Last week, Shana De Caro and I had the pleasure of attending the inaugural Luminary of the Year tribute sponsored by the Brain Injury Association of America, honoring its founder, Marilyn Price Spivak.

Marilyn’s vision in 1981 of establishing what was then known as the National Head Injury Foundation has been the guiding light for the mission of the Brain Injury Association in providing help, hope and healing to the millions of Americans living with a brain injury and just as important, to their families.

I have had the honor and privilege of knowing Marilyn for many years and working with her to improve the lives of brain injury survivors.

Founded in her kitchen by a group of parents who desired a better future for their children suffering from the tragic consequences of catastrophic brain damage, Marilyn’s leadership and relentless commitment to the mission of the association has helped to create the nation’s oldest, largest, and most influential brain injury advocacy organization.

As the voice of brain injury, the association under its capable leadership endeavors to improve the quality of life of all people afflicted by a brain injury across their lifespan through advancing prevention, awareness, research, treatment, education, and advocacy.

Shana De Caro, as past chairwoman of the Brain Injury Association of America, and myself as past president of the Brain Injury Association of New York State congratulates, Marilyn, on this well-deserved tribute and extend our thanks and gratitude for her tireless work to illuminate, inspire, and shape the work of the Brain Injury Association of America.

Watch this episode on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2euAJBoVX8

Brain Injury Insider is a weekly podcast by The Brain Injury Law Firm ®, De Caro & Kaplen, LLP.

Host Michael Kaplen is a passionate advocate of the rights of brain injury survivors, and has been fighting on their behalf for over 40 years.

De Caro & Kaplen, LLP
228 E. 45th Street, Suite 1100, New York, NY 10017
Toll Free: (866) 272-4652
e: help@brainlaw.com
brainlaw.com

In a victory for the brain injury community, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has recognized traumatic brain injury (TBI) as a chronic health condition.

CMS has added TBI to its list of chronic conditions for chronic special needs through its Medicare Advantage program effective for the January 2025 plan year This significant addition was made though the advocacy efforts of The Brain Injury Association of America who will continue to fight to expand coverage for all types of brain injury with the ultimate goal of greater coverage across all forms of public and private insurance.

This is an important first step in advocacy efforts to expand coverage for brain injury beyond acute care and helps to make the case that brain injury should be treated by healthcare providers as a chronic condition like heart disease or diabetes.

Watch this episode on YouTube at https://youtu.be/QVvZ3YuG4NQ

Find out more about brain injury at https://brainlaw.com/tbi-facts/

Brain Injury Insider is a weekly podcast by The Brain Injury Law Firm ®, De Caro & Kaplen, LLP.

Host Michael Kaplen is a passionate advocate of the rights of brain injury survivors, and has been fighting on their behalf for over 40 years.

De Caro & Kaplen, LLP
228 E. 45th Street, Suite 1100, New York, NY 10017
Toll Free: (866) 272-4652
e: help@brainlaw.com
brainlaw.com

Despite what long term disability insurance carriers may respond to claims made by brain injury survivors for long term disability benefits, not everyone gets better after sustaining a traumatic brain injury.

Recent long term medical studies have concluded that the cognitive, physical, and emotional consequences of a traumatic brain injury, including a concussion can result in long term impairments.

These studies establish contrary to past opinions, most symptoms of concussion are not resolved within 3 months post-injury.

Watch this episode on YouTube at https://youtu.be/YAghfh3P9u8

Legal assistance and representation for brain injury survivors: https://brainlaw.com/brain-injuries/

Brain Injury Insider is a weekly podcast by The Brain Injury Law Firm ®, De Caro & Kaplen, LLP.

Host Michael Kaplen is a passionate advocate of the rights of brain injury survivors, and has been fighting on their behalf for over 40 years.

De Caro & Kaplen, LLP
228 E. 45th Street, Suite 1100, New York, NY 10017
Toll Free: (866) 272-4652
e: help@brainlaw.com
brainlaw.com

Today, I have some good news to share with all those who are interested in improving the lives of brain injury survivors, educating the public about brain injury, and preventing future brain injuries from occurring.

