(Please note: the names and locations of all parties have been changed to protect the confidentiality of the proceedings.)
Dr. Allen’s report confirms that plaintiff suffered “cortical brain damage based on radiological and electroencephalographic test findings.” In his report Dr. Allen states:
“In my professional opinion, [plaintiff] has sustained significant damage to her brain, which has demonstrated lowered performance over a period of one year following her automobile accident. It is indicated that she has permanent impairment.
I concur with Dr. Shonkoff in concluding that there has been improvement in some areas of functioning. [Plaintiff’s] functioning in the complex abstract thinking realm, remains moderate to severely impaired. This is also true difficulty learning some left hemisphere mediated tasks.
It is indicated and is my opinion that her automobile accident and subsequent injury will limit occupational functioning in may areas. However, it cannot be determined from these neuropsychological evaluations what his future occupational interests will be, and referral for occupational counseling is suggested.
There is also concern that the level of impairment (moderate to severe) with the significant period of unconsciousness will cause him significantly vulnerability to further brain damage upon any future trauma to his brain. Based on the available information and what is becoming apparent from the research on repeat head trauma patients, she is twice as likely as individuals who have not experienced head trauma to develop damage should a second concussion or major injury occur.
It should also be noted that, based on the more recent research on degenerative dementia (last ten years), due to her gender and the severity of brain trauma, she is at greater risk of developing early degenerative dementia or, in many cases, at a substantially greater risk of developing a neuro-psychological condition consistent with and characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease.
She will continue to struggle with cognitive impairment as a direct effect of the automobile accident. She is, in addition, prone to earlier or more rapid decline. Impressive evidence from individual studies and large scale epidemiological research indicates that biochemical changes occur following head injury, from external head trauma or cerebrovascular accident. Based on the severity of [plaintiff’s]’s injury the emerging research estimates a four times greater likelihood of an increase in the brain’s development of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. Since the definition of Alzheimer’s disease pertains to plaques and tangles within the brain that inhibit nerve communication, it follows that such patients are more vulnerable to Alzheimer’s disease itself.” (See Part 6 of 10.)
For more information you are welcome to contact Sacramento personal injury lawyer, Moseley Collins.