Health Insurance

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. 

Last Thursday evening, the Trial Attorneys of New Jersey (TANJ) presented me with this year’s Trial Bar Award for outstanding trial advocacy and professionalism.  TANJ’s mission is to preserve and improve the civil and criminal justice system in New Jersey.  The highlight of the year is its annual trial bar award’s banquet and the presentation of its esteemed trial bar award. 

This year I was honored to receive the award along with Carol Forte, Edward Deutsch and Louis Rupprecht. 

Past recipients of this prestigious award include former Governor and Chief Justice Richard J. Hughes, former New Jersey Supreme Court Justice Robert L. Clifford, and David T. Wilentz who as Attorney General of New Jersey successful prosecuted Bruno Hauptmann in the Lindbergh kidnaping trial.

It was a wonderful event and I was extremely honored to receive this award.

I read an interesting article online last week which details the career of Kyle Turley, offensive tackle for the New Orleans Saints, St. Louis Rams and Kansas City Chiefs. The article recounts the injuries Turley sustained over his nine years in the National Football League and the devastating long-term effects those injuries have had, and continue to have, on his health.  The article serves as an eye-opening inside look into the pressures players face on the field to put the game ahead of their health.

You can read the full article online here.

The New Jersey Division of Disability Services has decided to change the Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Fund. Current financial conditions and a growth in the number of fund cases has resulted in changes which will impact benefits and coverage. As a result, medical co-pays for doctor visits; pharmaceutical co-pays; health insurance / COBRA premiums; disposable medical supplies; co-pays for therapy services; and medical gym memberships will no longer be covered.

For those individuals who have previously been awarded coverage for these items, the Division will continue payments for up to 90 days of service ending on or before December 31, 2009. As of January 1, 2010, no further payments will be made.

For more information on what these changes will mean to you and your family, visit the Division of Disability Serives online here.

The Brain Injury Association of New Jersey’s Children & Adolescents Committee will hold the next session of Brain Injury Basics for Parents & School Professionals next Tuesday October 20, 2009 from 6:30 – 8:30 PM at Rowan University, Chamberlain Building, Room 221, 201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, NJ 08028. The seminar will be presented by Barbara Leech, Ph.D., a Pediatric Neuropsychologist.

The educational seminars are intended for parents, school professionals, and other interested health and disability professionals. During the seminar, attendees will learn to identify, understand and respond to the special needs of students with brain injuries. Professional Development Hour certificates can be presented to school professionals. For additional information or to RSVP, contact Justin Stanley of the Brain Injury Association of New Jersey at 732-745-0200 or by email at jstanley@bianj.org.