Brain Injury

Boat Crash Kills One; Intoxication Suspected Cause

June 28, 2012 | by Broussard, David & Moroux

Authorities arrested a boater after his fishing boat crashed into a pontoon boat, tragically killing a 9-year-old boy, injuring three others and leaving one teen missing. Authorities allege the man was intoxicated at the time of the collision. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources charged the man with boating under the influence of alcohol.

Studies suggest alcohol contributes to 34 percent of fatal boat accidents each year. Louisiana’s vehicular homicide penal statute applies to both motor vehicles and watercrafts. State law further carries strict criminal penalties for people who boat under the influence of drugs or alcohol, including hefty fines, driver’s license suspension and imprisonment.

Defective Bicycle Frame Cause of Fatal Crash

April 26, 2012 | by Broussard, David & Moroux

A Massachusetts cyclist died in a crash believed to be caused by a defect in the bicycle. Police believe the fork-the portion of the frame that holds the front wheel- separated from the bicycle, causing the crash and killing the father of three.

The fork on the bicycle was the subject of a recall in 2008 by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The manufacturers stated the forks were found to crack and break under certain conditions.

As consumers, we expect our products to be safe and free from dangerous defects. Unfortunately, each year thousands of people are seriously injured by defective products. Tragically, some of the most dangerous defective products are baby products and children’s toys. Products liability is an area of law that holds product designers, manufacturers, distributors and sellers responsible for unreasonably dangerous products under certain circumstances.

Sports-Related Brain Injuries On The Rise

April 19, 2012 | by Broussard, David & Moroux

An increase in the number of sports related traumatic brain injuries has many neurological surgeons and families of athletes concerned with the quality of protective gear.

The Brain Injury Resource Center estimates 300,000 traumatic brain injuries a year are sports-related with concussions being the most common. The American Association of Neurological Surgeons declared traumatic brain injuries to be the leading cause of death from sports-related injuries. According to the Association, from 2008 to 2009 the number of traumatic brain injuries in baseball and softball increased by more than a third, from 26,964 to 38,394. Cycling and football top the list with the highest number of brain injuries.

Dr. Jeff Cone, a Texas neurologist, said equipment is safer now than it was a decade ago, but there is still room for improvement in the design of equipment and prevention of traumatic brain injuries.