Your Concussion Can Impact the Value of a Personal Injury Claim

Concussions are a form of traumatic brain injury, commonly known as TBI. In fact, concussions account for around 80% of TBIs today. 

You’ve probably seen headlines and watched new stories chronicling the effects a TBI can have on a football player’s life in recent years, which typically applies to players in the NCAA and NFL, although this can expand to other sports as well.

The constant hard hits on the field can take a toll on players’ physical health. Injuries are common, including concussions. However, you don’t need to hit the football field to suffer a concussion. Almost any type of accident from a vehicle collision to a slip and fall can result in a TBI.

If your concussion is caused by someone’s negligence, you may be able to file a personal injury claim and receive financial compensation.

How Concussions Can Occur

A concussion can happen when a sudden force causes your brain to bounce around inside the skull. The visual image isn’t appealing, after all, no one wants to think that their brain can slide around. 

The force can be caused by a vehicle accident or a hard hit on the football field. Banging your head on the floor after a slip-and-fall accident can also cause a concussion or another type of TBI.

Along with bruising and swelling, a concussion can also cause chemical changes in your brain. Blood flow to and around the brain can be reduced, along with glucose levels. These changes also make your brain more susceptible to another injury. For example, if you receive another jolt or a hit to the head.

Concussions can also be divided into two categories, acute and chronic. An acute brain injury shows immediate signs and symptoms. With a chronic brain injury, symptoms tend to develop gradually. The gradual development of symptoms is usually attributed to one section of the brain working overtime to make up for the injured part.

Concussions and the Value of a Personal Injury Claim

Okay, you have a good idea of what a concussion is and how one can occur. You also know concussions aren’t something only football players are at risk for. 

So, if someone’s negligent actions cause your concussion, how does the brain injury impact the value of your claim? The answer typically depends on the severity of the injury and if you develop additional complications.

Some complications that can develop from a concussion include vision and seizure disorders. Your concussion can also lead to early-onset neurodegenerative disease. If you’re diagnosed with any of these conditions after sustaining a TBI in an accident, you may be able to seek compensation for these damages.

Early Onset Neurodegenerative Disease

Medical researchers are finding individuals who suffer a concussion have a higher risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and dementia earlier in life. 

Your risk increases almost every time you suffer a concussion. However, in some cases, it only takes one diagnosed concussion to increase an individual’s risk significantly. Remember, everyone is different and this applies to how their bodies handle and recover from a concussion.

If you’re diagnosed with early-onset neurodegenerative disease, you may eventually require a lifetime of medical care.

Vision Disorders

A concussion, even mild, can damage your ocular motor nerves. These nerves are responsible for a host of eye functions that include photosensitivity and balance. 

You may experience issues with eyestrain and blurry vision. Your depth perception may also be thrown off. Long-term therapy and medical care are often necessary if you’re diagnosed with a vision disorder.

Seizures

Even suffering a single concussion can increase your seizure risk, sometimes by as much as 5 times. You may develop either early or late post-traumatic seizures. Early post-traumatic seizures manifest shortly after experiencing a concussion. Late post-traumatic seizures can take a week or longer to appear.

If you experience multiple seizures, including more than one in 24 hours, your risk of developing epilepsy can also increase. Medications are often required to manage seizure frequency and you may experience debilitating side effects that can also impact your quality of life.

Filing a Personal Injury Claim After Sustaining a Concussion

Now that you have an idea of how a concussion can impact your life, it’s time to learn how it can affect your personal injury claim.

Determining the Long-Term Effect of the Concussion

Concussions often have a long-term impact on your life, even if it’s not immediately obvious. To help ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries, you’ll need to seek immediate medical attention. 

Your physician can diagnose your condition, determine the severity of your concussion, and provide supporting medical evidence to help support your claim.

Some of the long-term effects you may experience after a concussion can include:

• Severe headaches and periods of dizziness that disrupt your ability to work or enjoy life
• Problems concentrating and completing tasks. Memory loss is also common after suffering a concussion
• Extreme fatigue
• Changes in mood or behavior. For example, feelings of depression or extreme irritability
• Trouble falling and staying asleep at night. A lack of sleep can also contribute to other medical conditions like fatigue.

Don’t forget you’re also at a higher risk of sustaining another concussion, which can impact your ability to resume normal activities you enjoyed before the accident. Even your ability to return to a previous job position can be affected by a TBI.

Negotiating with the Insurance Company

All personal injury claims, even if a concussion isn’t listed as damage, go through a period of negotiations with the insurance provider. Don’t expect to walk away with a settlement check after the first round of negotiations, as these things usually take time.

Your personal injury attorney should handle the negotiations, and even if your brain injury isn’t impacting your abilities, it’s still best to let an attorney work with the insurance adjuster. Don’t worry though, whether or not you accept the offered settlement is still entirely your decision.

Don’t Let a Concussion Ruin Your Life

A concussion can have a huge impact on your life; you may not be able to participate in all of the activities you love, like playing football, but it doesn’t need to ruin your life. You can receive financial compensation that can cover long-term care and other related expenses.

While financial compensation doesn’t make up for all of your damages, it does make them a little easier to manage, providing you with the resources needed to focus on your recovery and adapt to any changes in your lifestyle.