Category: Brain Injury

Nova Scotia Brain Injury Claims: Signs of Minor Traumatic Brain Injury

by John McKiggan

Diagnosing Traumatic Brain Injury

There are a number of diagnostic tests that doctors use to test for brain injury. The problem is that most of the tests (X-Ray, CT Scan, MRI) are not sensitive enough to detect the subtle changes cause by minor traumatic brain injury.

Several years ago I had a case where I was asked to provide a second opinion to someone who had been in a car accident. She had received an offer of compensation based on the fact that she hyad broken some bones in the accident.

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Posted in: Brain Injury, Head Injuries, Personal Injury, Uncategorized

Brain Matter: The Survivor’s Guide to Brain Injury Claims

by John McKiggan


I am very proud to announce the publication of my latest book: Brain Matter: The Survivor’s Guide to Brain Injury Claims.

I have been representing survivors of traumatic brain injury for 20 years. After spending years volunteering with the Brain Injury Association of Nova Scotia I realized there is a real lack of public awareness about traumatic brain injury claims.

So I decided to write a book to try to help educate the public and to provide information to brain injury survivors, and their families, about the legal issues surrounding traumatic brain injuries.

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Posted in: Brain Injury, Head Injuries, Uncategorized

Nova Scotia Brain Injury Claims: New Blood Test May Help Brain Injury Victims

by John McKiggan

A recent article in Internal Medicine News reports that researchers at Orlando (Fla.) Regional Medical Center has identified a protien that they say accurately distinguishes between mild and moderate traumatic brain injury. If the research is validated it may lead to a blood test that can help health care providers accurately identify when patients have suffered a brain injury and require further treatment.

Current Testing Problematic

Most emergency medical responders use the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) to assess patients with head injury. The problem is that the GCS test can be influenced by alcohol or drugs, some prescription medication, other injuries, or hypoperfusion. The test was never designed to be used as an emergency department tool.

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Posted in: Brain Injury, Uncategorized

Head Injuries in Children: CT Scans Not Always Necessary For Diagnosis – Nova Scotia Brain Injury Claims

by John McKiggan

A study of children with minor head trauma at Boston Children’s Hospital suggests CT scans may not be necessary when diagnosing children who have suffered head trauma.

The study indicates that the use of a CT scan can be reduced by up to 50% without compromising care simply by observing children. This is a positive finding because reducing CT Scans reduces children’s exposure to unnecessary radiation.

The June issue of Pediatrics Journal contains the results of a study lead by Boston Children’s Hospital and the Department of Emergency Medicine at UC Davis. One of the co-authors of the study Lise Nigrovic stated:
“Only a small percentage of children with blunt head trauma really have something serious going on. If you can be watched in the ED for a few hours, you may not need a CT”.
The study reviewed the results of more than 40,000 children who had been admitted to emergency departments with blunt head trauma. Some of the children had CT scans ordered immediately. Others were observed before a decision was made about the use of a CT scan.

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Posted in: Brain Injury, Child Injuries, Personal Injury, Uncategorized

Hockey Players Losing More Time Due To Concussions – Nova Scotia Brain Injury Claims

by John McKiggan

Fewer Brain Injuries But More Time Lost

This month’s issue of the Canadian Medical Association Journal contained a study of NHL hockey players over 7 seasons. The study indicated that while the number of concussions has leveled off the time that players were loosing as a result of the concussions appears to be increasing.

More Severe Injuries or Better Treatment?

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Posted in: Brain Injury, Head Injuries, Uncategorized

Brain Injury Claims: Female athletes more susceptible to brain injury

by John McKiggan

This is interesting. The Globe and Mail has reported that researchers have discovered that women are more susceptible to sports related concussions than men.

The problem is that most “return to play”criteria are based on research on male athletes. This may result in injured female athletes being returned to play before they are fully recovered, resulting in a greater chance of multiple concussions and long term brain damage.

Thanks to my colleague Bruce Stern for the heads up on the article.

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Posted in: Brain Injury, Head Injuries, Personal Injury, Uncategorized

Expert Evidence and Defence Medical Exams – The Challenges of Scientific Evidence

by John McKiggan

Expert evidence forms the core of any personal injury claim. In almost every personal injury case the plaintiff must provide scientific evidence, usually if the form of testimony from teatingg doctors and other health care providers about issues surrounding causation of the plaintiff’s injuries.

Personal injury claims often boil don to a so-called “battle of the experts” and the judge or jury is forced to decide which evidence they feel is more reliable or reasonable.

Interpreting Scientific Evidence Challenging

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Posted in: Brain Injury, Car Accidents, Causation, Expert evidence, Experts, Personal Injury, Uncategorized