--- description: President Trump’s Statements About Brain Injuries Are Misguided title: President Trump’s Statements About Brain Injuries Are Misguided --- President Trump’s Statements About Brain Injuries Are Misguided # President Trump’s Statements About Brain Injuries Are Misguided Last Updated: November 19, 2025 Reading Time: 4 minutes Trusted Content Legally Reviewed by Allan Siegel Updated 6 months ago [Home](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/) » [Recent Posts](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/) » President Trump’s Statements About Brain Injuries Are Misguided What's On This Page [Case Results](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/case-results/) $6 Million Brain Injury $2.4 Million Brain Injury $2 Million Brain Injury $2 Million Brain Injury $ 1.8 Millon Brain Injury [View All Practice Areas](https://chaikinandsherman.com/practice-areas/) [Testimonials](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/testimonials-hub/) I would never worry again if they are on the case. 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"*" indicates required fields Name* First Last Name* Last Email** Phone*Are you a new client?*Are you a new client? *Yes, I'm a potential new client.No, I'm a current existing client.I'm neitherCase TypeCase TypeMotor Vehicle AccidentSlip & FallAssaultMedical MalpracticeAbuseWork InjuryOtherWere You at Fault?Were You At Fault?NoYesUnknownWhere Did The Incident Occur?Where Did The Incident Occur?Washington, D.C.VirginiaMarylandOtherDid The Accident Occur In the Last Two Years?Did The Accident Occur In the Last Two Years?YesNoShare Brief Description of the Incident* Three of the firm’s partners — including the co-founders of the Brain Injury Association of Metropolitan Washington, DC — discuss TBI litigation, the firm’s preferred attorney status with the Brain Injury Association of America, and the DC Athletic Concussion Protection Act, which attorney Joseph Cammarata drafted into law. Video Transcript **Ira Sherman (00:01):** Your brain is like the yolk in an egg, so when you shake the egg, you don’t have to crack it. You just go like that, and the yolk is affected. I was on the board of Directors of the Brain Injury Association of America. I was treasurer of the Brain Injury Association of America. Mr. Camara and I started the DC chapter, the Affiliate of the Brain Injury Association of America, which didn’t exist. We are the preferred lawyers of the Brain Injury Association in the Washington DC Metropolitan area. And what I mean by that is, is that the Brain Injury Association of America designates individual attorneys that they recognize as being experienced in handling cases involving traumatic brain injury to determine if they have a case and make sure that it’s handled properly. **Allan Siegel (00:54):** You get hurt in sports and you get sent right back into the game, or you knocked your head and you get back up and you go about your day. Nobody really thought much about those injuries a long time ago, but we did. We understood the seriousness of those types of injuries and how sometimes you could have serious ongoing effects from what is even a mild traumatic brain injury or what is often referred to as a concussion. **Joseph Cammarata (01:21):** I co-founded the Brain Injury Association of Washington, DC. I drafted legislation which became law in the District of Columbia to protect youth athletes from concussion. Concussion is a brain injury, a traumatic brain injury that can cause significant harm, cognitive deficits, emotional disturbances, vision problems, hearing problems. And so it’s important to be able to do the investigation, but do the legwork that’s necessary to put together the case to establish that there has been harm, but it’s invisible, right? You can’t see it, but the impact is real. And so it’s our job to bring to life the impact and show that this is real as a result of some trauma. Brain injuries are notorious for their unpredictable and far-reaching repercussions, and they have the potential to result in physical and / or emotional effects that can be very serious, permanent, and life altering. While research and high-profile cases have helped the public better understand brain injuries and their potential for creating significant setbacks in the lives of victims and families, it is an unfortunate fact that many fail to grasp just how serious they can be. That’s a problem which prevents many victims from seeking the help they need – and one that’s often perpetuated by myths and misguided statements. Just recently, the current U.S. Administration [held a conference](https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.cnn.com/2020/01/22/politics/donald-trump-iran-attack-headaches/index.html?utm_source=The*Point*with*Chris*Cillizza*Alerts&utm_campaign=63c18f5dc7-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_01_22_03_08&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_ada7c7ac0a-63c18f5dc7-83777109__;KysrKys!!COskAx4!R-yieY_lnhwtEID_Ki13DLBfNN_zwVNsh6Uzzi0RqNid4BNTOcvQGhE3_Zb6yA$) at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where attendees questioned President Donald Trump on a variety of issues – including why initial claims said no Americans had been harmed in retaliatory strikes against a U.S. base in Iraq, when reports revealed a number of military personnel were diagnosed with [concussions](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/brain-injuries/concussions/) (the Department of Defense later reported 34 U.S. service members suffered traumatic brain injuries from the Iranian airstrikes on the Al Asad Air Base in Iraq). In response to those questions, President Trump was dismissive of the traumatic brain injuries; concussions suffered by the service members, he said, were not “serious” injuries. *“I don’t consider it very serious relative to other injuries that I’ve seen… No, I do not consider that to be bad injuries.”