needs to speak with an attorney experienced in handling wrongful death claims. We have that experience at Rozek Law Offices.

Learn more about: Milwaukee Wrongful Death Attorney

WisDOT urges teen driving safety

Tue, 25 Oct 2016 14:58:00 GMT

National Teen Driver Safety Week was Oct. 16-22 and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation urged parents to ensure their teens are driving safely.

According to an article by The Chronotype , last year, 37 teenagers were killed and more than 5,500 were injured in traffic crashes in Wisconsin, according to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.

“During National Teen Driver Safety Week … parents are encouraged to help their children make better decisions behind the wheel and mentor them while they gain driving experience,” the article reads.

Teens are reportedly more likely to crash than adult drivers, according to David Pabst, director of the WisDOT Bureau of Transportation Safety.

“Teens also tend to speed, drive aggressively and not buckle up,” Pabst says in the article. “In addition, teens are prone to distracted driving. State law prohibits drivers with an instruction permit or probationary license, which includes many teenagers, from using a cell phone while driving except to report an emergency. Another state law prohibits texting while driving for all motorists. Despite these laws, too many teens still talk or text on mobile devices when all their attention should be focused on driving.”

Traffic safety officials stressed that the risk of a crash increases significantly when teen drivers have other teenage passengers in the vehicle with them.

“Inexperienced teen drivers can be easily distracted by their teenaged passengers,” Pabst says. “Wisconsin has a graduated driver license requirement for new drivers under age 18 that helps them gain valuable experience behind the wheel while limiting the number of teen passengers in their vehicles.”

The DOT stresses that Parents play a critical role in helping their teens develop safety-conscious driving habits.

“WisDOT offers a Parent’s Supervised Driving Program to help teens become safe, smart and skilled drivers,” the article reads. More information is available online at: http://wisconsindot.gov/Documents/dmv/shared/psdp-guidebook.pdf .

Most importantly, according to the WisDOT, parents need to set a good example for their children—no matter what their age—by obeying speed limits, buckling up, and eliminating distractions.

Researchers examining behavioral interventions for young TBI patients

Mon, 24 Oct 2016 19:00:00 GMT

New Jersey researchers are studying how the impact of behavioral interventions affect young patients who have experienced traumatic brain injury (TBI). In a different study, the researchers are also examining the impact of an employment-related social skills group intervention on people with TBI.

“Kessler Foundation is recruiting study participants for multiple research programs aimed at improving cognition, mobility, and long-term outcomes for people with disabling injuries and illnesses, including cancer, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, stroke, and traumatic brain injury ,” a press release by the Kessler Foundation reads . “By participating in the Foundation’s rehabilitation research, you’ll help improve the lives of people with disabilities and their loved ones. Study participants are typically compensated for their time, and may have a chance to try new therapies and technologies. On a case-by-case basis, Foundation staff may be able to assist participants with transportation, or travel to their home. Healthy control subjects are also needed for many studies.”

Brain Injury Studies:

Researchers at Kessler Foundation and Children’s Specialized Hospital are examining whether different types of group behavioral interventions can improve the emotional well-being of children and adolescents with brain injury .

“Eligible participants are children and adolescents (ages 9-17) diagnosed with brain injury (i.e., traumatic brain injury, stroke or tumor) whose emotional well-being has been affected by brain injury,” the press release reads. “Researchers are

One dead, several others injured in intersection crash

Sun, 23 Oct 2016 12:16:00 GMT

A woman is dead and multiple others injured following a crash at a busy Troy intersection.

The crash occurred about 5:30 p.m. on Monday at Livernois and Wattles roads, according to various media reports.

“According to police, a silver Ford Escape occupied by three people was traveling westbound on Wattles and attempting to turn left onto southbound Livernois when it was struck by a blue Chrysler Town and Country, which was traveling northbound,” an article posted to the WWJ Radio’s website reads. “Police say it appears that the driver of the Chrysler, a 65-year-old Sterling Heights man, may have suffered a medical event prior to the crash and failed to stop for a red traffic signal before striking the Ford.”

All four people who were involved in the crash suffered significant injuries and had to be transported to area hospitals.

“A 70-year-old woman from India, identified as Shyamala Ramachandran, died from her injuries. Police say she was sitting in the back seat of the Ford and wasn’t wearing a seat belt,” the article reads. “The other three people, including a 35-year-old Wisconsin resident and a 77-year-old Troy resident, remain hospitalized.”

The incident is reportedly still under investigation and it has not yet been confirmed whether the driver of the Chrysler suffered a medical event or not. Police say neither alcohol or drugs appear to be factors in the crash. There is no mention in the article as to whether or not speed may have played a factor. There’s also no mention of whether or not the driver of the Chrysler is facing charges in connection to the crash.

Detectives are looking to speak with anyone who might have witnessed the crash. Anyone with information is urged to contact police at 248-524-3477.

One dead following crash in Outagamie County

Sat, 22 Oct 2016 11:00:00 GMT

One woman is dead and two others were seriously injured following a head-on collision last Friday morning in Outagamie County.

Various media reports say that the woman who was killed was a 46-year-old Freedom, Wisconsin resident. Her name was not released to the media as of Wednesday afternoon.

The head-on crash occurred early last Friday morning at Freedom Road just south of Greiner Road.

“The crash happened at about 3:30 a.m. when a vehicle traveling northbound on Freedom Road struck an SUV headed southbound, according to a statement released by the Outagamie County Sheriff’s Department,” an article by the Post-Crescent News reads. “The woman driving the SUV died at the scene, said Lt. Terry Hammen.”

Two people were reportedly in the northbound vehicle, a 20-year-old woman and a 21-year-old man, both from De Pere. Both received injuries as a result of the head-on crash.

“The woman was flown to ThedaCare Medical Center-Neenah by ThedaStar and is in critical condition, said JP Heim, ThedaCare spokesman,” the article reads. “The man was taken to St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay, but USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin was not able to immediately verify his condition.”

Freedom Road was closed for nearly nine hours at Lau Road while official investigated the head-on collision. Freedom Road is also known as Outagamie County Road N.

There was no indication in the article that anyone was facing charges in connection to the crash.

The Town of Freedom Fire Department, the Town of Freedom First Responders and the Town of Vandebroek Fire Department assisted at the scene.

Trip to Mars could cause brain injury

Fri, 21 Oct 2016 12:00:00 GMT

The human body has limits and some astronauts who are headed on a mission to Mars will be testing those limits, according to researchers out of California.

The astronauts, who need to rely on their memory, be able to multitask and also make crucial decisions, might experience impairments in this area due to galactic cosmic rays. Those rays could potentially cause the astronauts to experience cognitive impairments, increased anxiety and increased depression, an article by CNN reads.

“The effects of exposure to highly charged and ionized particles during extended deep-space travel could be long-lasting and without resolve, similar to dementia,” the CNN article reads.

“These charged particles are very dangerous,” Charles Limoli said in the article , study co-author and professor of radiation oncology at the University of California, Irvine. “The reason is, they are very energetic and fully ionized, and when they travel through the body, they produce this type of damage that the cells and tissues of your body find very difficult to recover from. Now, it really looks like the complications associated with these exposures to the brain are becoming one of the more difficult to deal with.”

NASA has reportedly known for a long time that the space environment is a radioactive one, but astronauts have for the most part been within Earth’s protective magnetosphere aboard the International Space Station.

“The only astronauts to directly encounter galactic cosmic rays were those embarking on short-duration trips to the moon. But just trying to reach Mars will take six to nine months,” the article reads . “Even radiation shielding on the craft used to take astronauts to Mars isn’t the ultimate prevention tactic. Currently, there is no technology that can stop these particles from penetrating spacecraft and affecting the astronauts, Limoli said.”

Limoli along with his team of researchers studied the effects of radiation in mice and found that the mice had a lack of cognitive function in areas such as memory, multitasking – even their behavioral adaptation were negatively impacted as a result of the radiation.

“The radiation disrupted and reduced dendrites and spines within their neural networks, which make up the highway that transmits signals in the brain,” CNN reports. “The exposure also affected the brain’s process of fear extinction, which can help minimize stress when reflecting back on a bad experience. Without this process, it’s easier for someone to become anxious or depressed. Even though the mice provide a good example, it’s not yet possible to show how it would affect an astronaut.”

New data indicates that the damage lasts up to a year. The study was funded by NASA.

New TBI management guidelines lacking answers

Thu, 20 Oct 2016 12:00:00 GMT

There’s a list of 18 topics in the new Guidelines for the Management of Severe Traumatic Brain Injury , Fourth Edition, by Nancy Carney, PhD, of Oregon Health and Science University in Portland.

The new guidelines, which include 189 publications that provided 28 recommendations on the 18 topics, still lack answers to many key clinical questions, according to an article in Med Page Today.

“Endorsed by the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, the guidelines include 14 new or changed recommendations and 14 unchanged recommendations. Evidence to support seven previous recommendations did not meet current standards, the article reads . “Despite major developments in the management of severe TBI , however, the guidelines do not include recommendations in many key areas because of a lack of evidence. As a result, the guidelines should not be considered a complete protocol for clinical use, the authors said.”

For example, there is insufficient evidence to support the use of hyperosmolar agents to improve outcomes for TBI patients , yet many clinicians have observed their value in daily practice.

“Until there is evidence for or against this treatment approach, the neurosurgeon or critical care physician needs to make the call,” the article reads. “The CDC estimates that following the treatment recommendations in these guidelines could double the chances of survival for U.S. patients with severe TBI , increase the proportion of good outcomes for survivors from 35 percent to 66 percent, and decrease the proportion of poor outcomes from 34 percent to 19 percent.”

An estimated 80 percent adherence to the new guidelines across the nation will save the U.S. approximately $4.08 billion annually.

“The research needs to be conducted consistent with the highest standards in order for the results to be used as evidence,” the article reads. “Critical evidence gaps need to be identified, study designs improved, and state-of-the-art methods used for synthesizing and assessing evidence. In lieu of waiting for better clinical evidence to be produced, a formal consortium could focus on comparative effectiveness research that strictly adheres to evidence-based protocols rather than randomized controlled trials and observational studies, the authors proposed.”

Researchers study impact of TBI in aging adults

Wed, 19 Oct 2016 12:01:00 GMT

Researchers in Colorado are studying the impact traumatic brain injury has on aging adults with the intent of reducing the severity of the injury and helping to give seniors a better quality of life.

“Falls are a huge public health crisis and one of the leading causes of injuries among aging adults,” Kim Gorgens is quoted as saying in a press release from the University of Denver.

Gorgens is a clinical associate professor in the Graduate School of Professional Psychology at the University of Denver. “The more we can do about brain injury and reduce the severity, the greater improvement we can provide in terms of quality of life.”

Gorgens has partnered with Dan Linseman , an associate professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, to study the impact of traumatic brain injuries ( TBI ) on aging adults. The duo is able to conduct their research thanks to a pilot grant from DU’s Knoebel Institute for Healthy Aging. Together, they hope to discover the reason why it takes older adults longer to recover from concussions — and why they suffer more severe consequences than younger people.

“Our theory is that some of this difference in age-dependent recovery is actually due to oxidative stress as you age and the depletion of a critical antioxidant in the brain called glutathione,” Linseman says in the press release. “We are testing a nutritional supplement in mice that will boost levels of glutathione. We want to see if we can make them recover more like a younger mouse.”

If the pre-clinical trials are successful, they will open the door to the next phase of the project.

“This could lay the groundwork to move forward with a clinical trial to see if we can boost glutathione levels in older human patients that have TBI and see if we can enhance their recovery,” Linseman says.

Should they be able to move forward, Gorgens will run data analysis and perform clinical testing on patients. They hope to be able to take the data outside of the lab and utilize their discoveries in real-life situations.

“For this phase of the research, Gorgens and Linseman have partnered with Craig Hospital, one of the best hospitals in the country for the rehabilitation of patients with spinal cord and brain injuries,” the release reads. “The best part of the Knoebel Institute is the opportunity for interdisciplinary collaboration,” Gorgens says. “It brings all of these researchers from totally divergent areas together on the same project in ways that are revolutionary, innovative and completely translational.”

TBI screening helps children succeed in school

Tue, 18 Oct 2016 12:07:00 GMT

A new screening tool for children who have potentially suffered traumatic brain injury is reportedly helping them succeed when it comes to education.

Researchers at Colorado State University have utilized grant money they received to develop the screening tool, which is called the Brain Check Survey.

“Young children sometimes experience an accident such as a playground fall that can result in a head injury. Their resulting traumatic brain injury can go undiagnosed but lead to learning problems that crop up later,” a press release from Colorado State University reads. “Now kids are getting help with research being done by Pat Sample and David Greene, both faculty in CSU’s Department of Occupational Therapy. Two years ago, the duo received a $280,000 grant from The Colorado Traumatic Brain Injury Trust Fund to develop a screening tool for TBI.”

The researchers reportedly visited seven different Colorado school districts to explore different ways in which students with TBI are identified and also to assist in qualifying for necessary services, and of course to test the Brain Check Survey.

“Sample has a long history of working with individuals with TBI. She worked in the Center for Community Partnerships in OT as part of a team helping adults with TBI gain and maintain employment in the 1990s,” the release reads. “The team then directed its work toward teenagers experiencing the transition out of school into adult life. Soon after, the team’s attention shifted to TBI in younger children. Sample found that this often “invisible disability” was not always evident to educators, which resulted in either underserved students, or students being identified as having a disability other than TBI.”

The research team worked with grade school children, then junior high and high school kids. Because students who have suffered TBI struggle with things such as memory lapse, overactive stimuli, fatigue and other sensory disorders, the TBI team focused on these issues and offered the children extra support in those areas, which Sample said is often not addressed following a TBI diagnosis.

“Sample emphasized that for this reason, identifying students with TBI and meeting their particular needs is necessary for academic success,” the release reads. “As a result, Sample and her team began crafting the Brain Check Survey, a screening tool that detects whether the child’s behaviors and symptoms are indicative of a past TBI.”

The survey has been tested for validity and reliability, and has proven to be a very strong tool. Because of this, it is now widely available to many schools throughout Colorado.

The Brain Check Survey has reportedly been used to screen about 10 to 12 students, and has been helpful in providing additional information to school teams. It’s also brought TBI to the forefront of conversations and the types of issues that students who have suffered a brain injury endure.

“Previously, for students to be placed into special education with a TBI categorization they needed to present official documentation of a medical diagnosis. Now a handful of states will accept evidence of credible TBI history in lieu of a medical diagnosis,” the release reads. “The results from the BCS can be offered as a major element of evidence of a past TBI to schools, hopefully opening the door to students’ placement in the most suitable special-education program for their needs.”

One dead, three others injured in Wednesday crash

Mon, 17 Oct 2016 12:48:00 GMT

One man is dead and three others were injured in a Wisconsin crash on Wednesday that involved three vehicles.

According to various media reports, the man who died was 29-years-old and from Milwaukee.

The three-vehicle crash occurred in Waukesha County, according to media reports.

“According to the Wisconsin State Patrol, Demario A. Harrison, 29, of Milwaukee died of injuries sustained in the crash, just after 10:30 a.m. on Highway 41 northbound located just south of County Line Road near Menomonee Falls,” an article in the Waukesha Patch reads.

According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel , Harrison was a passenger in a Chevrolet Cavalier that was stopped in the center lane when it was struck from behind, first by a Ford van, then by a Jeep Grand Cherokee.

“Harrison was transported via Flight for Life to Froedtert Hospital in Wauwatosa, where he died from his injuries,” the Patch article reads.

No information was offered in the article about the extent of the other three people’s injuries and no names were released to the media as of Thursday.

There is also no information in regards to whether any charges were filed in connection to the crash.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation says following too closely behind another motorist, or tailgating, is an aggressive driving behavior. You could be ticketed for tailgating. Worse, you could cause a crash, and end up hurting yourself and wrecking your car in the process.

There was no indication in the article that anyone was tailgating, but Wisconsin law states that the operator of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed of such vehicle and the traffic upon and the condition of the highway.

It’s all about being able to stop your car in time in case the vehicle in front of you suddenly hits the brakes. The DOT offers several tips to avoid rear ending another vehicle here .

Wisconsin vet trains shelter dogs for wounded veterans

Sun, 16 Oct 2016 12:00:00 GMT

A veteran who lost part of both of his legs when an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded while he was on patrol in Afghanistan has benefited from a non-profit out of Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin that connects trained dogs with veterans who may suffer from traumatic brain injury or post traumatic stress disorder.

An article by People Pets says that U.S. Marine Chris Van Etten went through the traumatic event of losing part of both of his legs in 2012.

“His injuries were significant and he was lucky to have survived. But Van Etten’s recovery was made easier through the efforts of civilian dog trainer, Torre Willadsen, whom he met while serving in the war-torn nation,” the article reads. “Willadsen took it upon himself to ensure the wounded veteran was reunited with his yellow lab Harley, an Improvised Explosive Device Detection Dog who had been by his side during many harrowing missions.”

Van Etten formed a life-long bond with the now-7-year-old yellow Lab and credits the dog for improving both the mental and physical parts of his recovery.

“And he says veterans who are struggling with rehabilitation as well as post-traumatic stress disorder could be helped tremendously with a program created by Willadsen called Dog2DogTags ,” the article reads. “One of the biggest questions I get asked (by vets) about Harley is where they can go to get a dog. Dogs2DogTags is able to provide a form of therapy that veterans will not be scared to admit they want or need,” Van Etten told PEOPLE. “A big reason why vets don’t get the help they deserve is they are too proud to admit they need that help in the first place. But who doesn’t want a dog to help you get through the tougher times in your life? I think these dogs could really do some good and potentially save some lives.”

In 2013, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs released a study that covered suicides from 1999 to 2010, which showed that roughly 22 veterans were committing suicide per day, or one every 65 minutes. Some sources suggest that this rate may be undercounting suicides.

“Through his non-profit, Willadsen wants to do his part to reduce this number by not only reuniting military dogs with their retired handlers, but also by adopting dogs from the Humane Society, as well as shelters, where they might otherwise be euthanized, and placing them with vets who need a buddy who can help with postwar living and offer unconditional devotion,” PEOPLE reports. “His model is efficient — he trains the dogs for free — and there isn’t a long wait for veterans who need a companion immediately. Most importantly, there is no bureaucratic hold up as his operation is run by veterans who were previously deployed, which helps Dog2DogTags make the return to civilian life a smoother transition.”

Drunk Driver begins 15-year sentence

Sat, 15 Oct 2016 12:00:00 GMT

A man who was convicted of a 2013 DUI collision that seriously injured another driver in Athens began serving last week a 15-year sentence in connection to the crash .

“Ghandi Bowens Jr., who was holding a can of beer when emerging from his wrecked car, entered into an agreement with the Western Judicial Circuit District Attorney Office on Sept. 15 where he will serve three and a half years in confinement and the balance of the 25-year sentence on probation,” according to an article by the Athens Banner-Herald . “The first year to 18 months of probation will be served at the Athens-Clarke County Diversion Center, according to the plea agreement approved by Clarke County Superior Court Judge Lawton Stephens.”

Bowens reportedly surrendered himself at the jail last week to begin serving his sentence.

“The DUI collision occurred the afternoon of Dec. 2, 2013. Witnesses told police Bowens was recklessly driving his Ford Mustang, weaving in and out of lanes while apparently speeding,” the ABH article reads . “When attempting to make a lane change, police said Bowens’ car clipped the driver’s side of an SUV, pushing that vehicle onto the shoulder where it flipped over ‘end over end,’ and landed right-side up.”

