Body Checking Increases Risk of Bain Injury
Perhaps this new research should have been published in the Journal of Common Sense (if there was such a thing they probably wouldn’t have enough subscribers).
A new study of minor hockey players has found that the incidents of brain injury in 9 and 10 year olds has increased ten times since Hockey Canada decided to allow body checking at a younger age in minor hockey.
Nova Scotia has had a mandatory helmet law for motorcycles (and bicycles) for many years. But there are some jurisdictions in the United States (Florida and Texas for example) where motorcycle helmets are not required.
There are “mountains” of studies that prove that helmets reduce the risk of death and brain injury after a motorcycle accident. But opponents to mandatory helmet laws have claimed for some time that helmets increase the risk of spinal injury because of the torsion laced on the neck by a heavy helmet.
Pre-Existing Injuries
It is rare that a person injured in a car accident, medical malpractice claim, or some other accident doesn’t have some pre-existing health problems or conditions that may – or may not – play a part in the injuries that are the subject of litigation.
What Caused the Injuries?
Nova Scotia’s NDP Government has acted on one of its campaign promises to ensure that the Province’s Insurance Act is updated.
Graham Steele, Minister responsible for the Insurance Act, has announced that former Deputy Minister Ron L’Esperance will chair a committee that will examine six areas relating to automobile insurance and recommend changes:
Section B Benefits
I have posted before about how insurance companies and defence lawyers are now using Facebook against personal injury claimants.
Facebook Being Used Against Personal Injury Victims
Posting About Your Car Accident on Facebook? Better Think Twice!
Everyone knows you should have smoke detectors in your home right?
You may even be one of the dedicated few who check them to be sure they are working and replace the batteries on a regular basis.
But did you know that your smoke alarm may not provide you with adequate warning during a fire?
Here’s a link to a story the CBC National news did about how the military’s former practice of hunting down and firing gay and lesbian members of the Armed Forces could expose Canada to a class action lawsuit.
I find it interesting (and more than a little disappointing) that there are very few comments condemning horrible way our military treated members of the Forces who simply wanted to serve their country.
What do you think?
The temperature is dropping and more and more Canadians are using space heaters to keep warm.
The first house that my wife and I bought was so poorly insulated that we had an electric space heater in the bathroom so we wouldn’t freeze to death getting ready for work in the morning.
Thinking back it probably wasn’t a great idea to have an electrical appliance like that around so much water.
Since then I have seen many people who have been injured because of faulty space heaters. Or children injured because heaters were not used properly. So I thought it might be a good idea to post these safety tips.
Last week I posted about how many drivers are not aware of the dangers posed by their car’s rear blind spot. Yesterday I asked under what circumstances a persons driving privileges should be restricted.
Today I want to talk about another driver safety issue that is just starting to come to the public’s attention. But it is an issue that is going to become more important in the near future. I also want to provide some information that may help improve the safety of our roads and highways.
Why Do I Care?
A research study conducted by the University of Toronto over 7 years has found that teenage boys with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) have a 35% higher risk of being hurt in car accidents, whether they are the driver or just a pedestrian.
The lead author of this study, Dr. Donald Redelmeier said that teenagers with ADHD:
“Should wear seatbelts, avoid excessive speed, restrict the use of alcohol and avoid distractions such as having a lot of passengers in the car and using a cell phone.”
