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 with a stripper. Since then, we have also learned that the former judge suffered from bipolar disorder, 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 committed during a relationship he had with a stripper. Among other things, he apparently 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 US Atty. Sally Yates has confirmed that her office will be considering requests from people whose cases were handled by Camp after his brain injury.
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.
