Unfortunately, traumatic brain injuries are all too common in our society and remain heavily misunderstood by the general population. If you’re looking to educate yourself on just how severely these injuries can impact the lives of sufferers, we’ve got you covered:

“How are thinking and other aspects of cognition affected?

Individuals with a moderate-to-severe brain injury most typically experience problems in basic cognitive skills: sustaining attention, concentrating on tasks at hand, and remembering newly learned material. They may think slowly, speak slowly, and solve problems slowly. They may become confused easily when normal routines are changed or when the stimulation level from the environment exceeds their threshold. They may persevere at tasks too long, being unable to switch to a different tactic or a new task when encountering difficulties. Or, on the other hand, they may jump at the first “solution” they see, substituting impulsive responses for considered actions. They may be unable to go beyond a concrete appreciation of situations, to find abstract principles that are necessary to carry learning into new situations. Their speech and language may be impaired: word-finding problems, understanding the language of others, and the like.

A major class of cognitive abilities that may be affected by TBI is referred to as executive functions – the complex processing of large amounts of intricate information that we need to function creatively, competently and independently as beings in a complex world. Thus, after injury, individuals with TBI may be unable to function well in their social roles because of difficulty in planning ahead, in keeping track of time, in coordinating complex events, in making decisions based on broad input, in adapting to changes in life, and in otherwise “being the executive” in one’s own life.

With appropriate training and other supports, the person may be able to learn to compensate for some of these cognitive difficulties.

How are mood and behavior affected?

With TBI, the systems in the brain that control our social-emotional lives often are damaged. The consequences for the individual and for his or her significant others may be very difficult, as these changes may imply to them that “the person who once was” is “no longer there.” Thus, personality can be substantially or subtly modified following injury. The person who was once an optimist may now be depressed. The previously tactful and socially skilled negotiator may now be blurting comments that embarrass those around him/her. The person may also be characterized by a variety of other behaviors: dependent behaviors, emotional swings, lack of motivation, irritability, aggression, lethargy, being very uninhibited, and/or being unable to modify behavior to fit varying situations.

A very important change that affects many people with TBI is referred to as denial (or, lack of awareness): The person becomes unable to compare post-injury behavior and abilities with pre-injury behavior and abilities. For these individuals, the effects of TBI are, for whatever reason, simply not perceived – whether for emotional reasons, as a means of avoiding the pain of fully facing the consequences of injury, or for neurological reasons, in which brain damage itself limits the individual’s ability to step back, compare, evaluate differences, and reach a conclusion based on that process.

With appropriate training, therapy, and other supports, the person may be able to reduce the impact of some of these emotional and behavioral difficulties.

What other changes are likely after moderate/severe TBI?

Any of the ways we have of sensing/perceiving may be affected by TBI. Vision may be affected in many ways: loss of vision, blurred visual images, inability to track visual material, loss of parts of the field of vision, reduced depth perception, and sometimes disconnection between visual perception and visual comprehension, so that the person does not know what he or she is seeing. Changes also may occur in the senses of hearing, smell, taste, and touch; the individual may become overly sensitive or insensitive. Further, the person may have difficulty sensing the location of his/her own body in space. Other individuals with TBI may have recurring problems with balance, vertigo, and ringing in the ears.

A relatively small percent of individuals with TBI experience seizures. For most of these, the initial onset of seizures occurs soon after injury. For others, the onset may take place up to several years post-injury. Two types of seizures may occur. Major motor seizures refer to what were once called grand mal seizures and involve loss of consciousness and vigorous, uncontrolled movement of the major muscle systems. Local motor seizures do not lead to loss of consciousness and involve less muscle movement. Some individuals with TBI use anticonvulsive drugs to prevent seizures or stop them during the course of a seizure.

