A concussion is a type of mild traumatic brain injury (TBI). It can occur when a blow to the head causes the brain to move rapidly and collide with the skull, causing brain swelling. This type of injury can have serious consequences, especially if you do not seek appropriate medical care.
Some more information about concussions:
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
You may hear people use the terms “concussion” and “TBI” together or interchangeably. A concussion is one type of TBI and is the most minor form. However, just because it is less severe than other TBIs does not mean it is not dangerous. You should seek immediate medical attention for any head trauma. It is important that you are evaluated by a medical doctor to determine if you have a concussion or a more serious TBI.
When Concussions Happen
You can get a concussion after any blow to your head. Contact sports are one of the most common causes of head injuries. Car accidents are also a major cause of TBIs, either due to whiplash-type injuries that cause your brain to collide with your skull or from hitting your head during the impact. Slip and fall accidents are another type of personal injury case where concussions are common. In addition to these, you can suffer a mild or more severe TBI in any situation where you experience head trauma.
Signs of a Concussion
What you experience after a concussion depends on the severity of the blow and how much damage it did to your brain.
Some signs and symptoms include:
- Loss of Consciousness: After sustaining a head injury, you may lose consciousness for a brief period of time. If this is longer than 30 minutes, it is a sign of a more severe TBI.
- Nausea or Vomiting: Vomiting after an impact to your head is one sign of a concussion.
- Dizziness: You may experience a loss of coordination, dizziness, and blurred vision after a blow to the head.
- Headaches: Some individuals have headaches right after their injury and others will have headaches that start days, weeks, or even months after the incident.
Effects of a Mild TBI
Physical
Although a concussion is a less severe type of TBI, as many as 15% of patients have symptoms that last one year or more after the initial injury. This is called post-concussion syndrome and can include persistent headaches, seizures, sleep disturbances, and dizziness.
In addition, getting a second concussion too soon after the first can have serious and life-threatening consequences. Your brain could swell and this could result in death. It is important to follow any recommendations that a health care professional gives after sustaining any type of injury, including head trauma.
Mental
Some individuals experience long-term cognitive effects after a head trauma. This can include feelings of depression, confusion, lower cognitive ability, memory issues, and aggression. Although many people associate these with more severe TBIs or with repeat concussions, it is possible to experience these negative effects after just one mild TBI.
Financial
Any medical issue can lead to unexpected expenses. If you sustained a concussion in a car accident or slip and fall, you probably experienced other injuries as well. The costs can add up quickly and leave you with a serious financial burden. If you suspect that someone else was responsible for your injury, you should call us as soon as possible so we can help get you the compensation you deserve.
Call Our Personal Injury Law Firm
If you were injured in any type of accident, our team of personal injury lawyers will fight for you.