The Brain Injury Association of America and the United States Brain Injury Alliance have agreed to merge into a single organization, under the auspices of The Brain Injury Association of America.

This merger will bring individual state Brain Injury Alliance Association affiliates back into The Brain Injury Association of America, enhancing the largest national network dedicated to providing direct support and advocacy for individuals with brain injuries.

Watch this episode on YouTube at https://youtu.be/jdMIJpOnIko

Brain Injury Insider is a weekly podcast by The Brain Injury Law Firm ®, De Caro & Kaplen, LLP.

Host Michael Kaplen is a passionate advocate of the rights of brain injury survivors, and has been fighting on their behalf for over 40 years.

De Caro & Kaplen, LLP
228 E. 45th Street, Suite 1100, New York, NY 10017
Toll Free: (866) 272-4652
e: help@brainlaw.com
brainlaw.com

A new study reported in the New England Journal of Medicine found that 25 % of patients thought to be unresponsive and diagnosed as being in the vegetative or minimally conscious state had some degree of conscious awareness.

Watch this episode on YouTube at https://youtu.be/2WenSM2iacg

Find more brain injury study and research news visit https://brainlaw.com/brain-injuries/studies/

Brain Injury Insider is a weekly podcast by The Brain Injury Law Firm ®, De Caro & Kaplen, LLP.

Host Michael Kaplen is a passionate advocate of the rights of brain injury survivors, and has been fighting on their behalf for over 40 years.

De Caro & Kaplen, LLP
228 E. 45th Street, Suite 1100, New York, NY 10017
Toll Free: (866) 272-4652
e: help@brainlaw.com
brainlaw.com

Over 50% of law enforcement officers reported a prior head injury involving loss of consciousness or being dazed or confused, or a gap in memory, all signs of a traumatic brain injury following on the job encounters or sports related injury when surveyed about past head injuries.

Watch this episode on YouTube at https://youtu.be/lfzvePsPCc4

Find out more about brain injury at https://brainlaw.com/tbi-facts/

Brain Injury Insider is a weekly podcast by The Brain Injury Law Firm ®, De Caro & Kaplen, LLP.

Host Michael Kaplen is a passionate advocate of the rights of brain injury survivors, and has been fighting on their behalf for over 40 years.

De Caro & Kaplen, LLP
228 E. 45th Street, Suite 1100, New York, NY 10017
Toll Free: (866) 272-4652
e: help@brainlaw.com
brainlaw.com

Brain injury continues to be a significant cause of disability and death for children of all ages.

Pediatric brain injury leads to over 500,000 visits to hospital emergency departments each year and about 60,000 hospitalizations in the United States.

Watch this episode on YouTube at https://youtu.be/vHlE0DOZln4

If your child has suffered a brain injury through the negligence or nefarious actions of another individual, the attorneys at De Caro & Kaplen, LLP can help you get the justice and compensation you deserve. Find out more at https://brainlaw.com/brain-injuries/for-parents/

Brain Injury Insider is a weekly podcast by The Brain Injury Law Firm ®, De Caro & Kaplen, LLP.

Host Michael Kaplen is a passionate advocate of the rights of brain injury survivors, and has been fighting on their behalf for over 40 years.

De Caro & Kaplen, LLP
228 E. 45th Street, Suite 1100, New York, NY 10017
Toll Free: (866) 272-4652
e: help@brainlaw.com
brainlaw.com

You have been told, you made a full recovery from your concussion.

So, can that concussion impact your cognitive abilities as you age?

A new study published in the journal Neurology shows it can.

The study found that suffering a concussion early in life increased the incidence of cognitive decline in those over the age of 65.

If you or a loved one has suffered a concussion in New York through the negligence of another party, find out how our firm can help at https://brainlaw.com/brain-injuries/sue-concussion/

Brain Injury Insider is a weekly podcast by The Brain Injury Law Firm ®, De Caro & Kaplen, LLP.

Host Michael Kaplen is a passionate advocate of the rights of brain injury survivors, and has been fighting on their behalf for over 40 years.

De Caro & Kaplen, LLP
228 E. 45th Street, Suite 1100, New York, NY 10017
Toll Free: (866) 272-4652
e: help@brainlaw.com
brainlaw.com