If motor areas of the brain are damaged, the person with TBI may experience varying degrees of physical paralysis or spasticity, affecting a wide variety of behavior from speech production to walking. Damage to brain tissue can also evidence itself in chronic pain, including headaches. Also, evidence is growing that hormonal, endocrine, and other body systems are affected by the brain injury. Consequently, the individual may lose control of bowel and bladder functions, may sleep poorly, may fatigue easily, may lose appetite for food or be unable to control eating, and/or may be unable to regulate body temperature within normal boundaries. Women with TBI often experience menstrual difficulties.”

Fast dial #1000 free from your cell and we’ll get you the support you need.

Although they do us the favour of bringing May Flowers, April showers can have an unfortunate influence on our driving capabilities. Collisions can be far more common under these rainy conditions, so it’s imperative that you, as a driver, are prepared in case you come in contact with heavy rain while you’re on the road.

Here are some of the best strategies to drive effectively during April showers:

“In addition to the potentially poor visibility that accompanies most heavy rain, drivers should be ready to protect themselves against hydroplaning. Hydroplaning can occur when a vehicle is traveling too fast in heavy rain conditions, causing the vehicle’s tires to travel on a thin layer of water rather than grip the surface of the road. This has the potential to make steering and braking difficult and could even lead to losing control of your vehicle. Follow these tips to help you stay safe while driving in heavy rain.

Take your time

Slowing down is the only way to keep your vehicle from hydroplaning. Also remember that one of the most dangerous times to drive is soon after it begins to rain, as oils on roadway make for slick conditions. Waiting a few minutes, rather than rushing to your destination, can be a safer plan when it is raining.

Turn your lights on

Turn your headlights on to help other vehicles see you. Many states require the use of headlights during rain, even in broad daylight.

Give other vehicles more space

Add 1-2 extra seconds of following time in the rain, which gives you and the cars behind you more time to react to traffic.”

If you have been injured, and need legal assistance, call #1000 on your cell phone for free. We will offer you a free claim assessment.

Unfortunately, each day many drivers are involved in collisions that impact not only the state of their vehicle, but their physical and mental health as well. However, as long as drivers avoid partaking in the following driving behaviours that commonly lead to collisions, they can minimize their risk of being involved in a crash:

“We believe we’re safer than we really are

Once we’ve learned how to drive it soon becomes an automatic task. Over time we learn how to predict the actions of other drivers, which can lead to the illusion that we control them. One area where people seem especially prone to error is in the judgment of relative speed: we tend to overestimate how much time can be saved by driving faster while also underestimating minimal safe braking distance. The computations needed to make these judgments are highly complex and don’t come naturally to us.

We forget that other drivers are people too…

When someone accidentally walks into us on the street or their shopping trolley bumps into ours, the usual reaction is to apologize and move on. But when driving, near misses are often met with instant anger – and in the most extreme cases, road rage. Research shows that drivers more readily dehumanize other drivers and pedestrians in ways they wouldn’t when interacting in person. This loss of inhibition is similar to the way some of us behave in online environments.

… Yet we behave more aggressively to those of ‘lower status’

One interesting paradox is that even though we’re prone to dehumanizing other drivers, we still act according to social status. Decades of research shows that prolonged honking, tailgating, and other aggressive behaviours are more likely if the aggressor believes they are the more important driver. What’s particularly interesting is that these judgments can be based simply on the vehicles involved, with no knowledge of the person behind the wheel: larger cars generally outrank smaller cars and newer cars trump older ones. Drivers of more expensive cars are also more likely to behave aggressively toward pedestrians.

We believe we can see everything happening around us …

Our senses receive far more information than we can process at once, which makes brain systems of attention crucial for focusing resources on the most important events. Most of the time we fail to appreciate the enormous amount of information we miss, and this can add to a false sense of security on the road.

… Yet we also think other drivers can’t see us

This one is for all the nose pickers and earwax excavators.

We attribute near misses to a lack of ability in other drivers …

In general, we fail to account for situational reasons as to why other drivers might get in our way or seem to act dangerously. Psychologists call this the fundamental attribution error – we tend to attribute the mistakes of others to their personality or ability (“what an idiot!”, “what a terrible driver!”), while excusing our own errors as situational (“that bit of road is dangerous”, “I had to drive that fast or I would have been late”).