Witnesses at scene told police that while the SUV driver was trapped inside her crushed vehicle, Bowens crawled out of the Mustang while holding out a beer can. He then reportedly tilted the beer can and attempted to drink the rest of what witnesses believe was a 20 oz Bud Light.

“Bowens took the beer and turned it up and finished the beer and then tried to leave the scene,” the ABH article reads . “Bowens told police the collision occurred as he was driving home from work. Police said he held a DUI permit from a previous conviction that allowed him drive to and from work.”

There is no mention in the article of the current condition of the woman who was involved in the crash .

New gadget predicts brain swelling in surgery

Sat, 15 Oct 2016 00:20:00 GMT

Brain surgery isn’t new. In fact, surgeons have spent the better part of the 19 ^th through the 21 ^st centuries cutting out parts of the skull of patients who are suffering from brain trauma.

A new gadget though just may change the way brain surgeries of the future are conducted.

“A new simulation tool developed by a team of researchers for Stanford U and the University of Oxford will help make the procedure a lot safer,” an article by Engadget reads . “Decompressive craniectomy, as the method is called, gives the swelling brain space to expand in order to save a person’s life after a head injury . However, it could also lead to complications.”

Some of the complications are because when the brain bulges out of a hole in the skull, the fragile nerve cells can stretch and break. The new tool can help to minimize potential complications by alerting surgeons of the best place to cut, and depending on the injury, show them how large the hole should be.

“To develop the tool, the team studied medical scans showing the amount of swelling for different types of brain injuries. They then created mathematical estimates that can predict how an injury would affect different parts of the organ,” the article reads. “Once they were done designing the system they then ran different scenarios through the simulation and found that you’ll see serious damage if axons expand near or above 30 percent. The resulting simulation, by the way, displays the most affected parts of the brain in red, areas that sustained mild damage in green and safe parts in blue.”

The different colors offer surgeons a visual guide to decide where the best and safest place on the skull is to perform the decompressive craniectomy.

“The team knows their creation is in its very early stages, and they’re hoping that surgeons could pitch in and help them develop it further,” the article reads.

Researchers discover common thread that causes damage in both stroke and TBI patients

Thu, 13 Oct 2016 14:00:00 GMT

Researchers at Johns Hopkins have recently discovered a protein at the end of a molecular chain of events when dealing with brain cell death from strokes and other injuries and diseases such as Alzheimer’s.

According to an article in Med India , the protein delivers the fatal strike to patients by carving up a cell’s DNA. Researchers say the finding could help to open up new ways to treat traumatic brain injuries, strokes and Alzheimer’s – or at least stop or weaken the process.

Ted Dawson, M.D., Ph.D., who is the director of the Institute for Cell Engineering at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, along with Valina Dawson, Ph.D. and professor of neurology have studied the protein through multiple experiments conducted in laboratory-grown cells. The research builds upon these past experiments.

“Their research groups found that despite their very different causes and symptoms , injury, strokes, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and the rare, fatal genetic disorder Huntington’s disease have a shared mechanism of a distinct form of ‘programmed’ brain cell death they named parthanatos after the personification of death in Greek mythology and PARP, an enzyme involved in the process,” the article reads. “I can’t overemphasize what an important form of cell death it is; it plays a role in almost all forms of cellular injury,” Ted Dawson says. His and Valina Dawson’s research groups have spent years delineating each of the links in the parthanatos chain of events and the roles of the proteins involved.”

From previous studies, the researchers had already discovered that when a protein called mitochondrial apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) leaves its usual place in the energy-producing mitochondria of the cell and moves to the nucleus, it sparks the carving up of the genome housed in the nucleus and leads to cell death. Researchers have said the current study has completed the chain.

“But AIF itself, they say, can’t cut DNA. So then-postdoctoral fellow Yingfei Wang, Ph.D., now an assistant professor at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, used a protein chip to screen thousands of human proteins to find those that interacted most strongly with AIF,” the article reads. “Working with the 160 candidates she uncovered, she then used custom molecules called small interfering RNAs to stop each of those proteins’ manufacture, one by one, in lab-grown human cells to see if doing so would prevent cell death.”

One of the 160 proteins, known as macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), was a winner. While AIF binds to MIF and carries it to the nucleus — MIF chops up the DNA.

“The group reports that in work to be published, it also identified a few chemical compounds that block MIF’s action in the lab-grown cells, protecting them from parthanatos,” the article reads. “Dawson says they plan to test these in animals, and modify them to maximize their safety and effectiveness.”

Elderly falls are a threat, but can be reduced

Wed, 12 Oct 2016 12:57:00 GMT

According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, falls are the leading cause of death and the number one ranked reason for emergency room visits in the state of Wisconsin. In fact, Wisconsin is fourth in the U.S. for having the most deaths from injury caused by falls.

“An older adult falls nearly every second of every day across the United States. Falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries among people who are ages 65 or older ,” an article by WisContext reads. “Over 27,000 older adults die as a result of a fall every year. Non-fatal injuries range from head trauma and traumatic brain injury to fractures and lacerations. Overall, more than 95 percent of hip fractures result from a fall.”

Researchers in Wisconsin and across the U.S. are working to discover better ways to predict if an elderly person is more at risk for a fall. Being able to predict a potential fall will help physicians in suggesting prevention methods.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports the following risk factors that contribute to falls:

“Many people who have experienced a fall are fearful of falling again. For some, this anxiety causes them to reduce their activity level and be more cautious,” the article reads. “As a person’s activity level decreases, her or his fitness level drops as well. Individuals with lower fitness levels are in turn actually more likely to fall.”

The CDC is working on an initiative entitled Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths & Injuries. The initiative provides fall prevention information for health care providers, caregivers and older adults, including the following tips:

Exercise:

Eyes:

Home:

“Communities around Wisconsin are offering Stepping On , an evidence-based program adapted by the Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging in collaboration with the CDC from a project out of University of Sydney in Australia,” the article reads. “It seeks to help people who are at risk of falling, have a fear of falling, or who have fallen one or more times. The program offers community-based, small-group workshops that have demonstrated a 50 percent reduction in falls for individuals, and includes materials about vision, medications, proper footwear, checking the home for hazards, and strength and balance exercises.”

Erin Eggert is a family living agent and certified exercise physiologist with the University of Wisconsin-Extension Monroe County .

Four people injured in Hwy. 14 crash

Tue, 11 Oct 2016 17:18:00 GMT

Four people suffered injuries due to a crash on Highway 14 in Rock County Wednesday morning.

The Rock County Sheriff’s Office said four vehicles were involved in the Wednesday morning crash , which blocked U.S. Highway 14 in both directions near Wisconsin 59.

“The crash happened around 7:15 a.m. in Union Township, north of Evansville,” an article posted to the WKOW website reads. “The sheriff’s office says emergency crews have been called to the scene and there are potential injuries to the people in the vehicles.”

The sheriff’s office had to reroute traffic from U.S. 14 because both lanes were blocked as a result of the four-car pileup.

The Rock County Sheriff’s office told reporters Wednesday that the four people who were injured as a result of the crash suffered non-life threatening injuries.

“According to authorities, an 18-year-old male was cited for inattentive driving,” the article reads.

Wisconsin state law requires that no person while driving a motor vehicle may be engaged or occupied with an activity, other than driving the vehicle, which interferes or reasonably appears to interfere with the person’s ability to drive the vehicle safely.

The law goes on to say that no person may drive any motor vehicle while composing or sending an electronic text message or an electronic mail message.

The article does not mention whether the 18-year-old was on a cell phone or was distracted by some other means.

The National Safety Council reports that cell phone use while driving leads to 1.6 million crashes in the U.S. each year. Nearly 330,000 injuries occur each year from accidents caused by texting while driving. One out of every 4 car accidents in the United States is reportedly caused by texting and driving.

“Despite laws to prevent distracted driving, too many motorists still talk and text on cell phones while behind the wheel. They eat a meal. They rummage for things on the seats, floor, dashboard or other compartments. They even stare intently in the rearview mirror to comb their hair or apply make-up,” ZeroinWisconsin.gov reports . “Because they’re not paying attention to traffic conditions and road hazards, distracted drivers drastically increase their risks of causing a crash or failing to avoid one.”

While texting and driving is a leading cause of distraction behind the wheel, distracted driving is any activity that takes a person’s attention away from the primary task of driving.
There are three main types of distraction:

The typical distraction requires the driver to take their attention off driving for less than five seconds. If a driver is going 55 miles per hour and gets distracted for less than five seconds, they’ve traveled the length of an entire football field (that’s over 100 yards) without paying attention.

In 2015, there were 24,089 car crashes related to distracted driving in Wisconsin. That means, there is a distracted driving accident happening somewhere in Wisconsin every 22 minutes.

Vehicle crashes into home in Suamico

Mon, 10 Oct 2016 17:21:00 GMT

A driver who authorities suspect was under the influence of drugs or alcohol drove his vehicle into a Suamico home while the homeowners were still inside on Tuesday night.

“It happened so fast I couldn’t even blink my eyes as fast as it happened,” homeowner Neil Vannieuwenhoven told reporters with FOX-11 news . “It all happened that fast, just seconds, boom, and it was there.”

A board now covers a gaping hole in Vannieuwenhoven’s home and pieces of siding still lay in his yard, the damage extensive because it was an SUV that plowed into the home while he was watching the television in another room. His wife was reportedly just a few feet away from where the SUV entered the home.

“

What Is Vestibular Disorder?

Mon, 10 Oct 2016 11:00:00 GMT

Vestibular Disorders are very common following trauma to the head or neck. Essential it is an individual experiencing extreme dizziness, sometimes while sitting down, sometimes while standing up or changing positions.

Regardless, what we have done is we have created a vestibular symptom checklist. If you have been in an accident and are experiencing this dizziness or even visual changes, you can download this checklist, complete it and bring it to your healthcare provider so that your symptoms are documented. The healthcare provider can then treat your problems, and your symptoms will improve over time.

Learn more: Vestibular Attorney in Milwaukee

The effects of traumatic brain injury

Mon, 10 Oct 2016 00:13:00 GMT

Statistics show that between 3.2 million to 5.3 million people in the United States are living with a traumatic brain injury (TBI)-related disability. What makes a TBI even more complex is that no two brain injuries are alike, and the consequences of two similar injuries may end with very different results. Symptoms may appear right away or may not be present for days or weeks after the injury.

Like all parts of a person’s body, the brain is also subject to injury.

“But unlike other injuries, the effects of a brain injury can be more devastating because it is the body’s most complex and fragile organ. At their worst, brain injuries can essentially rob a person of his identity – with a drastic change in personality and/or cognitive abilities,” a release by NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital reads. “ Traumatic brain injury , also known as TBI, most often occurs when there is a sudden, violent blow or jolt to the head,” explains Dr. Shaik Ubaid, a neurologist with NewYork-Presbyterian Medical Group/Hudson Valley and NewYork-Presbyterian/Hudson Valley Hospital in Cortlandt Manor. “The force of the impact is so great that the brain collides with the inside of the skull, and can result in bruising, swelling, bleeding, and tearing of brain tissue.”

Traumatic brain injuries can be caused by a number of factors and the degree of the injury depends on how the injury is sustained and the force of the impact. Some common causes of TBI include falls, vehicle accidents, sports injuries and wounds such as a gunshot. Young people and elderly people are more susceptible to TBI and people who sustain a TBI are also more susceptible to spinal cord injuries, potentially becoming paralyzed.

“The result of traumatic brain injury can range anywhere from a mild concussion to a severe head injury. A brain injury is classified as mild if loss of consciousness and/or disorientation is shorter than 30 minutes,” the release reads. “While the results of an MRI and CAT scan may show no damage, the individual can suffer from such problems as a headache, muddled thinking, memory problems, attention deficits, mood swings, and frustration. These symptoms can appear at any time after a head injury or steadily progress, which is why it’s important that the patient be monitored by family and friends for any changes, and a doctor contacted if symptoms persist or get worse.”

Severe brain injury is typically associated with a loss of consciousness for more than 30 minutes, and memory loss after the injury that lasts longer than 24 hours. The effects of severe brain injury can range from comatose to impairment of cognitive functions such as attention, memory, language, and decision making.

“The scope of injuries and degree of recovery varies widely from person to person,” says Ubaid who adds, “There is no cure for TBI, and the best way to limit risk is to practice common-sense safety measures, like wearing seat belts in the car, helmets for sports, and making a senior’s home more fall-proof.”

Regardless of what degree the TBI, it can have a big impact on a person’s life. A change in brain function affects family dynamics, job performance, and social interactions, which is why rehabilitation is usually necessary.

“Another important component is therapy to restore lost functional abilities such as movement and speech, in addition to essential tasks like eating, brushing teeth, and using the bathroom,” the release reads. “Ultimately … the goal is to equip the patient with adaptive strategies to restore as much mental and physical function as possible, so that he or she can return as close as possible to living an independent life.”

Boxer’s death sparks debate about sport

Sat, 08 Oct 2016 17:10:00 GMT

A Scottish fighter died Thursday following a serious injury he suffered in a fight and the incident has sparked a debate.

Brain injury charity Headway is now calling for boxing to be banned.

“The 25-year-old had to be carried from the ring on a stretcher after a fifth-round loss to Dale Evans in a St Andrews Sporting Club fight in Glasgow on Thursday night. Towell, from Dundee, was then rushed to the city’s Queen Elizabeth University Hospital by ambulance accompanied by his promoter, Tommy Gilmour,” an article by Daily Mail reads. “The death was later confirmed by Towell’s management, and comes less than seven months after Chris Eubank and Nick Blackwell’s bout, which ended the latter’s career after he suffered a bleed on the skull when he was stopped in 10 rounds.”

Peter McCabe, chief executive of Headway, said in a statement that the organization is deeply saddened to hear of this tragic loss of life.

“This was a young father in the prime of his life and our heartfelt thoughts go out to his family and friends at this difficult time. Quite rightly, the focus at this time should be on supporting the family. But the question remains: how many more lives have to be damaged or lost before this senseless sport is banned,” McCabe says in the article. “Sadly, this is not an isolated incident. It is another in a long line of boxing tragedies where lives have been lost or irreparably damaged as a result of brain injury .”

Towell passed away peacefully shortly after 11 p.m. on Friday evening, 12 hours after he was taken off life support.

His partner said in an emotional Facebook post that it had been the longest 24 hours of their lives.

“I’m absolutely heartbroken to say my annoying best friend passed away tonight at 11.02 very peacefully. Michael had severe bleeding and swelling to his brain. He had been complaining of headaches for the last few weeks but we put it down to migraines with the stress of his fight. It has been the longest 24 hours of our lives. My baby has lost his daddy. But he will be so, so proud of his dad in what he achieved,” she said in the Facebook post.

Members of the boxing community have also paid tribute to Towell across social media platforms.

“Evans has yet to comment on his opponent’s death, but described Towell as a ‘true warrior’ in a statement issued after he was taken to hospital,” the article reads. “The event at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Glasgow, was being broadcast on STV Glasgow when Towell was fatally injured.
The boxer had been undefeated going into the bout – which was an eliminator for the British welterweight title – with 11 previous wins and one draw on his professional record.”

Research links TBI and gut inflammation

Fri, 07 Oct 2016 17:19:00 GMT

Research has linked gut inflammation to traumatic brain injury that can show up in as little as two hours following the injury.

An article on Women’s Radio reports it is vital to make sure to add in gut support to heal the digestive system with vitamins following a brain injury , including a concussion .

Supplements to include:

The research Women’s Radio is referring to can be found in the Journal of Neurotrauma. An article about the study called Traumatic Brain Injury and Intestinal Dysfunction: Uncovering the Neuro-Enteric Axis , explains how a TBI can lead to multiple physiological complications, including gastrointestinal dysfunction.

“TBI can induce an increase in intestinal permeability, which may lead to bacterial translocation, sepsis, and eventually multi-system organ failure. However, the exact mechanism of increased intestinal permeability following TBI is unknown,” the article reads. “We hypothesized that expression of tight junction protein ZO-1 and occludin, responsible for intestinal architectural and functional integrity, will decrease following TBI and increase intestinal permeability.”

Occludin is a protein that in humans is encoded by the OCLN gene. It’s located at the tight junctions . Occludin also plays an important role in keeping cancer cells from spreading. The C-terminus of occludin is important in receiving and transmitting cell survival signals.

In standard cells, loss or disruption of occludin and other tight junction proteins leads to initiation of cell death. Studies involving high levels of expression of occludin in cancer cells have shown that occludin mitigates several important cancer proliferation properties.

The presence of occludin decreased cellular invasiveness. How occludin prevents the progression of cancer is not known, but it has been shown that cancer progression is linked to the loss of occludin or the silencing of the OCLN gene.

In the study, mice underwent a weight drop TBI model following anesthesia.

“ Brain injury was confirmed by a neurologic assessment and gross brain pathology. Six hours following injury …Whole ileum extracts were used to measure expression of tight junction proteins ZO-1 and occludin by Western blot,” the article reads. “TBI caused a significant increase in intestinal permeability. … An increase in intestinal permeability corresponds with decreased expression of tight junction proteins ZO-1 and occludin following TBI.”

Expression of intestinal tight junction proteins may be an important factor in gastrointestinal dysfunction following brain injury.

Read the full study here .

TBI and hearing loss

Thu, 06 Oct 2016 17:48:00 GMT

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can cause a slew of symptoms. Many people suffer from headaches, amnesia, the inability to speak, behavioral symptoms, cognitive issues such as mental confusion or difficulty concentrating. But another symptom that’s not always talked about that can accompany TBI is hearing loss.

Sometimes hearing loss following a TBI is due to damage to the ear during a fall or crash, but sometimes it’s due to damage in the part of the brain that processes sound.

“In addition, loud noises that might just be irritating to people without a brain injury can cause problems such as headaches and fatigue for those with a TBI,” according to an article by Health.mil , the official website of the Military Health System and the Defense Health Agency.

“Research continues to fully understand the mechanisms associated with hearing loss and auditory and vestibular (important part of the ear for balance) system injuries in individuals with TBI, said Katie Stout, director of clinical affairs for Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center. In the meantime, there are specialty treatments and rehabilitation strategies available for hearing and balance challenges in individuals with TBI,” the article reads.

Experts from the Defense Department Hearing Center of Excellence (HCE) say that a key factor in managing hearing problems following a TBI include becoming aware of how surroundings can affect hearing.

“Any sound above 85 decibels has the potential to damage the auditory system. However, the amount of damage is dependent on the loudness and duration of the sound,” Dr. Lynn Henselman, HCE interim director and audiologist says in the article . “By way of comparison, a kitchen blender is about 88 decibels. Because service members in particular are often exposed to high noise levels, hearing protection is crucial, especially with a TBI, said Dr. Jeremy Nelson, HCE science advisor and neuroscientist.”

Nelson says that TBI patients are unique though, because they suffer from other issues related to their trauma, so those issues must be considered when protecting them from sounds. In general, Nelson says that standard hearing protection may help some TBI patients with their symptoms.

“A person should only be exposed to an average of 85 decibels of sounds over the course of an eight-hour day,” Lt. Col. Andy Merkley, Army audiology liaison to HCE says in the article.

To give people an idea of different decibel measures of common sounds:

“Every time the noise level increases by three decibels, the length of safe listening time is cut in half, Merkley said. An 88-decibel sound should only be listened to for four hours; a 91-decibel sound, for two hours.”

