Don’t Take Concussions Lightly

Concussions are not simply a brief period of head pain and disorientation. With boxers and NFL players developing neurological symptoms late in life, doctors have found a connection between head trauma and disability, or even death. The Personal Injury Team at Jan Dils Attorneys at Law delves into concussions and their potential impact on your long term health, so you understand how serious this catastrophic injury could be.

What Is a Concussion?

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury that could affect anyone of any age. With this closed-head trauma, an individual’s brain strikes the inside of the skull, even “sloshing” around in the most serious cases. It is caused by a bump, blow, or jolt, and could be mild or as severe as coup-contrecoup. What is most concerning about a concussion is that it disrupts the connections in the brain, and that damage needs time to heal.

“Second Impact” and Other Serious Aftereffects

Ignoring a concussion could result in a “second impact syndrome,” when the patient suffers another concussion before fully recovering from the first one. This condition is often seen in young athletes participating in contact sports. This is a potentially deadly circumstance, as the individual may seem “okay” to return to the field, but following a second blow to the head, they may suffer an almost instantly disabling or fatal concussion. Even if the subsequent injury appears less serious than the first, it may cause a sudden increase in blood pressure and swelling of the brain that could be fatal if not immediately corrected.

Those who experienced many concussions during their lives may develop chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). CTE is believed to be caused by repeated blows to the head, resulting in a buildup of “tau proteins,” and there is no cure for this disorder. CTE mimics other types of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s, and similar to it, can only be fully diagnosed after the patient’s death.

Personal Injury Claims and Head Trauma

Just because a patient remains conscious after a head injury does not mean they are okay. Doctors recommend a slow progression of rest and gradual return to activity for someone who has suffered a concussion. However, schools and amateur sports teams may not have adequate concussion protocols in place, and it may be possible to hold them liable for injuries when they do not.

Reach Out to Our Attorneys for Legal Advice After a Concussion Caused by Another Party

It is important not to take concussions lightly as they could affect your health later in life, in addition to being potentially deadly in the short-term. If you or a family member has suffered a concussion, you may have a legal claim. Schedule your free consultation with a team member now. We are the largest female founded firm in the country and we are here to help you get the compensation you deserve after a head injury.