Former Atlanta Judge Scandal Puts Focus on the Effects of Brain Injury

As any other Atlanta brain injury attorney, I have been following the case of former federal Atlanta judge Jack Camp and his scandal involving an ATM machine, a handgun and a stripper. Since then, we have also learned that the former judge allegedly suffered from bipolar disorder as a result of a traumatic brain injury suffered during a bicycle accident a few years back.

In March, Camp was sentenced to 30 days in prison for crimes that he allegedly committed during a relationship he had with a stripper. Among other things, he allegedly used drugs with her, and paid her money to purchase drugs. After those allegations, his wife came forward to say that the former judge had suffered a bicycle accident back in 2005, and suffered a brain injury in that accident. Camp confirmed those claims, saying that he developed bipolar disorder as a result of the traumatic brain injury he suffered.

Those revelations have cast serious doubt on cases that Camp had handled during his tenure. Already U.S. Attorney Sally Yates has confirmed that her office will be considering requests from people whose cases were handled by Camp after his brain injury.

Severe head injuries also known as Traumatic Brain Injury (“TBI”) usually result from crushing blows or penetrating wounds to the head when a bicyclist is involved in a wreck but is not wearing proper head protection. Such injuries crush, rip and shear delicate brain tissue. This is the most life threatening, and the most intractable type of brain injury. Typically, lengthy hospital stays are required to treat these types of brain of injuries. Frequently, severe head trauma results in an open head injury, one in which the skull has been crushed or seriously fractured. Treatment of open head injuries usually requires prolonged hospitalization and extensive rehabilitation. Typically, rehabilitation is incomplete and for most part there is no return to pre-injury status. Closed head injuries can also result in severe brain injury. TBI can cause a wide range of functional short or long-term changes affecting thinking, sensation, language, or emotions. TBI is also thought to cause epilepsy and increase the risk for conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and other brain disorders that become more prevalent with age.

Bipolar disorder is a psychiatric disorder whose symptoms include episodes of both hyper-mania and depression. A person who suffers from bipolar disorder can swing between extremely high levels of energy, and severe depression, punctuated by periods of relative normalcy. The person may also suffer from hallucinations and delusions.

Studies have linked the emergence of bipolar disorder with a head injury or brain injury. Although these cases are somewhat rare, it’s not unheard of for a person or even a child to develop symptoms of mild bipolar disorder after suffering a head injury.

Camp’s situation is a reminder of the severe repercussions of a traumatic brain injury. I have seen many times over, the horrific effects that a brain injury sustained in a bicycle accident can cause.

Attorney Robert J. Fleming has been handling wrongful death cases, automobile accident cases, personal injury cases, dental malpractice and medical malpractice lawsuits for individuals and families who have been harmed, injured or died as a result of the carelessness or negligence of another for more than 20 years in and around Atlanta, Georgia and its surrounding areas, including Alpharetta, Austell, Avondale Estates, Chamblee, College Park, Conyers, Duluth, Decatur, Doraville, Hapeville, Johns Creek, Jonesboro, Lawrenceville, Norcross, Peachtree City, Riverdale, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Stone Mountain, and Smyrna. If you have been seriously injured and would like quality legal representation, contact Robert J. Fleming directly on (404) 525-5150 or contact us online.