… While at the same time overestimating our own skills

If you think you’re a highly skilled driver, the chances are you’re not. About 80-90% of drivers believe they have above-average ability, and the more skilled we believe we are at something, the less likely it is to be true. This tendency for us to be blind to our own incompetence is called the Dunning-Kruger effect. Of course, the upside is that if you believe you’re a terrible driver, you’re probably not as bad as you think.

We drive more recklessly when we’re going solo

We generally drive less carefully and more aggressively when we’re alone than when we have passengers. It isn’t clear why this is, or whether we’re conscious of this change in our behaviour.

We believe hands-free car phones are safe.

In the UK it is illegal to use a hand-held mobile phone while driving, whereas hands-free alternatives are allowed. This is a great example of the law lagging behind science: evidence shows that using a hands-free car phone is no less dangerous than talking on a hand-held mobile phone. What makes these phone conversations unsafe isn’t so much the act of holding the phone as being distracted by the conversation. The lack of body language makes such conversations especially demanding, requiring us to commit more cognitive resources and further distracting us from the road.”

Do you recognize yourself in any of the aforementioned behaviours? Don’t fret; you can take action every time you get behind the wheel to become a mindful driver. However, if you have been involved in a collision that was caused by the negligence of another individual, contact us today for a free consultation of your case.

The winter season is the ideal time of year for those people who enjoy partaking in adrenaline boosting outdoor sports and activities.

Snowmobiling is one of the most popular wintertime activities that families enjoy engaging in during the colder months. However, as with all high-octane adventurous activities, there are risks associated with snowmobiling.

Here are some top tips for avoiding injury while enjoying an action-packed day on your snowmobile:

“As a Safe Rider, you:

• Know your abilities and don’t go beyond them.
• Know your machine’s capabilities and don’t push beyond them.
• Know your riding area. Get a map. Talk to the locals.
• Learn more—reading manuals and other materials from manufacturers, administrators and snowmobile associations, or watch videos. Snowmobile clubs, state and provincial associations offer courses, information and activities. Many members are certified driving and/or safety instructors.

Keep your machine in top shape

• You have two good guides available for snowmobile maintenance: the owner’s manual that came with the machine and a dealer. Consult both to make sure your machine is kept in top form for dependable, enjoyable fun.
• Your local club or association may also conduct safety and maintenance programs.
• Before each ride, follow the “pre-op” check outlined in your owner’s manual.

Follow the rules

Regulations on sled registration and use are different in various parts of the snow-belt. Check with natural resource and law enforcement agencies and snowmobile dealers or clubs in the area you are visiting to make sure your ride results in legal and hassle-free snowmobiling.
Remember, too, that some states and provinces have age restrictions for snowmobile operation, often requiring that children are supervised by adults.

Safe crossing

Be careful when crossing roads of any kind. Come to a complete stop and make absolutely sure no traffic is approaching from any direction. Then cross at a right angle to traffic.

Dress appropriately

• Wear layers of clothing, so that you can add or remove a layer or two to match changing conditions. A windproof outer layer is especially important, as are warm gloves or mitts, boots and a helmet.
• Make sure your helmet is safety-certified, the right size and in good condition. A visor is essential for clear vision and wind protection and the chin strap should be snug.
• Wear glasses or goggles that offer protection from the sun.

Take a friend

Don’t snowmobile alone. Not only is snowmobiling more fun with family and friends, it’s safer too!”

If you have been injured, and need legal assistance, call #1000 on your cell phone for free. We will offer you a free claim assessment.

Brain injuries can have devastating affects on the lives of those suffering from them. What many don’t understand, however, is that traumatic brain injuries aren’t the only types of injury that the organ can experience. Acquired brain injuries are another intense brain injury that can dramatically alter lives.

