A concussion is an injury to the brain that is caused either by a blow to the head or by a jolt that causes the head (and brain) to quickly move back and forth. In addition to the physical symptoms which may be caused by a concussion, such as headaches, dizziness, and sensitivity to light and noise, mental health disorders may also arise as the result of a concussion.
The most common causes of concussions are motor vehicle accidents, slip and falls, and sports injuries. Symptoms may present themselves right away, or may not occur for weeks or even months following the incident. This makes it critical that you get checked out by a medical professional as soon as possible following an accident to ensure that you get an accurate diagnosis and protect your right to compensation for any injuries.
How does a concussion affect mental health?
The seriousness of a concussion ranges from mild to severe. If you have a preexisting mental health condition such as anxiety, depression or PTSD, a concussion may worsen it. But even if you’ve never experienced mental illness in the past, a traumatic brain injury such as a concussion can cause long-lasting effects. Often, this has to do with a combination of how the injury results in brain communication dysfunction, additional stress on the autonomic nervous system, and your natural response to emotional and physical trauma.
An injury to the brain can change the way you feel and think by disrupting the way your brain interacts with your neurovascular system. Those who have suffered concussions may even think they are going crazy when the truth is that the way they are feeling is related directly to their physical injury.
Treating the root cause (the brain injury) is key to feeling more like yourself again.
What legal help is available for someone with a concussion?
If you’ve suffered a concussion as the result of someone else’s negligence, the first thing you will need to do is to get yourself examined by a doctor so that you’ll have medical evidence that supports your claim. You should also seek out the advice of a qualified personal injury lawyer and avoid speaking to insurance companies before you have taken these steps.
It is not uncommon for an insurance company to try to minimize the effects of your injury or even claim that you were the one responsible for the accident.
What damages could I be entitled to?
Following a concussion, you may be able to sue for pecuniary (related to money) and non-pecuniary damages. Pecuniary damages would include things like your medical expenses, lost wages, and expenses for future care, while non-pecuniary damages would include things like pain and suffering, and future lost wages.
A competent personal injury lawyer will be able to help you determine how much you should sue for and help you to build your case. Because brain injuries can take some time before their full extent is known, this can be a challenge, which is why working with a lawyer who is experienced in dealing with brain injury cases is critical. This will also help to prevent the insurance company from talking you into a low-ball settlement offer.
Contact Hoffman Law today
Navigating the physical and mental health effects of a concussion can be difficult for anyone, however you could get the financial compensation that you are entitled to with the help of a skilled legal professional. Hoffman Law offers both medical and legal expertise, aiding in finding critical evidence to support your claim. If you have suffered a concussion as the result of someone else’s negligence, contact Hoffman Law today to get the compensation you deserve.