By Lori B. Painter, Lawyer at Metzger Wickersham
According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the most common and least serious type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) is called a concussion. Medical providers may describe a concussion as a “mild” brain injury because concussions are usually not life-threatening. Even so, the effects of a concussion can be serious. A concussion is most often caused by a sudden direct blow or bump to the head, commonly from motor vehicle accidents, physical assault, falls, and sports incidents.
Concussion Signs and Symptoms
Signs and symptoms generally show up soon after the injury but concussions can be tricky to diagnose. Though you may have a visible cut or bruise on your head, you can't see a concussion. However, you may not know how serious the injury is at first and some symptoms may not show up for hours or days. For example, in the first few minutes, the individual might be a little confused or a bit dazed, but an hour later they might not be able to remember how he or she got hurt.
There are some common physical, mental, and emotional symptoms a person may display following a concussion. According to WebMD, signs of traumatic brain injury include:
- Confusion or feeling dazed
- Clumsiness
- Slurred speech
- Nausea or vomiting
- Headache
- Balance problems or dizziness
- Blurred vision
- Sensitivity to light
- Sensitivity to noise
- Sluggishness
- Ringing in ears
- Irritability or other behavior or personality changes
- Difficulty concentrating
- Loss of memory
- Fatigue or sleepiness
- Loss of consciousness
- Forgetfulness such as repeating yourself
- Slowed response to questions
- Problems with sleep
- Depression
- Problems with taste or smell
If a child has a concussion, an adult should monitor them for the first 24 hours. Don’t give medications, including aspirin, which may cause bleeding, to a child without talking to a doctor first. Click here to familiarize yourself with what concussion symptoms look like in children.
You should continue to check for signs of concussion right after the injury and a few days after the injury. If the concussion signs or symptoms get worse, you should take him or her to the emergency department right away.
Recovery from Concussion
Most people with a concussion feel better within a couple of weeks. However, for some, symptoms will last for a month or longer. Concussion symptoms may appear during the normal healing process or as they get back to their regular activities. If there are any symptoms that concern you or are getting worse, be sure to seek medical care as soon as possible.
If a person suffers a concussion, whether from falling on a poorly maintained premises, being involved in a motor vehicle, truck, or motorcycle collision, or being injured while working, they should call the personal injury lawyers at Metzger Wickersham.
Additionally, if a person’s side effects from a traumatic brain injury are preventing them from working, consult with a lawyer at Metzger Wickersham regarding a Social Security Disability application.
Have you or a loved one suffered a brain injury from a concussion? The experienced personal injury lawyers at Metzger Wickersham are available 24/7 to answer your questions. Contact us today to discuss your case. Call (888)-286-2850 or email us to schedule a free consultation.
