Traumatic Brain Injury Changes “Idol” Contestant’s Life

Friday, January 28, 2011

Traumatic Brain Injury Changes “Idol” Contestant’s Life

Written by Malman Law, reviewed by Steve J. Malman.

An Oak Forest man appeared on the Chicago area auditions of “American Idol” this past week, and his story – his fiancé suffered a traumatic brain injury two months before their wedding day – was as touching as his performance. Chris Medina wowed the judges with his rendition of the Script’s “Breakeven”, and after hearing of his fiancé Juliana’s traumatic brain injury, they insisted on meeting the young woman who so inspired Medina.

Following the accident, doctors were skeptical about whether Juliana would ever wake up after her traumatic brain injury. However, she did wake up and Medina and Juliana’s mother act as her caretakers. Additionally, the Chicago Sun-Times reports that Medina “sings with local band the Able Body and is raising money for the Juliana Recovery Fund through the Laurus Foundation.”

He is truly committed to doing what he can for Juliana. Says Medina, “I was about to make vows just two months from the accident – through
thick and thin, ’til death do us part, for better or worse,” he said.
“What kind of guy would I be if I walked out when she needed me the
most?”

While this is certainly a tragedy, a brain injury lawyer in Chicago can tell you that traumatic brain injuries happen more often than they should. Traumatic brain injuries are often caused by accidents and have life changing consequences, as for Chris Medina and his fiancé.

Traumatic Brain Injuries

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI’s) are the result of the brain experiencing a sudden physical trauma like an accident. TBI’s frequently result in some or all of the following subsequent conditions:

• Cognitive defects
• Impaired language and speech
• Vision and hearing impairment or loss
• Paralysis
• Emotional trauma (depression, irritability, aggression)
• Death

Most people never fully recover from the effects of a traumatic brain injury. However, a personal injury lawyer in Chicago can assist traumatic brain injury victims and their families by lessening the burden of medical expenses. An experienced brain injury lawyer in Chicago can help traumatic brain injury sufferers and their families receive compensation for pain, suffering and medical expenses incurred as a result of their accident.