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Among the most common and misunderstood traumatic brain injuries are concussions. Each year, an estimated 3 million people sustain a concussion that requires hospitalization or emergency medical treatment, according to the Concussion Legacy Foundation.
But what is a concussion? And what causes these brain injuries? And how do you know if you or a loved one has a concussion? Questions like these helped prompt the creation of National Concussion Awareness Day, which will take place this year on Sept. 16. The goal of this event is “to start a conversation to increase concussion awareness nationally, raise funds for brain injury charitable organizations, and show support for those suffering.”
What is a concussion?
A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury or TBI. Sometimes referred to as a mild TBI (mTBI), concussions are considered by many to be a less severe type of brain injury. But that’s not always the case. In many circumstances, a concussion can have serious or long-term consequences, including permanent brain damage.
This is especially true if a concussion is not diagnosed immediately and injury victims don’t get the medical care they need to recover fully. In addition, people who sustain more than one concussion in a short period of time can also experience long-term medical problems due to multiple concussions.
What causes concussions?
Concussions are often caused by a direct blow to the head or an accident that causes the brain to bounce off the inside of the skull. In many cases, concussions happen due to accidents caused by someone else’s reckless or negligent behavior. Examples include:
- Motor vehicle accidents.
- Slip and falls.
- Falls from height.
- Being struck by an object.
- Sports-related injuries.
Common concussion symptoms
There are often many warning signs of a concussion. Such symptoms can result in physical, emotional, or cognitive changes in someone with a concussion. See a doctor right away if you or a loved one experiences any of the following concussion symptoms:
- Nausea or vomiting after being hit in the head.
- Dizziness or poor balance.
- Memory lapses, including difficulty remembering common words.
- Excessive tiredness.
It’s also important to understand that many concussion symptoms do not occur immediately after someone sustains a head injury. In many cases, concussion symptoms take several hours or even days to develop. Be aware of such delayed symptoms and seek immediate medical care if something seems wrong.
Who’s responsible for paying for my concussion?
Like many states, Oregon has an at-fault insurance system. That means the at-fault party is responsible for compensating you for your injury-related expenses. This might sound simple. But getting the money you deserve can often be much more difficult than you suspect. That’s why it’s critical that you talk to an attorney as soon as possible after you or a loved one sustains a concussion.
Portland brain injury lawyers
There are many reasons why you should hire an attorney to help you with your concussion injury claim. However, the main reason is that the at-fault party’s insurance company will likely do everything possible to reduce or deny your injury claim.
That’s not right. That’s why the Portland traumatic brain injury lawyers at Zbinden & Curtis want to help. Our legal team understands how the civil justice system works in Oregon. We know what laws apply to such cases. As your attorney, we can make sure your concussion claim gets the attention it rightfully deserves.
Learn more about your legal rights and options. Contact us today and schedule a free case evaluation. We have offices in Portland and Woodburn. Best of all, you pay no fees unless we make a financial recovery for you. That’s because our concussion injury attorneys take cases on a contingency fee basis.
