Protecting Your Legal Rights After Mild Concussions
You’ve just been in an accident and visited the emergency room. The doctor diagnoses you with a “mild concussion,” but you’re unsure what this means or whether you should have concerns. There are several misconceptions when it comes to the diagnosis of a mild concussion or traumatic brain injury.
When patients hear the word “mild,” they often don’t take their diagnosis seriously and grossly underestimate their injuries. However, concussions can have lasting effects on your life that are much more than “mild.” If you were in an accident with a negligent party, you can seek compensation for your losses. Lawyers are ready to review your case and assist you in determining what you can do to protect your rights.
What Is a Mild Concussion?
Brain injuries in
accidental injury cases are common. Mild traumatic brain injuries result from blunt force trauma to the head or severe shaking of the brain inside the skull. These injuries are often the result of a car accident, slip and fall, construction site accident, or medical error.
Regardless of how the injury occurred, mild concussions often involve feeling disoriented, dizzy, or confused following the accident. While most people believe that lost consciousness must occur for a traumatic brain injury to take place, this not the case. Symptoms of a mild concussion can last for a few days or take years to subside.
Some symptoms of a mild brain injury may include:
- Loss of balance
- Memory loss
- Slurred speech
- Nausea or vomiting
- Severe headache
Hours or even days after an accident, you may experience delayed symptoms of a mild concussion.
Some signs of delayed symptoms you should look out for include:
- Blurred vision
- Change in sleep pattern
- Light or noise sensitivity
- Coordination issues
- Altered taste or smell
Retaining the services of an experienced personal injury lawyer is one of the best ways to give yourself the highest chance of recovering maximum compensation in your case. Don’t suffer the consequences of a mild concussion without holding the negligent party responsible for your damages.
Schedule your appointment for a free case evaluation.
What Are Some Factors That May Affect the Value of Concussion Claims?
Physician testimony from experts, including your doctor, is essential to prove you’ve suffered a
concussion. Symptoms you testify to, among other things, will help the insurance company or a jury decide you suffered such an injury and the amount of appropriate compensation.
Here are some factors that may affect the value of a brain trauma case:
- Severity and extent of injuries and damages
- The actions of the defendant
- Whether the plaintiff shared liability
You have the right to recover compensation for pain and suffering.
An experienced personal injury attorney will gather medical documents and consult with the right experts to build a strong case on your behalf. Symptoms in cases of post-concussion syndrome can be challenging to prove because they are often vague or explainable by other conditions. Insurers may not pay fair settlements in cases involving post-concussion syndrome, which could force you to start litigation and even go to trial. Our lawyers are prepared to handle your case if it goes to trial.
What Types of Damages Are Available in Concussion Lawsuit?
In personal injury cases, the term “damages” refers to the compensation victims of mild concussion injury are entitled to receive after an accident. The two most common categories of damages available in personal injury cases include special and general damages. Special damages include things like lost wages, medical bills, or the value of lost property.
General damages are non-economic damages that are not often simple to calculate. Examples of general damages include compensation for reduced quality of living, pain, suffering, emotional distress or physical and mental impairment. A skilled
personal injury lawyer can help you calculate all damages in your case and make the best argument supporting your claims.
How Does Concussion Recovery Time Affect a Mild Concussion Settlement?
Recovering from a concussion can take months or persist for years in severe cases. When brain damage is severe, accident victims who sustain a concussion may never fully recover. Whether your recovery time is quick or prolonged, you can still receive compensation for any related damages. Our lawyers can help you receive fair compensation for your injuries caused by the negligence of another party.
Hiring a competent and experienced attorney is the best way to pursue a challenging brain injury case. Don’t take on a complex concussion case alone. Our knowledgeable attorneys understand that cases of mild traumatic brain injury are difficult to prove, which is why having someone experienced and knowledgeable with the medical issues involved is critical to success. Contact a brain injury lawyer near you for your free case evaluation today.
Mild Concussion FAQs
Are concussions common?
Yes, concussions are one of the most common types of head injury. Mild concussion injuries are most common in motor vehicle accidents.
What are the different types of concussions?
Mild concussions are categorized as grade 1 and typically don’t involve loss of consciousness. Symptoms in moderate concussions often last longer than 15 minutes. Still, they aren’t typically accompanied by unconsciousness. Serious concussions are those accompanied by a loss of consciousness that typically lasts for a few minutes.
How do doctors treat a mild concussion?
Every case is different; concussion accident victims may need a combination of surgery and physical therapy. If you were involved in an accident and believe you have suffered a concussion, you should seek medical attention right away. Your primary care provider will be able to diagnose your condition and provide you with a unique treatment plan.
Why do some concussions resolve more quickly than others?
Not only is each case different, but every person’s brain is different. More significant amounts of force or trauma to the head can result in more severe brain injuries, though there is not a direct relationship always between symptom severity and force.
Do you have to hit your head to suffer a concussion?
No, you don’t always have to hit your head to suffer from a concussion. Say, for instance, you’ve been involved in a car accident with a sudden impact causing your brain to shift inside your skull. This sudden impact and shifting of your brain could lead to a concussion.
Robert Bohn, Jr.
Attorney
For more than 40 years, the lawyers at Robert Bohn, Jr. has dedicated their practices to personal injury law, representing people who have been injured or damaged due to the negligence or carelessness of others. For most people, handling a personal injury claim can be complicated and stressful.
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