North America Brain Injury Society’s Annual Medical Legal Seminar Recap
Last week, I attended the North America Brain Injury Society’s annual medical legal seminar in Austin, Texas. The conference consisted of two programs running simultaneously, one a medical conference for medical providers and the other a medical legal program to educate both plaintiff and defense attorneys regarding traumatic brain injury. The attendees were privileged to hear from the top doctors in the United States on such issues as neuroimaging, concussion in sports, neuropsychology issues and mild traumatic brain injury which was presented by Ronald Ruff, Ph.D.
There was also an outstanding presentation regarding the proposed pediatric national plan (PABI) by Ronald Savage, Ed.D. and Patrick Donohue. Mr. Donohue is the founder of the Sara Jane Brain Injury Project and the leading force in having legislation introduced to set up a national pediatric acquired brain injury program.
On Saturday, we heard an outstanding program presented by Michael E. Nelson, Esq. of Seattle, Washington. Mr. Nelson was the leading force in the enactment of the Lystedt Statute in Washington State regarding the issue of return to play after concussion in youth sports. Mr. Nelson was instrumental in advancing legislation in Washington that was ultimately passed and signed which requires that a child who sustains a concussion during a sporting event be withheld from returning to play until that child is evaluated and cleared by a medical physician who specializes in the treatment and evaluation of children who have sustained brain injury.
On returning from the conference, I have begun to work on having such legislation introduced and passed here in New Jersey.