Missouri Head Injury Attorney
Traumatic Brain Injury – Concussion
Concussions are a kind of traumatic brain injury (TBI) often caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head. Some consider a concussion to be a "mild" brain injury because they are typically not life-threatening. However, the potential effects of a concussion can be severe and they often alter the way a person's brain would normally function.
Mechanism of Injury
In an automobile collision, the rapid acceleration then deceleration movement of the head causes rapid movement of the brain around a fixed point (the brainstem). With this rapid movement of the head, the rotational force exerted on the brain can cause a disruption of nerve fibers deep within the brain, resulting in a sudden loss of consciousness.
The most frequent causes of concussions include:
- motor vehicle accidents, particularly frontal collisions;
- slip and fall accidents; and
- accidents in which the head is struck with, or against a blunt object.
Symptoms of Concussions
No matter how mild a concussion may seem, it is important to seek medical attention to ensure that any necessary treatment and care is received. While some concussion symptoms manifest immediately, others may develop later.
Some of the most common symptoms of a concussion include:
- sudden loss of consciousness lasting anywhere from a few seconds or longer;
- period of confusion in which sometimes accident victims are unable to remember the events just prior to the injury and those just after regaining consciousness; and
- headache, dizziness, and irritability.
Concussion Treatment and Prognosis
Depending on the severity of injury to an individual's brain, doctors typically recommend rest and avoidance of normal every day activities until headaches have resolved. In many cases, a doctor will recommend that a patient who has suffered a concussion take the following medication(s):
- Tylenol (Acetaminophen) or Advil/Motrin (Ibuprofen) may be given to help relieve headaches; and
- Zofran (Ondansetron) or Phenergan (Promethazine) may be given to help relieve nausea.
In terms of prognosis (the likely outcome of a concussion), recovery can take a few days or more. Some potential problems noticed in everyday life include headache, irritability, and difficulty concentrating. In addition, there are some possible ongoing or future issues. In approximately one-third of people, symptoms such as headache, dizziness, and perceived concentration and/or intellectual difficulties may persist for a period greater than 3 months following injury. Headache is the most common complaint.
Effective Legal Counsel and Representation
Our St. Louis TBI lawyers have the legal experience and skills to help those injured by another person's negligence seek the compensation they deserve. If you or a loved one has suffered a concussion in an auto accident or another incident brought about by negligent actions, our lawyers can help. Call today to learn more about how attorney John Page can help.