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Concussion Injuries in an Accident

On Behalf of | Mar 31, 2017 | Firm News |

Motor vehicle collisions and slip-and-fall accidents can cause many forms of injury, but few are as potentially dangerous as injuries occurring to the head and brain. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has determined that approximately 30% of all deaths resulting from injuries involve a form of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Concussions are the most common form of TBI, and they affect thousands of accident victims each year. Learn more about concussions below, and contact a Kentucky personal injury lawyer if you’ve received a TBI in a car accident, truck wreck or other accident.

How do concussions happen?

Concussions are the result of a violent jolt or blow to the head. Although the cerebrospinal fluid between the skull and brain typically protects the brain from bumps and shocks, it is unable to protect against large amounts of force. In a concussion event, the brain is slammed against the walls of the skull, which causes temporary loss of function, bruising, and even bleeding.

What are the potential consequences of suffering a concussion?

Reaction times may be slowed by a concussion. As a result, some TBI victims may be advised by their physician not to drive a car or operate heavy machinery after an accident that causes brain injuries. Additionally, computer use over a long period of time may exacerbate concussion symptoms and slow recovery. During the recovery period, concussion victims are advised to avoid activities that are physically, or even mentally, strenuous, as they can slow recovery of brain matter. Medical experts have found that those with concussion injuries who attempt to return to their normal routine too quickly will often suffer a relapse of symptoms, which prolong recovery even more.

Post-concussion syndrome possible

Around 10% of concussion victims experience a condition known as post-concussion syndrome. This condition causes the patient to experience the symptoms of a concussion for about three months-in some cases, up to one year-rather than the two to three weeks of symptoms experienced by the majority of concussion victims. Post-concussion syndrome has not been linked to the severity of the concussion. It has been found to occur more often among older adults, women, and those whose concussions resulted from a traumatic injury, such as a fall or car crash.

Money damages may be available

Many concussion victims will be required to take time away from work to recover from their injuries, which can mean lost wages at a time when medical expenses are high. Persons injured in an accident caused by someone else’s careless or reckless behavior may have the basis to file a legal claim for their expenses related to the accident. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you determine whether you would benefit from filing a lawsuit related to your concussion injury.

If you’ve been the victim of a slip-and-fall accident or motor vehicle collision in Kentucky, seek seasoned and knowledgeable legal counsel to find out if you have a claim for money damages by contacting the Lexington personal injury lawyers at O’Brien, Batten & Kirtley, PLLC for a consultation on your case, at 859-317-2056.

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