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Albany Brain Injury Lawyer & Albany County Brain Trauma Attorney

Each year, open and closed head injuries cause traumatic brain injuries (TBI) that result in more than 2,000 deaths, 18,000 hospitalizations, and 82,000 emergency department visits among New York State residents. In Albany, New York studies have shown that eight (8) percent of the population were released from hospitals with head injuries or traumatic brain injuries in 2007. The risk of sustaining a TBI is greatest for young children, young adults and the elderly. Males are almost twice as likely to be hospitalized with a TBI as females. The leading causes of TBI are car accident, truck accident, motorcycle accident, dangerous drugs, medical malpractice, slip & falls, construction accidents, work accidents, trip & falls, lack of oxygen during surgeries, drowning events, complications at birth, shaken baby syndrome, whiplash, or exposure to blasts, explosions, or toxic or hazardous chemicals like lead, mercury, and manganese. Unfortunately, the tenderness of brain tissue is such that almost any serious event can have life long effects upon the brain.

Along with thousands of deaths and hospitalizations each year, an estimated 75% of all TBI cases are treated and released from emergency departments. Recent data shows that, on average, approximately 1.7 million people in the U.S. sustain a traumatic brain injury annually, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. An experienced Albany brain injury attorney or traumatic brain injury lawyer has the working knowledge to get the right doctors to evaluate and treat your traumatic brain injuries.

What is a TBI?

A TBI is a specific type of damage to the brain that disturbs the function of the brain. Not all blows or jolts to the head result in a TBI. A TBI can occur when the head:

  • is violently shaken by external force (e.g., severe whiplash, shaken baby syndrome)
  • hits a stationary object (e.g., falls, hits a windshield in a car crash)
  • is hit (e.g., by impact from a ball)
  • is penetrated (e.g., gunshot wound)

The severity of a TBI may range from "mild" (e.g., a short change in mental status or consciousness) to "severe" (e.g., an extended period of unconsciousness or amnesia after the injury).

An experienced Albany brain injury lawyer can help you find the right treatment for your specific injury.

What are the signs and symptoms of a TBI?

The signs and symptoms of a TBI can be either subtle or obvious depending on the severity of the injury. Some common signs and symptoms of a TBI include:

  • Headaches or neck pain that do not go away
  • Difficulty remembering, concentrating, or making decisions
  • Slowness in thinking, speaking, acting, or reading
  • Getting lost or easily confused
  • Feeling tired all of the time, having no energy or motivation
  • Mood changes (feeling sad or angry for no reason)
  • Changes in sleep patterns (sleeping a lot more or having a hard time sleeping)
  • Light-headedness, dizziness, or loss of balance
  • Urge to vomit (nausea)
  • Increased sensitivity to lights, sounds, or distractions
  • Blurred vision or eyes that tire easily
  • Loss of sense of smell or taste
  • Ringing in the ears

Children with a brain injury can have the same signs and symptoms as adults, but it is often harder for them to let others know how they feel. Call your child's doctor if they have had a blow to the head and you notice any of these symptoms:

  • Tiredness or listlessness
  • Irritability or crankiness (will not stop crying or cannot be consoled)
  • Changes in eating (will not eat or nurse)
  • Changes in sleep patterns
  • Changes in the way the child plays
  • Changes in performance at school
  • Lack of interest in favorite toys or activities
  • Loss of new skills, such as toilet training
  • Loss of balance or unsteady walking
  • Vomiting

Is a concussion a type of TBI?

Yes. A concussion is a type of brain injury caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head that changes the way the brain normally works.  A concussion can also occur from a blow to the body that causes the head to move rapidly back and forth as whiplash.

What should I do if I think my child has a TBI?

Seek medical attention right away. A health care provider will be able to decide how serious their injury is. If your child was playing a sport while his or her head was injured, do not let your child return to play until a health care professional says it is safe. Athletes who return to play too soon are at a greater risk for having a second TBI.

Incidence of Traumatic Brain Injury in New York State

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) can result in long term problems with independent function, requiring long-term care, and increased life-long expenses.  A knowledgeable, trained Albany brain injury lawyer can help you get the compensation you need and deserve to pay for your medical treatment, lost wages, and rehabilitation when your traumatic brain injury was caused by the negligence of someone else.

Incidence of TBI by County

  • Dutchess County had the highest rate at 137.1 TBI hospitalizations per 100,000 Dutchess County residents. Following second at 131.0 TBI hospitalizations per 100,000 residents is Nassau County.
  • Genessee County has the highest rate at 884.3 outpatient Emergency Department (ED) visits due to TBI per 100,000 Genessee County residents. Following second at 850.4 TBI ED visits per 100,000 residents is Franklin County.

Specific Statistics for Traumatic Brain Injuries by County

Leading Causes of TBI, Male New Yorkers

  • The leading causes of hospitalization due to traumatic brain injury in male New Yorkers include: falls (leading cause for ages 0-14 & 45+), motor vehicle traffic including occupants (leading cause for ages 15-24) and pedestrians (second leading cause for ages 5-14), and assault related injuries (leading cause for ages 25-44).
  • The leading causes of Emergency Department (ED) visits due to traumatic brain injury in male New Yorkers include: falls (leading cause for ages 0-14 & 45+), being struck by or against an object (leading cause for ages 10-19), and assault related injuries (leading cause for ages 20-44).

