A concussion is a kind of traumatic brain injury or a TBI. In fact, it is the most commonly sustained TBI in the United States. Concussions are frequently caused by blunt-force trauma. The brain is protected by the skull. However, when the brain is rapidly jolted inside the skull due to a forceful impact, a concussion can occur. In some patients, a concussion can result in the loss of consciousness. As concussions often do not lead to long-term adverse health issues, they are considered a form of minor traumatic brain injury or mTBI. Some victims may have an increased risk of developing severe traumatic brain injury if they have received brain trauma previously. Any traumatic brain injury can result in devastating life-altering effects.
Have you or a loved one sustained a concussion due to the negligence of another? At Tatum & Atkinson,’the Heavy Hitters,” you’ll have a trusted and committed legal advocate fighting for your rights and working towards a just outcome. Don’t wait; call (800) 529-0804 or connect with us online today to start your journey toward getting the justice and peace of mind you deserve.
There are various causes of concussions. The most common causes of concussion include:
Here at Tatum & Atkinson, ‘the Heavy Hitters,’ we understand that a concussion can have profound, life-changing effects on an injured party’s life. Our law firm understands the difficulties that these types of injuries can present. Our experienced concussion lawyers are knowledgeable in traumatic brain injury case best-practices and are adept in masterfully negotiating with insurers. We always take the necessary steps to ensure that you receive the best possible outcome for your case. We empathize with our clients and are always transparent with them about our strategies so they are fully aware of how their case is progressing.
Like other traumatic brain injuries, concussions can lead to physical, psychological, and mental effects. Symptoms can last from days to weeks, or even longer, depending on the severity, location, and cause of injury. According to a CDC report, concussion symptoms can be divided into the following primary categories:
Some concussion patients suffer from memory loss. They may have a hard time remembering things, and in a few patients, their thinking process is slowed. Concussion patients may face difficulty in executive function and solving typical daily tasks.
Some physical effects following a concussion may include:
A few emotional effects that may be present following a concussion include:
It is not uncommon for concussion victims to face sleep disturbances, including:
If you or your loved one has suffered from head trauma, it is imperative that you receive a medical evaluation as soon as possible. Any delay can prove fatal. Signs indicating that serious brain damage has occurred include:
Even after contacting the doctor and being diagnosed, brain injury patients should follow all the instructions provided by the doctor during treatment to recover as soon as possible.
Concussions are closed skull injuries. They do not leave any visible scars, making them difficult to diagnose. Doctors often diagnose the patient based on the severity of their reported suffering. A doctor can conduct different tests to check how severe the injury is. Some of the common tests include:
However, it is important to note that not all traumatic brain injuries will show up on an MRI scan. The treatment is specific for the patient based on their symptoms. The main treatment protocols that are followed after a concussion sustained from an injury are explained below:
As a lot of patients suffer from headaches following concussions, a doctor’s first treatment option is often to treat the headaches and relieve the patient from consistent headaches.
Physical and mental rest is a top priority after any brain injury. It allows the victims to relax and heal from the trauma. Physical rest is important to allow patients to perform their daily tasks again. Mental rests are crucial to help the patient with psychological symptoms. Rehabilitation may be part of this treatment. In rehab centers, patients are afforded the opportunity to focus on themselves and receive assistance and tools to recover from their trauma.
All types of traumatic brain injury may permanently change a victim’s life and leave long-lasting effects. Concussions are usually considered mild but may still lead to long-term consequences. The effects following a concussion can change the life of a victim and their families. Traumatic brain injuries often have a great impact on the personal, social, and financial components of an injury victim’s life. If the victim sustains any long-term adverse symptoms, their life is permanently altered. In some cases, survivors of traumatic brain injury will be unable to work and support themselves. Others will go on to experience post-traumatic depression and stress. Thus, a long term prognosis and treatment plan are essential.
Post-concussive syndrome occurs when mild traumatic brain injury symptoms persist longer than they usually do, such as for weeks or months following the initial injury. Those with post-concussive syndrome often exhibit the same symptoms as the initial injury, such as headache, nausea, and dizziness. Post-concussive syndrome gradually reduces the victim’s quality of life. According to statistics, women are more likely to develop post-concussive syndrome after the incident, and age is a factor. Older people who have experienced concussions are more prone to develop this syndrome.
Second impact syndrome occurs when a patient develops concussion symptoms again, before fully recovering from the first concussion. It is very rare. Even minor symptoms after the first onset can lead to second-impact syndrome. It may prove fatal and cause permanent damage to the victim. In the worst conditions, the patient may suffer from dilated pupils and respiratory problems, sometimes claiming the victim’s life. The victim can avoid second impact syndrome by properly resting after the first onset of symptoms, and if they feel any recurring symptoms, they should contact the emergency department immediately.
Some of the other long-term complications of concussion can involve:
Any kind of trauma can be accidental or due to negligence, like playing some hard sport without any gear, driving cars or trucks at high speed and not wearing a proper seat belt, not following traffic rules as pedestrians, not wearing a proper uniform in industries, and more. However, those most at risk include:
Doctors and the public have treated concussions as a minor medical issue in various cases throughout the past. Negligence of this sort can lead to severe complications. The abovementioned complications are more common in cases where victims have neglected their signs and symptoms or have suffered pain without receiving medical attention. Even a minor concussion can lead to serious consequences. However, victims often return to their activities and do not proceed with further medical evaluation; because they are scared of costly medical expenses or losing time from work. Many people may be unaware that they can fully recover these losses associated with their injury with the help of a traumatic brain injury attorney.
Compensable economic damages include losses that cause financial harm to the patient, such as medical bills, property loss, and loss of income.
Compensable non-economic damages include intangible losses that are not associated with a specific dollar amount, such as emotional trauma, the loss of a loved one, the loss of personal relationships with the victim, and a reduction in their quality of life.
If you or your loved one is diagnosed with concussion and are suffering due to the negligence of another party, you should not hesitate to contact an experienced concussion attorney to discuss your legal options at no-risk to you. At Tatum and Atkinson, ‘the Heavy Hitters,’ we have experienced traumatic brain injury attorneys to guide you through the lawsuit effectively to ensure that you receive the best possible outcome for your claim. We will represent you in court when necessary and effectively negotiate with insurance companies to secure the maximum compensation possible for you.
Our experienced concussion attorneys are here to assist you every step of the way. We will be able to obtain all required evidence, communicate with insurance providers, and prove that the responsible party is liable for the accident. We will also accurately calculate the full value of your claim so that you receive the compensation you deserve. At Tatum & Atkinson, ’the Heavy Hitters,’ you’ll have a trusted and committed legal advocate fighting for your rights and working towards a just outcome. Don’t wait; call (800) 529-0804 or connect with us online today to start your journey toward getting the justice and peace of mind you deserve.