Karon Law Blog

Brain Injury Association of America Has Resources for Survivors and Their Families

Posted March 02, 2026

By Jonathan A. Karon

The Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) provides valuable support to brain injury survivors and their families. It works to ensure that “everyone in the U.S. who sustains a brain injury is recognized, treated, and accepted.” Its National Brain Injury Information Center provides information on brain injuries and a phone number and email address where survivors or their caregivers can connect with brain injury specialists for referrals to support services. BIAA also provides grants for brain injury research and advocates for funding for prevention and treatment. Its Academy of Certified Brain Injury Specialists offers training and certification. The BIAA website has a wealth of resources for survivors, care givers, brain injury professionals, and those who support them. https://biausa.org/public-affairs/media.

One of the most valuable services the BIAA provides is a nationwide network of support groups through its state affiliates.  Their Massachusetts affiliate is the Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts (BIA-MA).  It sponsors both virtual and in person support groups across Massachusetts for brain injury survivors and their loved ones which provide “a forum for sharing information, a compassionate and understanding peer group, and an opportunity to socialize and make new friends.”  The BIA-MA has different types of support groups tailored to the differing needs of different survivors.  Ever since my very first traumatic brain injury client told me how helpful she found her support group, I’ve recommended my Massachusetts clients reach out to BIA-MA.  Their website has a schedule of all the upcoming support group meetings and information on how to register for the virtual support groups.https://biama.org/forcaregiversandsurvivors  No advance registration is required for their in person groups.

The BIAA has an interesting history with strong Massachusetts connections.  It was originally organized in 1980 in Massachusetts as the National Head Injury Foundation (NHIF) and its first annual convention was held in Framingham.  The headquarters remained in Massachusetts until 1990 when it moved to Washington, DC to make it easier to advocate with the Federal government.  The Traumatic Brain Injury Act of 1992 was introduced by Massachusetts Senator Edward M. Kennedy and eventually enacted in 1996 (sometimes government takes time).  In 1995 the NHIF changed its name to the Brain Injury Association of America.  There are, of course, many other important events in its history, that have less connection to Massachusetts and those are listed on its website. https://biausa.org/about/history

Last summer I had the honor of being elected as the American Association for Justice (AAJ) Traumatic Brain Injury Litigation Group’s liaison to the BIAA.  This allowed me to meet some wonderful people and learn more about the important work they do.  This past November I attended BIAA’s annual Luminary of the Year Dinner where they honored Dr. Mark Ashley for his pioneering work in brain injury rehabilitation.  The more I’ve learned about the BIAA, the more convinced I’ve become of the importance of supporting their mission.  If you’d like more information on BIAA, the resources they provide or how you can support them, visit their website at https://biausa.org/ If you’d like more info about the BIA-MA, their website is at https://biama.org/