Attorney General Kathleen Kane is still recovering from a concussion she sustained during a car crash Oct. 21 and has been ordered by doctors not to return to work until Nov. 24, her spokeswoman said in a statement today.
Kane was not wearing her seatbelt when a car driven by her staff was rear-ended and banged her head hard on the dashboard.
She is still experiencing serious symptoms, is undergoing physical therapy and has seen a neurologist, her spokeswoman said.
She has been ordered not to return to work until Nov. 24 at the earliest, and is working from home and overseeing operations at the AG’s office during that period.
See the full statement from spokeswoman Renee Martin below for the specifics of AG Kane’s condition:
“On the morning of Tuesday, Oct. 21st, 2014, Attorney General Kane was involved in a car accident. She was a passenger in the back seat of her official vehicle. It was driven by a member of her security detail and another member of the detail was a passenger in the front seat.
“Unfortunately, the Attorney General was not wearing a seat belt; she hit her head on the window and was jolted. Protocol was followed regarding reporting of the accident.Local police were notified. She, along with the other occupants, drove to the hospital, where she received a CAT scan and X-rays, and was treated for a closed head injury and cervical (neck and back) trauma.
“The Attorney General was given medication and instructions to follow up with her doctor, which she did. She has seen him regularly since the accident. During the first visit with the doctor, he confirmed the diagnosis of a concussion with cervical back trauma and placed her on work restriction. He informed her that closed head injuries usually have a recovery time of 4-6 weeks.
“Since the accident, the pain in her neck and back has intensified. Her doctor has added physical therapy to her course of treatment.
“Yesterday, Nov. 12, 2014, Attorney General Kane had another appointment with her doctor and he did not release her to return to the office until she saw her neurologist.
“She had an appointment today with the neurologist and an MRI of her head and back, followed by physical therapy. The neurologist confirmed the concussion and the neck and back injuries, adjusted her medication, and scheduled a follow-up appointment with him in two weeks.
He has cleared her to return to work, “as tolerable,” on Monday, Nov. 24, 2014. Attorney General Kane will continue to work from her home. She communicates with staff regularly, and is kept apprised of all activities. She is still experiencing headaches, nausea, fatigue and soreness in her neck and back.
“The two agents with General Kane at the time of the accident are also under doctor’s care for injuries sustained in the accident.
“Attorney General Kane would like to thank everyone for the cards and well wishes. She looks forward to returning to the office as soon. Until that time, the office under her leadership will continue to follow the agenda Attorney General Kane has laid out, which includes arresting child predators and drug dealers, recovering funds for the commonwealth, protecting seniors, and prosecuting those who take advantage of the public trust. As always, the Attorney General intends to meet all of her obligations.”