A concussion is more than just a bump on the head. It’s considered a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) that can have serious and lasting effects if the person doesn’t get the right treatment. Even a mild concussion can lead to chronic headaches, memory problems, and cognitive issues. In Indianapolis, victims of concussions caused by someone else’s negligence have legal options.
How Do Concussions Happen?
A person can get a concussion when a sudden impact or jolt to the head causes the brain to move around inside the skull. The movement can damage brain cells, and that could cause various symptoms that might appear immediately or take days or weeks to develop.
The most common causes of a concussion include:
- Car Accidents: Even at low speeds, a car crash can knock a person’s head against the hard surfaces inside
- Falls: Slipping on a wet floor, tripping on something, or falling down the stairs can be especially dangerous for older adults and young children
- Work Accidents: Construction workers, warehouse employees, and others in high-risk jobs deal with daily hazards that can cause concussions
- Sports Injuries: Contact sports put players at risk for concussions, and even repeated minor impacts can lead to brain trauma over time
No matter how it happens, a concussion should never be ignored. If someone else’s negligence caused the injury, they need to be held accountable.
What Are Some Common Symptoms of a Concussion?
People sometimes feel fine immediately after a blow to the head, but symptoms can appear long after the initial injury. The delayed reaction makes it critical to pay attention to any changes in physical, emotional, and cognitive health.
Some of the most common signs of a concussion include:
- Headaches
- Head pressure
- Dizziness
- Balance problems
- Sensitivity to light and noise
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Confusion
- Trouble with concentration
- Memory problems
- Mood swings
- Anxiety
- Depression
Kids and older adults can have a hard time expressing their symptoms, so it’s even more important to watch them after a head injury. If there’s any suspicion of a concussion, medical care should be sought immediately.
Why Does Immediate Treatment Matter?
There’s a misconception that people don’t need to see a doctor unless they pass out or experience severe symptoms after head trauma. That’s a mistake. Even mild concussions can cause long-term problems if left untreated.
A doctor can do neurological tests to check memory, reflexes, and balance. In some cases, imaging scans might be necessary to rule out more serious brain injuries like bleeding or swelling. This also creates a record of the injury, which will be important later if you decide to take legal action.
What Are the Potential Long-Term Effects of a Concussion?
For some people, concussions heal within a few weeks. However, others aren’t as lucky.
Post-concussion syndrome (PCS) can cause headaches, dizziness, and cognitive difficulties for months or even years after the injury. Repeated concussions increase the risk of long-term damage like chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain condition that can form after years of constant head trauma.
Because concussions impact everyone differently, ongoing medical care and careful monitoring are needed. Anyone who experiences lingering symptoms should talk to a doctor about their treatment options.
What Are My Legal Options After a Concussion Injury?
If a concussion was caused by another person’s negligence (perhaps in a car accident or a public space that wasn’t kept safe), the injured person might have the right to go after financial compensation. This could help them cover their medical bills, missing paychecks from being unable to work, pain and suffering, and other losses.
Proving a concussion injury in a personal injury case requires solid evidence. This is where those medical records come in handy, along with witness statements, pictures, videos, accident reports, and testimony from experts.
Insurance companies like to downplay the severity of a concussion, and strong evidence makes it hard for them to argue against your case. They might still try to push for a quick settlement, but those first offers almost never cover all of your costs.
Once a settlement is accepted, there’s no going back, so make sure to have a lawyer help you with negotiations so you don’t leave any money on the table.
In Indianapolis, there’s a time limit for filing a personal injury claim. The state’s statute of limitations generally allows legal action up to two years from the day of the injury. In some cases, though, exceptions may apply. Speaking with a lawyer as soon as you can after your accident will help ensure you don’t miss any deadlines.
Contact an Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyer Today
Concussions are serious injuries that can have major impacts on the people who experience them. If you or a loved one has suffered a head injury after an accident, Rob King & Associates,Trial Lawyers can help you understand your rights and fight for the compensation you need. Contact our experienced Indianapolis personal injury attorneys at (317) 916-0000 today.
