The most common type of traumatic brain injury is a concussion. Historically, we discounted concussions as having your “bell rung” or “cobweb’s cleaned out.” Fortunately, we have now come to realize that these events can be serious and can lead to long-term repercussions if not properly treated and cared.
In car accidents, bike accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, and even slip and falls, people often lose consciousness for a brief period of time as a result of the accident. Too seldom people fail to diagnose and/or report these brain injuries.
The medical profession sometimes refers to concussions as Mild Traumatic Brain injury (MTBI). As brain injury attorneys, we are reluctant to use that label, as any injury to the brain should be considered potentially dangerous.
One of the most significant concerns about concussions is the fact that they can lead to cumulative brain damage. When a person who has had a previous head injury sustains a concussion, there is always the risk for more severe brain damage. This risk can be particularly large when the concussions are over a short period of time. There still remains much debate as to the relationship between concussions and loss of long-term memory, psychiatric disorders, and an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
Symptoms of a Concussion
You do not have to lose consciousness to have a concussion. In fact, most people who suffer concussions do not ever lose consciousness. The most commonly reported symptoms by someone who may have suffered a concussion are dizziness, nausea, vomiting, difficulty balancing, and lack of motor coordination. However, because of their impairment, most people who have suffered a concussion do not report any symptoms.
There are a series of questions that can be asked at the scene of an accident to help determine if there was a concussion. Some of these questions include:
(1) Orientation
- What street/highway is this?
- What month is it?
- What city is this?
- What day is it?
- Where were you coming from, were where you going?
(2) Post-Traumatic Amnesia
- Ask the athlete to repeat the following words. Table, Dog, Green
(3) Retrograde Amnesia
- What were you doing five minutes before the accident?
- What do you remember just prior to the accident?
- What was the traffic pattern like prior to the accident?
- Do you remember the accident?
(4) Concentration
- Repeat the days of the week backward (starting with today).
- Repeat these numbers backward 63 (36 is correct) 419 (914)
(5) Word List Memory
- Ask the athlete to repeat the three words from earlier. (Table, Dog, Green)
Treatment of Brain Injuries and Concussions
If you have suffered any injury to your head, you should seek medical care. There are no exceptions, and you should never just take fate into your own hands. While concussions are often treated with simple monitoring and rest, it may be difficult to tell whether you only have a concussion or something much more serious.
Compensation For Your Brain injuries: Concussion Lawsuits and Settlements
If somebody else’s negligence caused you to suffer a concussion, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries, including medical care costs, lost earnings, and pain and suffering. Contact a Sacramento brain injury lawyer with experience representing head injury cases to learn more about your legal rights.
