Concussions are generally classified as mild traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and caused by sudden violent shaking of or blunt force to the head. Many have been led to underestimate the severity of concussions due to their prevalence in our professional sports, but the truth is that they can be very serious injuries, especially if any further damage is sustained before an initial concussion has healed. This is known as “second-impact syndrome,” which can lead to coma and even death in severe cases.
Even seemingly-mild concussions may lead to “post-concussion syndrome” (PCS), a range of symptoms which manifest days or even weeks following a concussion and may last for significant periods of time, sometimes one year or more. PCS is reported by about ten-percent of concussion victims, and common symptoms include:
- Anxiety/irritability
- Emotional/behavioral changes
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Headaches of varying location and severity
- Insomnia or excessive sleeping
- Sensitivity to light or noise
Although medical experts have varying hypotheses regarding why some concussion victims suffer from PCS more than others and some never experience PCS at all, but there is no widely-established explanation.
Concussions and resulting PCS can occur in a variety of accidents, including in contact sports, traffic accidents, slip-and-falls, and assault/battery. If you’ve suffered a concussion due to the negligence or aggression of another entity, you may have a viable claim against the entity’s insurance company; if it lacks insurance, the entity itself will be the claim’s target. Also, successful PCS cases must prove that the defendant was directly at-fault for the injury and include the testimony of at least one medical professional that symptoms of PCS exist and were caused by the force/trauma to the head.
Post-concussion syndrome can be difficult to prove, and this is why insurance companies will vehemently fight these claims. This syndrome, unlike other conditions, relies heavily on opinion and personal testimony rather than indisputable medical evidence, but this does not mean the condition and its symptoms cannot be sufficiently proven to the opposing side and a jury, if necessary. Certain questions may be crucial: did you continue to function normally following the accident or did you miss work? Were you unable to drive, severely fatigued, or otherwise unable to perform independent daily tasks? Which, if any, of your medical expenses were not covered by insurance? How much income was lost due to your injury, and how much may be lost in the future?
Concussion victims need an experienced personal injury attorney on their side to ensure they receive every bit of compensation they deserve. If you or a loved one has suffered a concussion or similar head injury in an accident, contact 844 See Mike for a free consultation. We are a Chicago-based injury law firm representing individuals (and their families) who have suffered an injury in an accident. We will handle your case quickly and advise you every step of the way, and we will not hesitate to go to trial for you.
Lastly, 844 See Mike is not paid attorneys’ fees unless we win your case. Our no-fee promise is that simple. You have nothing to risk when you hire us – only the opportunity to seek justice.