Treadmills and Traumatic Brain Injury

Wed, 05 Oct 2016 17:21:00 GMT

While most people associate treadmills and other exercise equipment with a healthy lifestyle, there is a darker side to them.

Every year, thousands of Americans tumble off equipment, hit their heads or drop heavy weights, according to an article in The Sacramento Bee .

“About 460,000 injuries involving exercise equipment – primarily treadmills – are treated in hospital emergency rooms annually, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission,” the article reads. “Despite such dangers, consumers are largely on their own in avoiding injury while exercising. Local and state authorities do not inspect how gym or fitness centers place their equipment, whether it’s dumbbells, elliptical machines or treadmills. In Sacramento, for instance, annual city fire inspections only check to ensure that gym equipment isn’t blocking fire exits.”

Treadmill injuries are reportedly the most common injury on exercise equipment, according to safety commission data. About 24,000 people a year are treated in emergency rooms for treadmill injuries. Some of those injuries include broken bones, abrasions and burns – but also traumatic brain injuries.

“Treadmills are unique in that once the treadmill is set to its desired speed or incline, the machine doesn’t know if you lost your balance or are reaching for a water bottle or changing the music channel,” the article reads. “With every other piece of equipment, if you run into difficulty, the machine stops.”

According to the article, a common issue at gyms when there’s a case of someone getting hurt is that the safety zone behind the treadmill isn’t large enough. The minimum space requirement needed for user safety and proper maintenance is 3 feet wide by 6 feet deep, directly behind the running belt.

“A deeper clearance – 78 inches or 6.5 feet – is recommended behind exercise treadmills by ASTM International, the international agency that publishes voluntary technical standards for a range of equipment,” the article reads. “There isn’t a health club in the country that puts 6 feet behind their treadmills. Those machines are packed in tight.”

Typically gyms have about 4-feet behind treadmills to allow for wheelchair access.

“In February 2015, Consumer Reports wrote about how to avoid treadmill accidents, including serious skin burns from the moving belt and people ‘who lose their footing and end up pinned between a wall and the machine,’” the article reads. “It advised consumers to know how to stop the treadmill, wear the machine’s safety clip and follow proper techniques for getting on and off a moving treadmill. It also urged consumers to “clear the area” behind a treadmill, following either the manufacturer’s instructions or the 6.5-foot distance recommended by ASTM. In rare cases, people can die in treadmill accidents. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, about 30 deaths were reported in the decade between 2003 and 2012.”

Concussions in teens on the rise

Tue, 04 Oct 2016 17:59:00 GMT

A new report by Blue Cross Blue Shield Association shows that concussions are on the rise, particularly amongst teenagers, and they hit a record high between 2010 and 2015.

According to an article in Time , laws requiring more stringent monitoring of people who suffer head injuries in sports went into effect, which is when concussion diagnoses started to rise.

“The insurance company reports that more than 936,000 claims were filed for diagnosed concussions among its members, and that rates for adolescents between age 10 and 19 surged 71 percent during that time, while rates for adults increased by 26 percent,” the article reads. “Most of the teen spike is due to sports … since rates increased sharply during the sport’s fall season, according to the claims data. Much of the increased diagnosis can be tied to heightened awareness of concussions and the health effects of brain injury , after states enforced laws requiring athletes who experienced brain injuries to obtain medical clearance before resuming practice or play in a game, the study authors say. Teens were five times more likely to be diagnosed with a concussion than all other age groups combined.”

The study showed that males are more likely to be diagnosed with a concussion, but female concussions are also on the rise. In fact, they increased by 118 percent over the last six years, while male concussions rose 48 percent.

The study also revealed that those who do suffer a concussion are also experiencing post-concussion syndrome. Post-concussion syndrome reportedly doubled from 2010 to 2015.

Post-concussion syndrome is a complex disorder in which various symptoms — such as headaches and dizziness — last for weeks and sometimes months after the injury that caused the concussion, according to the Mayo Clinic.

“The data suggests that new laws are raising awareness of the dangers of concussions, and that more younger people are getting evaluated for concussion and post-concussion symptoms after a head injury ,” the article reads. “Such awareness, say doctors, is critical to continuing to provide proper care for concussions and limiting their potential long-term health effects, which can include serious neurological damage.”

Study shows TBI patients have significant interruptions during rehab

Mon, 03 Oct 2016 17:17:00 GMT

A new study revealed that brain injury patients , along with stroke and spinal cord injury patients who are in inpatient rehabilitation, have significant rates of interruption of their treatment.

The study was recently published in the Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation , the official journal of the Association of Academic Physiatrists. The journal is published by Wolters Kluwer.

Interruptions often include being transferred back to the hospital for treatment of complications.

“But at least 10 percent of these interruptions and transfers are potentially preventable, suggesting opportunities to improve patient outcomes while lowering the costs of care,” according to information in an article by Science Daily . “The researchers analyzed Medicare data on patients undergoing inpatient rehabilitation for one of three neurological conditions: about 72,000 patients with stroke, 7,100 with traumatic brain injury , and 660 with spinal cord injury (SCI). All were admitted to rehab directly from the hospital.”

Results of the study showed that program interruptions for the three types of patients occurred in approximately 0.9 percent of those with stroke, 0.8 percent with brain injury , and 1.4 percent with SCI. In nearly all of the cases, the patient was transferred to an acute care hospital, usually because of some type of complication.

“Short-stay transfers occurred in about 22 percent of patients with stroke or brain injury , and nearly 32 percent of those with SCI,” the article reads. “About one-third of these patients were also transferred back to acute-care hospitals. (Others were transferred to skilled nursing facilities.)”

According to the study, about 11 to 12 percent of program interruptions could have potentially been preventable.

“Of the short-term transfers, about 15 percent were potentially preventable in the patients with stroke, ten percent with brain injury, and four percent with SCI,” the article reads. “Preventable causes of short-term transfers included problems like dehydration, heart failure, pneumonia, and urinary tract infections.”

The new study is one of the first ever to focus on the impact of program interruptions for patients with brain injury.

“The researchers believe that potentially preventable re-hospitalizations are a ‘clear target’ for efforts to improve the quality of rehabilitation care. Future studies may identify modifiable risk factors that could be targeted for preventive efforts.”

Intoxicated driver strikes two bicyclists

Sun, 02 Oct 2016 17:00:00 GMT

On Sept. 25 a passerby found two bicyclists who had been struck by a car from behind, but the vehicle that hit them was nowhere to be found. The incident occurred on Highway 29 about two miles east of Thorp.

According to a news report by the Leader-Telegram , the Clark County sheriff’s office received a report at 12:57 a.m. Sunday that the passerby found the two cyclists. Both Kevin N. Martin and Philip M. Shirk, 19, were injured as a result of the crash , with Shirk sustaining more serious injuries .

Read More: Brain Injury Attorney in Wisconsin

“Scott G. Horn’s vehicle, a Dodge Ram truck, was stopped by police in the village of Greenwood. It had front end damage with materials that matched debris at the scene of the bikers being hit,” the news report reads. “Horn, who said he was coming from a wedding celebration in the Eau Claire/Chippewa Falls area, told police the damage was from hitting a deer near Thorp. He failed field sobriety tests and had a blood alcohol level of 0.106, according to a breath test.”

One of the cyclists, Martin, reportedly told police that he and Shirk were traveling east in a single file line when they were hit by the vehicle. Red flashing lights on the back of the bikes were reportedly operating when police arrived at the crash scene.

Horn, a 26-year-old Thorp man is facing four charges, including two felonies, for reportedly being intoxicated when hitting the two bicyclists.

“Horn is scheduled for an initial court appearance on Oct. 27. He is charged with felony counts of hit and run involving great bodily harm and injury by intoxicated use of a vehicle, and misdemeanor counts of hit and run and causing injury by use of a vehicle while intoxicated,” the article reads. “The felonies have a maximum penalty of 17½ years in prison.”

No other information, including the status of Shirk’s condition, had been released by Thursday evening.

One dead in Lafayette County crash

Sat, 01 Oct 2016 17:40:00 GMT

An Iowa man is dead following a two-vehicle crash in Lafayette County.

According to various media reports, the crash occurred on Sept. 24 about 2 a.m. on the 14000 block of STW 11 in Gratiot Township.

Officers were dispatched to the scene after a 911 call was made reporting a two vehicle crash with serious injuries .

Read More: Brain Injury Attorney in Wisconsin

“Lafayette County Sheriff’s Deputies were immediately dispatched along with the Gratiot Fire Department, Gratiot First Responders, and Rural Ambulance Service,” an article by WMTV reports. “Upon arriving at the scene, Gratiot Fire requested additional ambulances from Rural Medical and Warren, Illinois Ambulance Service.”

An initial investigation into the incident shows that a 2002 Lexus passenger car driven by 22-year-old Cameron J. Paddock of Monticello, Iowa, was travelling eastbound on STW 11 when a westbound 2014 GMC Savannah cube van, driven by 23-year-old John Drew Brewington of Salem Wisconsin, crossed the center line striking the Lexus, according to WMTV .

“Paddock suffered severe injuries as a result of the crash and was taken to Mercy Hospital in Dubuque Iowa where he was pronounced dead on arrival,” the article reads.

Lafayette County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Brewington upon his release from the hospital. He was taken to Lafayette County Jail where he is being held pending an appearance in County Circuit Court.

“Brewington faces a tentative charge of Homicide through intoxicated use of a motor vehicle, a class D felony, which carries a maximum sentence of a fine up to $100,000 or imprisonment up to 25 years, or both,” the article reads.

A 23-year old female from Roscoe, Illinois was a passenger in Paddock’s car and suffered minor injuries as a result of the crash. She was taken to Memorial Hospital in Lafayette County.

New study suggests deep brain stimulation may help TBI patients

Fri, 30 Sep 2016 14:40:00 GMT

A new study published recently in the journal Neurosurgery suggests a new technique that sends targeted electrical impulses deep into the brain, stimulating it, may help people who have suffered traumatic brain injury to gain some independence.

Read More: Brain Injury Attorney in Wisconsin

“ Traumatic brain injury is a common condition with over 80,000 new cases of disability each year,” Dr. Ali Rezai, director of the Neurological Institute at Ohio State University in Columbus said in an article published by Health Day. “There are few treatment options to help these individuals. The outcomes of this study demonstrate, however, improvements in disability, functional outcomes, independence, behavioral and emotional regulation, and self-control after two years with DBS

Study shows bike helmets reduce head injuries by 70 percent

Thu, 29 Sep 2016 15:01:00 GMT

A new study out of Australia shows that people who use bike helmets across the world reduce their risk of serious head injury by nearly 70 percent.

More than 64,000 cyclists from across the world participated in the study, which also showed that people who wear helmets while cycling also reduce their chance of a fatal head injury by 65 percent. The study also showed that neck injuries are not associated with helmet use.

Read More: Brain Injury Attorney in Wisconsin

“A comprehensive review by Australian statisticians Jake Olivier and Prudence Creighton from the University of New South Wales that drew together data from more than 40 separate studies found helmet use was associated with dramatically reduced odds of head injuries,” an article by The Guardian reads . “The findings were presented in Finland this week at Safety 2016, the world conference on injury prevention and safety promotion.”

The findings were particularly significant for serious or fatal head injuries and found the reduction was greater for these kinds of more serious injuries .

The study found that helmet use is associated with the reduction of 51 percent for head injury , 69 percent for serious head injury, 33 percent for face injury and 65 percent for fatal head injury. Injuries to the neck were rare and not associated with helmet use.

“These results suggest that strategies to increase the uptake of bicycle helmets should be considered along with other injury prevention strategies as part of a comprehensive cycling safety plan,” the article reads. “The researchers cautioned that helmets were not a ‘panacea for cycling injury’ and did not eliminate head or face injuries or offer protection to other parts of cyclists’ bodies. But it does make the case more difficult for those who oppose mandatory helmet wearing.”

Critics of bike helmets reportedly claim that helmet laws deter people from cycling. One study found that 16.5 percent of people say they would ride more often if they were not required to wear a helmet at all times.

Florida woman skating across country to bring awareness to brain injury

Wed, 28 Sep 2016 14:51:00 GMT

A Florida woman is lacing up and skating across the country to bring awareness to traumatic brain injury .

Seven years ago Merideth McDonald’s husband nearly died after a motorcycle crash . He suffered traumatic brain injury and now McDonald seeks to bring awareness to the trials and tribulations that TBI patients and their families face.

Read More: Brain Injury Attorney in Wisconsin

From September 12-October 14, Merideth McDonald is skating from New Smyrna Beach, Florida to Boston, Massachusetts, an article by WWAY-TV reads. “After Nate’s accident, Merideth started the non-profit group called BIG Life. It stands for the Brain Injury Group.”

BIG Life is a rehabilitative adventure club for Brain Injury survivors and their caregivers to promote lifestyle wellness, community inclusion, social supports, community service and education. It’s a 501(c)3 tax deductible charitable organization.

BIG Life provides a continuous schedule of regular activities, special events and service projects with an array of adaptive, therapeutic and recreational rehabilitation both on campus and in the community. BIG Life’s objective is to enrich the lives of those affected by brain injury, improving quality of life and overall life satisfaction through fulfilling and rewarding life experiences. .

Every 21 seconds someone in the U.S. sustains a brain injury. At least 5.3 million Americans live with a brain injury requiring lifelong help and at least 400,000 Veterans since 2000 have been diagnosed with a brain injury.

Change in brain function can have a profound impact on family, job, social and community interaction. Astounding rates of isolation, depression, poor life quality, suicide rates, permanently severed relationships and high divorce rates accompany life after brain injury.

On Wednesday, McDonald traveled through Leland, N.C. It’s her fifth stop on the 1,400 mile journey.

“It’s mind blowing to see the people rallying around us in the cities as we come through. But what really drives me is the people I’m skating for and that’s the people that have been impacted by brain injury,” Merideth said in the article. “This is painful, it hurts, every mile, but it pales in comparison to how brain injury impacts somebody else’s life forever.”

McDonald is hoping to raise $500,000 through her skate. All of the funds will go towards creating a facility in Florida for TBI survivors called the Big Life Campus.

“She wants to create a place survivors can find support, care and peace,” the article reads. “It’s something the McDonald knows is hard to come by.”

Gardening Helps Those With Brain Injury

Tue, 27 Sep 2016 19:42:00 GMT

There’s many rehabilitative practices aimed at helping those who have suffered traumatic brain injury . Some programs focus on speech, others on balance. Some programs offer Yoga or art therapy, while others utilize computer games.

One charity that focuses on rehabilitation for those with brain trauma has recently launched a gardening project to help TBI patients in their recovery.

Read More: Brain Injury Attorney in Wisconsin

According to an article by Cambridge News , Headway Cambridgeshire offers two therapy gardens, which began last Thursday and will continue until March next year.

“The six-month courses are running thanks to Government cash from the Health and Social Care Volunteering Fund (HSCVF), which has been secured for the next three years,” the article reads. “It is an unusual gardening project as it will have a co-learning approach – the course is designed to get experienced and not so experienced gardeners together with people who have suffered brain injuries so that all the participants can share their knowledge and learn both about gardening and about brain injury . It will also enable people who are thinking of working with brain injured people as a career to get some first-hand experience.”

Brain injury can affect anyone, at any time and can leave people with physical, cognitive or emotional and behavioral problems.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of death and disability in the United States, contributing to about 30 percent of all injury deaths. Every day, 138 people in the United States die from injuries that include TBI, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Those who survive a TBI can face effects lasting a few days to disabilities which may last the rest of their lives. Effects of TBI can include impaired thinking or memory, movement, sensations such as vision or hearing, or emotional functioning like personality changes and depression. These issues not only affect individuals but can have lasting effects on families and communities.

A TBI is caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or a penetrating head injury that disrupts the normal function of the brain. Not all blows or jolts to the head result in a TBI. The severity of a TBI may range from “mild” (a brief change in mental status or consciousness) to “severe” (an extended period of unconsciousness or memory loss after the injury). Most TBIs that occur each year are mild, commonly called concussions.

“The charity has been providing specialist services and support to people with an acquired brain injury and other neurological conditions and their families across the county since 1989,” the article reads. “A vital part of the treatment is horticultural therapy which provides new skills, a feeling of continuity and perhaps most importantly, a sense of achievement.”

The gardening is used as a therapy tool. TBI patients are able to get out into the fresh air and are using lots of practical skills from growing their food to making structures for plants in the garden.

What is a Brachial Plexus Injury?

Tue, 27 Sep 2016 02:51:00 GMT

Brachial Plexus Injury Attorney in Wisconsin

A brachial plexus injury involves damage to the spinal cord nerves that extend into the arm. Essentially you can have extreme pain, sensory loss and motor loss. This means you will not be able to feel your arm and you won’t be able to move it. Unfortunately there is no cure for brachial plexus injuries. Some are able to be improved with surgery. Some unfortunately linger on.

An experienced brachial plexus injury attorney can provide you with great assistance going forward with your injury, getting you to the right medical providers with experience with such injuries and new medical techniques that can help you. They are also able to explain to the jury what the injury is, and what it means for you as someone that has suffered from a brachial plexus injury.

Antidepressants Prevent Depression Following Traumatic Brain Injury

Mon, 26 Sep 2016 17:27:00 GMT

A new study suggests that antidepressants not only treat depression following traumatic brain injury (TBI), a common symptom after head trauma, but can actually prevent the onset of depressive disorders.

The study focused on the antidepressant sertraline.

“Ricardo E. Jorge, M.D., of the Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, and coauthors tackled that question in a new article published online by JAMA Psychiatry. The authors conducted a randomized clinical trial at a university hospital over four years with 24 weeks of follow-up, an article in Science Daily reads . “A total of 94 patients consented and were assigned to receive placebo (n=46) or sertraline (n=48) at a dose of 100 mg/day for 24 weeks or until a mood disorder developed.”

Results of the study suggest a low dose of sertraline soon after the onset of TBI appears to be an effective strategy to prevent depression following a TBI diagnosis, but more study is needed before considering possible changes to treatment guidelines.

Limitations to the current study include its small sample size.

“Given the prevalence and functional effect of depression among patients with TBI, these findings have profound therapeutic implications. However, although our findings are novel and provocative, recommending a change in the guidelines to treat patients with TBI requires replication of these findings in multicenter studies,” the article reads. “In addition, it would be important to study whether combining antidepressants with behavioral interventions, such as psychotherapy or cognitive rehabilitation protocols, will optimize long-term functional outcomes, the authors conclude.”

Depression is more than feeling sad every now and then. It is normal for someone who has had a TBI to feel sad by the problems caused by their injury. But for some people, those feelings can extend beyond normal feelings of sadness. People with depression feel sad, lack energy or feel tired, or have difficulty enjoying routine events almost daily. Other symptoms include difficulty sleeping, loss of appetite, poor attention or concentration, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, or thoughts of suicide.

Research has found that patients with TBI are more likely to experience depression than those who have not had a brain injury . For every 10 people who do not have a brain injury , approximately one person will have depression. For every 10 people who do have a brain injury, approximately three people will become depressed.

The risk of depression after a TBI increases whether the injury is mild, moderate, or severe. Researchers cannot say if age, gender, the part of the brain that was injured, or the type of injury makes depression more likely.

