Just One Concussion Can Do a Lot of Harm

Concussions are very common, but that doesn’t mean they should be taken lightly. Depending on the severity a concussion can have serious, life-long effects. If you think you’ve suffered a concussion, you should seek medical attention not only to help you now but to possibly help you cope with future health problems.

The brain is the consistency of gelatin and is surrounded by fluid which cushions most minor jolts and bumps. If there’s a blow to the head, or if the body is violently shaken, it may cause your brain to slide back and forth forcefully against the inner walls of your skull, causing brain injuries. A concussion is a traumatic brain injury that changes how the brain functions.

Slips and falls, sports activities and vehicle accidents can frequently result in a concussion. If the accident is due to an intentional act or negligence by another person or party and serious injuries result, you may have a valid basis for a lawsuit seeking compensation.

Symptoms of a concussion may appear right after the injury or may take days or weeks to present themselves. According to the Mayo Clinic they include the following:

• Headache or a feeling of pressure in the head
• Temporary loss of consciousness
• Confusion
• Being unable to remember the traumatic event
• Dizziness or “seeing stars”
• Ringing ears
• Nausea and vomiting
• Slurred speech
• Delayed response to questions
• Fatigue
• Concentration and memory problems
• Irritability and personality changes
• Sensitivity to light and loud sounds
• Poor sleep
• Depression
• Problems with taste and smell.

A concussion could cause bleeding in or around the brain which could be fatal.  There may be other long-term complications:

• Those with a concussion double their risk of developing epilepsy within five years after the injury.
• Post-concussion syndrome, which includes headaches, dizziness and thinking difficulties, can last for weeks to a few months after the injury.

Once a person has one concussion, other concussions are more likely in the future and symptoms and side-effects could be much worse.

A study published last year in the journal Radiology compared brain scans from a group of healthy individuals to another group who had suffered a concussion. Researchers found that, a year after the injury, those with a concussion showed signs of structural brain damage in areas of the brain linked to mood disorders and depression.

• About 10 to 20 percent of people who have had one concussion may later develop chronic problems.
• The brain damage revealed in scans was the shrinkage of some brain tissues.
• This could cause anxiety, depression and problems with being able to pay attention, concentrate, plan, organize and solve problems.

If you or a family member suffered a concussion due to a vehicle accident, slip and fall or during a sporting event and suffered serious, long-term problems as a result, call us at 859-233-3641 or fill out our contact form. We can talk about how the injury occurred, how another party may be at fault, how the law may be applied in your case and what you may be able to do to obtain compensation for your injury.