Millions of Americans are diagnosed with concussions each year. If you or your child suffers a concussion, it is essential to your physical and legal recoveries to understand more about this common type of traumatic brain injury. Here’s how a Kentucky concussion lawyer can help you recover the damages you’ve suffered.
Concussions Are a Type of Brain Injury
Concussions interfere with brain function. A concussion may occur after you hit your head, something else hits your head, or your head rapidly moves back and forth in such a way that your brain is jostled inside your skull. You may not exhibit concussion symptoms immediately after a fall, motor vehicle crash, sports injury, or another type of accident. However, you should watch for the following symptoms:
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Ringing in the ears
- Blurry version
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Amnesia
- Slurred speech
- Temporary loss of consciousness
- Forgetfulness or delayed reaction to answering questions
- Memory issues
- Difficulty concentrating
- Irritability or personality changes
- Sensitivity to light or sound
- Change in your ability to taste or smell
- Sleep problems
Young children may experience different symptoms. You may notice that your child is cranky, crying excessively, uninterested in favorite toys, has trouble walking, or has changes in eating or sleeping patterns, for example.
If you or your child experiences any of these symptoms after an accident, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. Currently, there are no diagnostic tests that will conclusively confirm a concussion. Instead, a concussion diagnosis is made after a medical professional considers your symptoms and performs a physical examination. Sometimes diagnostic tests, such as MRIs and CT scans, may be performed to rule out other types of brain injuries.
Possible Complications Following a Concussion
A concussion without any complications can disrupt your life in the ways described above. Sometimes, however, concussions become more complicated, and the potential physical consequences of a concussion become more severe. After your initial period of healing from a concussion, the following types of complications are possible:
- Vertigo. Dizziness or a sense that the room around you is spinning may continue for months after your accident.
- Post-concussion syndrome. Up to 20% of people may have cognitive problems, headaches, and dizziness that continue for more than three weeks.
- Second-impact syndrome. If you suffer a second concussion before the first concussion has healed, you could experience rapid brain swelling that may be fatal.
These complications may result in extended recovery periods, permanent health consequences, or death.
Recovering From a Concussion
Your doctor will create a treatment plan that is right for you. Often, concussion treatment involves a significant period of rest. During this time, you likely won’t work or go to school, and you may only be able to gradually return to your regular activities.
You will likely incur medical expenses, lost income, out-of-pocket costs, and suffer both physically and emotionally.
If someone else’s negligence caused your concussion, you have the right to recover financial damages for your injury. For example, if you suffer a concussion after a slip and fall on someone else’s property or in a car accident with a drunk driver, you should talk to an experienced Kentucky concussion lawyer about your possible recovery.
Your Concussion Recovery Checklist
If you or your child is diagnosed with a concussion after an accident that was not your fault, you can begin protecting a possible claim for damages by building a strong brain injury case. For starters, you should:
- Seek medical attention
- Follow your doctor’s treatment plan
- Document how the injury impacted your life or your child’s life by keeping a journal
- Keep any evidence that you have from the accident scene
- Not talk to an insurance adjuster without first talking to an attorney
- Hire an experienced brain injury lawyer as soon as possible
Why it’s Important to Seek Counsel From a Kentucky Concussion Lawyer
Our Kentucky concussion lawyer will thoroughly investigate your accident claim. If someone else’s negligence caused your concussion or concussion complication, we will fight hard for your recovery of healthcare costs, lost income, physical pain, emotional suffering, and any other damages you experience.
Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation about your possible legal case. Let’s talk about your case and our No Fee Policy. You can reach us any time—24/7/365—by phone or through this website.
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