Toll Free: 1.800.4.Accident | Local: 206.727.4000
Get Help Now
Contact us today for a free, no obligation consultation about your personal injury legal needs. Call 206-727-4000 or fill out the form below.
Washington State Brain Injury Law
I. ADVISORY COUNCIL
The law creates the Washington Traumatic Brain Injury Strategic Partnership Advisory Council within the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS). The Council consists of a wide variety of individuals who are appointed by the Governor. The Council's members will include representatives from several state agencies, non-profit agencies working with individuals with TBI, health care specialists, vocational specialist, social workers, the Washington Protection and Advocacy System, and individuals with TBI and their family members.
Perhaps one of the more significant tasks of the Council will be to identify the 'cracks in the system' and gaps in services; how to build provider training; improving the coordination of services; and submitting a report to the Governor and Legislature regarding the work of DSHS and improvements in services and programs for individuals with TBIs.
II. PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGN
By December 1, 2007 DSHS is required to institute, in collaboration with the Council, a public awareness campaign that utilizes state or federal funding to leverage a private advertising campaign to promote awareness of TBIs through all forms of media including television, radio, and print.
DSHS is also required to provide funding to programs that facilitate support groups to individuals with TBIs and their families. DSHS shall use a request for proposal to select the programs to receive funding. The Council must provide recommendations to DSHS on the criteria to be used in selecting the programs. The public awareness campaign and the support groups will be funded solely from the TBI account.
III. TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY ACCOUNT
The Traumatic Brain Injury Account is created and funded by fees collected on a new $2.00 fine levied on all committed traffic infractions in the State of Washington. It is project that this $2.00 levy will result in approximately 1.8 to 2.0 million dollars per year for this account designated exclusively the use on prevention, referral and support services relating to TBI.
IV. CONCLUSION
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that at least 5.3 million Americans, approximately 2% of the U.S. population, currently have a long-term or lifelong need for help to perform activities of daily living as a result of TBI. Also, TBI contributes to a substantial number of deaths and cases of permanent disability annually. The new law in the state of Washington will take important first steps in providing some funding of services. More importantly, it will organize (for the first time) a Strategic Partnership Advisory Council to identify gaps in services and how to fix it so that effective treatment and services are provided to those struggling with TBI and its aftermath.
- FREE BOOK - Washington Injury Law: A Reference Guide for Accident Victims
- FREE Legal Consultation & Case Review
Davis Law Group and attorney Chris Davis has been featured in news reports on these local and national news sources:
2101 Fourth Avenue, Suite 630, Seattle, WA 98121
Phone: (206) 727-4000 Fax: (206) 727-4001
Toll Free: 1-866-595-3565
Testimonials
- "Chris Davis will really take care of you."
- "I couldn't be more happy...with Davis Law Group"
- Smart people, know their stuff, trustworthy.
- "Chris Davis is one of this nation’s premiere personal injury/accident lawyers...Chris is the real deal."
FYI: Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (M ...
