Signa Consultant Continues Recovery from Head Injuries!

By Patrick Reynolds

April 2004

HOUSTON – Signa Engineering Corp., A Signa Engineering consultant who was critically injured overseas last year was moved to the Transitional Learning Center in Galveston recently, where he is continuing a significant recovery from his injuries. James D. “Jim” North sustained severe head injuries one day after Christmas, 2003, in Miri, East Malaysia.

Jim had completed an assignment for Shell Oil and was preparing to return to the United States when the tragedy occurred. Details of how the incident occurred are still not known, but Jim was found unconscious and quickly transported by Life Flight helicopter to a local Miri hospital where he underwent emergency brain surgery. Later, he was transferred to Singapore, where he went through another series of emergency medical procedures.

Jim remained in a coma for nearly a month, a devastating time for his family while they waited for him to recover. In early February, after he regained his consciousness, Jim was returned stateside via air ambulance and taken to the Texas Institute for Rehabilitation and Research (TIRR) in Houston. Jim remained at TIRR until April 27, when he was moved to Galveston.

“As of Tuesday, Jim has been moved to a rehabilitation center in Galveston,” said Signa Engineering President Bob Davis in late April. “He is still suffering from paralysis on his left side, due to his injuries, but his condition is stable and he is in good spirits.”

Jim’s speech – which was inhibited for a while – has mostly returned, Bob Davis said. Jim’s mental capacity is almost back to normal, as well.

“We’re all relieved Jim made it through this as well as he did, and back to the United States to be with his family,” Bob Davis continued. “When I first heard about the ordeal, Jim’s doctor said he might not make it. We’re really glad he’s recovering.”