Former Judge Killed in Motorcycle Crash

Sun, 25 Sep 2016 14:27:00 GMT

A former Dane County Circuit Court judge was killed last Saturday when the motorcycle he was driving was struck by a van in Columbia County.

Judge Steven D. Ebert, who retired after 12 years on the bench in 2009, was hit by the van north of Lodi in southwestern Columbia County, according to an article by the Wisconsin State Journal.

“Ebert, 69, of Middleton, died at the scene despite life-saving measures by law enforcement and rescue personnel, the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office said,” the article reads. “A Madison native who graduated from East High School, Ebert earned his bachelor’s degree at UW-Madison and law degree from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. Ebert had also worked as a reserve judge on a fill-in basis following his retirement through the end of 2015, according to District Court Administrator Theresa Owens.”

The crash occurred on Highway 113 near Highway V in the town of West Point, near Okee about 10 a.m. Wisconsin State Journal reports the van pulled out in front of the motorcycle causing the two vehicles to collide. according to the sheriff’s office.

“Ebert was wearing a helmet at the time of the fatal crash . The van driver and a passenger in the van were not injured as a result of the crash.

“Ebert, a Navy veteran, loved to ride his motorcycle and put hundreds of miles on it on long rides, Foust said. He also was proud of his roots in Madison’s East Side, where he grew up in the 1950s and ’60s, Foust noted,” the article reads. “Along with riding his motorcycle, Ebert liked to hunt deer and was a member of a target-shooting club using ‘old-fashioned, black powder guns.’”

The crash remains under investigation by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office and the Wisconsin State Patrol. It was the 18th vehicular fatality in Columbia County in 2016, the sheriff’s office said.

Teen Dead After Truck Crashes Into Go-Cart

Sat, 24 Sep 2016 17:47:00 GMT

A teenager was killed last Saturday after a pickup truck crashed into the go-cart the child was driving.

According to various media reports, the incident took place Sept. 17 about 3:07 p.m. on County Highway B in the Town of Canton, Wis.

Read More: Auto Accident Attorney in Wisconsin

The young man, who was 13-years-old was pronounced dead at the scene.

“As emergency responders arrived it was discovered the accident was within Buffalo County. The Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office says a 13-year-old male was operating a go-cart type vehicle on a private driveway then drove onto the eastbound lane of Highway B,” an article published on the WEAU website reads . “As the go-cart entered the highway, an eastbound 2001 Chevrolet Silverado K1500 truck, driven by a 16-year-old male hit the go-cart.”

The 13-year-old boy was pronounced dead at the scene and the 16-year-old driver of the truck was not injured in the crash , according to reports. The names of the teenagers are being withheld at this time.

“Assisting at the scene of the crash was the Durand Police and Fire departments, Durand Ambulance, Pepin County Sheriff’s Department and Wisconsin State Patrol,” WEAU reports.

According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, motorized vehicles are not designed for operation on roadways. Examples of motorized vehicles include scooters, lawn tractors, all- terrain vehicles, go-carts, mini-bikes and other off-road motor vehicles. Therefore, go-carts are not allowed on public roads.

A go-cart is a small four-wheeled vehicle. Go-carts come in all shapes and forms, from motorless models to high-powered racing machine, some, like Superkarts are able to beat racing cars or motorcycles on long circuits.

Gravity racers, usually referred to as Soap Box Derby carts, are the simplest type of go-carts. They are propelled by gravity, with some races taking place down a single hill.

The article does not mention what type of go-cart the 13-year-old was driving or whether or not the 16-year-old driver of the pickup truck is facing any charges in connection to the crash.

Researchers Find Switch to Restore Damaged Axons

Fri, 23 Sep 2016 14:04:00 GMT

Researchers have found the key to redirect cells in the peripheral nervous system to “repair” mode, which can restore damaged axons, a discovery that could help traumatic brain injury patients as well as various other patients such as diabetics and patients with spinal cord injuries.

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison made the discovery, which redirects helper cells, according to an article in News Wise.

“Axons are long fibers on neurons that transmit nerve impulses. The peripheral nervous system, the signaling network outside the brain and spinal cord, has some ability to regenerate destroyed axons, but the repair is slow and often insufficient,” the article reads. “The new study suggests tactics that might trigger or accelerate this natural regrowth and assist recovery after physical injury, says John Svaren, a professor of comparative biosciences at the UW-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine. The finding may also apply to genetic abnormalities such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease or nerve damage from diabetes.”

Svaren is the senior author of a report that was recently published in The Journal of Neuroscience. He focused his study on how Schwann cells, which hug axons in the peripheral nervous system, transform themselves to play a much more active and “intelligent” role after injury.

Schwann cells, also called neurilemma cells, are cells in the peripheral nervous system that produce the myelin sheath around neuronal axons. Schwann cells are named after German physiologist Theodor Schwann, who discovered them in the 19th century.

“Svaren and his graduate student, Joseph Ma, compared the activation of genes in Schwann cells in mice with intact or cut axons,” the article reads. “We saw a set of latent genes becoming active, but only after injury … and these started a program that places the Schwann cells in a repair mode where they perform several jobs that the axon needs to regrow.”

In the repair mode, Schwann cells help to dissolve myelin, which is essential for proper functioning but ironically deters regeneration after injury.

“This cleanup must happen within days of the injury, says Svaren, who directs the cellular and molecular neuroscience core at the Waisman Center on the UW-Madison campus,” the article reads. “The Schwann cells also secrete signals that summon blood cells to aid the cleanup, and they map out a pathway for the axon to regrow. Finally, they return to the insulator role to grow a replacement myelin sheath on the regenerated axon.”

According to Svaren, nearly every other nervous-system injury response, especially in the brain, is thought to require stem cells to repopulate the cells.

“But there are no stem cells here,” Svaren says. “The Schwann cells are reprogramming themselves to set up the injury-repair program. We are starting to see them as active players with dual roles in protecting and regenerating the axon, and we are exploring which factors determine the initiation and efficacy of the injury program.”

Semi Truck Driver Arrested for DUID Following Crash

Thu, 22 Sep 2016 15:00:00 GMT

Two semi trucks crashed early Friday morning on I-39/90 and one of those drivers was arrested for operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs. An SUV was also involved in the incident.

Read More: Wisconsin Truck Accident Lawyer

The crash reportedly occurred just after midnight on Friday. The Dane County Sheriff’s Office and Wisconsin State Patrol reportedly responded to the crash on I-39/90 just south of the Beltline. Various media reports say traffic was halted in the area because of road construction near County Highway N.

“According to the State Patrol, 29-year-old Andrew Cox from Onalaska was driving a semi-truck southbound in the left lane when he swerved to the right to avoid a collision with other traffic,” an article published on the WKOW website reads . “Authorities say he then jackknifed and hit the left rear corner of a semi-trailer in the right lane being driven by Awale Sahal, 43, of Eden Prairie, Minn. Cox also hit the rear-end of an SUV driven by Kyle Venden, 30, of Edgerton. Authorities say Venden was stopped/slowing down in the left lane next to Sahal’s semi unit.”

Media reports say there were injuries reported as a result of the crash, but they were minor. There’s no indication in the article that anyone involved was transported to the hospital as a result of injuries they sustained in the crash.

“The crash caused Cox’s semi-trailer to break open and spill its load of Arizona Ice Tea onto the interstate according to the State Patrol. Authorities say all three drivers involved were wearing their seatbelts,” the WKOW article reads. “Authorities say Cox was arrested and cited for operating while under the influence of a controlled substance and inattentive driving, while Venden was cited for operating while suspended.”

Lanes of the interstate were blocked for nearly seven hours after the crash.

Motorcyclist Killed after Being Struck by Truck

Wed, 21 Sep 2016 17:06:00 GMT

A motorcyclist was killed September 14 after he was hit by a truck in Taylor County near Medford Wisconsin.

Ronald O. Anderson, a 32-year-old Medford resident did not survive injuries he sustained as a result of the crash , according to Taylor County Sheriff Bruce Daniels. The crash occurred at the intersection of State Highway 64 and Crane Drive near Medford.

The initial investigation revealed that the motorcycle was traveling east on Hwy 64. The pick-up truck was traveling west on Hwy 64. The driver of the westbound truck told authorities he was unable to see the oncoming motorcycle due to bright sun coming from the west. He then turned left onto Crane Drive and the two vehicles collided inside the intersection.

“The operator of the truck was Michael R. Feddick, a 51-year-old Medford resident. Feddick did not report any injury,” an article published by The Star News reads . “According to Daniels, at approximately 6:50 p.m. the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center received a 911 report of a truck vs. motorcycle crash at the intersection of Hwy 64 and Crane Drive in the town of Medford. The caller advised that it appeared as though the operator of the motorcycle was seriously injured.”

After lifesaving attempts were initiated, it became apparent to officials that Anderson, the driver of the motorcycle, did not survive injuries he sustained in the crash. At that time, the Taylor County Medical Examiner was notified and responded to the scene where the victim was pronounced deceased.

“

Two Killed in Head-on Collision

Tue, 20 Sep 2016 18:23:00 GMT

Two people were killed Wednesday afternoon after a head-on collision on Highway 70.

The Lakeland Times reports that a 57-year-old female from St. Germain was driving westbound when she crossed the center line and struck a vehicle traveling eastbound.

Read More: Car Accident Attorney in Wisconsin

The eastbound vehicle was occupied by a husband and wife from Eagle River.

“Two individuals died at the scene of the accident , according to a Vilas County sheriff’s office press release,” the article reads. “A call came in at 3:18 p.m. Wednesday reporting a two-vehicle head-on accident on Highway 70 just east of Shady Lane in the township of Cloverland.”

Linda Healy, 57, of St. Germain and 78-year-old Lillian Pulec of Eagle River died at the scene of the head on crash , which reportedly remains under investigation.

“It appears from the preliminary investigation that the westbound vehicle, driven by a 57-year-old female from St. Germain, had crossed the center line and struck an eastbound vehicle head on that was occupied by a husband and wife from Eagle River. Two individuals died at the scene of the accident,” the article reads. “The accident remains under investigation by the sheriff’s office, Wisconsin State Patrol and the county coroner’s Office.”

Eagle River Fire Department, Eagle River Ambulance from Eagle River Memorial Hospital, Plum Lake Ambulance, St Germain Fire and Rescue, Spirit Helicopter and the Vilas County Highway Department assisted at the scene.

Sixteen Injured in Wisconsin School Bus Crash

Mon, 19 Sep 2016 13:17:00 GMT

Sixteen people were reportedly injured in a school bus crash last Wednesday morning in the City of Sparta, 14 of them students.

“Sheriff’s officials say a teen driver slammed into the back of a school bus in Monroe County, injuring herself, the bus driver and 14 students,” an article by TMJ-4 reads. “Authorities say the school bus was stopped on Highway 21 in the Town of Greenfield Wednesday morning with its lights and stop arm operating, and was loading children when the 18-year-old driver hit the back of the bus and slid underneath.”

Read More: Bus Accident Attorney in Wisconsin

The 18-year-old driver was reportedly extricated from the car she was driving as a result of the crash . She was taken to a Tomah hospital with severe injuries , but authorities say she’s expected to survive. “The bus driver and students were treated for minor injuries at Tomah Memorial. Nineteen other students were checked at the hospital,” the article reads. “The Monroe County Sheriff’s Department is investigating.”

This past summer, Wilmot Terminal manager, for Dousman Transport Co., Inc. made an announcement that Dousman Transport Wisconsin school buses will start using an eight-light system beginning Aug. 16, thanks to a law that was passed earlier in the year.

The Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards Section 108 added four additional warning lights to school buses in 1968. The additional lamps are amber in color and inboard of the red warning lights; intended to signal an upcoming stop to drivers and overridden by the red lights and stop sign as the entry door is opened.

Many states adopted the eight-light system during the 1970s and 1980s. Wisconsin was the single remaining state to adopt this safety feature, which went into effect on August 16. Most buses in Wisconsin were switched to the new light system, depending on the model year of the school bus.

The amber lights flash before the red lights as a ‘Warning’ that the bus is preparing to stop, similar to a traffic light. The additional lights alert vehicles traveling around a school bus that they should prepare to stop.

The article does not mention whether or not the bus involved in the crash utilizes the eight-light system. There’s also no mention of whether or not the 18-year-old will face charges in connection to the incident.

According to the Wisconsin Department of Motor Transportation, between 2009 and 20014, there was an average of 542 bus crashes in the state of Wisconsin. Of those crashes, there were no fatalities reported. An average of 140 injuries of school bus occupants was reported as a result of crashes from 2009-2014.

Study: Zika Causes Brain Injury in Monkey Fetus

Sun, 18 Sep 2016 19:13:00 GMT

There’s been some questions in the scientific and medical industries about whether or not the Zika Virus can cause brain defects in babies who are infected in the womb and a new study published on Monday is providing some pretty strong evidence that it’s possible.

According to an article published by STAT , researchers from the University of Washington reported Monday that they infected a pregnant pigtail macaque monkey, then monitored the development of her fetus.

“Within three weeks of infection, there were already signs that the fetus’s brain had sustained damage. The white matter stopped developing, as did the size of the head,” the article reads. “We have incontrovertible, irrefutable evidence … that Zika causes fetal brain injury ,” lead author Dr. Kristina Adams Waldorf said in an interview with STAT.

“It does it, and it does it fast.”

A group of researchers headed by Adams Waldorf, who is an obstetrician-gynecologist who researches the impact of infections on pregnancy, made the discovery. The group of researchers was gathered by Waldorf earlier this year to study the effects of Zika on developing fetal brains.

“Bottom of ForThe study , published in the journal Nature Medicine, is unusual, reporting on infection in a single animal. While studies in primates are generally small, it would be more common to have data on three or four infected animals and an equal number of healthy animals for comparison purposes,” the article reads.

The female monkey was already at the equivalent of the third trimester in a human pregnancy. The group monitored the fetus’ development through weekly ultrasounds and the fetus was reportedly delivered at the equivalent of 38 weeks via C-section.

“In humans, Zika infection in the first trimester seems to lead to the worst damage in affected fetuses. But experts have warned for some time that it’s likely that other problems — hearing loss , vision loss, developmental delays — may arise when infection occurs later in pregnancy,” the article reads. That’s what this work mirrored, Adams Waldorf said. The rapidity of fetal brain damage suggests that preventing Zika infection in pregnant women has to be the goal, Adams Waldorf said; developing a treatment to be given after a woman develops symptoms would be a waste of time.”

Waldorf said the work proves Zika infection in the womb causes brain birth defects.

Boy Hit by Bus Had Signal Prior to Crossing

Sat, 17 Sep 2016 22:24:00 GMT

Authorities in Wisconsin recently announced their investigation into an incident where a 12-year-old boy was struck by a bus last week revealed the young middle schooler had been given a signal to cross before he was struck by the school bus.

“At a news conference Wednesday morning, Police Lt. Jamie Graff said Justin A. Johnson, a 7th grader at Riverview Middle School, was walking home with friends Sept. 6 when he pushed the crosswalk signal at the corner of E. 2nd St. and Crooks Ave. As Justin entered the intersection, a school bus turning left onto E. 2nd St. hit Justin with the front of the bus,” an article by WBAY reads.

The driver of the bus, who was identified by police as Anthony Ritacco, 61, of Appleton, has reportedly been employed by Kobussen Buses, Ltd. for three years and has 30 years of school bus driving experience. Police have said that Ritacco has a clean driving record.

Ritacco reportedly had a green light–but not a green arrow–and was waiting for oncoming traffic to clear before he turned left.

“He turned and didn’t see Justin,” Graff said . “He remembers taking a look into the crosswalk, taking a look to his left. He remembers seeing a group of kids on the sidewalk, but didn’t see anybody in the crosswalk. He heard a thump, and he didn’t know what that was. He thought maybe it was his antenna up above, but he wasn’t quite sure as to what happened. He continued down the road. He wasn’t sure what happened, and somebody flagged him down, and he stopped.”

It could take a few weeks while the Outagamie County District Attorney’s Office is waiting for toxicology reports from the Wisconsin State Crime Lab. The District Attorney’s Office is reportedly waiting on that report before making decisions on possible charges. Kaukauna Police say they do not believe Ritacco’s actions were in any way criminal.

“Graff says police have been working with the community, businesses and the school district to come up with alternate routes and safety precautions in the area. He says parents have been concerned about increased traffic due to the closure of a nearby bridge,” the article reads.

New safety measures include:

Potential Risk of Head Injury in Yoga

Fri, 16 Sep 2016 21:50:00 GMT

While yoga is typically viewed as a peaceful, low-impact form of exercise, there’s still potential for injury – sometimes even severe injuries such as brain injury .

“The past decade or so has revealed that yoga, contrary to its public image as a source of universal healing and balance, has some shocking hidden risks,” according to a blog post on Peaceful Dumpling . “Sure, we yogis run into strains, bruises, and sometimes the unlucky sprain—but what athletic activity doesn’t come with those mild yet unpleasant side effects?”

Some of the risks when participating in yoga include dislocations, back injuries, fractures, stroke and head injuries, to name a few.

“When William J. Broad published The Science of Yoga: The Risks and The Rewards in 2012, he experienced backlash for exploring the risks of more serious injuries including strokes. In a related article for the New York Times , Broad highlights that poses in which the neck is compressed, sharply bent, or overextended present the risk for nerve damage, which could lead to mild, temporary symptoms as well as more serious, permanent damage,” the article reads. “In particular, headstand, shoulder stand, and deep spinal twists (in which the neck is overextended to one side) can deprive nerves of oxygen for extended periods of time while also putting vertebrae in a vulnerable position.”

The results from more serious nerve injuries can be tragic and life-altering. One 34-year-old woman who practices yoga was in a headstand for five minutes and then felt a sharp pain in her neck. Eventually her right hand became numb.

“As time passed, and the woman underwent multiple doctor visits, her pain worsened, and she experienced paralysis on her left side accompanied by nausea and headaches,” the article reads. “Ultimately, a medical team diagnosed severe blockage in the basilar artery, which was cutting off blood supply to her inner brain. After intensive therapy, she recovered some control over the left side of her body, but still experienced some difficulty using her left hand.”

Some poses that can potentially cause injury are even basic yoga moves, such as the cobra and the upward-facing dog. These are actually backbends, but pose a potential risk for overextending the neck.

“This is why it’s important to practice yoga–even the milder poses–with a special awareness of the neck and spine,” the article reads.

Two Injured in Head-On Collision

Thu, 15 Sep 2016 20:41:00 GMT

Two people were injured after a head-on collision last Friday afternoon in Hudson Township.

Read More: Wisconsin Car Accident Lawyer

According to an article in the Hudson Star Observer, authorities received a call that a crash had occurred in front of 669 County Road N near the intersection with Baker Road about 3:40 p.m.

“Jessica Schutz, 17, from Hudson Township was traveling westbound on County Road N in a 2008 Dodge Caravan when it collided with a 1997 Dodge Ram traveling eastbound, according to Wisconsin State Patrol Sgt. Brian Erickson,” the article reads. “The driver of the truck is 62-year-old David Hake from River Falls, authorities said.”

Hake was reportedly transported by ambulance to Regions Hospital with significant injuries. Schutz was taken by ambulance to Hudson Hospital with unknown injuries before being transferred to Regions after the crash , the Hudson Star Observer reports .

Schutz received a citation for driving left of the center line, according to State Patrol. Wisconsin State Patrol is still investigating the crash.

