Get Compensated For Your Injuries with Kansas City Personal Injury Lawyers
If you have suffered a head injury in a car accident, slip and fall, bicycle crash, or other accident that was caused by the negligence of another party, you may be entitled to significant damages for your injury. However, if you suffered a concussion, you may have experienced prolonged symptoms. And if your symptoms have not subsided for an extended period of time, you may be suffering from Post-Concussion Syndrome.
Post-concussion syndrome is associated with symptoms stemming from an initial concussion. A concussion is a mild brain injury caused by a forceful trauma to the head or violent shaking of the head and body that causes trauma to the brain. The trauma does not necessarily have to be intense for post-concussion syndrome to occur. Nor do you have to have suffered a severe injury or lose consciousness. Just a slight concussion may be enough to bring on post-concussion syndrome if you are subject to any of the factors that make the syndrome more likely to occur. These can include:
- Previous concussions or head trauma
- Early symptoms of headache after injury
- Mental changes after injury (amnesia, fogginess, or fatigue)
- History of depression
- Life stressors
- Poor social support system
- Lack of coping skills
- Young age
- Prior history of headaches
- Female or older patient (more susceptible to development of symptoms)
According to the Concussion Legacy Foundation, athletes in high school who are diagnosed with concussion have a 10% chance of developing post-concussion syndrome. Other age groups can range from 5% to 30%.
Symptoms of post-concussion syndrome usually occur within the first 7 to 10 days of your concussion. The symptoms can last for anywhere between 3 months to more than a year.
What Are the Symptoms of Post-Concussion Syndrome?
With post-concussion syndrome, you may experience any of the following symptoms:
- Headaches
- Anxiety
- Blurry vision
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Loss of concentration
- Memory loss
- Ringing in the ears
- Sensitivity to light and noise
- Taste and smell senses diminished
Symptoms can occur when engaged in physical activity or at rest. Experiencing even just a few of these symptoms for an extended period of time can affect your ability to function on a day-to-day basis and can easily affect your ability to work. Not only do sufferers have to manage the daily effects of concussion symptoms, but they often cannot engage in normal daily activities.
What Causes Post-Concussion Syndrome?
Medical experts have different opinions about the main cause of post-concussion syndrome. Some claim that it is caused by structural damage to the brain resulting from traumatic impact, which interferes with the nervous system’s messaging to the brain. Others believe the syndrome is more psychological, as it involves similar symptoms as those associated with depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Can Post-Concussion Syndrome Be Treated?
Post-concussion syndrome is best treated with rest and time to allow the brain’s normal recovery process to heal the damage caused by the injury that caused the initial concussion. However, many health care professionals will treat the symptoms with pain medication and migraine prescriptions. If there are mental health symptoms involved, a psychiatrist may be helpful and may prescribe antidepressants and psychotherapy to treat specific symptoms.
There is no one treatment that works best to minimize the symptoms of post-concussion syndrome. However, when a patient suffers with only two or three symptoms, health care providers can focus specific therapies on those symptoms to minimize their effects.
Should I See a Lawyer If I Have Post-Concussion Syndrome?
It may be important for you to see a personal injury lawyer if you are suffering with a concussion or post-concussion syndrome. It depends on what caused you to suffer an initial injury. Your medical records will provide evidence of what may have caused your injuries, but if you suspect that someone else was negligent in their behavior and caused you to suffer even a minor head injury, then you should consult with a lawyer.
At Foster Wallace, LLC, we will meet with you for a free initial consultation to determine several things, including:
- What caused your initial injury?
- Who was at fault?
- What expenses did you have because of your injury?
- When did you first see a doctor?
- What was your diagnosis?
- What is your medical history?
- What are your symptoms?
- How have your symptoms affected your daily life?
- How much pain are you in?
- Can you return to work?
- What is your medical prognosis?
- Has your health care provider ordered therapy?
- What medications are you prescribed?
- What care will you need in the future?
The answer to all of these questions will help us determine for you whether you have a claim against another party to be compensated for your injuries. After your consultation with attorneys at Foster Wallace, LLC, you will have a clearer idea of the best course of action to take so that you can receive money damages from the person responsible for your injuries