Here we highlight the main differences between the two types of brain injuries:

“DEFINITION OF TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY (TBI):

A traumatically induced structural injury and/or physiological disruption of brain function as a result of an external force that is indicated by the new onset or worsening of at least one of the following clinical signs, immediately following the event:

• Any period of loss of or a decreased level of consciousness;
• Any loss of memory for events immediately before or after the injury;
• Any alternation in mental state at the time of the injury (confusion, disorientation, slowed thinking, etc.);
• Neurological deficits (weakness, loss of balance, change in vision, praxis, paresis/plegia, sensory loss, aphasia, etc.) that may or may not be transient;
• Intracranial lesion.
• External forces may include any of the following events: the head being struck by an object, the head striking an object, the brain undergoing an acceleration/deceleration movement without direct external trauma to the head, a foreign body penetrating the brain, forces generated from events such as a blast or explosion, or other force yet to be defined.

DEFINITION OF ACQUIRED BRAIN INJURY (ABI):

An acquired brain injury is an injury to the brain that has occurred after birth, but is not related to congenital defect or degenerative disease. Causes of ABI include (but are not limited to) hypoxia, illness, infection, stroke, substance abuse, toxic exposure, and tumor. ABI may cause temporary or permanent impairment in such areas as cognitive, emotional, metabolic, motor, perceptual motor and/or sensory brain function.”

Fast dial #1000 free from your cell and we’ll get you the support you need.

Everybody loves an exciting party. Talking with friends over beverages and nibbling on hors d’oeuvres while fun music dances around the room – what’s not to enjoy? However, if you are planning to host a party anytime in the near future, you should be aware of the liabilities you take on once your first guest steps through the door:

“First, who is a social host? A definition could include anyone who:

1. is not selling or supplying alcohol for profit;
2. is not an employer, or any position in which he or she has a unique relationship with his or her guests; and
3. is serving alcohol or condoning the service/consumption of alcohol on premises over which he or she has control.

Further, the issue of BYOB (Bring Your Own Bottle/Booze) adds a unique flavour to the concept as it implies that the social host does not necessarily have to provide the liquor, merely condone its use on the premises.

The definition is not exhaustive.

Two recent cases have come close to establishing social host liability. In one, parents of a teenager were sued when the teenager hosted a party of which the parents knew nothing because they were asleep. When the police were called the teenager woke his mother to tell her but said everything was under control and the mother fell back to sleep. One of the guests crashed her car injuring one of her passengers. In a pretrial matter, the judge suggested the fact that the parents had hosted previous parties in which there was underage drinking put them in a more vulnerable position. However, it was the fact that the teenager woke his mother who then did not check on the situation that made the parents very vulnerable to liability. The case settled before trial.

Another case involved a New Year’s Eve party and a guest who left intoxicated and crashed into another car, killing one and paralyzing another. The hosts knew that the guest had a history of alcohol abuse and convictions for impaired driving. The guest was apparently visibly intoxicated when he left the party. Although the hosts were encouraging their friends to spend the night instead of driving, it was the view of the trial judge that they were relieved to see this one guest leave.

An analysis of negligence law suggested that there might be social host liability based on what the hosts knew about this guest. Further, the judge stated the fact that it was a BYOB party only created a greater responsibility on the hosts to monitor their guests more closely as they could not monitor the actual consumption of alcohol.

However, the trial judge said it was up to the provincial government to regulate social host responsibility and subtly suggested that the government should develop criteria to avoid the chaos in the courts. The case has been appealed to the Ontario Court of Appeal.

Where Does this Leave the Social Host?

It is important for every social host to consider the consequences involved with the service of alcohol because there will continue to be lawsuits. The social host could be found to have a duty of care to guests and all those who are at risk due to the intoxication of the guests for events that could be foreseeable. Further, the host has a duty to monitor and supervise the service and consumption of alcohol during a party or event.

