Category Archives: Law

New Safety Measures Take Effect for Stunt Performers

Box office success proves that people relish characters’ overcoming unbelievably intimidating or frightening physical odds in film. However, for the stunt performers who perform these acts, the imbedded danger can be very real. An Ohio University study published in 2023 by the NIH reveals stunt risk: 80% of film and television stunt performers have experienced head impacts. Of that high percentage, 86% showed concussion-like symptoms. (This percentage is likely much higher than industry professionals would think, as there is also a 2024 NIH-published report Stunt performers’ reluctance to self-report head trauma.)

Based on statistics and the increased public concern about production safety, California signed into law SB 132 in July 2023. While this bill was not effective until this past July, the Income taxes: tax credits: motion pictures: occupational safety: California Film Commission mandates safety advisors and risk assessments for tax-credit productions, specifically stating, “[it] would require the safety advisor to prepare a final safety evaluation report based on the actual risk and compliance experience.” Georgia now requires, “major studio filming… [to] assign a safety officer to a feature length production as part of a pilot program.” New York has also developed a similar pilot safety officer program in 2025.

The film industry, at large, has also taken action, as SAG-AFTRA now requires 500 days’ experience for stunt coordinators. Beyond performer safety concern, this enhanced attention to the issue of stunt trauma is based on simple financial calculations, as lawsuits underscore the stakes. HBO settled with stuntman Casey Michaels for $9.4 million in 2023. Fast & Furious 9 producers also faced $1 million in fines after stuntman Joe Watts suffered traumatic brain injury.

While new laws and highlighted attention are a positive sign, stunt safety remains difficult to assess. An exploratory study found in the NIH database, Head Trauma and Concussions in Film and Television Stunt Performers, alarmingly found that fear of job loss meant that 65% continued working while symptomatic.) “Concussion seems to be a serious occupational health issue in stunt performers,” stated Dr. Jeffrey Russell, researcher at Ohio University. This somewhat dismissive statement shows that action is needed to protect both the stunt performers and the studios’ bottom line.

Brain Injury Bill Returns After 2024 Setback

On September 24, 2025, S.2898 – Dennis John Benigno Traumatic Brain Injury Program Reauthorization Act of 2025 was introduced to the Senate. Sponsored by Senator Markwayne Mullin (OK), the legislation seeks to reauthorize federal grant programs providing care and resources for individuals with traumatic brain injuries through 2030, including funding for state partnership grants, protection systems, and CDC research.

Sen. Andy Kim (NJ), one of the bills bipartisan co-sponsors, says that he considers it a privilege to advance legislation that supports a cause that was so important to late Congressman Bill Pascrell (NJ), his friend and a staunch champion of TBI issues. (Kim’s extensive work with veterans, some of whom suffer traumatic brain injuries, also deepens his understanding of the issue’s severity.)

The current bill, named for a Clifton, NJ resident who was struck by a car as a pedestrian, essentially reintroduces the 2024 legislation. That bill passed Senate committee overwhelmingly but was unexpectedly removed from a December continuing resolution. This new bill, S.2898, preserves much of the 2024 bill while extending authorization through 2030 and reducing state matching requirements, making federal funding more accessible. The last action taken on the bill was on October 8, 2025, when a star print was ordered on the bill. According to congressional diction, “star prints are corrected re-prints of congressional publications.”

Cursive Writing Benefits to Students & the Brain Injured

Cursive writing functions as a complex motor skill that can remarkably persist even when brain injury patients lose explicit memory of how to perform it. This surprising phenomenon occurs because cursive engages procedural memory systems stored in the basal ganglia and cerebellum, which often remain intact when other cognitive functions are impaired. Recent NIH-funded research demonstrates that “attempting to write each letter produces a unique pattern of activity in the brain,” as Stanford’s Dr. Frank Willett explained in a 2025 study. A comprehensive 2025 analysis published by the NIH found that cursive writing creates enhanced connectivity across motor, visual, and memory regions.

