The severity of brain injuries varies considerably

Last year, the New York Daily Post published an article about the rising costs of day care in New York City. During 2015, parents in the city could expect to pay an average of $16,250 per child for day care and “the cost of childcare overall is increasing by $1,612.” The basic economic principle of supply and demand is contributing to the rising costs of day care in the city as many working parents are desperate to find a space for an infant or toddler close to where they live or work.

Both in-home and facility-based childcare centers in the city must be licensed by the Department of Buildings. As part of the licensure process, DOB officials inspect a day care’s premise to ensure that specific building safety codes are being followed and that a premise is generally safe and free of known hazards.

Parents trust that day care facilities and providers are inspected, maintained, licensed and safe. This isn’t, however, always the case. A recent article on the website DNAinfo.com, details the numerous safety deficiencies and violations that plague a Harlem building in which an in-home day care is being illegally run.

The day care is illegal because it is located in a non-fireproof building. While the day care operator is licensed, the DOB issued a letter last June “telling her to stop using the second-floor unit as a day-care facility.” In addition to the fact that the day care does not provide children with direct street access in the event of a fire or emergency, DOB records indicate that the building “has a stop-work order on construction and 22 open violations.”

Additionally a long-time resident of the building, who lives directly below the illegal day care, revealed that a large section of her ceiling caved in last year; which is indicative of serious safety and structural problems.

The health, safety and wellbeing of our children are paramount and day care providers who operate illegally or in facilities with unsafe conditions should be held accountable for their negligent actions.Various types of accidents can lead to a brain injury. Whether you were struck in the head by a falling object, involved in a slip-and-fall accident, struck by a vehicle or in any other accident, you should be aware of some basic points regarding brain injuries so you can keep an eye out for possible symptoms.

You should remember that not all brain injuries come from a direct hit to the head. It is possible to suffer a brain injury that is caused by the brain moving back and forth in a violent manner, as in a car accident. Here are some things you should know about brain injuries.

Symptoms might be delayed

There is a chance that the symptoms of a brain injury will be delayed. This means that you might not realize that you were injured for days or weeks after the accident. In some cases, such as a slow brain bleed, the symptoms might be so minor and come on so slowly that you don’t think anything of them other than that they are annoying.

It is critical to seek medical treatment right away. Proper diagnosis and treatment can prevent further brain damage and help the person recover sooner.

Signs vary depending on the injury

One of the most common signs that you suffered a head injury is a headache. This won’t be like a regular one. Instead, it is persistent and likely won’t respond to over-the-counter medications. You may feel queasy or vomit. Vision changes, trouble concentrating, ringing in the ears, and sleep changes can occur. Some people will experience seizures or loss of consciousness because of the injury.

Diagnosing a brain injury

Diagnosing a brain injury usually involves a physical examination. Imaging tests might be performed to check for bleeding or fluid on the brain. You might also be asked to perform a series of movements to determine if there are any issues with your movements that signal a brain injury. Other methods of diagnosis, including observation in a hospital, may occur.

Treating a brain injury

The treatment for a brain injury depends on the type and location of the injury. Some less severe brain injuries, such as concussions, might require rest and OTC pain medications. Other injuries can require more invasive and prolonged treatments. If fluid is putting pressure on the brain, a shunt might be necessary. In some cases, doctors may need to monitor pressure on the brain, which would involve an invasive procedure to place the monitor beneath the skull. Physical and occupational therapy might also be necessary to help you recover as best as possible.