The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared the Defense Automated Neurobehavioral Assessment (DANA) for launch earlier this year. The DANA is a mobile phone application designed for doctors and other medical care providers to use to identify traumatic brain injuries in patients. This app can identify a brain injury in as little as five minutes.
Quick detection of a traumatic brain injury can mean the difference between making a full recovery and suffering from a significant disability or death from the accident.
How DANA Works
DANA is available on multiple platforms. It makes the detection of brain injuries easy and user friendly by working like a video game, having patients engage in exercises that measure reaction time, speed, and accuracy of movement and decision-making.
“In essence, measuring reaction time is like taking the temperature of the brain,” CEO of AnthroTronix, Inc., Corinna Lathan said in a recent interview. AnthroTronix, Inc. is the company behind DANA. One of the company’s main goals for the app is its adoption by military medical providers. Brain injuries are a significant concern for the United States military – in 2013, more than 27,000 brain injuries were reported among service members across the four branches of the military.
Brain Injuries – Invisible Injuries That Can be Deadly
Brain injuries are considered to be “invisible injuries,” which means that they are often not immediately apparent. Unlike a broken bone or a laceration, which are both obvious to the naked eye, a victim suffering from a brain injury can appear to be completely fine.
Appearing to be completely fine can mean a delay in treatment, sometimes until it is too late. They can also be much more difficult to diagnose than other injuries because of their often latent nature. This is why it is crucial to seek and receive adequate medical attention immediately following any type of accident. Although you might feel okay, you could have suffered from an injury that only becomes more dangerous as it progresses. Always put your health and safety first by receiving adequate medical care.
Symptoms and Examples of Traumatic Brain Injuries
A traumatic brain injury is an internal brain injury that is caused by external trauma to the victim’s head. Nearly all types of accidents, such as vehicle accidents, slips and falls, and assaults, can result in traumatic brain injuries. Traumatic brain injuries are acquired injuries, rather than injuries present at birth.
Concussions are the most prevalent and well-known type of traumatic brain injury. Concussions may also be referred to as mild brain injuries or minor head trauma. Head injuries that result in temporary neurological impairment are known as concussions. Symptoms of concussions include the following:
- Difficulty balancing;
- Dizziness;
- Light sensitivity;
- Blurred vision;
- Headache;
- Nausea;
- Disorientation;
- Difficulty focusing on a conversation or task; and
- Sleeping problems.
More severe brain injuries can cause disability and death in patients. A brain injury’s severity is measured by the Glasgow Coma Scale, which was developed in 1974 at the University of Glasgow to measure and diagnose brain injuries. DANA can work in conjunction with this scale to help determine the severity of a patient’s injury through its exercises.
If You or a Loved One Suffer a Brain Injury
Seek medical attention right away. In any accident that results in an injury, this must always be the first step you take.
Document all of your interactions with your doctor and other healthcare providers. Keep copies of all of your diagnoses and medical bills. You will need these to support your claim when you file it with the negligent party’s insurance provider.
After you have received medical attention, contact an experienced San Diego personal injury attorney for guidance with the next steps for your claim. An attorney will be able to advise you about the claims process and the negotiation of your settlement. In some cases, the negligent party’s insurance provider will offer you a settlement shortly after receiving your claim – do not take this without first discussing it with your attorney. You might need a larger amount of money to cover your injury’s expenses and your attorney can help you negotiate an appropriate sum.
Contact a San Diego Personal Injury Attorney
At Martinez & Schill LLP, our team of experienced personal injury attorneys are here to advocate on your behalf and determine the best course of action for you. Call our firm at 619-512-5995 or fill out the online contact form to discuss your case with one of our experienced San Diego personal injury attorneys. Do not wait to make the call – in California, the statute of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death claims is two years from the date of the accident. If you do not act within this time frame, you will lose the right to seek monetary compensation for your injury or your loved one’s accidental death.