The best course is to take risk management measures. The social host should check his or her insurance to determine if there is coverage for any incident that may occur on the property or as a result of actions from the property. When hosting a party, plan appropriately. This includes:

1. Either don’t drink or limit your own consumption of alcohol in order to track that of your guests.
2. Know your guests – it is much easier to track the changes in behaviour of those you know.
3. Try to serve all drinks yourself and avoid self-serve bars to track and monitor your guests’ consumption. Consider hiring a bartender trained in alcohol service.
4. Have plenty of non-alcoholic choices.
5. Serve lots of food that has protein and fat – salt encourages more drinking and sugar does not mix well with alcohol.
6. Meet, Greet and Repeat – meet and greet all your guests as they arrive in order to determine if they have had anything alcoholic to drink before arriving. If the party is an open house or cocktail format, repeat the process as guests leave.
7. If a guest is intoxicated, encourage him or her to give you their car keys if relevant. Buddy up with a friend to assist in persuading the intoxicated person to take a cab.
8. Keep the phone numbers of cab companies handy and tell the guest that a cab has been ordered – don’t give them the option to refuse.
9. If the guest is quite intoxicated, keep that person with you until they have sobered or can be left with a sober responsible person.
10. Only time will sober the person, not additional fluids or food. Offering a spare bed is a good recourse.
11. If the person refuses to give the car keys or spend the night at your house, call the police. It may seem drastic, but it could be a choice between that of an upset friend or far more tragic consequences.

Having a plan will allow you to prevent problems from happening or a least, handle the problems in the least unpleasant way and perhaps, allow you to enjoy your own party.”

If you have been injured, and need legal assistance, call #1000 on your cell phone for free. We will offer you a free claim assessment.

Similar to the roads, parking lots can be tricky to navigate.

Fortunately, SGI has shared a concise list of top tips for driving safely in a busy parking lot:

“Uncontrolled intersections

Never breeze through an uncontrolled parking lot intersection assuming you have the right of way. Instead, slow down and prepare to yield. Look both ways and proceed only when it is safe to do so.

When more than 1 vehicle is stopped at an uncontrolled intersection in a parking lot, the driver on the left must yield to the driver on the right. When it’s your turn to go, look both ways, roll forward slowly and use caution as you enter the intersection.

Right of way

The right of way in parking lots is no different than on regular roads. If you’re turning left, you must give the right of way to oncoming traffic.

When leaving a parking space, you must yield to other drivers proceeding through the lot. It may mean waiting for a few extra moments, but it will save you the hassle of an unfortunate fender bender.

And no matter what – whether the intersection is marked or not – you need to stop for pedestrians. Whether they’re walking, using a wheelchair, motorized wheelchair or a medical scooter, pedestrians always have the right of way.

Signal your intentions

Parking lots can be chaotic with traffic and pedestrians all heading in seemingly different directions. Help everyone arrive at their destination safely by signaling your intention to turn.

This rule is especially important if you’re waiting for another driver to leave a parking space. Your signal serves as a heads-up to the person in the stall and shows other motorists that your vehicle isn’t simply stopped.

Don’t be a tailgater

Being a tailgater is bad practice, plain and simple. With so many vehicles and pedestrians in such a tight space, drivers sometimes need to stop unexpectedly in parking lots. Following too closely is a recipe for a collision.

Stay safe by leaving plenty of space between your vehicle and the 1 ahead. If a hazard forces another driver to stop quickly, you’ll have plenty of time to react.

By the same token, drivers should try to minimize unexpected stops by staying aware of their surroundings. Scan the road ahead for potential hazards like vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists.

By recognizing these hazards and planning your course of action, you can avoid swerving or slamming on your brakes, which reduces your chances of a collision.”

There is nothing that can help you master the art of maneuvering your vehicle through a parking lot more than following these tips.

Fast dial #1000 free from your cell and we’ll get you the support you need.

Participating in winter sports can be an exhilarating experience, however, those who don’t take extra precautions to learn how to stay safe when doing so are at risk for turning a fun experience into a potentially fatal one.

Fortunately, Parachute Canada has shared some top winter sport-related safety tips:

“Ice skating

Skates should give firm ankle support and fit snugly. For youngsters whose feet are growing, softer boots are better than hard, unyielding ones.

All skaters should wear CSA-approved helmets when skating because they are tested for falls on ice. Replace helmets every five years.

Check that skate blades aren’t dull or rusted.