So far this month three people have been killed on Wisconsin roads as a result of vehicle crashes, according to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. Last month, 54 people were killed in crashes and so far this year, 353 people have been killed as a result of motor-vehicle crashes on Wisconsin roads. In 2015, 331 people died on Wisconsin roads, according to the DOT.

From 2011 to 2016 the average number of fatalities due to vehicle crashes in Wisconsin is 330.

German company looking at Nitrous Oxide for TBI treatment

Wed, 14 Sep 2016 19:58:00 GMT

A company in Germany is in the process of creating a new drug aimed at treating patients who suffer traumatic brain injury ( TBI ).

Read More: Wisconsin Brain Injury Lawyer

According to Labiotech.eu , a website focused on biotech news, Vasopharm’s Nitrous Oxide Synthase inhibitor is starting Phase III.

Vasopharm is a pharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery and development of novel therapeutics for the treatment of cerebro- and cardiovascular diseases and their consequences – indications with significant unmet clinical need. The company is focused on the development of therapeutics that steer the availability of biological nitric oxide (NO) over the entire NO signal cascade and its functional counterpart the NAD(P)H oxidase (NOX) family.

The company focuses on drug development in acute niche indications with an unmet medical need that enables it to rapidly demonstrate clinical efficacy. In addition to developing its own products to demonstrate clinical efficacy, Vasopharm is actively seeking complementary opportunities in the area of acute cardiovascular or CNS diseases preferably in late pre-clinical or early clinical state of development.

“The company has found NOS to be an effective target for treatments of traumatic brain injury ( TBI ); so successful that it has just enrolled its first patient in a Phase III clinical trial for Ronopterin,” the article reads . “Ronopterin inhibits NOS as an analogue of the natural co-factor, biopterin. It is thought to selectively down-regulate inducible NOS (iNOS) and stem the cascade of damaging sequellae set in motion by TBI. This cascade leads to 70,000 deaths and 100,000 disabilities annually, making TBI the leading cause of death and disability in young adults.”

Nitric oxide synthases are a family of enzymes catalyzing the production of nitric oxide (NO) from L-arginine. NO is an important cellular signaling molecule. It helps modulate vascular tone, insulin secretion, airway tone, and peristalsis, and is involved in angiogenesis and neural development. It may function as a retrograde neurotransmitter.

Decompressive Surgery Helping to Save TBI Patients’ Lives

Tue, 13 Sep 2016 20:32:00 GMT

A recent evaluation of traumatic brain injury patients who underwent a decompressive craniectomy, which is when a large portion of the skull is removed to decrease pressure, shows that the surgery is saving lives.

Patients who underwent the procedure had a far lower mortality rate compared to patients who didn’t, but were more likely to be left with a severe disability, according to the randomized study.

An article published on medscape.com says the study showed mortality was reduced from 48.9 percent in the control group to 26.9 percent in the surgery group.

“This is groundbreaking as it is the first intervention that has shown a major difference in outcome in this population — in particular a large and dramatic survival benefit,” lead author, neurosurgeon Peter Hutchinson, FRCS, commented to Medscape Medical News .

There is concern about the fact that patients whose lives have been saved by the procedure are generally left with a severe level of disability. Some of those patients were left in a vegetative state; others were left with a disability that requires them to be dependent on others for care. Some are reportedly able to live independently, but still require help to leave the house.

“There is no doubt this surgery saves lives — but we have to look very carefully at the quality of survival to give information to families on the pros and cons of performing this surgery,” Hutchinson said . “This is not a black and white decision. This surgery is already taking place in practice, but now we have more information to guide our decisions. The data are now out there and can be discussed, and the neurosurgeons need to interpret it for themselves. I believe some will take this study as a reason to do more of these procedures. Others may be more concerned about the increase in patients left in a vegetative state and decide to do less.”

Most of the patients in the study sustained TBI as a result of a vehicle crash , a fall or an assault. The median age was 33-years-old. They had refractory elevated intracranial pressure for one to 12 hours.

“So far, no treatment has shown evidence of benefit in terms of outcome for these patients,” Hutchinson says in the article . “We try to bring intracranial pressure down with drugs such as barbiturates, but this has not been tested in an outcomes study. Decompressive surgery is also performed in some cases, but again there has been no evidence of benefit until now in an outcomes study.”

Miss America Contestant Shares Story of Traumatic Brain Injury

Tue, 13 Sep 2016 00:30:00 GMT

This year’s Miss Pennsylvania Samantha Lambert is using her platform to tell others about the issues surrounding traumatic brain injury .

According to an article by Penn Live , the 22-year-old Pittsburgh resident was crowned in June and participated in the 2017 Miss America Competition in Atlantic City, N.J., which was broadcasted on ABC on Sunday.

Lambert’s platform for the competition in Atlantic City was brain injury awareness. And not just for any reason. Lambert has a personal connection to traumatic brain injury .

“I had a head injury when I was 15 years old from gymnastics,” she said. “It took me over three years to recover from that, during which I was a part-time student for the rest of high school, and I was also not able to be in my athletic environment anymore.”

Lambert said she wants to promote traumatic brain injury as well as the care that Children’s Miracle Network hospitals provide.

“I really struggled with finding the proper resources of how to recover, and finding the right doctors, and finding the right way to communicate with my teachers about the new course load I could handle, so I really hope that I can go out and promote and share those resources with others.”

Lambert reportedly participated in Love Your Brain’s rehabilitation yoga program for brain injury patients earlier this year. She says in the article that it is great to see so many creative ideas for helping brain injury patients , and programs like this help patients to heal as well as build a sense of community.

“On Wednesday, Lambert performed her acrobatic dance routine for the talent show portion of the pageant. She said watching the Olympic gymnasts helped inspire her during preparation for the competition. Lambert, who coaches children’s gymnastics, also told her students to watch her on TV,” the article reads. “Lambert is working toward a degree in industrial engineering at the University of Pittsburgh.

Why Hire an Experienced Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Attorney?

Mon, 12 Sep 2016 14:02:00 GMT

What is Complex Regional Pain Syndrome?

CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome) , also known as RSD (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy) is a very unique medical condition that involves extreme pain in the affected limb as well as associated symptoms , including skin discoloration, redness, skin turning purple, hair growth, changes to the fingernails or toenails.

It is rare but it is extremely painful. As an attorney experienced in handling Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (RSD) cases what I have been able to do is subjectively document the symptoms for the patient over time. While their physician may note the changes, it is important to objectively document it through photographs and through temperature changes you have to document using an accurate temperature reader. These can be incorporated into the medical notes, so later on their is no dispute about these objectives.

Middle School Child Struck by School Bus, Killed

Sun, 11 Sep 2016 15:39:00 GMT

A middle school Kaukauna boy was struck by a bus and killed Tuesday afternoon, according to various media reports.

The incident occurred at the intersection of Crooks Avenue and 2nd street just before 3:30 p.m, according to police. Investigators say Justin Johnson was crossing 2nd street when he was hit.

Tuesday was the first day of the new school year in Kaukauna.

The 12-year-old River View Middle School student was walking home from school when he was hit crossing the intersection.

Mark Duerwaecther, Kaukauna Area School District Superintendent issued a statement Tuesday night.

“The Kaukauna Area School District is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of our student, son, grandson, brother and friend, and we extend our heartfelt sympathy to his family and friends. Our focus right now is on supporting those close to the student, and our trauma team is working diligently to prepare support for students and staff. Counselors, psychologists and social workers will be on hand at each of our schools for as long as needed. Please join me in sending our thoughts and prayers to his family.”

The Kaukauna Police Department is working with the Kaukauna Area School district to ensure students and staff of the Kaukauna Area School District receives the proper support and counseling, an article by WGBA-TV reads.

“A parent of a Kaukauna student told NBC26 that there are not enough crossing guards near the school and they want something done about it. In the short term, the parents say they will be acting as crossing guards to help students cross busy intersections,” the article reads. “The parent says her daughter was almost hit by a semi on her way home from school Tuesday. After the bus accident , she says she took her concerns to the city council meeting.”

The driver of the school bus involved in the crash was reportedly laid off pending an investigation into the incident. People in the surrounding area have also started a memorial near the scene of the crash .

The crash is under investigation by the Kaukauna Police Department and the Wisconsin State Patrol.

Two Truck Drivers Injured in Crash

Sat, 10 Sep 2016 22:15:00 GMT

Two truck drivers were injured in a Wednesday morning crash in Waupaca County.

Read More: Wisconsin Truck Accident Lawyer

According to various media reports, there were three vehicles involved in the crash , which occurred on Highway 54.

“The Waupaca County Sheriff’s Office says the crash happened around 7 a.m. near Otto Road in the township of Mukwa,” an article on WBAY’s website reads . “An unloaded dump truck was traveling westbound on Highway 54 when it did not make a curve and crashed into an oncoming truck that was carrying wood chips. A third vehicle that was following the dump truck crashed into a ditch to avoid the trucks.”

Both truck drivers suffered injuries as a result of the crash. Their injuries were reportedly non-life threatening. The driver of the third vehicle was not injured in the crash, according to WBAY.

There was no information released about whether anyone is facing charges in connection to the crash. There was also no information released about whether or not investigators suspect speed, drugs or alcohol were a factor in the crash.

A stretch of Highway 54 was reportedly closed for several hours in both directions between New London and Royalton.

According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, there was an average of 6,301 large truck crashes on Wisconsin roads between 2009 and 2014, an average of 1,975 people were injured in those crashes and an average of 68 people died as a result of injuries they sustained in a crash involving a large truck.

At least four people have been killed on Waupaca County roads this month and an average of 10 people have died on Waupaca County roads between the years of 2011 and 2015.

Three Injured When Logging Truck and SUV Collide

Fri, 09 Sep 2016 20:33:00 GMT

Three people, including an infant, were injured Thursday when a logging truck and an SUV collided in Wisconsin.

Read More: Wisconsin Truck Accident Lawyer

According to various media reports, the incident took place Thursday morning on Highway 97 near Marshfield.

“Three people, including an infant, were seriously injured. The truck left the road and overturned in a ditch,” according to an article by WSAU . “The Marathon County Sheriff’s Department says the crash happened around 8am near Stadt Avenue. The road remained closed into the afternoon as accident investigators and a fuel clean-up team worked in the area.”

Two other vehicles were reportedly struck with debris that occurred when the truck and SUV collided. A vacant building near the scene of the crash was also reportedly damaged as a result of the collision.

“The injured were taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield,” the article reads.

The cause of the accident is under investigation and the article does not mention which vehicle was at fault or whether or not anyone was charged in connection to the incident. There’s also no information that has been released in regards to the extent of the injuries sustained or the condition of those injured as of Friday night.

According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, there was an average of 6,301 large truck crashes from 2009 to 2014, an average of 68 large truck fatalities and an average of 1,975 large truck injury crashes.

Union Grove Man Loses Wife in Traffic Crash

Thu, 08 Sep 2016 20:16:00 GMT

A Union Grove man lost his wife on Tuesday afternoon in a traffic crash in the Town of Yorkville.

Read More: Wisconsin Auto Accident Attorney

According to a news article by Mount Pleasant Patch , the crash occurred when the driver of another vehicle failed to yield the right of way while making a left turn in the Town of Yorkville, Sheriff’s officials said.

“On Tuesday August 30, at 2:27 pm, the Racine County Communications Center received 911 calls for two vehicles involved in an accident in the 1500 block of S. Sylvania Ave. in the Town of Yorkville,” the article reads. “Racine County Sheriff’s Deputies responded and found two occupants from one of the vehicles involved were severely injured. The injured parties were a married couple from the Village of Union Grove. The injured couple was transported by rescue to Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare.”

The husband did sustain serious injuries as a result of the crash, but they were not life threatening. The wife did not survive her injuries and passed away at Wheaton Franciscan Hospital.

No other information was released in the article, including whether or not the driver of the other vehicle suffered injuries or is facing charges for failing to yield.

New Brain Injury Study Zones in on Fairgoers

Wed, 07 Sep 2016 21:00:00 GMT

Researchers are heading out to the Minnesota State Fair in an effort to gather more information about brain injuries.

Read More: Wisconsin Brain Injury Lawyer

Led by Dr. Uzma Samadani , the Brain Injury Research Lab at Hennepin County Medical Center is exploring methods for improved classification of brain injury to enable better identification of people who do not recover.

The research uses sophisticated eye-tracking technology that does not need a baseline test for comparison (while most others do) and is available to all levels of age and literacy. A research subject watches a short film clip or music video while a camera measures eye movements with high precision and identifies patterns associated with brain injury or other abnormalities.

Participants are asked some simple medical history questions, to sign a consent that their results can be used in the study and to watch two short videos that move around a screen and asked to follow them with their eyes.

At HealthFair 11, people such as Courtney Gill are taking part in the new research at the fair, according to an article by KARE-11. “It seemed interesting so I thought ‘Why not?”

It’s part of Hennepin County Medical Center’s work to find a better way to assess traumatic brain injuries and identify people who don’t recover.

“If we have diagnostic tools that help us classify brain injury better than we can treat it better,” said Samadani, who believes brain injuries are one of the last major obstacles in medicine. “The whole goal of my career is to better classify and treat brain injury and that begins with understanding the problem. I think it’s one of those social responsibilities, an obligation to continue to advance things and make things better.”

HCMC is looking for about 1,000 fairgoers to participate in its project.

For more information on the Healthy Brain Initiative, click here .

Brain Researcher Says Kids Shouldn’t Play Contact Sports

Tue, 06 Sep 2016 19:16:00 GMT

A brain researcher who works at Boston University says children and young adults should not participate in contact sports such as football, according to an article in the Washington Post.

Ann McKee is the director of the Boston University CTE Center, which spends a lot of their time examining brain disease that’s found in people with a history of traumatic brain injury .

Read More: Wisconsin Brain Injury Lawyer

“The center is studying chronic traumatic encephalopathy in football players and other people. CTE is a brain disease found in people with a history of brain trauma, or blows to the head. CTE can cause a person to be confused and to have problems with memory and anger control,” the article reads . “As of now, there is no way to diagnose the disease while a person is living. Researchers are able to study CTE because people have donated their brains for testing after they have died.”

McKee says in the article that the CTE Center examines the brain thoroughly, which can take a few months. The center also interviews the donor’s family to find out all they can about the donor — for example, what sports he/she played and for how long.

The CTE Center has examined 310 brains, mostly from former football players, but also from people who have played hockey, rugby, soccer and other contact sports. McKee said after all the examinations the center performs, it’s the researcher’s professional opinion that head trauma is what causes CTE.

“ But you do not have to have a concussion to get CTE,” McKee said in the article . “CTE can be caused by smaller hits to the head over time. Twenty percent of the people who we found had CTE had never had a reported concussion .”

McKee goes on to explain that playing professional football or other contact sports makes it more likely that a person will suffer from CTE.

“ More than 95 percent of the NFL players — 90 of 94 players — whom we have examined had CTE,” McKee says in the article . “While we often receive brains of ex-players who had been showing signs of memory loss and other brain-related problems, these percentages are so high that CTE cannot be rare in professional football.”

In fact, the center has examined 58 former college football players who never played professionally and found that 48 of them (83 percent) had CTE.

“ We have found indications of CTE in the brain of a high school football player who was 17-years-old,” she said . “Kids’ brains are developing. Their heads are a larger part of their body, and their necks are not as strong as adults’ necks. So kids may be at a greater risk of head and brain injuries than adults. I would advise kids not to play any sports, such as tackle football, where they are exposed to repeated blows to the head.”

Person Suffers Serious Injuries in Three-Vehicle Collision

Mon, 05 Sep 2016 23:03:00 GMT

One person was seriously injured Wednesday afternoon in a collision on Hwy. 35 in Wisconsin.

According to various media reports, three vehicles collided in the crash , which occurred just east of the Winona interstate bridge.

“Two cars and a large utility truck collided around 3 p.m.; it wasn’t immediately clear what direction they were traveling, or what caused the crash ,” an article by the Winona Daily News reports . “According to the Buffalo County Sheriff’s Department, one of the drivers suffered injuries that were serious but not believed to be life-threatening, and was transported by ambulance to Winona Health. The driver’s name was not immediately available.”

Both cars reportedly suffered major damage in the incident. The front end of a bronze car was smashed and both ends of a silver car were crumpled into the car’s interior. There was debris scattered all over the roadway and into nearby ditches. No information was given in regards to the extent of damage to the utility truck.

There’s no mention in the article which vehicle the injured driver was traveling in.

“Traffic was directed onto the nearby service road for a time as authorities took photos of the damage and cleared the scene,” the article reads. “The Winona Fire Department and Winona Area Ambulance Service assisted the Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office at the scene.”

Elderly Woman Killed in Crash, Others Injured

Sun, 04 Sep 2016 22:28:00 GMT

An elderly woman from Milton died Wednesday in a crash in Janesville.

According to media reports, the woman, who was a passenger in a vehicle, was 89-years-old.

“Around 3 p.m., police were called to the intersection of E. Racine Street and Midland Road near St. Mary’s Hospital,” an article by WKOW reads. “They say a vehicle going west on E. Racine Street turned left into the path of an oncoming truck. The crash sent both vehicles off the road and into another car stopped at the exit of the hospital.”

The woman who was a passenger in the vehicle that was turning was pronounced dead at St. Mary’s Hospital. Her name has not been released because family members are still being notified.

“The driver of the vehicle that was turning was admitted to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The truck driver also went to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries,” the article reads . “The driver of the car that was stopped at the hospital exit was treated and released.”

The driver who caused the crash was cited for failing to yield the right of way while making a left turn resulting in the death of another.

No other information has been released regarding the crash; including what type of injuries the other people sustained or what department is handling the investigation.

There was an average of 509 fatalities on Wisconsin roads from 2009 to 2014, according to statistic from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. Three hundred and seventy nine people have been killed by motor vehicle incidents so far in 2016. The DOT reports 61 people were killed in July and there have been 42 fatalities on Wisconsin roads in August.

Young Girl Injured in Hit and Run Incident

Sat, 03 Sep 2016 21:43:00 GMT

A young girl was injured in a hit and run crash on Tuesday afternoon in Wisconsin.

According to media reports, the girl is 11-years old and alcohol seems to have played a factor in the incident.

“Rochester Police Capt. John Sherwin said officers were called to a hit and run crash involving a pedestrian on the 2000 block of 17th Street SE at 3:08 p.m. Tuesday,” according to an article by KTTC . “Sherwin said an 11-year-old girl suffered a broken wrist, broken thumb, and a head injury in the crash. The girl told officers that she was on the grass when she was struck by a car.”

Witnesses reportedly told police a description of the vehicle that fled the scene. The car was later found abandoned at a gas station on Marion Road. Eventually, police officers located a man that witnesses confirmed was the man who was the driver who struck the young girl. The man was located across the street, north of Kwick Trip.

The man, reportedly from Rochester, appeared to be under the influence of something and when officers completed a field sobriety test, he failed it.

Hussein Haaji was arrested and is facing charges of criminal vehicle operation causing bodily harm and DUI.

Even after a minor head injury , brain function can be temporarily impaired and this is sometimes referred to as concussion, according to information on Headway, the Brain Injury Association . This can lead to difficulties such as headaches, dizziness, fatigue, depression, irritability and memory problems. While most people are symptom-free within two weeks, some can experience problems for months or even years after a minor head injury.

The more severe the brain injury , the more pronounced the long-term effects are likely to be. Survivors of more severe brain injury are likely to have complex long-term problems affecting their personality, their relationships and their ability to lead an independent life. Even with good rehabilitation, support and help in the community, survivors and their families are likely to face uncertain and challenging futures.

