Is A Concussion Considered A Traumatic Brain Injury?

A concussion is considered a form of traumatic brain injury (TBI). It results from a jolt or blow to the head, causing the brain to move rapidly inside the skull. Although usually categorized as a mild TBI, concussions can have serious effects, including headaches, memory issues, and mood changes, requiring proper rest and medical attention for recovery.

A concussion is a brain injury caused by a blow to the head, but is a concussion considered a traumatic brain injury?

Many injury victims suffer concussions, but few realize that these are considered traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Without understanding this, victims may not seek the compensation they deserve, risking long-term consequences from untreated symptoms.

As personal injury lawyers, we’re here to clarify the connection between concussions and TBIs, ensuring you get the proper care and compensation for your recovery.

Why Is A Concussion Considered a Traumatic Brain Injury?

A concussion is considered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) because it involves a disruption in normal brain function caused by a sudden impact or jolt to the head or body.

This force causes the brain to move rapidly within the skull, leading to chemical changes and, in some cases, damage to brain cells. Even though concussions are often labeled as “mild” TBIs, they can result in serious symptoms like headaches, dizziness, memory loss, and emotional changes.

The term “mild” refers to the initial impact, not the potential severity of long-term effects, which is why prompt medical evaluation and proper care are essential.

How Common Are Concussions and TBIs?

So, how common are concussions and TBIs? According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are over 2.5 million emergency room visits every year associated with concussions and other traumatic brain injuries.

Approximately 280,000 people are ultimately hospitalized for TBI each year. And sadly, there are about 50,000 annual fatalities related to TBI.

How Does a Concussion Actually Affect the Brain?

Unlike other types of injuries, the symptoms of a concussion may not be immediately apparent. A person may seem fine within a few minutes of a concussion yet have significant medical issues days, weeks, or even months later. This is why it is important to get medical attention as soon as possible after a concussion.

The National Institutes of Health notes a person who has suffered a concussion “may remain conscious or may experience a loss of consciousness for a few seconds or minutes.” Afterwards, the person may experience symptoms such as headache, confusion, dizziness, blurred vision, ringing in the ears, and fatigue. In the days following a concussion there may be other warning signs, including repeated vomiting or nausea, dilation of one pupil, slurred speech, convulsions or seizures, or persistent headaches that do not go away on their own. If these symptoms persist after several months, the person may have what is known as post-concussion syndrome.

As noted above, there is also increasing evidence that concussions may lead to CTE, a “progressive neurodegenerative disease” that has been diagnosed in several deceased former professional football players. CTE is not a short-term consequence: The symptoms generally do not manifest themselves until a person is in his 40s, and the actual diagnosis can only be confirmed in a post-mortem examination. While much about CTE remains unknown, the CDC has cautioned it “is not limited to athletes who have reported concussions.”

Is Someone Else Legally Responsible for Your Concussion?

It is also important to remember sports are not the main cause of traumatic brain injuries.

Slip and fall accidents are the most common cause of concussions, according to the CDC, accounting for 55 percent of traumatic brain injuries suffered by children and 81 percent of those suffered by persons over the age of 65. And in many cases, a fall may be the result of someone else’s negligence.

A concussion is no different than any other personal injury. This means if someone else is responsible for your concussion, you have the right to seek compensation for your personal and financial losses in court.

An experienced personal injury law firm can review your case and help you determine the best course of action.

Looking for a Brain Injury Lawyer in Las Vegas?

Suffering a brain injury in Las Vegas can leave you with mounting medical bills and long-term challenges.

You deserve compensation to cover your recovery, and experienced attorneys can fight to secure it for you.

The Ladah law firm specialize in brain injury cases, ensuring you get the justice and financial support you need.