* According to the [New York Times](https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.nytimes.com/2020/01/24/world/middleeast/iran-iraq-troops-brain-injuries.html?campaign_id=60&instance_id=0&segment_id=20623&user_id=a3bbbd23663e6892582f1b8341d2386c®i_id=66028280__;!!COskAx4!R-yieY_lnhwtEID_Ki13DLBfNN_zwVNsh6Uzzi0RqNid4BNTOcvQGhF03jKS_Q$), 17 of the 34 service members with reported traumatic brain injuries were transported by medical evacuation aircraft to Germany. Nine remain in the hospital, while others were flown home. All, contrary to statements made, will likely face unpredictable futures filled with risks for serious symptoms, setbacks, and disabilities. ### Brain Injuries **Can **Have Life-Long Consequences Unfortunately, misinformation about brain injuries is not uncommon – particularly when it comes to the assumption that concussions and TBIs won’t have long-term consequences or create lasting issues. This misbelief is a major reason why many forego medical treatment after a head injury, and why our sports cultures have long encouraged athletes to believe they can “shake” these injuries off. In reality, traumatic brain injuries (TBI) can cause*** serious and lasting harm***s. Though they cannot be “seen” in the ways visible injuries can – something which makes them arguably more dangerous – they still present very immediate concerns, long-term risks, and the very real possibility of life-altering consequences. Though brain injuries are shrouded by a level of mystery unpredictability, the science is all too clear when it comes to some common facts: - **Concussions are brain injuries, and all brain injuries have the potential for long-term, severe, or life-altering repercussions.** Concussions are a form of [traumatic brain injury](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/brain-injuries/) resulting from sudden and forceful movement of the brain within the skull. This stretches and damages delicate brain cells and structures, and causes chemical changes which affect how it functions. This includes changes affecting thinking (reasoning and memory), sensation (balance and sight), language (communication and expression), and emotion. - **Even if they are not visible, brain injuries can have lasting consequences and even if brain injuries are classified as “mild,” it does not mean victims are exempt from serious physical, behavioral, and psychological effects.** One study from the American Academy of Neurology ([AAN](https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.aan.com/PressRoom/Home/PressRelease/1297__;!!COskAx4!R-yieY_lnhwtEID_Ki13DLBfNN_zwVNsh6Uzzi0RqNid4BNTOcvQGhHpVIxqWA$)) found even “mild” TBI can cause significant brain damage; mTBI victims scored 25% lower in thinking and memory skill tests than people without brain injury. - **Chronic head trauma substantially increases risks of progressive and debilitating neurological disorders, and makes a person more likely to suffer another.** Repetitive head injury, as illustrated most notably by the NFL concussion lawsuit, can result in life-altering physical, emotional, and neurological changes; including conditions like Parkinson’s, ALS, dementia, and [CTE](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/2017/07/researchers-find-shocking-but-expected-results-in-brain-study-99-of-former-nfl-players-had-cte/). - **Even a single brain injury can cause permanent damage and impairment.** Research shows [even one concussion](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/2016/october/one-concussion-could-have-long-term-consequences/) can have serious long-term effects. According to an Oxford University study, younger victims with just a single diagnosed concussion were more likely to receive disability as adults, seek mental health treatment, and drop out of high school / not attend college, and were twice as likely as their siblings to die at a younger age. - **In addition to debilitating headaches, thinking and memory problems, and other physical or cognitive symptoms, TBI victims face [greater risks of mental health issues](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/2019/07/new-study-concussions-linked-to-higher-risks-for-mental-health-issues/), including depression and PTSD**. Emotional and behavioral symptoms associated with brain injuries have been strongly linked to repetitive head trauma the likes of what former NFL athletes suffered. However, TBI and PTSD have also become “signature wounds” among Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. Ultimately, statements made by the President during his conference are not an anomaly; there is still much to learn about the brain and its response to trauma, and much awareness to raise among the public about treating brain injuries – including concussions – as the very serious injuries they are. Because even our