Most people do not think of concussions as brain injuries, but they are. In fact, concussions are actually mild traumatic brain injuries. That definition should make it clear that concussions are much more significant than the outdated notion of being just a little, minor bump on the head.
September 15th, 2023, is National Concussion Awareness Day®, a day intended to bring education to more people about this condition. Despite the increase in efforts to teach sports coaches, family doctors, emergency responders, and the general public about the symptoms of a concussion, head injuries continue to go undiagnosed at alarming rates.
Do You Know the Signs of a Concussion?
Concussion happens when the brain gets shaken inside the skull due to a direct head injury or a body injury that causes the head to move too far too fast. The damaged brain cells produce various symptoms, which commonly last at least a week to 10 days. Unfortunately, some do not recover quickly. Concussion symptoms that go on longer are categorized as Post-Concussion Syndrome.
The most common symptoms of a concussion are:
- Persistent headache
- Dizziness, confusion, nausea, or vomiting
- Loss of consciousness or recent memories
- Feeling tired, sluggish, in a fog, or emotional
- Sensitivity to light and blurred or double vision
- Sensitivity to sound
- Easily overstimulated or overwhelmed
- Falling asleep or difficulty waking up
When parents, coaches, or witnesses to an accident see any kind of impact that could cause a concussion, it is important to advocate for a medical evaluation. If someone is exhibiting signs of a concussion but there were no witnesses and they cannot remember hitting their head, the best thing to do is see a doctor.
Resuming normal activities could exacerbate the injury or put the person at risk of a second impact. Multiple unhealed concussions can result in permanent brain damage and can even be life threatening. No one should ever minimize a head injury, whether after a car crash, at work, after a fall on a hard surface, or in sports.
Is Concussion a Factor in a Personal Injury Claim?
Personal injury lawyers take concussions very seriously. Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries are anything but mild. The constellation of symptoms often impact our clients’ lives every day, and, in a number of people, these injuries are permanent.
Knowing the extent of long-lasting brain damage, and the difficulties it can cause a person for the rest of their lives, personal injury lawyers are staunch concussion education advocates. We are committed to raising awareness in our communities, among medical professionals and first responders, and in our families. More awareness of concussion risks, signs, and protocols means fewer life-altering brain injuries.
McComsey Law, LLC works with individuals who have sustained a concussion to secure fair compensation for anticipated medical expenses. Even if you signed a waiver on behalf of your minor child, we can review your case to determine if you have options. Please contact us after an injury, whether or not you currently have concussion symptoms. We will evaluate the details of your accident so that you can make an informed decision on your next steps. Attorney Jill McComsey works with personal injury clients in Montgomery and Bucks Counties and the Lehigh Valley.