New York Consolidated Laws, Public Health Law - PBH § 2741. Definitions

1. “Traumatic brain injury” means an acquired injury to the brain caused by an external physical force resulting in total or partial disability or impairment and shall include but not be limited to damage to the central nervous system from anoxic/hypoxic episodes or damage to the central nervous system from allergic conditions, toxic substances and other acute medical/clinical incidents.  Such term shall include, but not be limited to, open and closed brain injuries that may result in mild, moderate or severe impairments in one or more areas, including cognition, language, memory, attention, reasoning, abstract thinking, judgment, problem-solving, sensory perceptual and motor abilities, psycho-social behavior, physical functions, information processing and speech.  Such term shall not include progressive dementias and other mentally impairing conditions, depression and psychiatric disorders in which there is no known or obvious central nervous system damage, neurological, metabolic and other medical conditions of chronic, congenital or degenerative nature or brain injuries induced by birth trauma.

2. “Concussion” means a mild traumatic injury to the brain that is characterized by immediate and transient alteration of mental status and level of consciousness, resulting from mechanical force or trauma.