Understanding Concussions and the Aftermath
A concussion is a type of brain injury that results from a blow or jolt to the head. Though concussions are usually non-fatal, the effects of a concussion can be very serious, and can cause ongoing permanent damage for the victim. A person might sustain a concussion from a number of accidents, ranging from a fall at home to a car accident, and from a sport injury to a falling object out in public. Depending on the circumstances leading up to your concussion and the long-term effects of your injury, you may be able to file a personal injury claim against the liable party for your injury.
Do You Have a Concussion?
According to the CDC, there are over 2.5 million emergency room department visits for concussions each year. The leading causes of concussions are falls, auto accidents, being struck by an object, sport injuries, and assaults.
Unfortunately, the symptoms of a concussion are not always quick to present themselves. Because of this, it can be difficult for a concussed victim to pinpoint the exact cause of their injury. However, concussion symptoms usually fall into one of four categories:
- Thinking and Processing Symptoms: A concussion may result in a feeling of “fogginess” for the victim. If you have a hard time remembering new or recent events, or if you have been feeling mentally sluggish, you may suffer from a concussion.
- Physical Symptoms: The physical symptoms of a concussion include headaches, nausea, and vomiting. You may also experience dizziness, sensitivity to bright lights, blurred vision, fatigue, or lack of energy. Typically, physical symptoms will present themselves right away, so if you sustain a head injury, contact your doctor right away upon experiencing any of these symptoms.
- Emotion-Based Symptoms: Sometimes a concussion can cause the victim to feel emotionally unstable, depressed, irritable, and anxious. If you have been feeling “off” emotionally, it may be a result of your head injury.
- Sleep-Related Symptoms: Concussed individuals often report difficulty sleeping, or sleeping longer than usual. If your sleep patterns have drastically changed, visit the ER right away.
Dangers of a Concussion
If you experience any of the above symptoms, it is safe to assume that you did sustain a concussion from your head injury. It is imperative that you report to your doctor right away, as a concussion can cause lasting brain damage or even death. Some danger signs to look out for include:
- Numbness or noticeable weakness;
- Headache that becomes increasingly worse over time;
- Repeated vomiting or prolonged nausea;
- Slurred speech;
- The inability to be woken up;
- Extreme drowsiness;
- Inability to recognize familiar people or places;
- Convulsions or seizures;
- Confusion, restlessness, or irritability;
- Unusual behavior;
- Loss of consciousness.
Legal Remedies
If you sustained a concussion in an accident that was somebody else’s fault, and if you have experienced or are experiencing any of the above signs or symptoms, contact your Miami personal injury lawyer right away. A concussion can have serious lasting consequences on your life, especially if not treated right away. Allow the team at The Pendas Law Firm to fight on your behalf for the compensation you need to recover. Call 1-844-200-0000 or schedule a private consultation online today.
The Pendas Law Firm also serves clients in the Fort Myers, Jacksonville, Tampa, West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Daytona, Bradenton, and Orlando areas.
Resource:
cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/basics.html
