Abstract
There has been a lot of publicity directed to the consequence of brain trauma, such as headaches forgetfulness, irritability, and depression. That is only part of the sequelae. A little-known but challenging result of brain trauma is the development of or aggravation of a movement disorder such as a tremor, dystonia, a tic, or Parkinson’s Disease.
A movement disorder is an all-encompassing term that refers to a constellation of neurological issues that cause involuntary or voluntary movements or abnormal positioning of a body part. Various regions of the brain interact with each other to control movements of the body. If an injury occurs to a part of the brain that affects movement, it can trigger mobility problems and change the established line of communications. This can result in a host of unwarranted issues from a simple tic to a progressive neurological disorder that can lead to significant motor impairment over the years.
Very little has been written about the medical-legal aspects of movement disorders and brain trauma. This article attempts to fill that void. It discusses the medical aspects of post-traumatic movement disorders with a focus on the physiology of the brain and how the resultant movement maladies develop. The second section examines the legal cases where this neurological problem has become an issue.
Recommended Citation
Jack E. Hubbard and Samuel D. Hodge, Jr.,
A Whole Lot of Shakin' Going On: Movement Disorders Caused by Brain Trauma,
65 Clev. St. L. Rev.
287
(2017)
available at https://engagedscholarship.csuohio.edu/clevstlrev/vol65/iss3/5