Philadelphia Concussion Lawyers

HELPING PHILLY VICTIMS OF CONCUSSIONS

Get The Compensation They Deserve

When one suffers from a traumatic brain injury (TBI) — even one supposedly “minor” like a concussion — it is important to have someone advocating on their side.

The life of the injury victim and those of their family may be permanently altered by their injury, and the cost of care and rehabilitation can leave a family financially devastated. Justice may also be harder to come by, as insurance companies understand how far-reaching the damage can be and will often fight hard to limit the plaintiff’s compensation or deny their claim entirely. The average lifetime costs of a patient’s treatment for a TBI can run anywhere from $85,000 to $3 million.

If you are seeking top-end expertise and care in your case, contact The Thistle Law Firm now at 215-525-6824.

Source: Wikipedia, shared under a CC-SA 3.0 license

How do Concussions Happen?

Concussions are caused by blows to the head or a violent shaking of the head and body. This can occur in many ways, in both exceptional circumstances such as car accidents and common instances like team sports. This explains why they are the most common TBI in the U.S., with over 3 million cases per year reported. 5 percent of all American adolescents are said to have experienced at least one concussion.

Falls are the most common cause of concussion. Although most people recover fully from concussions, it is important to understand their signs and symptoms, as further impacts could worsen the long-term outlook for the injury.

What Are The Symptoms Of A Concussion?

Up to 85 percent of TBIs go unnoticed in emergency departments, and it follows that “mild” brain injuries like concussions are among the more difficult to detect. Because of this, it is important to know what effects concussions produce, to ensure the prompt treatment of yourself or a loved one when suffering from such a brain injury.

If you suspect a concussion has occurred, symptoms may include:

• Headaches
• Feelings of social isolation and alienation
• Impaired senses of taste and smell
• Inability to skillfully process information 
• Lack of clear judgment
• Lack of memory and recall
• Reduced level of comprehension 
• Slurred speech 
• Violent behavior

Signs Your Head Injury May Be More Serious

It may be hard to tell how serious your head injury is. If you suffer from any of the following symptoms, get emergency care immediately:

• Bleeding
• Blurred vision
• Confusion
• Convulsions
• Fluid leaking from ears, nose, or mouth
• Increased drowsiness
• Loss of consciousness
• Pupil changes
• Severe headaches
• Skull fracture
• Stiff neck

What Are The Long Term Affects Of A Concussion?

While the effects of concussions are usually temporary, their cumulative effects may be long-lasting. Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a neurodegenerative disorder that’s thought to be caused by repeated episodes of concussion, and is usually associated with contact sports like boxing or football.

But recent studies have shown that this isn’t just an “athlete’s disease.” In the largest study yet conducted on CTE, researchers found evidence of CTE in the brains of 6 percent of the people sampled, encompassing both athletes and non-athletes. CTE is associated with the development of dementia, neurocognitive problems, personality changes, and behavioral changes including aggression and depression.

The brightness in the brain’s lining on left shows damage one day after head injury; picture on right, taken 35 days after, suggests healing. Source: Flickr

How The Thistle Law Firm can Help Your Concussion Case

There is a misconception about TBIs such as concussions being covered by a unique branch of law. In actuality, the law that governs such cases depends on the circumstances of the injury, not the severity of the damage caused. In this way, concussion cases are similar to other personal injury cases.

To someone who has suffered from a brain injury like a concussion, however, they are clearly different from other personal injuries one might sustain. The cost of litigation and the burden of proof of future damages distinguishes them from purely physical injuries, whose effects might be easier to project. 

Only an experienced personal injury attorney can give you the information you need to protect your legal interests. The Thistle Law Firm has handled thousands of personal injury cases and has the skill and knowledge to navigate the complex liability laws surrounding TBIs such as concussions. If you or a family member believe your concussion is the fault of another party, contact Thistle Law today for a free consultation of your case.