For brain injury survivors, studies suggest cursive practice offers superior rehabilitation benefits. Unlike typing, which “relies on repetitive finger movements,” cursive engages “fine motor coordination and smooth transitions between letters,” activating broader neural networks crucial for recovery, according to recent university research. The continuous motor control required for cursive helps rebuild damaged neural pathways and enhances fine motor skills essential for rehabilitation.

Currently, many states have been dropping cursive instruction as a curriculum requirement, but recent neurological evidence has prompted policy reversals. New Jersey State Senator Angela McKnight recently advanced legislation requiring cursive proficiency by fifth grade, stating: “We’re doing our children a disservice by not teaching them a vital skill they will need for the rest of their lives.” California, Kentucky, and New Hampshire have reinstated requirements after recognizing cursive’s cognitive benefits. This resurgence reflects growing understanding that cursive writing enhances memory retention, motor control, and neural integration—benefits particularly valuable for cognitive development and including for those with a brain injury.

Big Beautiful Bill Controversy Obscures Opportunity for the Disabled

Self-identified as one of his signature achievements, President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” was signed July 4, 2025. Since this time, H.R. 1 has generated widespread criticism from the news media.  The Atlantic described it as “A Big, Bad, Very Ugly Bill,” while ABC News reported that “two-thirds of the public view the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ legislation unfavorably.” While some of this criticism may be legitimate, the bill also offers opportunities for Americans with disabilities despite concerning cuts to social programs.

The legislation reduces SNAP funding by $186 billion through 2034 and implements stricter work requirements and eligibility verification for Medicaid, both of which could potentially affect millions of disabled Americans. However, the bill notably leaves Medicare largely unchanged, preserving this critical healthcare program for seniors and people with disabilities.

The legislation’s most transformative provision dramatically expands ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) savings accounts, allowing people whose disability was diagnosed before age 46 to qualify, up from age 26. This change will enable an estimated 15 million Americans with disabilities to access tax-advantaged savings accounts without jeopardizing government benefits like Medicaid and Social Security.

The bill makes permanent several tax advantages, including 529-to-ABLE rollovers and expanded saver’s credits. As reported by CNBC, Charlie Massimo, a financial advisor and father of two sons with autism, says, “This is a game changer. For the first time, millions of Americans with disabilities will have access to the same kind of tax-advantaged wealth-building accounts most families already have.” Geneva Dickerson, who cares for her disabled brother, sees the potential: “With an account like the ABLE account, he can use those funds to pay for more speech therapy or physical therapy if insurance doesn’t cover it.”

While controversial aspects of the bill deserve scrutiny, the ABLE expansion represents the most significant advancement in disability financial inclusion in over a decade, offering unprecedented opportunities for financial security and independence.

H.R.1 – One Big Beautiful Bill Act: https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1

ABLE: https://www.ablenrc.org/

Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act Targets Brain Injury Prevention

Congressional lawmakers have introduced the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act to strengthen fighter safety protections. Representatives Brian Jack (GA) and Sharice Davids (KS) introduced this legislation in July 2025, building upon the Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996.

The timing coincides with devastating losses in Tokyo, where Shigetoshi Kotari and Hiromasa Urakawa, both 28, died from subdural hematomas after competing on the same card at Korakuen Hall on August 2. Both fighters collapsed following their matches and underwent emergency brain surgery but died days later. Japan’s Boxing Commission subsequently reduced championship fights from 12 to 10 rounds.

The new legislation enhances the original Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act, enacted in 2000, which primarily addressed financial protections. This revival focuses heavily on medical safety, mandating comprehensive brain imaging including MRIs every three years and increased testing frequency after knockouts.

The lawmakers cite concerns about brain trauma in combat sports, with former MMA fighter Congresswoman Davids drawing from personal experience about ring dangers. The World Boxing Organization, a major international sanctioning body governing professional boxing globally, endorses these enhanced safety protocols to protect fighter welfare.

TBI & PTSD Treatment Gains Congressional Momentum

Congressional efforts to expand hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) access for veterans with traumatic brain injuries and PTSD are advancing through multiple legislative channels in 2025.

Congressman Andy Biggs (AZ) reintroduced H.R. 72, the TBI and PTSD Treatment Act, on January 3, 2025, alongside co-sponsors Representative Elijah Crane (AZ) and Representative Paul Gosar (AZ). The bill was referred to the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee and subsequently to the Subcommittee on Health on February 6, 2025.