Teach children to skate only in places you know are safe. Check that the ice surface is in good shape without bumps, melting or slushy ice. Check for skating hazards such as pebbles, rocks and branches.

Ice on frozen ponds, rivers, lakes or canals should be at least 15 cm (6 inches) thick and 20 cm (8 inches) for skating parties or games. Beware of quick thaws, which can weaken the ice surface.

Teach children to skate with friends – never alone – and always in safe areas, away from traffic and free of obstacles.

Ice hockey

Hockey players should wear a CSA-approved hockey helmet with a compatible full-face mask. This is mandatory in organized hockey.

Helmets should be replaced every five years. They are designed to withstand falls on ice and the multiple impacts expected during hockey play, but they have this recommended limit.

Other recommended protective gear includes gloves, shoulder pads, elbow pads, shin pads, mouth guards and for boys, an athletic support.

Ensure all protective equipment is in good condition and fits properly.

Inspect helmets regularly. Do not use a helmet with a cracked or severely scratched shell or worn liner.

Never alter a helmet. It may affect its ability to prevent injury.

No amount of equipment can prevent all injuries. Children need to play by the rules.

Stretching and warm-ups prior to each practice and game, as well as a cool-down routine, will help to prevent injuries.

Teach children to skate heads-up when approaching the boards to prevent neck injuries.

Take head injuries seriously. To prevent brain damage, organized amateur hockey in Canada requires that any player get a physician’s permission to return to play after suffering a concussion.

Body checking at the Pee Wee level is not recommended by medical experts.

Downhill skiing

Beginners should take lessons from a certified instructor.

A ski helmet is recommended for children to prevent head injury. (Helmets are also recommended for racers and high-risk environments such as back-country skiing). In 2014 the CSA released a new standard for a multi-impact ski and snowboard helmet.

Skiers should follow the buddy system. Never ski alone.

Always check your child’s ski equipment to make sure it is in good condition and fits properly. Bindings should be checked at least once a year by a qualified technician or ski shop. Bindings, boots and skis which do not fit properly or are not properly adjusted are a significant risk factor for young skiers.

Do warm up exercises and stretches before each day’s skiing.

Skiers need to stay on marked trails and follow other rules of the slopes.

Skiers should be especially careful on the first and last few runs of the day, when injuries are most common.

Skiers should choose runs or trails that best suit their ability. Before they start out, skiers should understand the signs used to indicate level of difficulty.

Skiers should stay alert to hazards (such as rocks, trees, ice patches) and changes in weather and visibility.

Skiers should dress against frostbite, be sure boots are not too tight, and wear sunglasses or goggles with UV protection to guard against the reflection of the sun off the snow. They should also wear sunscreen to protect against sunburns.

Skiers should quit before they get tired and before it gets dark. Fatigue and poor visibility both lead to injuries.

Snowboarding

Snowboarding requires its own set of skills. Beginners should take lessons from a certified snowboard instructor. In 2014 the CSA released a new standard for a multi-impact ski and snowboard helmet.

Snowboarders should follow all the safety tips for downhill skiers.

Helmets are widely recommended for snowboarding.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children younger than seven should not try snowboarding.

Snowboarders should dress against frostbite and wear sunglasses or goggles with UV protection to guard against the reflection of the sun off the snow. They should also wear sunscreen to protect against sunburns.

Snowboarders should only use boards with full-length steel edges and stiff secure bindings. The board leash should be securely attached. Children should use short boards (no more than chest high).

Snowboarders should be especially careful on the first and last few runs of the day, when injuries are most common.

Snowboarders should quit before they get tired or it gets too dark. Fatigue and poor visibility can both lead to injuries.

Snowboarders should be aware that high speeds and aerial maneuvers carry a high risk for injury.

Snowboarders should keep inside designated areas and follow other rules of the slopes.”

By adhering to these tried and tested safety rules, you can ensure you’ll have a wonderful time participating in winter sports this year.

If you have been injured, and need legal assistance, call #1000 on your cell phone for free. We will offer you a free claim assessment.