KTTC did not release information regarding the extent of the girl’s brain injury.

Research Suggests Use of Omega-3 Beneficial for Brain Injury Patients

Fri, 02 Sep 2016 23:27:00 GMT

Treating concussions and traumatic brain injury (TBI) has been a clinical challenge for doctors and surgeons. Studies so far on the subject have failed to provide an effective treatment strategy.

But, according to an article in Science Daily, emerging science and clinical experience shows that aggressive intake of omega-3 fatty acids (n-3FA) seems to be beneficial to TBI, concussion , and post-concussion syndrome patients.

“Research suggests that early and optimal doses of omega-3 fatty acids (n-3FA) have the potential to improve outcomes from traumatic brain injury ,” the Science Daily reports . “The article reviews preclinical research and cites three brain injury case studies that resulted from a mining accident, a motor vehicle accident and a drowning accident. Each instance showcased evidence of safety and tolerability, wherein the patients who sustained life-threatening brain injuries recovered brain health with the aid of omega-3 fatty acids (n-3FA).”

The human body can make most of the types of fats it needs from other fats or raw materials. That isn’t the case for omega-3 fatty acids, according to a Harvard website page on nutrition.

“These are essential fats—the body can’t make them from scratch but must get them from food. Foods high in Omega-3 include fish, vegetable oils, nuts (especially walnuts), flax seeds, flaxseed oil, and leafy vegetables,” the website reads . “What makes omega-3 fats special? They are an integral part of cell membranes throughout the body and affect the function of the cell receptors in these membranes. They provide the starting point for making hormones that regulate blood clotting, contraction and relaxation of artery walls, and inflammation. They also bind to receptors in cells that regulate genetic function. Likely due to these effects, omega-3 fats have been shown to help prevent heart disease and stroke, may help control lupus, eczema, and rheumatoid arthritis, and may play protective roles in cancer and other conditions.”

Growing clinical research has shown that the brain needs to be saturated with high doses of n-3FA in order for the brain to have the opportunity to heal itself. And that without an optimal supply of omegas, healing is less likely to happen.

“It is well recognized that n-3FAs are not a drug and not a cure and every situation is different,” the Science Daily article reads . “Clinically, some patients respond better than others. However, there is no downside to providing optimal levels of nutrition in order to give a patient the best opportunity to regain as much function as possible following a TBI.”

Ultrasound Waves ‘Jump Start’ Coma Patient’s Brain

Thu, 01 Sep 2016 21:43:00 GMT

A team of doctors and neuroscientists said on Wednesday that they were able to ‘jump start’ a coma patient’s brain with the use of ultrasound waves. The team now says they hope to launch a much broader test of the technique.

The team was working on a 25-year-old man who was recovering from coma and was in a vegetative state.

That jump-started brain belongs to Bradley Crehan, a recent college graduate who was struck by a car last February and as a result suffered a severe brain injury when he hit his head on the pavement.

Crehan had part of his skull removed to relieve pressure and was placed in a medically induced coma to allow his brain to heal. Doctors attempted to wake him after about a week, but it didn’t go well, so he was returned to the coma for another week.

When he was brought out of that coma, he still wasn’t very responsive.

“The team, based at the University of California, Los Angeles, cautions that the evidence so far is thin. That they have no way to know for sure whether the ultrasound stimulation made the difference for their young patient, or whether he spontaneously recovered by coincidence shortly after the therapy,” an article on the STAT website reads. “But the region of the brain they targeted with the ultrasound — the thalamus — has previously been shown to be important in restoring consciousness. In 2007, a 38-year-old man who had been minimally conscious for six years regained some functions after electrodes were implanted in his brain to stimulate the thalamus.”

Dr. Nicholas Schiff said using the ultrasound as a technique to stimulate the brain merits further studies.

“The UCLA procedure used an experimental device, about the size of a teacup saucer, to focus ultrasonic waves on the thalamus, two walnut-sized bulbs in the center of the brain that serve as a critical hub for information flow and help regulate consciousness and sleep,” the article reads .

Bradley Crehan has little memory of coming out of the coma. “My brain wasn’t functioning well enough for me to be confused,” he said. “I felt an indentation in my skull and wondered where I was. I wasn’t scared, just drowsy.”

The experimental treatment involved about five minutes worth of ultrasonic pulses targeting the thalamus; doctors used an MRI to precisely guide the sonic beam. A day after the treatment, Crehan reportedly started recognizing objects, attempted to use a spoon and could blink on command. Three days later, Crehan understood questions and could reliably gesture yes and no.

New Study Reveals Children Who Suffer TBI to Face Serious Issues Later in Life

Wed, 31 Aug 2016 19:53:00 GMT

A new study published online Aug. 23 in the journal PLOS Medicine suggests that young people who suffer traumatic brain injury are more likely to have serious issues later on in life.

Those issues, according to the study, include premature death and psychiatric problems.

“Researchers compared 100,000 Swedes who suffered at least one traumatic brain injury (TBI) before age 25 with their unaffected siblings. The investigators found that those who had had head injuries were consistently more likely to die early and have problems functioning as adults,” an article in the Lincoln Journal Star reads. “The effects of an early life TBI — a blow to the head or penetrating head injury that disrupts brain function — were more striking among those who were older when they were injured, whose injury was more severe, or who had repeated head injuries, the findings showed.”

The key findings show that the increased risk remained elevated after comparison with unaffected siblings – which establishes the theory that the outcomes are likely due to the traumatic brain injury .

“The worst outcome is clearly premature mortality,” Dr. Seena Fazel said in the article. Fazel is a professor of forensic psychiatry at the University of Oxford in England.”But after that the increased risks of psychiatric hospitalization are notable.”

About 1.7 million Americans suffer a traumatic brain injury each year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Motor vehicle crashes and falls are the leading causes of TBI.

“Fazel and his colleagues analyzed long-term data of cases in which most patients had one mild head injury, or concussion. Participants, who were born between 1973 and 1985, were 13 years old on average when they were hurt. After age 26, they were followed for an average of eight years,” the article reads . “Previous research on long-term health of people with TBI has addressed more severe injuries and diagnoses. But Fazel noted that his study uncovered risks from even mild head injuries.

TBI was consistently linked to premature death, psychiatric treatment and low educational attainment. Those who suffered TBI were also more likely to wind up on welfare or dependent on disability pensions.

One Dead, Eight Injured in Wisconsin Crash

Wed, 31 Aug 2016 00:57:00 GMT

One person is dead and eight others were injured in a crash in Edgerton last Sunday night.

The crash occurred on I-39/90 SB close to mile marker 165 at about 11:30 p.m.

According to an article by WKOW , authorities say a 2003 Chevrolet Venture van was traveling Southbound when the driver lost control.

“The van entered the median making contact with the guard wire,” the article reads. “The vehicle then exited the median coming to a rest across the right lane facing west with no lights on. A southbound Dodge Sprinter van traveling near highway speeds did not see the now disabled vehicle in the right lane and hit the passenger side of the vehicle.”

Eight people were reportedly taken to Mercy Hospital in Janesville with various injuries. The driver of the Venture was reportedly dead at the scene of the crash.

The driver of the van was treated by EMS at the scene and released. The article does not release the name of the injured people or the person who was killed. There’s also no mention of whether or not someone was charged with anything in connection to the crash.

Southbound I-39/90 was closed for several hours while the Wisconsin State Patrol was investigating the crash.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s website shows there have been 34 fatalities on Wisconsin roads so far this month. Sixty-one people died on Wisconsin roads in July and 371 people have been killed so far this year. Last year, 338 people were killed on Wisconsin roads according to the DOT.

FDA Approves Marketing of New Computerized, Cognitive Tests

Mon, 29 Aug 2016 19:05:00 GMT

Friday the U.S. Food and Drug Administration permitted the marketing of two new devices that will help assess a patient’s cognitive function immediately following a suspected traumatic brain injury .

“The Immediate Post- Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) and ImPACT Pediatric are the first medical devices permitted for marketing that are intended to assess cognitive function following a possible concussion. They are intended as part of the medical evaluation that doctors perform to assess signs and symptoms of a head injury ,” an article on Sharp Brains website reads. “ImPACT software runs on a desktop or laptop and is intended for those ages 12 to 59, while the ImPACT Pediatric runs on an iPad and is designed for children ages 5 to 11. Only licensed health care professionals should perform the test analysis and interpret the results.”

According to the Center for Disease Control , each year traumatic brain injuries contribute to a substantial number of deaths and cases of permanent disability. In 2010, 2.5 million TBIs occurred either as an isolated injury or along with other injuries.

A TBI is caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head or a penetrating head injury that disrupts the normal function of the brain. Not all blows or jolts to the head result in a TBI. The severity of a TBI may range from mild, a brief change in mental status or consciousness to severe, an extended period of unconsciousness or amnesia after the injury.

“The manufacturer submitted over 250 peer-reviewed articles, of which half were independently conducted clinical research studies, according to the article. “The FDA concluded that these studies provide valid scientific evidence to support the safety and effectiveness of the ImPACT and ImPACT Pediatric devices. The FDA reviewed the ImPACT device through its de novo classification process, a regulatory pathway for novel, low- to-moderate-risk medical devices that are first-of-a-kind, for which special controls can be developed, in addition to general controls, to provide a reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness of the devices.”

Post-Traumatic Headache After an Accident

Mon, 29 Aug 2016 18:26:00 GMT

Post-Traumatic Headache After an Accident | Wisconsin Brain Injury Attorney Randy Rozek

In this video, Brain Injury Attorney Randy Rozek explains what to do if you are suffering from post-traumatic headache following an accident .

Following trauma to the head or neck, the most common symptom of pain for the individual is a post-traumatic headache. It’s important for the individual to get proper treatment for their headache symptoms .

In order to do so, they need to document the frequency, nature and severity of the headaches. We offer a free download where they can keep a headache journal, and this is a form to be filled out to document those things. This includes frequency, duration and location of the headaches. They can then take this in to their doctor, and explain exactly what is going on with the headache, whether there is improvement over time, worsening over time, or any triggers. The download is free of charge.

Learn more: Post Traumatic Headache Attorney Wisconsin

Eau Claire Man Killed in Work Incident

Sun, 28 Aug 2016 17:57:00 GMT

An Eau Claire man was killed while working at a Wisconsin plant on Monday afternoon.

Read More: Wrongful Death Attorney in Wisconsin

According to various media reports, the incident occurred about 4 p.m. at Huffcut Concrete in Lake Hallie.

“The Chippewa County Sheriff’s Department says Otto Kolpien, 47, was an employee at the plant,” according to an article by WEAU . “Deputies say Kolpien got pinned underneath a heavy piece of industrial equipment. The cause of the accident is under investigation.”

WEAU reports they reached out to Huffcut for comment, but the company declined to say anything other than the fact that the incident is currently under investigation and that the investigation will be ongoing.

According to their website, Huffcutt Concrete was founded in 1945 in Chippewa Falls, WI. What was once a small plant primarily providing septic tanks to nearby communities, Huffcutt Concrete has grown to serve several major product areas. The company focuses on modular buildings, vault toilets, restrooms, utility buildings and other parks and recreation products. Its products are available across the country while still maintaining strong farm and septic product lines.

Huffcutt Concrete offers a diverse product line including standard and customized modular buildings, restrooms, vault toilets, utility buildings and recreational products as well as secure storage, agricultural products, septic tanks and more. Custom products are also available.

The sheriff’s department, Chippewa Fire District, and OSHA are involved in the investigation.

The incident occurred just days before OSHA’s Labor Rights Week.

Every year during Labor Rights Week federal agencies, consulates and embassies as well as educational, labor, and community organizations join together to remind the nation’s workers that everyone who works in the United States has the same workplace rights. This year, the week runs from Aug. 29 to Sept. 4 with events taking place all over the country.

During Labor Rights Week , OSHA reminds all those who work in the United States of their right to:

Three Injured in Crash With State Trooper

Sun, 28 Aug 2016 01:03:00 GMT

Three people, including a child, were injured in a crash with a Wisconsin State Trooper in Arcadia last weekend.

According to an article by WEAU , the Trempealeau County Sheriff’s Department released a statement about the crash that says it happened about 10:30 a.m. the morning of Saturday, August 20.

“A Wisconsin State Trooper was driving along State Highway 93 near the intersection of County Highway A in the Township of Arcadia when he tried turning around on a suspected traffic violator,” the article reads. “During the turn, the trooper was hit by another vehicle.”

The trooper and the two people in the other vehicle were transported to Tri-County Hospital in Whitehall with non-life threatening injuries, WEAU reports .

The article does not say whether or not the state trooper had the lights or sirens on while attempting to turn around on the roadway.

The names of those involved were released on August 24 in an article by the Leader-Telegram.

“Trooper Neal Walsh was attempting to turn his vehicle around on a suspected traffic violator when a collision occurred with a vehicle driven by Charlene Bautch, 50, of Arcadia,” the Leader-Telegram article reads . “Walsh, Bautch and Bautch’s 11-year-old daughter were transported to Tri-County Hospital in Whitehall with non-life-threatening injuries.”

No information had been released as of Thursday night in regards to the medical status of the three who were injured or whether or not anyone is facing charges in connection to the incident.

The crash remains under investigation by the Trempealeau County Sheriff’s Department.

Researchers Receive $800,000 Grant to Study Brain Connections

Fri, 26 Aug 2016 18:23:00 GMT

Colorado researchers recently won an $800,000 grant that will allow them to try and reconnect neural communication between parts of the brain where it has been severed.

According to an article by Medical News , the researchers are from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and the University of Colorado Boulder. The research could help those suffering from brain injury , stroke, Parkinson’s disease and other neurological problems.

“The team of neuroscientists and engineers will use a special lightweight microscope, which they designed, to peer into and control the living brain of a mouse as they try to reconnect parts of the brain that no longer communicate with each other,” the article reads . “The miniature microscope, using a unique electrowetting lens, is mounted on the head of a mouse and with its high-powered, fiber-optic light can actually view and control neural activity as it happens.”

According to grant co-investigators Juliet Gopinath and Victor Bright, both from CU Boulder, it’s the adaptive optical devices that are included in a miniature microscope that are the game changer in the experiment. Those devices enable a miniature 3D image without mechanically moving parts.

According to Gopinath and Bright, the electrowetting lens is low power, compact and has good optical quality, which makes it ideal for this kind of research. The liquid lens can also change shape when voltage is applied.

“The team will use an optic fiber to disrupt the signals between the olfactory bulb of a mouse, which receives information on odors, and the olfactory cortex, the part of the brain that allows it to smell. In essence, they will shut down its ability to smell and then try to restore it by activating the olfactory cortex using the miniature microscope,” the article reads. “The mouse will be awake and behaving normally throughout this while the team views and controls what is happening in the brain with the electrowetting fiber-coupled microscope. They can stimulate the animal’s brain activity using powerful laser light that flows through the microscope’s fiber-optic bundle.”

With certain brain injuries or diseases, sometimes one part of the brain stops communicating with another part of the brain. For instance, if someone has a stroke, sometimes they may not be able to speak. Once connections between brain areas are lost, it is difficult to get them communicating again.

“If researchers are successful reestablishing brain connections in a mouse, they may be able do the same in humans with brain injury or disease,” the article reads. “If this experiment is successful … this microscope could eventually be modified to activate neurons in the visual cortex based on the visual input. In other words, creating a bridge between two parts of the brain where communication has stopped.”

Two Killed, 75 Hurt on Wisconsin Fair Rides Since 2006

Thu, 25 Aug 2016 18:47:00 GMT

Within the last 10 years, at least 75 people have been injured on Wisconsin carnival rides and two have been killed.

According to an article by the Green Bay Press Gazette , Kay Kobussen had never ridden a roller coaster before, but a 2014 couples outing in the Wisconsin Dells seemed a good time to try something new.

“The foursome boarded the OPA “Twister Coaster” — an indoor ride that topped out at 44 feet — at Mt. Olympus Resort, and all was well as they neared the end of the ride’s numerous hairpin turns ,” the article reads. “Then her husband flew out.”

A malfunctioning lap bar released on a turn and Tony Theisen, 63, was thrown from the roller coaster car. He struck three metal poles and then landed face down 17 feet below. Theisen spent three weeks in a coma with traumatic brain injury . He also broke his neck, back, wrist and toes as a result of the tragedy.

“I saw my now ex-husband out in space. No longer sitting in the car,” Kobussen said in the article , who said she divorced Theisen due to personality and temperament changes that followed the fall. “My life changed forever. I’m not the same person; neither is he.”

Brain injury sometimes causes subtle or pronounced changes in personality, according to an article in Psychology Today . Damage to specific areas of the brain, including the frontal and temporal lobes, amygdala, and hippocampus might leave the survivor vulnerable to agitation, volatile emotions, memory impairment, verbal attacks, physical aggression and impaired impulse control.

Physical vulnerability combines with emotional responses to life changes to cause problems. These problems might occur only occasionally, or be a repeated challenge to daily functioning and relationships.

“An ensuing investigation

Semi-Truck Crashes Into Minivan in Luxemburg, Two Injured

Wed, 24 Aug 2016 18:14:00 GMT

Two people were hospitalized following a crash involving a semi-truck in Kewaunee County on Thursday.

The sheriff’s department released a statement saying the crash between the semi-truck and a minivan happened about 7:45 a.m. at the corner of Luxemburg Road and Rendezvous Road in the Town of Luxemburg, according to an article by WTAQ.

“The semi was driving north on Rendezvous when the driver, a 51-year-old Crivitz man, ran the stop sign and struck the minivan,” the article reads. “The semi driver lost control, went off the road and hit a utility pole. The semi’s trailer was empty at the time, officials say.”

According to the article, a 32-year-old Luxemburg woman was driving the minivan. She and one of the two children who were riding in the van as passengers were taken to the hospital with injuries they sustained as a result of the crash.

Various news reports suggests their injuries were non-life threatening.

Authorities continue to investigate the crash.

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, in 2012, the most recent data available, 3,802 large trucks were involved in fatal crashes in the United States, a 5 percent increase from 2011. Large truck and bus fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled by all motor vehicles increased by 3 percent, from 0.137 in 2011 to 0.141 in 2012.

From 2011 to 2012 in the U.S.:

Report Rules out Mechanical Issues as Cause of Safety Officer’s Death; Airbags Failed to Deploy

Tue, 23 Aug 2016 19:19:00 GMT

The Wisconsin State Patrol has reportedly ruled out mechanical issues as a possible cause of a crash that killed town of Salem Safety Officer Michael Joshua Ventura, but it does read that the airbags failed to deploy.

According to an article by Kenosha News , a crash reconstruction report completed by Trooper Michael Smith shows there were no pre-existing mechanical problems with the sport utility vehicle used as a squad car by the Salem Safety Department.

“Inspector R.T. Krisher, of Wisconsin State Patrol, reported the vehicle had six recalls, but none that were outstanding,” the article reads. “The inspection showed the airbags did not deploy during the crash, the emergency lights and siren were activated at the time of the crash and that Ventura was not wearing a seat belt.”

“The steering, suspension and brake components appeared to have been intact and operational prior to the crash,” Krisher concluded. “I found no pre-existing conditions that would have caused or contributed to the crash.”

The report says Ventura was traveling between 82 and 85 mph at the time of the incident.

According to the report, Ventura was assigned to boat patrol on Silver Lake that day, and a witness verified his presence on the lake prior to the crash.

