Post Concussion Syndrome

A day or two of rest after a brain injury is not always what the doctor ordered. Even if you get a mild concussion in an injury accident, you cannot count on being back to work in a week, a month or even a year. Post-concussion syndrome is one possible result of traumatic brain injury, and its very unpredictability can derail your physical, mental and economic health.

The Basics of Post-Concussion Syndrome

This complex disorder can last indefinitely, even though you may believe you have put your injury behind you. Typically, the onset of post-concussion syndrome occurs within a week or so of your brain injury and clears up in about three months, according to the Mayo Clinic. In some cases, though, it can last more than a year. Symptoms of this condition include:

• Irritability
• Anxiety
• Trouble sleeping
• Excessive tiredness
• Headache
• Inability to concentrate
• Memory loss
• Sensitivity to light and noise
• Dizziness

This syndrome can cause adverse changes in your personality, making you quicker to anger, suspicious of others and argumentative. While your family and close friends may understand the source of these shifts in personality, your boss and colleagues at work may not, so it is important to seek help. Consult a doctor if you experience symptoms of post-concussion syndrome after a brain injury, and seek legal advice if others caused your injury.

Determining Liability for Post-Concussion Syndrome

Negligence or intentional harm determines liability. If someone else was driving distractedly and caused a car accident in which you were hurt, that person would be liable for your head injury and the resulting PCS.

If someone was driving aggressively and purposely cut you off in traffic, causing a collision and injuries, a judge might determine that person intended to do you harm. If so, the perpetrator would be liable for your damages, including medical expenses and time off from work due to your head injury.

When someone else’s actions harm you or someone you care about, an experienced brain injury attorney can help you decide whether to sue for damages and if so, prepare a strong case. Otherwise, you would have to pay out of pocket for ongoing medical expenses, loss of income and costly therapy.

Treating Post-Concussion Syndrome

PCS produces varied symptoms in different people, so no definitive course of treatment is applicable. However, the National Institutes for Health and the Mayo Clinic mention several treatment approaches that can be effective. Depending on the severity of your post-concussion condition, your medical care may consist of:

• Bed rest
• Cognitive therapy
• Medication
• Vestibular therapy to restore balance
• Light aerobic exercise following initial bed rest
• Psychotherapy

Because the timeline for recovery varies, you cannot accurately predict a completion date.

Determining Damages for PCS

Time away from work, medical treatment, medication, and therapy can be costly and may extend beyond the scope of your health coverage. Your future earning potential could be compromised, leading to ongoing economic struggles. An experienced brain injury lawyer has the depth of knowledge necessary to seek adequate compensation for your injury from the at-fault party, so you and your family do not have to suffer financially in future years.

Rizio Lipinsky Heiting in California Can Help

When you or your loved one sustains a brain injury in an accident caused by somebody else, contact Rizio Lipinsky Heiting. During a free initial consultation, we will discuss your case and your options.

Call us at 888-292-8888 today, or complete our contact form, and protect your family’s economic future.