Additionally, Congressman Greg Murphy (NC) championed H.R. 1336, the Veterans National Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment Act, which successfully passed the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee on May 6, 2025. This bipartisan legislation establishes a pilot program for HBOT treatment and garnered support from twelve co-sponsors across party lines.

Both bills target the veteran suicide epidemic, with over 17 veterans lost daily. HBOT accelerates brain healing by delivering elevated oxygen to damaged tissue, with studies showing significant PTSD symptom reduction within four weeks of treatment.

The legislation aims to remove VA bureaucratic barriers and provide veterans additional treatment options beyond traditional therapies, representing a critical step toward addressing the mental health crisis affecting America’s veterans.

Sit Down and Breathe

Holly’s Trauma May Prevent Others from Neurological Harm

Holly, a single mother of three, was brutally beaten unconscious while trying to intervene in a downtown Cincinnati street fight on July 26 at around 3 a.m. Violently slammed to the ground by the attackers, she was left with severe injuries including neurological damage, specifically a concussion and vision problems.

In subsequent media appearances, Holly described the assault as “attempted murder” rather than just an incident, criticizing police for their inadequate response. She also expressed frustration that despite suffering life-threatening injuries, as of the date of her viral response, she had not been contacted by Cincinnati officials, apologizing for the attack.

Six individuals have been arrested in connection with the brutal beating that was witnessed by approximately 100 bystanders, though only one person called 911 for help.

In response, on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, Ohio Senator Bernie Moreno introduced “Holly’s Act” – proposed legislation aimed at ending what he calls the justice system’s “revolving door” for repeat offenders. The act would raise minimum sentences and bail requirements for violent criminals, ensuring those with extensive criminal records cannot easily return to the streets.  Additionally, “[He] will convene the federal agencies that provide money to Cincinnati and ask them to suspend federal funding until [the city council and the mayor have] a plan in place.”

Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval called Ohio Senator Bernie Moreno’s response “extremely disappointing,” stating that threats to suspend federal funding constitute “political theater” designed to harm residents. The mayor defended the city’s existing public safety initiatives, including drone programs and walking patrols, while acknowledging more work needed to be done downtown.

Holly supports the legislation, hoping her traumatic experience will be a catalyst to prevent similar attacks and improve police staffing statewide.

Texas First to Fund New Psychedelic Research

Texas has made history by becoming the first state to allocate significant public funding for psychedelic medicine research. Governor Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 2308 into law in June 2025, committing $50 million to FDA-approved clinical trials of ibogaine, a psychedelic compound derived from an African shrub.

The groundbreaking legislation represents the largest government investment in psychedelic research to date, positioning Texas as a global leader in this emerging field. The initiative aims to develop FDA-approved treatments for opioid addiction, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and PTSD—conditions that have devastated countless lives across America.

Rick Perry’s Pivotal Role

Former Texas Governor Rick Perry has emerged as an unlikely but passionate advocate for ibogaine research. His involvement began through his relationship with Navy SEAL veterans Marcus and Morgan Luttrell, who found relief from combat-related trauma through ibogaine treatment in Mexico. After witnessing their remarkable recoveries, Perry dedicated himself to advancing this cause, even launching the nonprofit Americans for Ibogaine.

“I’ve spent most of my adult life in public service, and few things have moved me like what I’ve witnessed with this psychedelic drug,” Perry wrote in a recent op-ed, describing how ibogaine helped veterans overcome years of opioid dependence and psychological trauma.

Promising Results for Brain Injury

Recent Stanford Medicine research found that ibogaine, when combined with magnesium for heart protection, safely reduced PTSD symptoms by 88%, depression by 87%, and anxiety by 81% in combat veterans with traumatic brain injuries. The treatment appears to promote neuroplasticity, potentially helping the brain repair itself after injury.

While primarily focused on veterans, the research could benefit anyone suffering from brain trauma, including athletes with concussion-related injuries and accident victims. Texas’s historic investment may lead the way to finally bringing this promising treatment to American patients who have long traveled abroad seeking relief.