“Dispatch logs from the Twin Lakes Police Department indicate Ventura began his shift at 2:41 p.m. Ventura reported via a 4:19 p.m. radio transmission he was leaving Silver Lake for vehicle maintenance,” the article reads. “Evidence collected from Ventura’s cell phone and a credit card bill show he ate dinner at the 75th Street Inn. At 5:15 p.m., Ventura reportedly texted his wife that he was going to check the lake when he was done eating and would come home if there were no boats on the lake.”

“At this time there is no evidence to support or explain why the officer was traveling in emergency status at the time of the crash,” Smith wrote in the report.

Ventura lost control near the south shoulder of Highway 50 and the vehicle spun across both westbound lanes, entered the north ditch and rolled over.

The autopsy report is not yet complete. According to the report, it will be available in upcoming months. The article does not mention whether or not the lack of air bag deployment may have contributed to his death.

Wisconsin Motorcyclist Dies in DUI-Related Crash

Mon, 22 Aug 2016 18:35:00 GMT

A memorial service was planned for Thursday for a McHenry County man who died after his motorcycle collided with a vehicle whose driver was under the influence of alcohol, according to an article in the Chicago Tribune.

“Steven Thomas, 26, of Richmond, died Aug. 11 after his organs were harvested for donation,” his mother, Becky Thomas said in the article. “The man who authorities said collided with Thomas’ motorcycle on Aug. 10 — Christian Heaney, 44, of Johnsburg — was initially charged with aggravated DUI causing injury and released from custody after posting bond. But after Thomas died, authorities increased the charge to aggravated DUI causing death, and Heaney appeared in court on the new charge on Tuesday.”

Heaney was reportedly driving a 2014 Range Rover southbound on U.S. Highway 12 in Richmond, near the Wisconsin state line, when he crashed into Thomas and his motorcycle, according to court documents . Thomas was pronounced dead at Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville.

“With the enhanced charge against Heaney, his bond was increased tenfold, to $250,000. In McHenry County court Tuesday, Heaney’s lawyer, Mark Facchini, sought to have his client’s bond lowered to $100,000, saying Heaney was not a threat to the public,” the article reads. “That was denied, but hours after the hearing, Heaney posted the required $25,000 and was released.”

Thomas graduated from Richmond-Burton High School in 2008 and worked on farms in the rural community both before and since he graduated. He was employed by Geils Farms in Harvard for the last four years.

“He was a very hard worker, but he loved what he was doing,” Becky Thomas said.

Thomas also participated in football and weightlifting at Richmond-Burton and was a fan of county fairs, tractor pulls and bowling.

“He’d help anybody and everybody,” his mother said — and noted that, even in death, he was still helping others through the donation of his organs.”

Thomas is also survived by his father Ted and sister Samantha. A visitation and funeral for Thomas was held on Thursday at Ehorn-Adams Funeral Home.

Actor Says He Considered Suicide Following TBI

Sun, 21 Aug 2016 20:14:00 GMT

Following a severe injury in 2014, Tracy Morgan recently revealed he considered taking his own life following a traumatic brain injury he suffered as a result of the crash , which also killed his close friend.

“I thought about suicide man,” the Atlanta Journal Constitution reports Morgan said on Howard Stern‘s show on Sirius/XM. “I was that damaged in the hospital man. I didn’t want to live … I was struggling to say words. I couldn’t walk.”

The accident occurred when a Walmart truck crashed into his limo bus from behind.

“That crash turned me into an emotional wreck,” Morgan said . “Anybody out there listening, you try to get hit by a truck going that fast with 85,000 pounds of frozen food in the back, watch what it

Thousands of Children Suffer Injuries Due to Strollers, Baby Carriers Each Year

Sat, 20 Aug 2016 18:58:00 GMT

According to a recently released study, thousands of children make their way to the emergency room each year due to injuries associated with baby carriers and strollers, many of them traumatic brain injuries.

The study was published last week in the journal Academic Pediatrics.

“Investigators estimated that an average of 17,187 children younger than 5 were brought annually to the ER during the two-decade study with injuries ranging from mild to severe, though experts note that many of these kinds of injuries result from misuse of the products that are not necessarily dangerous in and of themselves,” an article released by ABC News reads. “The most common injuries were bumps and bruises, and they were often on the head and face, according to the study. But about one- quarter of patients visited the ERs for more serious conditions, such as concussions or traumatic brain injuries, of which a small percentage resulted in hospitalization and can have longer-term effects.”

A co-author of the study, Kristin Roberts of the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Ohio, said she has two small children and uses the products regularly. She said in the article that she was surprised at the number of injuries reported as a result of the products that landed children in the emergency room.

“Roberts and her co-investigators reached their conclusions after analyzing data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, which is operated by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to provide information on consumer product and sports-related injuries treated in U.S. emergency rooms,” the article reads . “The researchers then combined that information with data from a sample of 100 hospitals and the U.S. Census Bureau to estimate national injury rates involving strollers and carriers, both the wearable and basket-like versions with handles.”

Results of the study show an estimated 360,937 children younger than 5 were brought to the emergency room during the study period, which was from 1990 to 2010.

While total stroller and carrier injuries decreased “significantly” during the 21-year study period, the percentage of serious traumatic brain injuries related to strollers and carriers increased to 53 percent of all injuries in 2010 from 18 percent in 1990, according to the study.

“Most injuries – or 60 to 65 percent — were a result of children’s falling from strollers and carriers, and another 15 to 30 percent occurred when the products tipped over,” the article reads . “The majority of patients were male (52.4 percent), younger than 1 (54.9 percent) and were not hospitalized (96.5 percent) for their injuries, according to the study.”

The “persistence of injury over time suggests more can be done,” Roberts said.

According to the article , new federal mandates have been issued in the last few years in an effort to make strollers and carriers even safer, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Elliot Kaye, chairman of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, said new regulations have been implemented since the end of the study period in 2010 that make strollers even safer today.

“The good news for parents who rely on strollers and carriers is that new federal mandatory safety standards for these products address many of the risks to children identified in this study,” Kaye said in a statement . “For this reason, my message to parents is: newer is better. Safer juvenile products that meet these mandatory standards are in stores and online today. They are designed and built with critical safety features that I strongly encourage parents to use each time their children are in a stroller or carrier.”

Mother Pleas for Skateboarders to Wear Helmets

Fri, 19 Aug 2016 15:03:00 GMT

A mother’s emotional video plea for skateboarders to wear helmets has gone viral.

Emma Fairthorne posted the video after her daughter, Georgia, suffered a serious head injury when she fell from a skateboard while visiting family.

The video Fairthorne recorded has been watched more than a million times online.

According to an article by Sky News , Georgia, 19, has been in an induced coma at University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff since the accident on August 5.

Georgia is fighting for her life in the hospital.

“The teenager has since undergone surgery for a bleed on the brain,” the article reads. “In the video, Emma Fairthorne urged parents to ‘just take care’ and ensure their children wore helmets. She said I wish as a

Five Injured in Multiple Crashes on Interstate 41

Thu, 18 Aug 2016 20:00:00 GMT

Five people were injured in multiple crashes along Interstate 41 Thursday night, Aug 11.

Various media reports say the five people were residents of Fox Cities, according to the Wisconsin State Patrol.

The Post Crescent reports one of the residents, a 40-year-old Appleton woman, was in serious condition Friday morning at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah, a spokeswoman said.

At least two of the crashes involved cement-mixer trucks and another, a FedEx semi-truck.

“About 6 p.m. Thursday, a sport utility vehicle rear-ended a FedEx semi-truck while heading north near Richmond Street. Those vehicles pulled off to the right shoulder, according to the article . “As traffic continued north past the crash , a cement mixer struck a sedan. The driver of the sedan, a 20-year-old Kimberly man, and three passengers — a 21-year-old Little Chute man, a 19-year-old Menasha woman and an 18-year-old Kimberly man — were all taken to ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Appleton for injuries.”

While authorities were responding to the two crashes, another crash occurred between a mid-size vehicle that was heading south on I-41 at Richmond Street and a different cement-mixer truck.

According to the article, the mid-size vehicle struck the cement-mixer truck and then struck a sedan.

“The driver of the mid-size vehicle, the 40-year-old Appleton woman, was taken to ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Appleton and later moved to ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah,” the article reads. “The Grand Chute Police Department investigated the first crash, while the State Patrol handled the other two.”

According to an article by WBAY , the Wisconsin Department of Transportation says the first crash happened about 6 p.m., which caused traffic to slow down. Grand Chute police are investigating this crash.

The DOT says the second crash happened while traffic was moving past the first crash. A 2017 cement mixer hit a Honda Accord. The driver of the cement-mixer truck was not injured.

“While first responders were dealing with the second crash, the third crash happened southbound on I-41 at Richmond Street,” according to WBAY . “A Ford Contour hit a 2014 cement mixer and was then hit by a Ford Fusion. … Neither the driver of the Fusion or the driver of the cement-mixer were hurt.”

The Wisconsin State Patrol is investigating both crashes involving the cement mixers.

The DOT says no one in any of the vehicles was using alcohol. No information was released in regards to charges in any of the crashes.

Motorcyclist Killed in Head-on Crash

Thu, 18 Aug 2016 00:21:00 GMT

A motorcyclist was killed Friday night, Aug. 5 near Eagle after a head-on collision.

The motorcyclist was a 52-year-old man from Mukwonago, according to various news reports.

The Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department released a statement that reads the man was the driver of a motorcycle struck head-on by a car driven by a 19-year old woman from Palmyra. The crash occurred about 11:30 p.m. on Waukesha County Road NN west of Jericho Road in the Town of Eagle.

“According to the Sheriff’s report, the car was traveling west and attempting to pass a second westbound vehicle when it collided with two motorcycles traveling east on the same highway, an article by CBS 58 reads. “The man, the driver of the lead motorcycle, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of a second motorcycle, a 46-year-old man from the Town of Vernon was also struck and injured. He was taken to the Waukesha Memorial Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. The woman received medical treatment for what

Some Activity may be Beneficial for Young Athletes with Concussion

Tue, 16 Aug 2016 23:08:00 GMT

As high school athletes return to the practice fields this week, researchers are focused not only on how to prevent potential brain injuries, but also how best to treat young people who have already experienced traumatic brain injury .

Dr. Danny Thomas, a pediatric emergency medicine physician at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin and an associate professor of pediatric emergency medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin has devoted a study specifically on the topic and according to an article by CBS 58, the results of his study could change the way concussion patients are treated.

It’s long been thought that activity too quickly following a concussion may make symptoms worse.

“Thomas says the team of doctors involved in the study looked at symptom spikes, which are an increase in your symptoms from day one, to day two,” the article reads. “They found about one third of patients had some sort of spikes and didn’t get better immediately. However, the majority of those did not have an increase in physical activity that would cause their spikes.”

While spikes occurred in subjects despite an increase in physical activity, the same study did find that mental activities such as returning back to school did increase symptom spikes..

Thomas says in the article that means some activity may be good, but the most important thing is to prevent a second concussion while recovering.

“I think it’s really still important to recognize that while we are saying it is OK to go back to school and some light activity, it is absolutely vital not to go back to sports and collision sports, or any high-risk activities like rock climbing or roller coaster riding, until you were truly fully recovered because it can be dangerous if you go back to soon,” Thomas said in the article .

Thomas says it can take up to 10 days for concussion patients to fully recover.

Why Hire an Airplane Crash Attorney?

Tue, 16 Aug 2016 01:00:00 GMT

In the unfortunate event of an airplane crash , the federal government through the NTSB will investigate the crash and the causes for the crash.

They typically involve pilot error or equipment malfunction. But an airplane attorney can properly do their own investigation. They can speak to witnesses and document the case. Doing this may uncover additional evidence as to what may have caused the crash.

Learn more: Airplane Crash Attorney in Wisconsin

Wisconsin Researchers Use Device to Examine Brain Activity

Mon, 15 Aug 2016 22:16:00 GMT

New research that delves into the brain activity of people in the restful non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep may eventually help in the treatment of people with traumatic brain injury .

“Researchers from Aalto University and the University of Wisconsin utilized a TMS-EEG device, which combines transcranial magnetic stimulation and EEG, to examine how the brain activity of people in the restful non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep is affected by whether they dream or do not dream,” a release reads on the News Medical website . “When the NREM sleep of subjects had lasted at least three minutes, researchers gave magnetic pulses that induced a weak electric field and activated neurons. After a series of pulses, the subject was woken with an alarm sound, and they were then asked whether they had dreamed and to describe the content of the dream.”

It is traditionally thought that dreaming occurs only in REM sleep. However, subjects in the study demonstrated they have woken from NREM sleep and are able to give accounts of their dreams in more than half of cases,’ Post-doctoral Researcher Jaakko Nieminen from Aalto University explains in the release.

“EEG showed that the deterministic brain activity produced by magnetic pulses was notably shorter in people who did not dream, i.e. were unconscious, than in people who had dreamt. We also observed that the longer the story about the dream, the more the subject’s EEG resembled that measured from people who were awake,” Nieminen explains in the release.

It is believed that assessment of consciousness may help in treatment of brain injury patients .

Nieminen performed the measurements with his research colleague Olivia Gosseries at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Center for Sleep and Consciousness.

“The measurements were carried out during a period of over 40 nights and a total of 11 subjects participated. Due to sleeping difficulties and other challenges, reliable measurements could only be acquired from six subjects. During the night, subjects were woken a maximum of 16 times,” the release reads. “Consciousness in different physiological states has previously been researched with TMS-EEG measurements. We wanted to eliminate all other differences related to the different states as thoroughly as possible, and for this reason we focused on the narrow physiological state of NREM sleep, Nieminen notes.”

Transcranial magnetic stimulation is already utilized to treat those with depression and pain. According to Nieminen, in the future the precise data provided by TMS¬-EEG measurements on the state of consciousness may also help in the treatment of those brain injury patients who are unable to communicate.

Moline Couple Killed in Crash With Semi

Sun, 14 Aug 2016 16:42:00 GMT

A Moline couple was killed the morning of August 5 in a Wisconsin traffic accident involving a semi.

Read More: Truck Accident Attorney in Wisconsin

Dispatch-Argus qconline reports that according to the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, Dr. John Hansen, 69, and his wife, Francine, 66, were in a two-vehicle crash shortly before 9 a.m. near Lancaster, Wis., about 20 miles northwest of Platteville.

John Hansen and his wife, Francine, were pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Grant County Sheriff.

“According to the sheriff’s office, the Hansons’ SUV was struck by a semi driven by Eugeniu Caraus, 27, of Lombard, who failed to stop at the intersection of Highway A and Highway 129,” the article reads. “Dr. Hansen operated Hansen Family Dentistry LLC in Moline and was president of the Rock Island District Dental Society. After 41 years, he retired in 2012. Mrs. Hansen taught at Denkmann Elementary School in Rock Island before her children were born and continued to volunteer at school through the PTA.”

According to various news reports, no charges had been filed against Caraus as of Monday morning, August 8; and the crash remains under investigation.

Rafferty Funeral Home in Moline is handling services for Dr. and Mrs. Hansen.

Man Dead After Crash Involving Recycling Truck

Sun, 14 Aug 2016 00:14:00 GMT

A Waunakee man was killed Wednesday in Columbia County according to a statement released from the Wisconsin State Patrol.

Read More: Auto Accident Attorney in Georgia

According to a story posted by WKOW, Wednesday morning, about 8:20, the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office was called to a two-vehicle crash on Highway 60 at County Highway C in the Town of Hampden.

“A Columbia County recycling truck did not stop for a stop sign and struck a pickup truck, trapping that driver inside,” the article reads.

Rescue personnel were called in to extricate the man, who was identified on Thursday as 47-year-old Kenneth M. Helt. Rio EMS and Med Flight doctors provided emergency care, however, the driver was pronounced dead at the scene.

Helt reportedly was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the incident and the driver of the recycling truck was not injured as a result of the crash .

The crash remains under investigation by the Sheriff’s Office and the Wisconsin State Patrol. Highway 60 was shut down for nearly three hours.

Lodi Enterprise reports the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call reporting a two vehicle accident with one of the vehicles rolling over after impact.

“The initial report was that one of the vehicles did not stop for the stop sign and struck the other vehicle. The vehicles involved were a Columbia County Recycling truck and a Chevrolet K2500 truck. The driver of the Chevrolet K2500 truck,” the Lodi Enterprise story reads. “The initial investigation indicates that the Columbia County Recycling truck did not stop for the stop sign. The crash remains under investigation by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office and the Wisconsin State Patrol. The Wisconsin State Patrol Accident Reconstruction Team processed the scene.”

The Columbia Highway Department assisted with the traffic detour.

The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Arlington and Rio Fire, Rio EMS, Wisconsin State Patrol, Rio Police Department, Med Flight, Columbia County Medical Examiner’s Office and Blystone’s Towing.

Adaptive Yoga Class Aimed at Helping Traumatic Brain Injury Patients

Fri, 12 Aug 2016 20:48:00 GMT

Love Your Brain Foundation is offering a workshop in Denver that utilizes adaptive yoga to help people who have suffered traumatic brain injury .

“Most of us think of pretzel-like shapes when we think of yoga, but teachers training for an upcoming adaptive-yoga course had to take on a different challenge — teaching the muscle engagement required for downward-facing dog pose while sitting in a chair,” an article in The Denver Post reads. “The techniques teachers learned in recent sessions at The River Power Vinyasa Yoga, in the Golden Triangle, equipped them to teach a community just beginning to dip their toes into yoga — those who have suffered traumatic brain injuries ( TBI ). The teachers are preparing for a free six-week series for TBI survivors offered by the River beginning in September.”

Organized by Love Your Brain Foundation, the workshop is the first one of its kind in the Denver area. Former pro snowboarder Kevin Pearce created the organization to promote community and foster resilience after he suffered a TBI in 2009 while training for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver . Kevin reportedly hit his head on a 22-foot wall of the halfpipe he was training on and spent six weeks doing physical therapy at Craig Hospital shortly after.

Kevin’s older brother, Adam, who is also co-founder of Love Your Brain Foundation, told The Denver Post that they realized there’s a lack of support for those who are recovering from a TBI, which he says often leads to isolation and depression. Without resources and support, Adam said it makes it difficult for TBI survivors to move forward in their lives.

Since researchers have not extensively explored the link between yoga and TBIs, Love Your Brain partnered with Dartmouth University to conduct a pilot study that tried to distill which aspects of yoga are most important for people with TBIs. The organization officially launched its curriculum in November 2015, based on their findings from the pilot study.

“Over the last two years, Love Your Brain fine-tuned the program presented in July. The current curriculum integrates breathing exercises, physical yoga, guided meditation and discussion,” the article reads. “Colorado, which ranks 13th in the country of hospitalizations due to a TBI according to the Traumatic Brain Injury National Data Center, will be the fifth state to offer Love Your Brain’s yoga curriculum.”

New Testing Being Administered to Help Evaluate Athletes Who May or May Not Have Suffered Concussions

Thu, 11 Aug 2016 22:49:00 GMT

An Illinois high school is implementing this year new testing that Wisconsin schools have used annually to help evaluate athletes who have suffered traumatic brain injury . The test, which seems more like a game when taken, will help coaches better determine whether the athletes are fully recovered from a concussion and whether or not they are ready to get back on the field or not.

