Metier Law Firm

How Brain Injuries Cause Depression

May 18th, 2012

Junior Seau’s recent suicide and a flurry of lawsuits from former NFL players have brought nationwide attention to traumatic brain injuries, and the eventual depression that can result from them. Seau’s suicide reminded many of Dave Duerson, a safety who killed himself in a similar manner (gunshot to the chest) and requested his brain be studied for a link between repetitive head injury and depression. Researchers confirmed that such a link existed. When someone experiences a severe brain injury, it can alter the structure of the brain and block the flow of mood-regulating chemicals like nonrepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine. Depression medications can adjust the flow of these chemicals (known as monoamines) to improve a person’s mood. Some of Seau’s former teammates have said that he never mentioned being depressed because it would go against the linebacker mentality: just power through it. According to a study published in the Journal of…
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One Hundred Plus Plaintiffs in Newest NFL Lawsuit

May 16th, 2012

The National Football League (NFL) is facing more heat for allegedly failing to protect players against serious head injuries. Ex-players filed a lawsuit with over a hundred plaintiffs in Atlanta accusing the league of ignoring concussion risks. The list of plaintiffs in the newest NFL lawsuit includes players like Chris Doleman, Jamal Anderson and Jessie Tuggle. The suit seeks damages for pain and suffering, lost wages and medical treatment. So far, over 1,500 retired players have sued the league for not doing enough to prevent concussions. For years, players have recounted stories of coaches sending them back on the field despite disorientation, memory loss or loss of consciousness after a hard hit. Former NFL linebacker Junior Seau’a suicide has thrown fuel on the fire. Some argue that his football injuries contributed to his depression, and that if the NFL had taken more precautions to prevent traumatic brain injuries, Seau might…
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NFL Tragedy Shines Spotlight on Brain Injuries, Mental Health

May 14th, 2012

The recent suicide of NFL legend Junior Seau was tragic and unexpected. Shortly after his girlfriend went to the gym, one of the greatest linebackers in NFL history committed suicide. No one saw it coming; his friends and teammates, some of whom saw Seau just days prior, could not believe that a man of such high spirits could take his own life. The unexpected suicide sparked a nationwide discussion about the connection between brain injuries and mental health. Seau enjoyed a lengthy 20-year career as a linebacker, and during that time he took a lot of hard hits. Some speculate that Seau chose the manner of his death (a gunshot to the chest) so that scientists could study how repeated trauma affected his brain. Seau’s family is considering donating his brain to science. The incident has reminded some of Dave Duerson, a Chicago Bears safety who killed himself in a…
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