Each year in the United States, more than 3 million people suffer concussions. Although concussions in children and teenagers occur most often from sports-related activities, in adults, accidents are the most common culprits. One of the aspects of concussions that makes them particularly difficult to spot and treat is that they can appear with delayed symptoms.
Delayed concussion symptoms can be confusing and could even make the connection between an accident and the resulting concussion more difficult to establish. That’s just one of the reasons why turning to a brain injury lawyer for help is important after being in a car accident that someone else caused.
Understanding Concussions
A concussion is a kind of traumatic brain injury that a jolt, bump, or blow to the head can cause. It can also be the result of force moving your head and brain rapidly back and forth. Although concussions are often described as “mild” brain injuries, they can still result in serious symptoms that impact your life.
Concussions bruise and stretch nerves as well as blood vessels while also leading to chemical changes in the brain that can cause temporary losses of function depending on the location of the injury.
The most common concussion symptoms people experience are:
- Balance problems
- Concentration issues
- Confusion
- Blurry vision
- Headaches
- Pressure in the head
- Vomiting
- Nausea
But can concussion symptoms be delayed? Most of the time, concussion symptoms appear right after the injury, but you can experience delayed concussion symptoms. This delay occurs because of the complex way that the brain responds to physical trauma.
Some people might experience some symptoms, like headaches, right after the accident, while other symptoms can take a while to become noticeable. Signs of a delayed concussion can include sleeping problems, feeling depressed or emotional, and experiencing sensitivity to sound and light. Some people also struggle with delayed vomiting after concussions.
Can concussion symptoms come and go? They can, which makes treatment more difficult. Some people feel better after an initial recovery and then begin experiencing dizziness and headaches again. This is because the brain isn’t as efficient in the way it gets oxygen or relays information. It usually, though not always, resolves when the brain heals.
Long-Term Effects of a Concussion
Many people who experience a concussion heal and don’t have to deal with long-term damage. However, in some cases, the brain may not return to using the most efficient pathways and might rely on the less efficient ones that were used during the recovery process.
These changes can be subtle, but as more time passes, you can notice symptoms of what’s called post-concussion syndrome. Treating post-concussion syndrome could mean ongoing medical care that includes physical therapy, medications, and more.
Compensation Available After Suffering a Concussion
If you’ve been in an accident that was someone else’s fault and you suffered a concussion, you may be able to file a personal injury claim and get compensation for what you’ve suffered. Each claim is unique, but in Santa Ana, CA, you can claim economic and non-economic compensatory damages.
Economic damages include the quantifiable losses you’ve had because of the accident. Medical expenses make up a large part of economic damages.
After an accident that resulted in a concussion, you’ve likely had to go to the hospital. You may have needed medications or even physical therapy. You shouldn’t have to foot these bills yourself if the accident occurred because of someone else’s negligence. If you have delayed concussion symptoms or require ongoing care, you can get coverage for future medical expenses.
A concussion can make it very difficult to focus, so it usually means taking some time off from work to recover. Missing out on work results in missing out on wages. Compensation for lost wages can include your salary, commissions, paid sick days or vacation days, and even bonuses you would have otherwise received.
If you’re not able to return to work because the concussion causes lasting problems, then you may also be eligible to receive future lost wages.
Non-economic damages involve losses that aren’t as easy to quantify. They include pain and suffering damages to compensate you for the emotional and physical distress that you’ve experienced because of the accident and resulting injuries.
For people who aren’t able to live their lives as they did before the accident, loss of enjoyment of life is available, too.
In some instances, punitive damages may also be awarded. California only makes these an option when the at-fault party is guilty of oppression, fraud, or malice.
Is Hiring a Brain Injury Lawyer Necessary?
To file a personal injury claim after suffering a concussion, you don’t need to have a lawyer — but you should. The process is long and complex, especially when dealing with serious injuries like concussions.
A lawyer will perform a full assessment of your claim and then begin gathering evidence that proves you should be compensated for your losses. In the majority of claims, your lawyer will have to prove that the other person was negligent.
They’ll have to show that the defendant had a duty of care toward you and that they breached it. For example, if the defendant was speeding and hit your car, they weren’t obeying traffic laws, so they breached their duty.
Your lawyer would then have to show that the defendant’s actions led to your injuries and that those injuries can be compensated.
A lawyer will also have experience negotiating with insurers, which is critical if you want to get the most compensation possible. If necessary, your lawyer can also litigate your case in court.
Getting Help After a Concussion
If you’ve suffered a concussion in Santa Ana, CA, because of someone else’s negligence, you need to reach out to lawyers for help. Personal injury lawyers can help you understand if you have a claim and can gather all of the evidence so that you can focus on healing. With the right lawyer by your side, it can be easier to navigate these kinds of claims.
Contact Robles Babaee, Personal Injury Lawyers or Visit Our Law Firm in Santa Ana for Help Today
Robles Babaee, Personal Injury Lawyers
1851 E 1st St Suite 810, Santa Ana, CA 92705
(714) 263-3700