Symptoms of a mild brain injury, including confusion and memory loss, can continue to linger in a person up to a year after he has suffered a personal injury. The duration of brain injury symptoms may have a significant impact on claims arising out of automobile accidents or other personal injury matters.
Those findings related to lingering symptoms of mild brain injuries came from a recent study that was conducted on a group of young athletes. The findings of the study were published in the journal Neurology. The study found that young athletes who had suffered a concussion continued to show signs of the injury in their brain scans for months after the injury had occurred. Some of those signs continued to linger for up to a year after the injury. While the findings pertained to young athletes, the same can certainly occur for persons who suffered mild brain injuries in a car accident.
These findings specifically pertain to the long -lasting effects of a mild brain injury on young athletes, but we have known for a while that brain injuries – even mild ones – can have long lasting effects. A brain injury can occur whenever there is any kind of significant jolt or blow to the head or skull. A brain injury does not have to result in loss of consciousness or even swelling or bleeding for it to result in impact. Concussions, for example, are some of the mildest brain injuries, and typically occur in an auto accident or slip and fall accident involving a blow to the head. However, they can result in symptoms that include loss of consciousness for a few minutes, memory loss, confusion, and disorientation.
According to the new study, while the person may be able to return to his job or studies after the injury, the symptoms of the concussion may continue to linger. For instance, it is not uncommon to find persons suffering from memory loss or loss of concentration and attention, even months after the injury. There may be mild cognitive difficulties that also appear. There may be mood changes, and the person may experience irritability or mild depression after the injury. There may also be changes in balance, with an increased risk of suffering falls. The person may develop vision problems, including blurred vision and hyper-sensitivity to light.
Even mild brain injuries like concussions can impact a person’s life and job. Memory problems and lack of concentration, for instance, can affect a person’s ability to work in a job that involves mental exertion. Mood changes can also adversely impact a person’s ability to earn a living and impair his personal relationships.
It is important to factor in all possible expenses arising from an injury after an accident. A car accident claim after a brain injury must include compensation for not only medical costs, but also lost income, lost earning potential as well as other types of damages.
If you or a loved one have suffered injuries in a car accident, talk to a lawyer at our firm and determine your legal options for a claim for compensation. You may qualify for a claim that helps you recover damages for medical costs, lost wages and other types of compensation. Talk to a lawyer at our firm and discuss your case. Initial consultations are free.