nation’s leaders can made mistakes in proliferating misguided statements, it is important for people, parents, and families to educate themselves about brain injuries, the importance of immediate medical evaluations, and the growing body of research into both long-term effects and treatment. If anything positive is to come of the criticism the Administration has received for these statements, it will hopefully be increased visibility and understanding of traumatic brain injuries. *Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. is a nationally recognized civil trial firm that serves injured victims and families across the DMV region. As designated “Preferred Attorneys” for the DC Metro area by the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA), we have extensive experience with [brain injury cases](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/brain-injuries/), and are available to speak with anyone who would like more information about personal injury claims and their legal rights. [Contact us](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/contact-us/) to speak with an attorney.* [Watch Our Video Testimonials](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/testimonials-hub/) ## Get free advice about the compensation you deserve. At Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C., our car accident attorneys fight tirelessly to secure the compensation you deserve, handling every aspect of your case to protect your rights. Trust us to stand by you and advocate aggressively on your behalf. Speak to a Specialist Visit Us in Person 1232 17th St NW Washington, DC 20036 The brain injury attorneys at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. — including Senior Partner Joseph Cammarata, who co-founded the Brain Injury Association of D.C. and authored the District of Columbia Athletic Concussion Protection Act of 2011 — represent clients across Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia in [concussion claims](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/brain-injuries/concussions/), [blunt force trauma cases](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/brain-injuries/blunt-force-trauma/), and matters involving the [causes of traumatic brain injury](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/brain-injuries/causes/), with experience guiding families through [TBI treatment decisions](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/brain-injuries/treatment-for-traumatic-brain-injury/) and long-term recovery. Top 10 Mistakes Made After an Accident Review these common auto accident mistakes to protect your rights. READ OUR E-BOOK Meet Our Team Learn More About Us Ira Sherman Partner Licensed in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and New York With over four decades of courtroom experience, **Ira Sherman** is a powerhouse trial lawyer who has won justice for countless victims of serious injury, discrimination, and medical malpractice. Known for his relentless advocacy, compassion, and proven results, he’s the attorney clients trust when everything is on the line. Ira Sherman's Bio Joseph Cammarata Partner Licensed in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia A dual board-certified civil trial attorney, **Joseph Cammarata** is nationally recognized for his fierce advocacy, landmark legal victories, and relentless pursuit of justice for victims of serious injury, wrongful death, sexual assault, and civil rights violations. With wins against powerful opponents—including a historic U.S. Supreme Court case securing equal access to justice—he’s the attorney clients trust when they need skill, strength, and results that matter. Joe Cammarata's Bio Allan M. Siegel​ Partner Licensed in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia **Allan M. Siegel** is a board-certified trial attorney and partner at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C., known for securing justice in serious personal injury, brain injury, and wrongful death cases. Recognized as one of Washington’s *Top 100 Super Lawyers®* and a *Best Lawyer®* in America, he combines strategic precision, courtroom skill, and relentless advocacy to win full and fair compensation for his clients. Allan Siegel's Bio Stephen Ollar Partner Licensed in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia **Stephen Ollar** is an award-winning trial attorney and U.S. Army veteran dedicated to holding negligent individuals and corporations accountable. Recognized as a *Super Lawyers Rising Star* from 2020–2025, he’s known for his tenacity, precision, and unwavering pursuit of justice in personal injury, auto accident, and medical malpractice cases. Stephen Ollar's Bio ## Related Articles Read More Blog Articles Blunt Force Trauma to the Head Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment Brain Injuries Concussions Brain Injury Causes Washington DC Brain Injury Lawyer Why Pedestrian Deaths Keep Rising — And What the Latest Data Reveals Walking along major roads in the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia region often means navigating Read More » 11/19/2025 [](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/2025/07/partner-allan-m-siegel-elected-treasurer-of-aaj-brain-injury-litigation-group-and-secretary-of-aaj-trucking-litigation-group/) Brain Injury Partner Allan M. 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