4 Common Misconceptions About Concussions in Personal Injury Cases
Concussions are a common injury to report when filing a personal injury claim, but there are several misconceptions about them that can affect how they are handled. The last thing a claimant wants is more problems when seeking compensation for their injuries, so here are four prevalent fallacies about concussions in personal injury cases.
A Concussion Is a Minor Injury
The most widespread misconception about concussions is that they are minor injuries that do not require medical attention. However, a concussion is a kind of traumatic brain injury (TBI) that can have severe long-term consequences. Even a mild concussion can cause symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, and memory problems.
In extreme cases, a concussion can lead to irreversible brain damage. This is common with second impact syndrome, where the brain swells and bleeds from a second consecutive blow.
Symptoms of a Concussion Always Appear Immediately
While it is common for concussion symptoms to appear immediately, there are also persistent post-concussive symptoms to watch out for. These symptoms, which include insomnia, anxiety, and light sensitivity, may take several hours or even days after the injury to appear.
According to the Albuquerque personal injury attorneys at the Fine Law Firm, concussion victims should seek medical attention immediately because the severity of the concussions is unknown. Medical professionals can assess the severity of the injury accurately and prescribe treatment if necessary.
For most people, post-concussive symptoms appear within the first 10 days and disappear after 3 months.
Concussions Only Happen in High-Impact Sports
Although concussions are more prevalent in high-impact sports such as football and soccer, they can occur in any circumstance involving a blow to the head. Car accidents, falls, and workplace accidents can all result in concussions, hence why they’re so common in personal injury lawsuits.
Blue Collar workers (construction workers, firefighters, etc.,) are the second most vulnerable group for concussions, with injured employees often seeking workers’ compensation. However, filing for workers’ compensation can legally prevent employees from filing a personal injury case against their company.
A Negative MRI or CT Scan Means There Is No Concussion
A concussion causes microscopic injury to the brain cells. MRI and CT scans only detect structural damage to the brain on a macro level, so a concussion usually is undetectable with these tests.
Furthermore, there is still some gray area with the general definition of a concussion, and most medical professionals rely on the prevalence of symptoms for diagnosis.
The best way to know if you have a concussion is to be attentive of symptoms during the following week. You may need to revisit your medical professional to explain any new developments.
Be an Advocate for Your Brain
It is clear that when it comes to personal injury cases, concussions are serious matters that require attention and preventative measures. Since they are classified as traumatic brain injuries, they can have long-lasting symptoms and should be treated with care.
You can reduce the risk of post-concussive symptoms by recognizing the early signs of a concussion and seeking medical attention for general head injuries. With a little awareness and effort, full recovery and proper compensation is possible.