Texas SB 2308: https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=SB2308

MO Brings Oxygen into TBI Recovery

Missouri has demonstrated remarkable commitment to our veterans with the ratification of SB 664 on July 14, 2025.  The “Veterans Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment and Recovery Act,” was passed with overwhelming support of 33-0 in the Senate and 156-1 in the House. Governor Mike Kehoe signed this groundbreaking legislation on Monday, establishing a fund to reimburse HBOT facilities treating veterans with TBI or PTSD, recognizing the treatment’s potential to combat veteran suicide and opioid addiction. The initiative represents a projected investment exceeding $5 million annually, underscoring the state’s confidence in this therapeutic approach.

HBOT works by delivering 100% oxygen in pressurized chambers at 1.4-3 times normal atmospheric pressure, dramatically increasing oxygen delivery to damaged brain tissues. Advocates report that this treatment “stimulates brain wound healing and can reverse soft tissue and neurocognitive damage” without requiring invasive surgery or pharmaceutical interventions. Patients can “experience recovery of cognitive and neurological functioning” through this non-invasive approach.

Clinical research has yielded encouraging results across multiple studies. For moderate-to-severe TBI cases, several high-quality studies demonstrated statistically significant improvements in consciousness recovery compared to standard care alone. Research has consistently shown better Glasgow Outcome Scale scores and reduced mortality rates in HBOT treatment groups. A comprehensive 2016 review highlighted that “most successes occurred within hours after TBI,” emphasizing the importance of early intervention. Particularly compelling evidence comes from pediatric research, where a study of 56 children with severe TBI found that HBOT “significantly improved quality of life and reduced complications” compared to control groups. Additional research involving 56 patients showed “significant improvement in symptoms and increased brain activity” measurable through SPECT brain imaging.

The treatment maintains a generally acceptable safety profile, with most side effects being minor and temporary, including ear discomfort, headaches, and fatigue. Serious adverse events remain rare when HBOT is properly administered. This positive safety record, combined with growing clinical evidence and strong legislative support, has led some VA facilities to begin offering HBOT treatment to veterans, representing an important step toward broader acceptance of this promising therapeutic intervention.

Pandemic Accountability

About seven months ago, the U.S. government declared the COVID pandemic “over”.  As part of going forward, on May 9th, 2023, President Biden signed an Executive Order titled, “Moving Beyond COVID-⁠19 Vaccination Requirements for Federal Workers.”  Federal workers previously were required to get the COVID vaccine.  Currently, the vast majority of Americans walk in public without masks or fear.  However, the repercussions of government policies, actions and opinions about COVID-19 linger for some Americans.

Millions of people, in America and beyond, were initially eager to receive the vaccine shot, after their lives had been essentially halted for months due to the unforeseen COVID virus.  Before taking the jab, neither American citizens nor the government had information regarding its long-term effects. Soon after, though, we all became better educated on the topic.  “It was like playing Russian roulette,” said a father about the COVID-19 vaccine.  His previously healthy son died after receiving a dose of the Pfizer vaccine in April 2021.  In Louisiana, another such calamity occurred, this time with the Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccine.  The healthy 16-year-old woman who received the vaccine shot in April 2021 was left with a brain injury.  “Now, after three brain surgeries and thousands of hours of physical therapy, she struggles to walk, write, and care for herself,” says the lawsuit, filed in Louisiana, about the vaccine’s lifelong consequences for this woman. 

Last year, the federal government even acknowledged the connection between COVID vaccines and brain damage, noting that, “There is a greater than expected occurrence of severe neurological adverse events…following different kinds of COVID-19 vaccinations,” in the aptly titled 2022 report, Neurological Complications Following COVID-19 Vaccination.   Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer and others considered to be Big Pharma cannot, under law, be sued for these outcomes and, ultimately, Big Pharma did not mandate the vaccine – that was the purview of the federal and state governments, as well as various individual organizations.  While negative outcomes from the COVID vaccine were rare, they occurred and someone should be held accountable.         

NOTE: Though I penned this article months ago, I never posted it on my site.  If more up-to-date information is available, related specifically to this topic, please comment below.