A concussion is a form of mild traumatic brain injury (TBI), and it can affect a person’s life in many different ways. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), concussions are caused by “a bump, blow, or jolt to the head” or by being hit in a way that “causes the head and brain to move quickly back and forth.” When a person sustains a bump or blow to the head, or a hit to the body that results in a concussion, that person’s brain may “bounce around or twist in the skull,” according to the CDC in addition to producing “chemical changes in the brain” and the potential “stretching and damaging” of a person’s brain cells.
In short, concussions are extremely serious, and they can have many different short-term or long-term effects on a person’s life, especially in cases involving repeat concussions. Our experienced Rochester brain injury lawyers can speak with you today about the facts of your case and can help you to determine whether you have a valid claim for compensation.
Short-Term Effects of Concussions
In the short term, concussions can produce physical and emotional effects that tend to dissipate with time and care. Common symptoms of concussions that tend to improve in a relatively short period of time with a proper diagnosis and proper care include but are not limited to the following:
- Headache;
- Dizziness or feeling lightheaded;
- Coordination problems;
- Nausea or vomiting;
- Depression;
- Mood swings;
- Sleeping more or less than normal;
- Difficulty concentrating; and
- Loss of consciousness.
When concussions are severe, the short-term effects tend to be more pronounced. Signs such as loss of consciousness and vomiting tend to occur more often in a particularly severe concussion case. People who suffer concussions need time to heal in the short-term, and symptoms tend to last from about a week to a few months. In some people, symptoms can last up to one year, however, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Long-Term Effects of Concussions
While long-term effects of a single concussion are relatively uncommon, it is important to understand that they can occur. Some of the same symptoms described above can persist for many months following the injury, and in some situations can remain severe and interfere with a person’s life.
Effects of Repeat Concussions on the Brain
In the immediate aftermath, as well as over time, repeat concussions can have additional adverse effects on a person. The CDC underscores that suffering a repeat concussion—meaning that you have suffered a concussion after previously being diagnosed with one or more concussions—the recovery process can be significantly longer. Indeed, anyone who has a history of multiple or repeated concussions can take more time to heal, and the side-effects of the concussion can be more severe.
People with previously concussion diagnoses may experience “ongoing problems with concentration, memory, headache,” and other related symptoms, as well as “physical problems, such as keeping one’s balance.”
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)
Moreover, in the long term, repeat concussions can have devastating and life-threatening effects. According to the Boston University Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) Center, repeat concussions may place a person at higher risk of developing CTE. While CTE has largely come to the forefront in the context of sports-related concussions and their repeat effects on professional athletes, anyone who has a history of multiple concussions could potentially be at risk of developing CTE.
What is CTE? It is a degenerative brain condition that is believed to be caused at least in some cases by repeated concussions. It often produces symptoms that are similar to patients with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia, and the symptoms tend to appear a number of years following the repeat concussions. Symptoms may include, for example, memory loss, mood changes, depression and anxiety, confusion, disorientation, difficulty thinking, tremors, and serious memory problems.
Contact Our Rochester Brain Injury Lawyers
If you or somebody you love recently sustained a concussion as a result of somebody else’s carelessness or reckless behavior, you may be able to file a brain injury claim. At Powers & Santola, LLP, we know that concussions are extremely serious and can have both short-term and long-lasting impacts despite the fact that they are known as mild TBIs. Whether you sustain a concussion for the first time or you have been diagnosed with a repeat concussion and need to learn more about your options for seeking financial compensation, our Rochester brain injury attorneys can speak with you today about filing a claim. Contact Powers & Santola, LLP to learn more about our services.
