Noteboom The Law Firm

New Rules Mean More Chances To Prevent Brain Damage

October 29, 2010 - New protocols were put into effect correcting how soldiers exposed to blasts will be treated. The unparalleled rules mandate every soldier within 165 feet of a blast must be removed from the battlefield for 24 hours and given an examination. Because of these rules, more soldiers have been diagnosed with concussions than ever before.

According to doctors, these rules are serving a great purpose: preventing future permanent brain damage caused by suffering a second concussion before the first one heals.

Once the new protocols were put into place, the number of soldiers diagnosed with concussions jumped from 62 in June to 370 in July. These numbers are from Afghanistan alone. Over 1,000 soldiers were diagnosed with concussions between July and September. That number represents over double the amount of soldiers diagnosed with concussions over the combined 4 months prior.

This may be the breakthrough information that was needed to ensure traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are given the immediate attention they deserve to prevent further injury form lack of treatment. Concussion symptoms include:

• Momentary loss of consciousness;
• Confusion;
• Dizziness; and
• Headache.

 Concussions are obviously much more prevalent than earlier believed. Over the last 8 years, severe brain injuries could very well have been avoided had these current protocols been in place. Roadside bombs being the most frequent cause of injury for soldiers, it is a shame it took so long to give soldiers this type of protection.