Concussion Injury

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Concussions are a common but often misunderstood type of brain injury. Usually caused by sudden blows or jolts to the head, they can happen during car accidents, sports activities, falls, and a slew of other traumatic events.

Thankfully, most people fully recover from a concussion within a few weeks. However, the brain is a complicated thing, and other folks can encounter long-term complications that impact their everyday lives. If you’ve sustained a head injury because of someone else’s negligence, it is crucial to understand that you may have a legal right to file for compensation to cover your losses.

What Is a Concussion?

A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) that happens when the brain is shaken inside the skull, usually as the result of some type of sudden impact. 

Common causes of concussions include the following:

• Vehicle Accidents: Sudden impacts can cause the driver’s or a passenger’s head to hit the car’s steering wheel, dashboard, or window.
• Falls: Common in older adults; a simple trip can cause a blow to the head severe enough to cause a concussion.
• Sports Injuries: Contact sports like football and soccer often see players reporting head injuries.
• Physical Assaults: Any direct blow to the head during a fight can cause harm to the brain.

Though they’re considered “mild” compared to other brain injuries, concussions can cause just as many problems. The often vigorous jostling disrupts the brain’s normal function and can lead to a range of symptoms that vary in severity. 

Additionally, concussions are unique in that they don’t always appear right away. Sometimes, it can take hours or even days for the full effects to become apparent, which can lead to delayed medical attention. The hidden nature of concussions also makes them quite risky, as many victims often think they’re fine in the aftermath of an accident that has, indeed, caused one.

What Are the Symptoms of a Concussion Injury?

Signs of a concussion will vary from person to person, and they’ll also differ in severity. They can be very subtle, so it’s important to recognize the hints so that you can get prompt medical attention. 

On that note, some common concussion symptoms are as follows:

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Lightheadedness
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Sensitivity to light and sound
• Blurred or double vision
• Fatigue or drowsiness
• Difficulty concentrating
• Memory loss
• Feeling “foggy” or “slowed down”
• Confusion or difficulty processing information
• Mood swings
• Irritability
• Nervousness or anxiety
• Depression or sadness
• Trouble falling asleep
• Sleeping more or less than usual

In more serious cases, the victim could lose consciousness. Even if they don’t, they may still experience seizures, convulsions, trouble talking or walking, an inability to recognize people or things, numbness, or weakness. A good way to visibly check if someone has a concussion is to see if one of their pupils is larger than the other.

If you’ve taken a blow to the head and even remotely suspect that you may have a concussion, it’s important to get to the hospital immediately to get checked out. Ignoring any of these symptoms can lead to complications and a longer recovery time.

What Are the Potential Treatment Options For a Concussion?

Treatment for a concussion usually focuses on rest and proper symptom management. Every person recovers differently, though, and everyone will see a different length of time for their recovery.

Still, for most people, their doctor will recommend the following:

• Rest: Both mental and physical; avoid strenuous activities, reduce screen time, and take breaks from work or school.
• Gradual Return to Activities: Once symptoms start to improve, slowly begin to return to normal activity levels; if symptoms reappear, it’s a sign to slow down.
• Symptom Management: Over-the-counter pain relievers can help with headaches, but it’s important to speak to a doctor before taking any medications.
• Follow-Up Care: Regular check-ups will help ensure that the injury is healing correctly; cognitive or physical therapy might be needed to deal with lingering symptoms.

You must remain alert and careful when recovering from a concussion because of the risk of a condition called second impact syndrome (SIS). If you get another concussion before you’ve fully recovered from the first one, the brain could quickly swell. It isn’t a common occurrence, but it can still prove fatal.

What Are the Long-Term Effects of a Concussion? 

For some people, the symptoms of a concussion can persist for weeks, months, or even years. The condition is known as post-concussion syndrome (PCS), and it can interfere with many aspects of their daily lives.

Signs of potential PCS include things such as:

• Chronic headaches
• Difficulty concentrating
• Dizziness and balance problems
• Issues getting to and staying asleep
• Emotional and behavioral changes

In cases of severe or multiple concussions, victims might also face long-term cognitive problems and a higher chance of conditions like chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), which causes brain cells to die.

What Are Your Legal Rights After Suffering a Concussion Injury? 

If you’ve gotten a concussion and someone else was responsible for it (perhaps by being in a car accident), you could be eligible to recover compensation for medical costs, lost wages, and other damages. 

Seattle personal injury lawyers protect victims who get hurt as a result of someone else’s behavior. 

They’ll help you accomplish the following:

• Prove Negligence: You’ll need to prove that the other person caused your injury; your lawyer will know what kinds of evidence to collect and where to find it.
• Document Your Injury: Your attorney will also know what to look for in your medical records to prove the severity of your injury and how it will affect your life going forward.
• Recover Damages: Life gets expensive when you get hurt, so your lawyer will help you fight for payment to cover any costs associated with the treatment of your injury.

The state of Washington has a three-year statute of limitations for most personal injury cases, so it’s important to get the ball rolling as soon as you’re able to. Some exceptions might apply, though, which means hiring legal counsel to help you with the process is vital so you don’t miss any deadlines.

Contact Our Seattle Concussion Injury Lawyers If You Need Legal Guidance

Concussions might be considered “mild,” but they’re still serious injuries with potentially life-altering effects. Recognizing their symptoms early and getting the appropriate medical care are important steps to the healing process and a means of protecting your rights if you decide to file a lawsuit against the responsible party.

If you or a loved one has suffered from a concussion and someone else caused your accident, reach out to Davis Law Group Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers at (206) 727 4000 for a free consultation. Our team is ready to help you fight for the justice you deserve so that you can focus your energies on healing from your injuries.