in Brain Injury, Personal Injury

Can A Concussion Cause Permanent Brain Damage?

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Commonly known as concussions, mild traumatic brain injuries are common among people who play contact sports at the high school, college, and professional levels. The National Football League (NFL) uses concussion protocols to return injured players to their games quickly. Traumatic brain injuries also can happen in motor vehicle collisions, falls, and other types of accidents. Concussions are brain injuries that cause a temporary loss in the brain’s normal functioning. The brain injury lawyers at Raynes & Lawn help people who have suffered traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) because of the negligent actions of others so that they can rebuild their lives.

Understanding Concussions

A concussion can occur when someone is violently jolted or suffers a blow to the head. This sudden type of movement or blow can cause the brain to contact the bones of the skull and cause a temporary change in the brain’s function. Following a blow to the head, the victim might appear confused or dazed for a few minutes. In some cases, the victims might lose consciousness. People who have concussions might not remember what occurred in the moments prior to their injury or after it.

Some of the common symptoms of concussions include the following:

 

  • Blurred or double vision
  • Headache
  • Balance problems
  • Dizziness
  • Vomiting
  • Nausea
  • Memory loss
  • Tinnitus
  • Concentration problems
  • Light sensitivity
  • Loss of taste or smell
  • Sleep problems

If you experience these types of symptoms after receiving a blow to your head, you should seek immediate medical attention.

Most people who suffer mild TBIs recover within a couple of weeks, Some people might experience symptoms for multiple weeks before they get better. According to the American Association Of Neurological Surgeons, while one concussion will likely not result in permanent brain damage, receiving a subsequent concussion can result in permanent disabilities.

Potential Long-Term Complications

Some people who suffer concussions will suffer ongoing symptoms. According to research published in the journal Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinics of North America, some patients will suffer post-concussive syndrome and changes in behavior. Another study found that patients who had suffered concussions showed brain atrophy on magnetic resonance imaging scans (MRIs) a year following their concussions. These types of structural changes are associated with memory loss, increased anxiety, and reduced attention. Between 10% and 20% of patients continue to suffer symptoms for more than a year following their concussions.

Post-concussion syndrome is recognized as a disorder in people who continue to suffer symptoms that last longer than their expected recovery time. People who are diagnosed with this condition typically continue to experience dizziness, headaches, and sleep issues. Post-concussion syndrome might be caused by structural changes in the brain or disruptions in the brain’s neural messaging system. This syndrome might also be related to psychological factors. People who have a history of anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, poor coping skills, or significant stressors are more likely to develop post-concussion syndrome following a single concussion. Older adults are also likelier to develop this disorder following a concussion.

Costs Of Concussions

Patients who suffer ongoing symptoms following mild TBIs might have permanent cognitive changes that can result in significant financial losses. People might be unable to return to their jobs while also facing significant medical expenses. If their concussions were caused by someone else’s negligence, the victims can pursue compensation for their losses through injury lawsuits.

Some of the types of compensation that might be recovered for a concussion caused by negligence include the following:

 

  • Medical expenses
  • Wage losses
  • Property damage
  • Physical pain and suffering
  • Emotional trauma
  • Disability
  • Others

If you have chronic symptoms following a concussion in an accident caused by someone else, you should speak to an experienced brain injury attorney at Raynes & Lawn.

Get Help From A Philadelphia Brain Injury Lawyer

If you have suffered a concussion in an accident caused by another person’s negligence, you should speak to the brain injury attorneys at Raynes & Lawn as soon as possible. If you wait too long, you might lose your right to pursue compensation. Our lawyers can review your case, determine liability, and explain your legal rights. We offer free consultations. Contact us today to learn more about your potential rights and receive a free case evaluation by calling us at 1-800-535-1797.

 

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