If you sustained a head injury during an accident, you might be wondering, “Is a concussion a traumatic brain injury, and should I seek legal representation?”
A concussion, also called a mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) can result in expensive medical bills, lost wages, and a long road to recovery for those who develop post-concussion syndrome.
Anyone who experiences a head injury due to the negligence of another person should contact an experienced Houston brain injury lawyer. The team at Mithoff Law has been trusted for decades to help injured parties get the justice they deserve.
What is a concussion?
A concussion is an injury that causes the brain to move suddenly and quickly inside your head. This sudden impact causes brain swelling and can lead to an assortment of other health issues. Multiple concussions without allowing the brain to heal can even result in death.
Common causes of concussions include:
- Workplace injuries
- Automotive accidents
- Assault
- Sports injuries
- Airbag injuries from defective airbags
Concussion types and symptoms
Concussions are graded on the severity of their symptoms. Some symptoms happen instantly and others may take days or weeks after the initial impact to appear.
- Grade 0: Headache and difficulty concentrating
- Grade 1: Headache, difficulty concentrating, and a dazed feeling for less than a minute
- Grade 2: More than a few minutes of feeling disoriented, with possible dizziness, confusion, amnesia, ringing in the ears, and irritability
- Grade 3: Full Loss of consciousness for less than a minute
- Grade 4: Full Loss of consciousness for longer than a minute
Grade 3 and Grade 4 concussions are the most serious. If you lose consciousness due to a head injury, you need to seek immediate medical assistance. Brain swelling and bleeding may not be visible, but it can lead to permanent side effects or death if not addressed immediately.
What’s considered a traumatic brain injury?
To answer the question, “Is a concussion a traumatic brain injury?” we must first identify what a traumatic brain injury is. So, what is a TBI? According to the CDC, a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a disruption in the normal function of the brain that can be caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head, or penetrating head injury.
Traumatic brain injury symptoms include:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Memory loss
- Confusion
- Loss of consciousness
Seeking representation from a catastrophic injury lawyer for a TBI may be appropriate depending on what caused the injury, the severity of the symptoms, and whether the accident was due to someone’s negligence. If you have doubt, it’s generally best to consult a lawyer, who may be better equipped to help you determine whether you have a case.
Types of traumatic brain injury
There are multiple types of brain injuries that can occur, with a concussion being the most mild. These types include:
Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
A mild traumatic brain injury is diagnosed only when there is a change in mental status at the time of injury. This means the person is light-headed or confused. The most common example of a mild traumatic brain injury is a concussion.
Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury
A moderate TBI is more serious than a concussion and is marked by a loss of consciousness that lasts from a few minutes to a few hours. It also includes physical, mental, or behavioral impairments that last for an extended period.
Severe Brain Injury
Severe head injuries usually result from extreme blows or penetrating wounds to the head. These injuries tear and destroy delicate brain tissue and are the most life-threatening type of brain injury.
Is post-concussion syndrome considered a TBI?
Post-concussion syndrome are symptoms that show up days or weeks after the initial injury and can last for an extended period. Symptoms include headache, dizziness and irritability that does not seem to improve.
Although post-concussion syndrome is caused by a mild traumatic brain injury, it can be just as debilitating as other traumatic brain injuries.
Ten percent of concussion victims report having experienced post-concussion syndrome with symptoms lasting a year or more. If you or someone you love is experiencing post-concussion syndrome, you might want to consider seeking legal representation.
Concussion statistics: Who is at the highest risk?
If you or a loved one suffer from a concussion or a TBI, you need to understand the factors involved. We have covered the symptoms and definitions, so now let’s look at the numbers.
- Children and young people ages 15 to 19 years are at the highest risk for TBIs
- Males are nearly twice as likely to sustain a TBI as females
- 28% of concussions are caused by falls
- 20% of concussions are caused by motor vehicle accidents
Whatever your age, gender, or the cause of your injury, our team will examine the facts and be the advocate you need.
Contact a brain injury lawyer at Mithoff Law
Concussions are a problematic medical issue with potential repercussions that science is only beginning to understand. If someone’s negligent behavior caused you or someone you love to have a concussion and you are still experiencing symptoms, you may need help holding the responsible party accountable.
Over the years, Mithoff Law has built a strong network of professional relationships with a wide variety of subject matter experts, including those with experience assessing concussions and other TBIs. The contributions of these experts are a vital part of understanding the particulars of each case as well as what may be needed to sufficiently support the future livelihoods of those who have been injured.
Put your future in the hands of one of the top personal injury law firms in the country. If you are asking yourself, “Is a concussion a traumatic brain injury, and should I pursue damages?” reach out to a trusted personal injury attorney in Houston by calling 713-654-1122.
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