Troops Who Undergo Heavy Weapons Training at Risk for Brain Injury
Oct 29, 2018
Legal Help for Veterans is a law firm helping veterans get the benefits they deserve.
Northville, MI (Law Firm Newswire) October 29, 2018 – Military personnel who train and operate particular shoulder-fired weapons may have damaged their brains by the blasts, according to an Army-commissioned study, found here.
The report from the Center for a New American Security states the placement of the weapons – just inches from the soldier’s head – makes them especially risky.
“The Army needs to protect its soldiers from the potentially dangerous consequences of firing heavy weapons,” said Jim Fausone, a veterans’ attorney at Legal Help for Veterans in Michigan. “Better training and safety precautions must be in place to shield our service members from blast-induced brain injury.”
Research has revealed those who have fired heavy weapons deal with short-term problems with memory and thinking and may feel nauseated, fatigued and dizzy. Those symptoms mirror those of a concussion. More studies are being conducted to determine if those types of problems lead to permanent injuries.
“TBI (traumatic brain injury) is the signature wound of today’s wars,” the report states. “Blast-induced TBI can be extremely difficult to detect and diagnose. There are no externally visible signs of brain trauma and many of the symptoms of mild TBI overlap with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).”
The dangers could begin during training. A recent NPR story featured a Marine Corps veteran who fired a rocket launcher for years and said he has suffered episodes of dizziness and disorientation for the past two decades. The veteran had not seen combat and believes he sustained a brain injury during training.
For those who have experienced a head injury while in service and have been diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury, contact the attorneys at Legal Help for Veterans to get assistance.
Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC
41700 West Six Mile Road, Suite 101
Northville, MI 48168
Toll Free Phone: 800.693.4800
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