A concussion is a traumatic brain injury (TBI) that occurs when a victim suffers a severe jolt or blow to the head. The force of this motion propels the brain into the skull, bruising the soft tissue and damaging critical cells, blood vessels, and nerves. This type of injury is commonly sustained after car collisions, sports accidents, assaults, and even severe slip and fall incidents. According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), there are at least 3.8 million reported concussions in the United States each year. Unfortunately, this statistic is likely inaccurate since most concussion victims make the mistake of forgoing medical treatment.
What Causes a Delayed Concussion
The human brain generates two stabilizing chemicals – adrenaline and endorphins – in moments of extreme stress, fear, and excitement. This physiological reaction simultaneously confuses a person’s pain receptors while increasing their muscle strength, blood pressure, and heart rate; in other words, it triggers an individual’s fight or flight response, giving them the energy to surpass or escape an ostensibly life-threatening situation.
The Symptoms of a Delayed Concussion
Consequently, it can take days for a person to notice the symptoms and side effects commonly associated with a mild or delayed concussion. In fact, some delayed concussions symptoms can take days or even weeks to develop. These latent symptoms also tend to vary from person to person, which is why accident victims need to seek immediate medical attention after an incident, even if they do not think they have suffered an injury.
Delayed concussion symptoms include:
- Loss of consciousness
- Coordination problems
- Blurred vision
- Memory loss
- Intense headaches or cerebral pressure
- Confusion and dizziness
- Concentration issues
- Irrational irritability
- Sensitivity to light and noise
- Difficulty sleeping
- Depression
A concussion is usually not fatal so long as an accident victim seeks medical assistance in a timely manner. Delaying or forgoing treatment can exacerbate your symptoms and lead to additional medical complications in the future. For this reason, you and your doctor need to closely monitor your head injury to prevent a potentially lethal side effect from developing over time.
Contact Simeone & Miller LLP to Schedule a Free Consultation
Contact the Washington, DC personal injury lawyers at Simeone & Miller LLP if you have sustained a traumatic brain injury due to the negligence of another person. Our experienced and knowledgeable legal team has the skills and resources to help you recover compensation that facilitates your ongoing recovery process and prepares you for the next chapter of your life.
