Research Links Boston Marathon Bombing Victims to Gulf War Vets and NFL Players

The Boston Marathon Bombing is still fresh on our minds. The victims may be more seriously injured than we thought. Victims of the Boston Marathon bombing in April 2013 may have traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) similar to the TBIs sustained by Persian Gulf War soldiers and National Football League players.

Recent evidence suggests that even mild brain trauma can lead to a TBI. Any time a person’s skull is exposed to an outside force, whether it is a blow to the head or a shock wave from an explosion or any other source, a victim’s head might “swing back and forth on the neck like a bobblehead” and cause brain damage. Sometimes, these symptoms appear early and within the first 24 hours. Other times, symptoms may manifest themselves slowly and over a longer period of time, perhaps weeks or even months.

TBI Symptoms

1.7 million Americans live with a TBI. Falls are the most common cause and elderly people are the most at risk. Once a person develops a TBI, the effects can be lifelong and irreversible. Some common symptoms include:

• Suicidal thoughts. Nearly one in five TBI patients either attempts suicide, or has suicidal thoughts, within five years of the injury. Family history and other risk factors make the statistics even higher.
• Alzheimer’s Disease. Certain TBIs have been linked to an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s Disease.

• Dementia. Some early indications of dementia include difficulty in making decisions or solving problems as well as difficulty in multitasking.

In addition to the physical symptoms that victims suffer, the emotional and financial damages incurred by the caregivers and family members may meet or even exceed the physical damage to the victims. I can help you gain compensation for all your injuries.