One of the most common types of brain injuries is concussions. These are mild traumatic brain injuries that can affect your cognitive function, mood, and energy levels. Although they’re common, they are still not well-understood injuries.
If you have suffered a concussion in an incident that another party was responsible for and find yourself struggling through your days, you may be entitled to file a personal injury claim to recover your losses. Learn more about what a concussion is and what legal steps you can take.
What Is a Concussion?
A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) that temporarily changes how your brain works by impacting your neurotransmitters. It occurs when the soft tissue of the brain moves rapidly back and forth, hitting the inside of the skull. Suffering a jolt or blow to the head in an incident like a car accident, a fall, or during an assault can mean suffering a concussion.
Experiencing a concussion means that you have damaged nerve cells in the brain. The damage disrupts how different cells communicate with each other and leads to chemical imbalances that require significant energy from the brain to correct.
Some of the most common concussion symptoms include:
- Light and noise sensitivity
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Vision problems
- Concentration issues
- Feeling slowed down
- Memory problems
- Trouble thinking clearly
- Anxiety
- Sadness
- Irritability
- Sleeping more or less than usual
Often, people assume that if they did not lose consciousness, they didn’t suffer a concussion. That is not the case. It is very common for people to remain conscious after a concussion. Keep in mind that the symptoms may not be immediately obvious. Because the chemical changes in the brain can take time, you may feel fine right after the incident occurs.
Potential Concussion Complications
Most people recover from a concussion within a few days. Others, however, can still be experiencing symptoms for weeks or months. This is called postconcussion syndrome. It can impact your life significantly.
If you suffer a second brain injury before the first one has healed, you can develop second impact syndrome. It leads to rapid swelling in the brain and could be fatal.
Suffering multiple concussions, even if you recover from them without problem, can put you at risk of a condition called chronic traumatic encephalopathy. It can cause irreparable and progressive brain damage.
Treating Concussion Injuries
Getting medical care as soon as possible after suffering any type of head trauma is essential. Doctors can guide you as you recover so that you don’t hurt yourself further.
Most of the time, recovery will mean resting. Don’t do any activities that put you at risk of injuring yourself again or put too much strain on your brain. Remember, the brain will be focused on healing the injury, so it will divert all energy to that process. If you notice that any activities worsen your symptoms, avoid them.
Your healthcare professional will recommend when you can resume your standard routine. If symptoms return or get worse, schedule another appointment with your doctor.
Your Legal Rights After a Concussion
If you sustained a concussion because of another party’s conduct, you may be entitled to file a personal injury claim. These legal processes require showing that the other party owed you a duty of care and breached it with their conduct, causing the concussion.
Even though you likely did not need extensive medical treatment, you still needed to undergo diagnostic procedures. These can carry significant expenses. You may also have missed days of work as you allowed your brain to heal. That is lost income. Additionally, many people who suffer concussions struggle emotionally.
All of these losses can be addressed via a personal injury claim. You can file for economic and non-economic damages to address medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Since you can expect pushback from the defendant and their insurer, the best step you can take is to hire an attorney to assist you through the process. With legal guidance, you have a chance to receive a fair settlement.
Contact the Atlanta Personal Injury Lawyers at Hammers Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
In the aftermath of an incident that leaves you with a concussion, the last thing you want to do is begin a claim without assistance from experienced lawyers. With a team by your side that will negotiate with insurers on your behalf, you can focus on healing while knowing your claim is in the right hands.
At Hammers Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers, we provide robust and compassionate legal assistance for those who have suffered because of the actions of others. Contact our Atlanta personal injury lawyers for a free consultation at (770) 900-9000.
