On February 5, 2009 the Assembly voted 77-0 to approve legislation Assemblyman Louis D. Greenwald and (now former) Assemblyman Douglas H. Fisher sponsored to require the state include information about Shaken Baby Syndrome to new parents.

According to the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome, 1,200 to 1,400 children nationwide annually receive medical treatment for injuries attributed to being violently shaken by a caregiver.

Nearly 30 percent of those injuries prove fatal, and about 80 percent of survivors incur lifelong brain injuries that can lead to learning and physical disabilities, blindness, hearing and speech disabilities, cerebral palsy and behavior disorders.

The legislation (A725) would require the state to include information on Shaken Baby Syndrome in the resource guide it provides to new parents. The guide also would be published in Spanish. A health care professional would be required to review information in the guide with new parents as part of the discharge procedure. The bill now goes to the Senate for further consideration.

Assembly members Anthony Chiappone, John S. Wisniewski and Pamela R. Lampitt issued a multimedia package on a legislative package aimed to improve teen driver safety in New Jersey, which was approved by the General Assembly on March 5, 2009. The bills would implement the top recommendations of the state's Teen Driver Study Commission.

The multimedia package consists of a video press release on the legislative package, audio of same and quotes from the sponsors. The video can be accessed directly onine here.

Under the bill, teen drivers with a learner's permit would have to log at least 50 hours of practice driving -- including 10 hours of night driving -- certified by a parent, guardian or supervising driver, along with the required six-hour driving course. Drivers ages 17 to 20 who obtain an examination permit would be given the option to either complete the learner's permit certification requirements or complete 100 hours of certified driving, including 20 hours of night driving.

Additionally, any driver under 18 years old would not be able to obtain a permit until their parent or guardian attends a teen driver orientation program approved by the state Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC). Drivers under 21 who have been issued learner's or examination permits would further be required to hold those permits for one year before being eligible for a provisional license.

The measure also would require the MVC to adopt a standardized, up-to-date curriculum to be used in public and private driving schools that would include private, one-on-one instruction for permit holders. The bill passed by a vote of 76-0-2.

The death of 16-year old Montclair, New Jersey high school student Ryne Dougherty has prompted legislators throughout the state to increase the level of awareness and prevention for sports related brain injuries. Earlier this week, it was announced that 21 schools in Northern New Jersey may get funding in upwards of $40,000 from The Brain injury association of New Jersey and the Mountainside Health Foundation in order to implement the ImPACT Concussion Management program, which gives students a computerized brain test before their sports season starts. From these baseline tests, a doctor can compare the results if a student is injured and more accurately gauge the level of severity of the injury.

The Brain Injury Association of America will present Brain Injury Litigation Strategies 2009 in Las Vegas on April 30 – May 1, 2009. I will present a seminar on Thursday April 30, entitled Strategies for Dealing with the Plaintiff who has a Pre-morbid History of Depression, Prior Concussions or Other Medical Conditions.

Brain Injury Litigation Strategies 2009 is the only national legal conference that brings together plaintiff and defense experts in the brain injury litigation field. The conference will discuss winning strategies of the nation’s most experienced brain injury plaintiff’s and defense lawyers. The conference features plenary sessions for all participants followed by separate breakout sessions for plaintiff’s attorneys or defense counsel and insurance professionals.

 

 

I am very excited to announce that the Sara Jane Brain Foundation announced details yesterday for the 15-city "American PABI Heroes Tour" set for May 2009. The American PABI Heroes Tour will begin on May 3rd at Tufts University in Boston and end on May 17th at the University of Washington in Seattle. The tour will recognize musical artists around the country who have helped or are interested in helping families of children/young adults with pediatric acquired brain injury.

This will be an incredible way to honor the “PABI heroes” while also raising awareness of PABI and money for families who are dealing with PABI. In each of the 15 cities, one finalist will be selected from the 10-20 semifinalists who will be performing in each city to come to New York City on June 5th (Sarah Jane’s birthday) for the Grand Finale where they will be competing live to be crowned The American PABI Hero.

In each city, there will be a Judging Committee from the world of politics, entertainment, business and academia. The tour will also raise money in each city with all the net proceeds being split between the national pool and the winning artists and their PABI family.

For more information on the American PABI Heroes Tour and for the official entry form, visit the website online here.