Long Beach Military TBI Attorney
Military Personnel and Traumatic Brain Injury
As medical technology has improved and the military has increased its ability to treat injured people in the field, more and more service members are surviving combat wounds. But these strides have brought an ugly, unintended side effect: a sharp increase in the amount of combat Veterans returning with traumatic brain injuries, up to 20% according to a 2008 study. A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is any blow to the brain; a concussion is a mild TBI. In civilian life, this is most commonly caused by car accidents or bullet wounds -- but among Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, it's more and more frequently the result of the concussive blast wave from a bomb or improvised explosive device.
Symptoms of Brain Trauma
TBIs from concussive blast waves are an especially big problem because they don't leave any external mark. The victims themselves may not even realize they've suffered a serious injury at first; they may black out for a moment or be knocked down, but get right back up again. It's only later that many notice signs of a serious, permanent injury to their brains, such as:
- Memory loss
- Persistent headaches
- Dizziness and nausea
- Blurred vision or other damage to the senses
- Trouble speaking
- Personality changes or loss of emotional control
- In severe cases, damage to physical movement or intellectual ability
Brain Injuries Affect Combat Veterans
Unfortunately, this lack of outward signs of injury means that many victims have trouble getting the medical care and other help they need from the military. Military doctors may tell them they're fine, provide insufficient care or even accuse them of falsifying an injury to avoid work. Without this diagnosis, service members may be denied disability benefits, punished for the effects of their injuries or even dishonorably discharged. In effect, this punishes wounded combat Veterans for the sacrifices they made on our behalf.
Former Marine and Injury Attorney
Joseph H. Low IV can help combat Veterans from all branches who are fighting to have the military recognize a TBI. As a former Marine, he understands the rules and institutions that govern when and how the military recognizes a serious injury. As an experienced Long Beach military defense lawyer, he knows the military and civilian laws that apply in your case and can use them to fight for you in any TBI case, including:
- Fighting to have a brain injury recognized
- Appealing denials of benefits related to a TBI
- Defending you against disciplinary action related to the effects of a TBI, including an unfair dishonorable discharge
- Defending you in any military criminal proceedings stemming from or related to a TBI, including courts-martial, domestic violence and drug- or alcohol-related charges
Even if you're still on active duty, you have the right to consult a civilian lawyer about any military legal matter -- even criminal military matters. You should call a lawyer who understands the special problems facing wounded service members -- former Marine Joseph H. Low IV. Joseph H. Low is committed to protecting your rights and your freedom and is willing to take on even the toughest case. Call (562) 901-0840 or (888) 454-5569 to discuss your case and your legal options at a free consultation.