Specific Statistics for Traumatic Brain Injuries, Male New Yorkers

Leading Causes of TBI, Female New Yorkers

  • The leading causes of hospitalization due to traumatic brain injury in female New Yorkers include: falls (leading cause for ages 0-14 & 45+) and motor vehicle traffic related injuries including occupants (leading cause for ages 15-44) and pedestrians (second leading cause for ages 5-14).
  • The leading causes of Emergency Department (ED) visits due to traumatic brain injury in female New Yorkers include: falls (leading cause for ages 0-14 & 25+), being struck by or against an object (leading cause for ages 15-19), motor vehicle traffic related occupant injuries (leading cause for ages 20-24).

Specific Statistics for Traumatic Brain Injuries, Female New Yorkers

For Direct Inquiries Contact:

  • New York State Department of Health
    Bureau of Injury Prevention
    Riverview Center
    150 Broadway, 3rd Floor West
    Albany, New York 12204-0677
    PHONE: (518) 473-1143
    FAX: (518) 474-3067
    E-MAIL: injury@health.state.ny.us

Resources

Facing a traumatic brain injury is a difficult challenge. The Brain Injury Association of New York State can help. Since 1982, the Brain Injury Association of New York State has provided information, resources, programs, advocacy, and support services to traumatic brain injury survivors, family members, health care professionals, and educators. Whatever the cause of the injury - combat-related traumatic brain injury, stroke, a brain tumor, blast injury, concussion, car accident, truck accident, motorcycle accident, whiplash, shaken baby syndrome, or an acquired brain injury from exposure to chemicals - the Brain Injury Association of New York State offers resources, information and support.

The Resources section provides information about brain injury, services available to assist people with brain injury, and much more. The section is divided into categories to help organize the information. Each category contains an explanation of that topic and links to publications created by the Association and other organizations with information on the subject.

Training – This section gives details of BIANYS brain injury training programs and how to request a training.

The First Steps After Brain Injury – This section explains the basics of brain injury, and is a good starting place for people seeking information for a friend or loved one who has been injured.

Rehabilitation – This section covers the rehabilitation step after a brain injury and gives information relevant to navigating the rehabilitation system.

Community Re-Entry and Life Goals – This section covers many aspects of services are available in the community, and BIANYS publications on adapting to life at home with a brain injury.

Children – This section provides information on brain injury and educational resources for children with brain injury.

Caregivers – This section gives supportive information on being a caregiver

Materials Available in Other Languages – Contained in this section are versions of BIANYS publications in Chinese, Russian, Spanish, and Vietnamese.

Brain Injury Prevention – This section contains information about safety and preventing brain injury in various activities.

The Brain Injury Association of New York State encourages people to download and distribute the publications it has created. Many of the Association’s publications are also available in printed form. Please see the BIANYS Publication order form to request copies.

Area Hospitals  

ALBANY MEDICAL CENTER

43 New Scotland Ave
Albany, NY 12208
(518) 262-3125
WEBSITE: www.amc.edu

ALBANY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

600 Northern Blvd
Albany, NY
(518) 471-3221
WEBSITE: www.nehealth.com

ST. PETER’S HOSPITAL

315 South Manning Blvd
Albany, NY 12208
WEBSITE: www.stpetershealthcare.org

VA MEDICAL CENTER

113 Holland Ave
Albany, NY 12208
(518) 626-5000
WEBSITE: www1.va.gov

Traumatic Brain Injury Prevention, Children Ages Birth to 19 Years

In New York State (NYS), 20 percent of children ages 19 years and younger hospitalized because of an unintentional injury sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI). This is almost 3,000 TBI-related hospitalizations each year in this age group.

The good news is that you, as a parent or caregiver, can play a major role in preventing traumatic brain injury.

Where can I find more information about TBI prevention?

Contact Information for Local Albany, New York City Resources

City Hall
24 Eagle Street
Albany, NY 12207
Hours of Operation
Monday - Friday
8:30 AM to 5:00 PM

Emergencies:

  In case of an emergency: Call 911

 26 Broad Street
 Albany, NY  12202
 General Phone: (518) 447-7879
    
 Fire Chief Robert C. Forezzi, Sr.  (518) 447-7877
 Executive Deputy Chief Warren Abriel  (518) 447-7879

  E-mail: police@albany-ny.org

Non – Emergency (518) 438-4000

Chief’s Office (518) 462-8013
Press Office (518) 462-8756

  • Administrative Services Bureau (518) 462-8019
  • Animal Control (518) 434-5091
  • Detective Division (518) 462-8039
  • Fiscal Operations (518) 462-8021
  • Information Coordination Unit (518) 462-8847
  • Information Systems Unit (518) 462-8846
  • Patrol Division
  •      South Station (518) 462-8049
  •      Center Station (518) 458-5660
  • Police Athletic League (518) 435-0392
  • Office of Professional Standards (518) 462-8017
  • Special Operations (518) 458-5628
  • Traffic Safety Division (518) 458-5675

Deputy Chief Raymond Kalendeck (518) 447-7879
Deputy Chief Frank Nerney (518) 447-7879

Vital Statistics - for more information about how to obtain a birth or death certificate in Albany or elsewhere in New York click http://albanyny.gov/faqs.aspx#vital

What is the fee for a certified copy of a birth or death certificate from the City of Albany?

The fee is $10 per copy or $22 for a genealogy copy from the City of Albany Vital Statistics. Payment is accepted in the form of a certified bank’s check or money order payable to the City of Albany or cash. Cash can only be accepted in person at the office, not through the mail.

How long will it take to get the certified copy from the City of Albany?

If you come in person to Vital Statistics in Albany City Hall, in most cases you will receive the certificate immediately.

U.S. Postal Express, UPS Overnight, FedEx, etc. gets sent out immediately
Regular first class mail requests are usually sent out within 2 days.

Links and Websites of Interest

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