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Take Possible Concussions Seriously

Many people assume concussions are relatively minor injuries—but concussions are forms of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), and any degree of TBI can cause serious harm. Concussions require proper diagnoses and treatment plans as soon as possible after they occur.

A concussion can result from any blow or jolt to the head. This can happen in car accidents, falls, sports, and more. Anytime you are in an accident that causes any degree of trauma to your head, seek immediate medical treatments to diagnose or rule out a concussion.

Concussions can result in many symptoms that vary widely from one victim to another. Some of these effects include:

• Disorientation
• Brain “fog”
• Improper emotional regulation
• Memory problems
• Communication issues
• Lack of focus
• Balance and coordination problems
• Memory loss
• Dizziness or vertigo
• Behavioral issues
• Aggression

If you aren’t aware that your symptoms are stemming from a brain injury, dealing with concussion symptoms can become extremely frustrating. It can cause problems in your work or school performance, and you may experience significant setbacks while your concussion heals—which can take weeks. With a proper diagnosis, however, you can identify the source of your impairments and obtain the necessary treatments.

Concussions If you have an unhealed concussion and then you receive another blow to the head, you risk suffering major complications, including a rare but life-threatening condition called second-impact syndrome. Subsequent concussions can also result in permanent impairments for victims. Therefore, the lack of a diagnosis and treatment instructions can possibly lead to subsequent, worse concussions, especially for those who participate in high-risk activities. If you may have sustained a concussion, then, get it diagnosed right away—and while you heal, refrain from any activities that may risk another injury.

The more concussions go undiagnosed, the more victims may underestimate the long-effects of having multiple concussions. For example, when football players are not pulled from the field to have each possible concussion diagnosed, they may not be aware of just how many concussions they have sustained—and may continue putting themselves at ever-greater risk for years to come.

Long-term effects of numerous concussions include:

• Early onset dementia
• Early onset Alzheimer’s disease
• Early onset Parkinson’s disease
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)
• Suicide

In addition to protecting against the above, getting a prompt diagnosis for a concussion can also help shield your rights as an accident victim. If someone else caused your fall or car accident, Florida law may entitle you to compensation for your injuries and medical expenses, among other losses. However, you will need a medical diagnosis and supporting records to prove that you sustained a concussion in an accident.

If you suffered a concussion in an accident and would like to know about your legal rights, please do not wait to call the Lawler Firm, P.A. contact us online or call us at (813) 413-8828 to schedule your free case evaluation today.

About the Author

Stephen M. Lawler