YOU AND THE LAW® COMPENSATION FOR DEMENTIA FROM CAR CRASH CONCUSSION If hurt in a car crash, it's not uncommon to suffer athe same story three times over concussion or mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) called not because it's not a serious injury, but to contrast it with a diagnosis of severe TBI. Frank tried various ways to deal with his post-accident memory issues. He kept reminder notes, made up colour coded files for prioritization, and used a smart phone to Most concussion injuries typically get better a few monthshelp with scheduling. But nothing worked he couldn't after the accident. But in quite a number of cases, the keep track of his notes (which started cluttering up his MTB I consequences can be long lasting. previously well-organized office), nor get the hang of the Recently, the BC Supreme Court awarded a car crashsmart phone scheduling. victim $175,000 for loss of life enjoyment mainly becauseIt meant he could no longer run the business he headed of the onset (or early onset) of dementia, directly lnkedup as before. He lost motivation and also suffered from an to the brain injury he received. adjustment disorder, a kind of depression While driving to a job for his business, Frank, 63 (namesFrank was university educated, with an MBA and other changed here), was sideswiped by Susn. Her vehicledegrees. Before starting his own business, hed held pushed his truck into a city bus travelling at 60 to 90 important administrative positions for man s per hour. His truck was severely damaged. Susandifferent universities admitted the accident was her fault. Franks parents, both in their 90s, were stl alive and aring his seatbelt, Frank lost consciousnessliving independently at the time of the trial. They had from the impact for a few seconds, and couldn't remember much about the accident afterwards. The ambulance was called. Frank was taken to hospital emergency, examined, had an x-ray and CT scan and was later released. no dementia, and neither did his siblings. Before the car accident, Franks cognitive functions were fine too. In short, there was no sign he was predisposed to getting dementia. art from the concussion, Frank had some shoulder and other physical injuries from the accident which resolved in fairly short order. In compensating Frank, the judge said: "I am satisfied that is now established that mild traumatic brain injury or subdural haematoma can lead to Alzheimers But soon after the accident, he started to suffero disease, frontotemporal dementia, or an increased risk of migraine headaches for the first time in 30 years. And in the six years before his court hearing, hisThis column provides information only and cognitive functions, especially his memory and exeemust not be relied on for legal advice. Please call or decision-making and organization ability, became Stephen W. Turner at 250-868-8801 for your free increasingly impaired. Some examples: He forgot reet no obligation, initial consultation dementia fover 30 years; when visitingWritten by Janice and George Mucalo B.s th repeat customers to quote on new business, he mistookcontribution by Stephen W. Turner Lauyer Janice Mucalov them for new customers; if interrupted in a task, he had tois an auard-winning legal writer "You and the Law" is a start over; speaking at a funeral, he unknowingly repeatedregistered trademark. Janice and George Mucalov TEPHEN TURNER LAW Personal Injury Law ICBC CLAIMS, DON'T GET HURT TWICE Ga C868.8801 t Dohenerowea LAW Call For Free Initial Consultation 508 Doyle Ave., law@stephenturnerlaw.ca