Concussion and Concussion Syndrome
from Accidents
Concussions are one of the most commonly seen injuries associated with motor vehicle collisions. According to the US government database, one in every 61 auto passengers involved in tow-away car crashes sustains a concussion or mild traumatic brain injury (TBI). The risk of concussion was relatively higher for roll-over car accidents. The term “mild traumatic brain injury” is quite deceptive, and a concussion can lead to long-term physical and emotional impairments. You may feel mild symptoms like headache, dizziness, or fatigue at first or not feel anything at all post-concussion. The symptoms of concussion can manifest within 7 to 10 days, and the recovery timeline is up to three months for most people. However, there have been cases of people suffering post-concussion symptoms for years. This is called persistent post-concussive syndrome (PCS), which can cause behavioral changes like anger, depression, anxiety, etc. These symptoms can affect your personal and professional lives. The most concerning factor are that ER checks tend to miss concussions, and according to a US government database, nearly 56 percent of mild TBI cases were not recorded in ER checks. This may cause delays in receiving proper treatments and even greater risks. Continuous care for post-concussion syndrome requires quite a significant amount of expenditure. Talk to our experienced lawyer about recovering medical costs for your post-accident concussion or post-concussion syndrome.
Why Should You Consult a Lawyer for a Concussion?
A concussion is a traumatic brain injury known to impact the functions of the brain to some degree. You can sustain a concussion after a physical blow to your head or the abrupt movement of your head or upper body in an accident. The most common symptoms of concussion are the following:
- Headaches and dizziness
- Loss of consciousness (most people do not lose consciousness)
- Problem with concentration and memory
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fatigue or sleepiness
- Restlessness and insomnia
- Irritability, anxiety, confusion
- Blurry eyes and ringing ears
- Slurred speech
- Sensitivity to light and noise
Age and gender play a great risk for concussion. Aging people and women are more at risk of having a concussion than anyone. Concussions can be treated without any set timeline for recovery. It can be healed within days or weeks.
However, post-concussion syndrome can last for years, significantly impacting a person’s cognitive skills and physical wellness. The symptoms of constant headache, dizziness, fatigue, lack of balance, focus, and memory can put patients in a difficult position at work and in life. Many patients with post-concussion syndrome suffer long-term from anxiety, irritability, anger, depression, and inability to work in a group of people. These people have trouble keeping up with normal conversations and remembering even recent things.
You may not feel all of the above symptoms, only some of them. The symptoms of post-concussion syndrome can be subjective, and they can be linked with other psychological disorders. For example, anxiety or insomnia can be caused by any other stress factor other than an accident. It is tricky to establish the cause of the injury to the accident.
You should visit a doctor immediately after an accident to avoid any risk. Consult with your doctor if you notice anything abnormal, regardless of the triviality of the symptoms. Do not ignore your symptoms because the initial ER doctor gave you a clean bill of health.
Consult experienced and dedicated attorneys at Craig J. Concannon, P.C. for concussion or concussion syndrome settlement cases in St. Louis, Missouri. You deserve to get fair compensation for your injury and suffering. Our attorneys will ensure to do their best for you.