Head Injury Concussion
Not everyone who sustains a concussion has a good prognosis for recovery. Those at the upper and lower ends of the age spectrum may suffer symptoms longer. People who have had one or more head injury concussions previously and those in their teens are also more vulnerable to ongoing distress, according to the Centers for Disease Control. When you or a loved one sustains a head injury concussion caused by someone else, you should consult with a lawyer to ensure your longer term medical bills are covered.
Symptoms of Head Injury Concussion
Most people hit their heads from time to time, and usually, nothing more than a bump is the result. A sharp blow to the skull, though, causes more severe consequences. When your brain is shaken or bruised, you may experience some of the following symptoms:
- A change in sleeping patterns
- Headache
- Blurred vision
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Lack of energy
- Short-term memory loss
- Confusion
- Lack of concentration
- Irritability
- Depression
- Anxiety
Some symptoms occur immediately after your head injury while others may not show up for days or weeks after the injury. When you face any one of these symptoms over a period of time, it can affect everything from your ability to complete daily tasks to your effectiveness on the job.
Red Flags to Watch For
You should always get medical care for a head injury concussion, but specific symptoms indicate a medical emergency. Watch for these red flags, and if you see any of them, call for emergency medical care:
- A persistent headache that worsens
- Weakness or numbness
- Slurred speech
- Lapsing into a deep sleep from which you cannot be awakened
- Loss of consciousness
- Bizarre behavior
- Convulsions or seizures
Treatment for Head Injury Concussion
A hospital stay and bed rest are often the first courses of treatment following a head injury. Your physician may prescribe medications to address your physical symptoms, such as a headache, and your emotional symptoms, like anxiety.
You should not drive, bicycle, play strenuous sports or operate heavy machinery until your doctor gives you a clean bill of health. You should not attempt to return to work full-time until you are recovered from your injury. At work, you may need to make notes that help you remember how to complete common tasks, and if you have difficulty with irritability, nervousness or headaches, you may need to scale back your work schedule until these symptoms dissipate.
When Someone Else Caused Your Injury
A head injury concussion caused by someone else often qualifies you for financial compensation from the at-fault party. An accident liability attorney can help you determine the damages.
The at-fault person can be liable in one of two ways: intentional action or negligence. Someone who intentionally causes you harm through such activities as reckless driving or assault is likely to be responsible for damages.
When someone’s negligence brings about your injury, you can sue for compensation too. Perhaps store personnel failed to warn you about a wet floor, and you slipped and fell, bumping your head. Perhaps someone let a dog run free, and it jumped up on you, knocking you against a brick wall. In both cases, that negligence may result in a damage award to cover your financial losses.
A Head Injury Concussion Lawyer Can Help
Rizio Lipinsky Heiting offers a free initial consultation for people like you who are struggling to provide economic security to your family in the aftermath of traumatic brain injury. Call 888-292-8888 for an appointment today, or use the contact form.
- This article should only be used for informational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice, and it does not create an attorney-client relationship with anyone. If you need legal advice, please consult an attorney in your community.