According to an article on Saukvalley.com , blue squares, red circles, and black rectangles were displayed on a computer screen. X’s and O’s, mashed into what looked like a giant tic-tac-toe board, appeared on another as 10 athletes sat in front of a row of computers.

“In Room 9 at West Carroll High School, a total of 21 athletes over the school’s nine sports teams and flag squad spent almost an hour of their Wednesday morning taking a pre- concussion ImPact test – a baseline test administered by the Monroe Clinic out of Monroe, Wisconsin,” the article reads . “This is the first year West Carroll registered for the testing. Athletic director Joe Hansen decided it would be smart after he saw its benefits while coaching football at two schools in Wisconsin that had the tests available yearly.”

Hansen said in the article the testing is important because of all of the concussions that have been happening in recent years.

“We want parents to be more informed and have all the tools available. We want to know that when

Technology Allows the Blind to See Through the Tongue

Wed, 10 Aug 2016 22:39:00 GMT

Technology developed at the University of Wisconsin roughly two decades ago that allows the visually impaired to receive visual information through their tongue recently received FDA approval.

The technology, called the BrainPort V100 system, is now available for purchase, according to an article on Big Ten Network (BTN).

While the BrainPort V100 is a new system, sold privately through Wicab, Inc., the technology was developed roughly two decades ago at Wisconsin’s Tactile Communication and Neurorehabilitation Laboratory (TCNL) in the university’s Department of Kinesiology. Kurt Kaczmarek, one of the lab’s three project directors, was part of the initial development of the technology in the ’90s.

“Kaczmarek describes the technology as ‘just pulses.’ He and his lab colleagues hope to discover if, when combined with physical therapy, this technology can improve the efficacy of the therapy for individuals with traumatic brain injury and other neurological disorders,” the article reads .

How it works: a video camera is positioned between the eyes and connected to a processor that feeds electrical pulses to a plate on the tongue. Sensory nerves pick up the stimuli and the brain interprets the incoming sensations, making a picture of the world.

“It spun out of a challenge that Paul Bach-y-Rita, who’s our lab founder, made to myself and one of my colleagues Mitchell Tyler … and what Paul proposed is that the tongue would be a good source to display information” Kaczmarek says in the article . “Paul reasoned that the brain has a big chunk of real estate devoted to processing information from the tongue, so there’s about as much brain that processes tongue information as processes information from the hands.”

Kaczmarek and his colleagues conducted their first experiment in 1998, but at the time their technology was designed for the fingertip. In 1999, Kaczmarek designed the first tongue display unit. Now more than 15 years later, Kaczmarek is pleased to see the technology make it to market, though he hasn’t worked with it directly for years.

“TCNL, which is directed by Kaczmarek, Mitchell Tyler and Yuri Danilov, has shifted the majority of its research energy toward the Portable Neuromodulation Stimulator (PoNS) , which also stimulates the tongue, but acts as a very different kind of rehabilitation tool from the BrainPort,” the article reads. “We’re trying not to get too caught up into the particular conditions. We’re looking at it from the point of view that, even in a damaged state, the brain is capable of recovering function — that’s where physical and occupational therapy come in — and how can we maximize or optimize that process, both through choice of therapy activity and combination with stimulation of the sensory nerve.”

In the future, Kaczmarek said in the article that he hopes the technology can one day be applied to enhancing brain function and not just restoring it.

July Deadliest Month This Year on Wisconsin Roads

Tue, 09 Aug 2016 18:53:00 GMT

Last month was the deadliest month yet this year on Wisconsin roadways.

According to the Wisconsin State Department of Transportation, deaths were unusually high last month with 60 fatalities reported. That’s 21 more fatalities reported than this time last year, the DOT reports.

According to an article by New Richmond News , St. Croix County was somehow spared from traffic deaths during the unusually high statistics reported across the rest of Wisconsin. St. Croix County’s fatality tally currently stands at four for the 2016 year.

“We’re at a number that this

Wisconsin DUI Suspect Acquitted of Charges

Mon, 08 Aug 2016 21:54:00 GMT

A Wisconsin woman was found not guilty in connection to DUI charges stemming from a 2014 crash that seriously injured a teenager.

According to an article in the Northwest Herald, McHenry County Judge Michael Feetterer returned the not guilty verdict following a July 29 bench trial for Kelly L. Kufke.

“ Kufke was charged in January 2014 with aggravated DUI, endangering the life and well-being of a child, improper lane usage and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident ,” according to a 2014 article by Northwest Herald. “Kufke was driving a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta south on Alden Road about 4:30 p.m. Jan. 26, 2014, when she crossed into the opposite lane and struck a 2003 Honda Accord driven by James Long of Walworth, Wisconsin, police have said.”

Prosecutors argued that Kufke was under the influence of prescription drugs at the time of the crash .

Long and his passengers, including Wisconsin teenager Kennedy Hehr, 17, were traveling back to Wisconsin from a McHenry County volleyball tournament, Hehr testified. She said she was asleep in the back seat and woke up to “excruciating pain.” Hehr suffered a ruptured intestine and spent 11 days in the hospital as a result of the crash.

Kufke and two children in her car were taken to Centegra Hospital.

“More than two years after the crash, Hehr, of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, said she still deals with severe stomach pain. Hehr and several family members were present in the courtroom on Thursday,” according to the article. “After weighing evidence and arguments presented by the state and defense, Feetterer said the state was unable to prove Kufke was under the influence of drugs that impaired her ability to safely drive.”

Feetterer told the court that the only evidence pointing to what happened the day of the crash was by word of mouth. He said a statement by Kufke to police and testimony from Hehr, who was asleep at the time of the crash, were the only explanations of evidence given. He said prosecutors did not provide any further witnesses or evidence to further explain what transpired, such as testimony from Long or other passengers in the vehicle.

“Kufke’s statement to McHenry County Sheriff’s Deputy Noah Knudson indicated she was driving on Alden Road when she saw a vehicle in the middle of the roadway traveling north. She tried to move to the shoulder to avoid a collision but instead hit the rear end of the vehicle, she said in the article . “Knudson testified that when he spoke with Kufke, she had difficulty answering questions and would doze off. He also said he saw at least nine pill bottles containing medication that included oxycodone, gabapentin and topiramate. He said from these inferences he believed she was under the influence of drugs.”

The roadways were reportedly snow covered and there was a whiteout condition weather warning announced on the day of the crash.

Kufke reportedly suffered head trauma and became dazed because of the concussion she sustained in the crash, which was indicated by medical records. There was no evidence any of the medications in her blood at the time of the crash that showed impairment.

Kufke reportedly said she had taken some of the medications earlier in the morning, several hours before the crash occurred.

Dozens of People Taken to Hospital From Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Mon, 08 Aug 2016 21:39:00 GMT

According to host.madison.com :

“More than two dozen people were taken to a hospital Saturday night when carbon monoxide poisoning forced the evacuation of a wedding reception on Madison’s East Side, according to the Madison Fire Department.

Emergency personnel were called to the indoor soccer club Salon Centinela, 5018 Blazing Star Drive, after someone fainted during a wedding reception there, said Madison Fire Department spokeswoman Cynthia Schuster.

Once inside, paramedics were approached by other guests concerned about an odor in the building and a generator that was running indoors to supply power to a live band. Others also said they weren’t feeling well.

Firefighters entered the building with handheld air monitors, which immediately detected carbon monoxide near the entryway and ultimately peaked at 405 parts per million in the center of the building, Schuster said.

Although the generator supplying power to the band was being moved outside, firefighters determined the building needed to be evacuated and ventilated.

Firefighters used a microphone to shut down the band and calmly evacuated about 300 wedding guests. They also ventilated the building.

A Madison Metro bus provided a medical staging area for the many wedding guests, ranging from young children to older adults, who were feeling ill. UW Hospital East set up a triage area to assist with the large number of patients.

Patients suffered from headaches, dizziness, and/or nausea. All remained alert with stable vital signs, and are expected to be fine, Schuster said.

In addition to 26 patients initially taken by ambulance to UW Hospital East, the Dane County 911 Communications Center said local hospitals also received walk-in patients following the incident.

Schuster warned that the incident illustrates the danger of using fuel-powered equipment, such as generators, indoors. “Carbon monoxide is a known byproduct of this equipment, and it quickly becomes deadly when the odorless gas accumulates in a closed space,” she said.”

Two Suffer Numerous Injuries in Single-Engine Plane Crash

Sun, 07 Aug 2016 19:53:00 GMT

Wednesday morning two people were seriously injured when the plane they were traveling in crashed in the state of Wisconsin.

Authorities told media that the single-engine plane apparently struck some power lines in east-central Wisconsin, causing the plane to crash to the ground.

According to an ABC 7 Chicago News article , the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office says the plane came down Wednesday morning near an intersection in the Town of Fond du Lac.

“The sheriff’s office says two people aboard the plane suffered ‘numerous injuries’ and were taken to hospitals, the article reads. “Authorities say the plane apparently struck power lines along Esterbrook Road and lost control.”

Part of the road was closed while emergency and power crews worked at the scene of the plane crash .

There was no mention in the article of charges filed in connection to the crash or whether the plane was commercial or private.

The crash comes just one day following another small plane crash along a highway in Winnebago County. WBAY-TV reports that officials say no one was seriously injured this crash.

“WBAY-TV reports the single-engine Cessna came to rest Tuesday night on an embankment off Highway 10, about 5 miles from Appleton International Airport,” an article in the Star Tribune reads. “The Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office says everyone is OK.”

The FAA is investigating the crash and the Star Tribune had no mention of any charges filed.

One Injured in Crash Involving Tractor Trailer and Box Truck

Sat, 06 Aug 2016 21:19:00 GMT

A woman was injured Wednesday morning in a crash involving a commercial tractor trailer and box truck.

According to an article by FOX 6 News , the woman, who is from Milwaukee, only suffered minor injuries as a result of the crash .

Officials with the Wisconsin State Patrol said the incident occurred on I-41 southbound at County Highway K, north of Slinger in Washington County Wednesday, August 3rd.

“The call for this incident came in around 10:00 a.m. It happened in the southbound lanes of I-41 in Washington County,” the article reads. “Slinger police, officials with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and Wisconsin State Patrol responded to the scene.”

Officials with the Wisconsin State Patrol told the news station that the driver of the tractor trailer, owned by Quad/Graphics, wasn’t hurt in the crash.

The driver of the box truck was taken to the hospital for treatment of minor injuries and observation.

The article gave no indication about how the crash occurred or who was at fault in the incident, although photos included in the article show the Quad/Graphics tractor trailer on the side of the interstate with the front end smashed in. The tractor trailer is also pictured as being tipped at a slight angle on the side of a ditch.

There was also no mention in the article of charges being filed or citations given to either of the drivers in connection to the crash.

“The Quad/Graphics tractor trailer had to be off-loaded by hand, as the trailer broke in half when a wrecker tried to remove it from the ditch/shoulder,” the article reads.

The article suggests that the trailer breaking in half is what took authorities so long to reopen the stretch of highway to traffic flow following the crash.

As of 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, the right lane of I-41 SB at County Highway K remained closed, and delays in excess of three miles were reported. The scene was cleared about 5:00 p.m., nearly seven hours after the initial emergency call came in.

Study Shows Cannabis May Slow Traumatic Brain Injury Damage

Fri, 05 Aug 2016 19:02:00 GMT

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a serious condition usually caused by an external blow to the head that can cause severe and often chronic symptoms . These symptoms can be cognitive, behavioral, movement related, speech and visual impairing, mood altering, involve painful headaches, and even cause gastrointestinal issues.

According to an article on Leafly, each year in the U.S., nearly 52,000 people die from TBI and 80,000 sustain severe disabilities. Moreover, 5.3 million people in the U.S. live with TBI-related disabilities.

“While effective therapies to treat ongoing TBI symptoms have been difficult to come by, thanks to researchers like Prof. Yosef Sarne of Tel Aviv University, we’ve discovered that cannabis may prevent long-term brain damage by administering THC before or shortly after the injury. In fact, Israel Defense Force (IDF) practitioners administer CBD or low-dose THC as a first-line treatment to IDF soldiers – and even enemy combatants – who suffer brain trauma.”

Sarne and his team published their results in 2013, where they demonstrated that administering just a fraction of the amount of THC that would be found in a typical cannabis joint anywhere from one to seven days prior to, or one to three days after an injury, induces the biochemical processes necessary to protect critical brain cells while preserving long-term cognitive function.

Anecdotally, many patients and their families report success when it comes to helping TBI patients with persistent symptoms.

“Thus far, there aren’t any notable clinical trials demonstrating the efficacy of cannabis to treat ongoing symptoms in TBI patients,” the article reads. “Unfortunately, even outside of cannabis research, phase II/III clinical trials of potential treatments haven’t demonstrated any consistent improvements in outcomes.”

According to the article, there is some evidence that at least lends support to speculation that cannabis-derived treatments may be beneficial:

“ In a three-year retrospective review of 446 separate cases of similarly injured patients, researchers found traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients who had a history of cannabis consumption possessed increased survival rates compared to non-consumers (97.6 percent survived surgery, versus 88.5% of those who didn’t consume cannabis),” a UCLA study reports. “

Two Dead Following Head-on Collision on US 14

Thu, 04 Aug 2016 19:13:00 GMT

Two people are dead following a 3-vehicle head-on collision that occurred Wednesday morning on US 14.

Dane County authorities identified the death of a 72-year-old Oregon woman on the morning of the crash .

“According to information from the Dane County Sheriff’s Office, she was driving north on US 14 near CTH A, when she hit another car head-on. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene. She was the only person in her car,” according to an article by WKOW .

There were four people riding in the car the woman hit and all were reportedly injured as a result of the impact. They were taken to the hospital from the scene of the crash . One of those people, the driver was identified as 93-year-old Benjamin Blum of Madison, who had to be med-flighted. Blum was originally expected to recover from his injuries.

Dane County Sheriff’s officials confirmed Friday morning that Blum died at UW Hospital as a result of injuries he sustained in the crash. The Dane County Medical Examiner’s Office was scheduled to perform an autopsy Friday morning.

“It was originally believed that Blum was the driver of the Dodge Durango, but in fact it was discovered he was a rear passenger in the vehicle, which was hit head-on,” according to the article. “The actual driver of the vehicle was 79-year-old Raphael Shunk of Madison.”

Another car traveling north was also involved in the crash. The driver was the only person in the car and was reportedly not injured. He is 26-year-old Jared Bland of Crystal Lake, IL.

The road was shut down for more than three hours Wednesday morning while authorities reconstructed the crash site. All lanes were reported to be open as of 11:30 a.m.

The crash remains under investigation and no other information has been released.

Two College Punters Killed in Wisconsin Crash

Wed, 03 Aug 2016 16:01:00 GMT

Two rising football punters were killed in a crash Saturday in Waukeha County.

“We join the Nebraska and Michigan State communities in sending our thoughts and prayers to the families, teammates, coaches, administrators and friends who have been impacted by the tragic loss of Sam Foltz and Mike Sadler”, Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany said in a statement to media, according to a media report on lovingfutbol.com .

“This day will be stuck in time forever”, Nebraska coach Mike Riley told local reporters late Sunday evening.

Foltz, 22, from Grand Island Nebraska was identified as a passenger in the vehicle. He was the Big Ten Punter of the Year in 2014.

“Foltz was in the passenger seat of the vehicle, which a sheriff’s department news release said lost control on wet pavement and struck a tree around 11:45 p.m. Saturday. He was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Waukeha County Sheriff’s office, after the auto swerved off a two-lane road, struck a tree and caught on fire,” the article reads. “Speed appeared to be a factor in the crash , the release said.”

Foltz was in a vehicle driven by former Michigan State punter Mike Sadler, who was also pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.

Louisiana State kicker Colby Deleahoussaye was also reportedly injured in the crash.

Authorities said it’s unclear if any of the three men were wearing seatbelts.

“Sadler, who had a 3.97 undergraduate GPA, was driving Saturday night after working at a football camp in Waukesha, Wisconsin. The crash scene is about 10 miles north of the high school,” the article reads. “Dan Tracy with Kohl’s Kicking said both Sadler and Foltz had been coaching at a weekend clinic in Wisconsin.”

There was a somber mood Monday during what normally are festive Big Ten Football Media Days, according to the article.

“Nebraska begins practice next week, and Riley said quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. offered poignant words at a team meeting about the players coming together in the wake of tragedy. The tributes for Foltz and Sadler have been pouring in.”

The crash remains under investigation according to media reports.

Employee of Milwaukee-based Company Killed When Equipment Falls on Her

Tue, 02 Aug 2016 22:09:00 GMT

An employee who works for a Milwaukee-based company was killed Wednesday night after a commercial air conditioner fell off a truck a crushed her.

According to an article in The Seattle Times, the commercial air conditioner weighed 3,200 pounds and fell off a truck at a Pennsylvania plant.

Johnson Controls, Inc. is an American multinational conglomerate producing automotive parts such as batteries and electronics and HVAC equipment for buildings. It employs 170,000 people in more than 1,300 locations across six continents. Johnson Controls headquarters are in Milwaukee Wisconsin .

“Jennifer Wright was helping load the unit onto a trailer at a Johnson Controls plant in Spring Garden Township when it fell off a pallet and landed on her Wednesday night,” the article reads .

The 37-year-old West York woman was freed from underneath the equipment and taken to a hospital, where she later died from injuries sustained in the incident.

“York County Coroner Pam Gay classified Wright’s death as work-related. An autopsy was scheduled for Friday, (July 29, 2016)” according to the article.

Wright was reportedly a temporary employee of the Wisconsin-based company. The article doesn’t reveal the length of time Wright had worked for Johnson Controls.

The vice president of global communications for Johnson Controls released a statement to the public saying that the company is deeply saddened by Wright’s death.

No other information in regards to the incident has been released.

Man Killed in Motorcycle Accident in Wisconsin

Mon, 01 Aug 2016 18:04:00 GMT

A man was killed after his motorcycle was hit from behind in Wisconsin.

According to an article in the Star Tribune, the man who was killed in the crash was from Vadnais Heights, Minnesota.

“The crash happened at about 4 p.m. Sunday on Highway 10 in Pierce County’s Trimbelle Township,” the article reads.

The Pierce County sheriff’s office identified the man as Michael Edward Joyce, 64. Joyce was reportedly driving his 1969 Harley-Davidson motorcycle when he stopped to make a turn. At that time a 54-year-old Beldenville, Wis., woman driving a 2015 Honda CR-V struck his motorcycle from behind. Joyce was ejected from his motorcycle and later was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.

According to media reports the driver of the other vehicle was treated for non-life threatening injuries at River Falls Area Hospital and was released. No information was released in regards to what type of injuries the woman sustained.

There’s also been no information released in media reports in regards to charges stemming from the incident or whether or not Joyce was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

Can You Help Someone Who Was Involved in a Dangerous Property Accident?

Mon, 01 Aug 2016 12:21:00 GMT

Wisconsin Brain Injury Attorney Randy Rozek explains the specific set of state laws that impact dangerous property cases.

Slip-and-fall accidents can include anything from a premises liability accident , any type of accident that occurs because of dangers or hazards on a property. In Wisconsin we have a special set of laws that apply to a business owner, construction site, any place of employment that requires them to keep their property safe and if they violate that requirement then they’re liable to the injured party for the full amount of their damages.

A proper premises liability or slip-and-fall accident attorney will be able to gather evidence at the scene, speak to witnesses, document the case so that later on that evidence is there to prove their injury and prove that it occurred the way that they’re claiming it occurred.