Do I Have a Concussion?

Do I Have a Concussion? The only way to know for sure if you have a concussion is to have it confirmed by your doctor. This is why it is so important that you seek medical attention as soon as possible after you are involved in an accident. Although concussions are not as severe as other types of traumatic brain injuries, it is important that you receive confirmation of the type of injury you have suffered, rather than simply assuming you are fine or that you have a concussion. Your doctor can provide you with guidance for your recovery and answers to any questions you have about the injury. If your concussion is due to another party's negligence, you could potentially pursue monetary compensation for your damages through a personal injury claim. After you have received a diagnosis from your doctor and begun your treatment, contact an experienced personal injury attorney to determine the best way to proceed.

Symptoms of a Brain Injury

Brain injuries often do not have physical symptoms. This is especially true with concussions, which are a type of closed head injury, as described by BrainLine. A closed head injury is a head injury where the skull is not penetrated. In contrast, an open head injury is one where the skull is penetrated and a specific area of the brain is damaged by the penetrating object, such as a bullet or the shattered glass of a windshield in a head-on car collision. Because the skull is opened, this second type of brain injury is far more likely to have serious complications for the victim, and it could lead to death. A concussion, like other closed head injuries, can be difficult to observe because of its lack of symptoms. The symptoms of a concussion can be behavioral or cognitive, and in many cases, those close to the victim may recognize the symptoms before the victim does. According to a fact sheet provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, some examples of concussion symptoms include: ● Fatigue ● Sleeping problems, whether sleeping too much or too little ● Irritability ● Confusion ● Forgetfulness ● Difficulty focusing on simply tasks ● Sensitivity to light ● Depression ● Poor balance ● Vomiting

Common Causes of Concussions

In young children and elderly adults, falls are the most common cause of concussions. For older children, participation in contact sports such as football can lead to concussions. Physical abuse from parents and caretakers is also linked to concussions in children, which is why teachers and others who work with children should pay close attention to any concussion symptoms they observe in the children in their care. Other causes of concussions include: ● Car accidents ● Bicycle accidents ● Domestic violence ● Strikes from an object

Treatments for Concussions

Treating a concussion generally requires only rest and, if necessary, over-the-counter painkillers. When choosing a painkiller to help with your concussion pain, choose one that contains acetaminophen, like Tylenol. Avoid painkillers that contain ibuprofen, such as Motrin and Advil, because they can potentially increase your risk of cranial bleeding. Your doctor might recommend that you take time off work to recover or that you decrease your workload. As you recover, he or she might recommend that you gradually increase your workload until you are performing at your normal level. You might also be told to avoid video games, computer work, reading books, and any other activities that require strenuous mental function. Your brain needs to heal, and the best way to facilitate this is to take it easy until you have the strength to go back to your normal routine.

When to Seek Legal Help

Seek legal help for your case as soon as you can after you have received appropriate medical care for your concussion. Your attorney will need to see all of the evidence that you have for your accident and resulting damages to determine whether you have grounds for a claim. A successful personal injury claim has four elements. Each of these elements must be proven for the claimant to recover monetary compensation. They are: ● Duty. This is the obligation that one party, such as a driver, had to prevent harm to others. ● Breach of duty. This is the negligence that caused the action. In a car accident, a breach of duty might be a driver using his or her cellphone or running a red light. ● Causation. The claimant must be able to prove that the negligent party's actions directly caused his or her injury. For example, a car accident victim must be able to prove that because the negligent driver disregarded a posted traffic sign, the two were involved in a collision. ● Damages. These are the ways that the victim suffered as a result of his or her accident. They can include medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses collectively known as “pain and suffering.” A claimant must prove that the injury he or she suffered as a direct result of the negligent party's actions caused the damages for which he or she is seeking to recover compensation. Evidence that you can use to prove the above elements include photographs of the accident scene, eye-witness testimonies and your medical bills.

Work with a Spring Hill Personal Injury Lawyer

If you are suffering from a concussion after being involved in an accident of any type, you could be entitled to monetary compensation for your losses through a personal injury claim. To learn more about this option, contact our team of experienced brain injury lawyers at Holliday Karatinos Law Firm, PLLC, as soon as possible. Our dedicated attorneys can review your case, file your claim and represent your interests through every step of the personal injury claim process. Do not wait to get started on your case with a member of our team. Contact our firm today to schedule your free legal consultation.