If you were injured in an auto accident, you may have suffered a concussion without ever realizing it. Even a mild concussion is a traumatic brain injury, and can have lasting effects on the sufferer’s physical and mental health.
Some people mistakenly believe that concussions only occur when there is a loss of consciousness. While that is definitely an indicator in many instances of concussions, it is not always necessary for a diagnosis to be made.
What are the symptoms of a concussion?
While not all symptoms will manifest in every TBI patient, below are some common symptoms of a concussion:
- Headaches
- Difficulty concentrating
- Shortened attention span
- Fatigue
- Seizures
- Memory loss
- Visual disturbances
- Emotional lability
- Irritability
- Increased frustration
- Loss of balance
- Dizziness
- Depression
- Loss of smell
- Confusion
- Nausea
- Photosensitivity
Diagnosis may be missed or delayed
Because routine test like CAT scans and MRIs can fail to diagnose a concussion, some TBI patients may slip under the diagnostic radar. They may struggle to understand the cognitive and emotional changes that have overtaken them, increasing their frustration.
In some cases, it may be necessary to seek a second opinion from a neurologist who is trained to diagnose concussions. About 15% of victims suffering from mild TBIs experience symptoms for more than a year. This condition is known as post concussive syndrome.
Another reason why a diagnosis can be difficult to ascertain is that the TBI victim looks perfectly normal. It is only when the emotional and cognitive difficulties surface that medical professionals may conclude the person suffered from a TBI.
Seeking compensation can make healing easier
If your TBI was attributed to an auto accident with another at-fault driver, you may decide to seek financial compensation to cover your medical bills, which can be extensive, as CAT scans and MRIs do not come cheap.
It may also be possible to make a claim for damages for other losses, such as lost wages, and, in some cases, when the victim has a spouse, for the spouse to file a separate claim for loss of consortium. There are strict time constraints in place in Illinois regarding these cases, so act quickly and do not let your case proscribe.