What to Know About Concussions

Concussions are the most common type of traumatic brain injury. While many concussions are classified as mild brain injuries, they have the potential to cause severe symptoms. If you suffered a concussion in a preventable accident in Colorado, contact a brain injury attorney at Cannon Law to discuss your legal options.

What Is a Concussion?

Traumatic brain injuries, including concussions, describe damage to any part of the brain that is caused by an external force, such as blunt-force trauma to the head or skull. Any bump or blow to the head could result in a concussion or another type of traumatic brain injury. Rapid movement of the brain within the skull due to a sudden impact, such as the forces exerted upon the body in a car accident, could also cause a concussion.

What Causes Concussions?

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, concussions and other traumatic brain injuries resulted in approximately 214,110 hospitalizations in 2020. This equated to more than 586 hospitalizations per day.

Concussions can occur due to many different types of circumstances, including:

• Motor vehicle accidents
• Motorcycle and bicycle accidents
• Slip and fall accidents
• Acts of violence
• Recreational activities
• Diving accidents
• Sports impacts and injuries
• Workplace accidents
• Falling objects
• Blasts and explosions

Data shows that individuals aged 75 years and older have the highest rates of hospitalizations and deaths from traumatic brain injuries. In addition, males are almost twice as likely to be hospitalized and three times as likely to die due to brain injuries than females.

Symptoms and Long-Term Effects of a Concussion

A concussion can cause a wide range of symptoms that are different for each person. Common examples include headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, sensitivity to light and sound, trouble balancing, and sleep problems. Moderate to severe concussions may also have long-term effects, such as mood and personality changes or cognitive challenges.

Every brain injury is unique. Recovery from a concussion varies from person to person. Most people make full recoveries within a few days to two weeks. In some patients, however, symptoms last longer than average (post-concussion syndrome), which can significantly affect the victim’s life.

Your Legal Options if You Suffered a Concussion in Colorado

A concussion can cost a substantial amount in medical bills, emergency room visits, follow-up appointments, treatments, medications, therapies and rehabilitation. In addition, many victims suffer lost wages from having to take days or weeks off of work to recover.

In Colorado, victims can seek financial compensation for concussions that arise from accidents. If someone else was negligent and this caused the concussion, the negligent party can be held financially responsible (liable). In personal injury law, negligence is the failure to act with reasonable care.

If an injured victim can prove that the concussion resulted from someone else’s negligent act or omission, he or she can recover compensation for past and future losses associated with the injury. This can include medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If a drunk driver caused a car accident that led to a head injury, for example, the driver can be held liable.

To find out if you have grounds for a brain injury case after being diagnosed with a concussion, contact Cannon Law to request a free consultation.