6 Stages of Concussion Recovery After Accident - Adamson Ahdoot

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Recovery from Concussion after an Accident

June 28, 2024 María López Garcia

Brain Injury Can Cause Severe Physical and Mental After Effects – File a Head Injury Lawsuit with Adamson Ahdoot

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California is one of the states with the highest number of brain injuries. This is, of course, primarily due to traffic accidents. So when a victim of a car accident or other incident suffers a concussion injury, it is important to know how to proceed. And having the help of an experienced brain injury attorney like those at Adamson Ahdoot is key. Our injury lawyers can guide you through your concussion lawsuit, from explaining the 6 stages of concussion recovery and finding the best doctor, to representing you in court and fighting for your best interests.

Doctor examining a concussion patient during one of the stages of recovery.

How long does a concussion last after a car accident? What are the symptoms of a mild concussion? How much is a concussion worth in a lawsuit? We can help answer all of your questions today. Call (800) 310-1606 or submit your inquiry online. Our bilingual lawyers are happy to offer free consultations.

What is a Concussion?

A concussion is when a person hits their head with an object. This head injury happens either because someone bumps their head against something or because a moving object hits them.

In order to know what to do before and after a brain injury due to someone else’s negligence, it is recommended to follow certain guidelines. Continue reading this blog to learn more.

Traumatic Brain Injury vs Concussion

A concussion is a general trauma caused by a jolt or blow to the head and is the most common type of mild traumatic brain injury. Although not as serious as other head injuries, the consequences of a concussion can be severe.

Regardless, if you suffer a concussion of any kind, you need to know what to do next. It doesn’t matter if you think you have a mild TBI and don’t need medical attention. So, if you do hit your head, concussion protocol recommends going to the emergency room to avoid future health problems.

According to a National Library of Medicine study, hitting your head can lead to other injuries. Therefore, it is important to get an accurate diagnosis and follow a specific concussion treatment. Otherwise, if the brain damage is not detected, it could result in some disability or even death.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Concussion?

When we think of concussions, we often think of a car accident and high-performance athletes. However, people of all ages can suffer some types of TBI. Some of the most common causes of concussion include:

  • Exercising, especially in contact sports such as football.
  • At work. In particular, jobs involving heavy machinery, such as agriculture, manufacturing, construction, etc.
  • Aging. As people get older, there are more falls in nursing homes and private homes.
  • Slips and falls due to negligence in public or private premises.
  • Assaults.
  • Concussion from a car accident.
  • Negligence in cleaning or removing objects from the floor of an establishment.

Head Injury Symptoms and Consequences

When adults sustain a head injury, the degree of concussion depends on the severity of the accident. The same applies to children, who are more susceptible to brain damage because they are more likely to fall or hit something. So, how long does a concussion last? Most of the symptoms of a concussion usually go away within hours or days. Or sometimes within weeks or months.

But, some brain injuries are more serious than others. The long-term consequences of a severe blow to the head can be devastating. They can even cause lifelong health problems and even premature death.

In many cases, the signs of a head injury may be subtle and not immediately visible. However, there are usually several concussion symptoms that indicate that a person has suffered brain damage. Headache and memory loss or amnesia are often the most common signs of a concussion. The best way to evaluate and manage the treatment of a concussion is to seek medical attention as soon as possible after the accident.

Other common signs of a concussion injury are:

  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Confusion, dizziness, lightheadedness, blurred vision, or disorientation
  • Ringing in the ears and photosensitivity
  • Drowsiness or trouble sleeping
  • Trouble speaking
  • Concentration problems
  • Changes in personality, such as increased irritability or depression

In addition, the neurological diagnoses that can make the 6 stages of concussion recovery more complex for the victim include:

  • Concussion
  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Post-concussion syndrome
  • Epilepsy and seizures
  • Hematoma or tumors
  • Intracranial bleeding or edema

Grades of Contusion

An accident can cause different types of head trauma. A concussion doctor will be the one to assess the severity of the brain injuries and calculate the duration of the condition. The grades of concussion are:

  • Grade 0. The concussion typically presents with mild to moderate headache and difficulty concentrating.
  • Grade 1. In addition to headache and difficulty concentrating, this grade of concussion has symptoms of dissociation and detachment.
  • Grade 2. Along with the signs of a concussion described above, the cognitive consequences are now exacerbated. These include forgetfulness, disorientation, tinnitus, and irritability.
  • Grade 3. This stage is reached when consciousness is lost less than one minute after the injury.
  • Grade 4. It happens when consciousness is lost for more than one minute after the injury. This is usually associated with a longer 6 stages of concussion recovery due to the severity of the brain injury.

What Are the 6 Stages of Concussion Recovery?

Once the doctor has determined the severity of the injury and made a clear diagnosis using the concussion protocol, they will develop a concussion recovery plan. It is important to note that every injury is different and requires a specific concussion treatment plan. Some TBI patients may recover in a few months, while others may take years. The aftereffects of the head injuries sustained in the accident will determine how long the recovery period from a concussion will be. In order to provide accurate concussion treatment, doctors usually follow the following 6 stages of concussion recovery:

1. Acute Injury

Seeing a doctor is one of the first things you should do after a concussion. This will take 24 to 72 hours after the injury. At that time, the specialist will determine if observation or some type of concussion medication is needed. It is imperative that the victim rest and avoid any physical activity.

2. Getting Rest

After a thorough examination, medical professionals will advise the patient on how to manage recovery from a concussion. This will include a time frame and recommended treatment. Likewise, it requires 48 hours of supervision and absolute physical rest again.

3. Observation Period

At this stage, the patient is still in the process of recovering from the concussion. While there is some improvement, the victim needs to remain under medical care and supervision. The individual must continue with established follow-up and monitoring visits and must not resume routine activities.

During this phase, the aftereffects of a head injury can cause post-concussion syndrome. Depending on the severity of the concussion, this may include headache and dizziness. Also, it is important to remember that in some cases, the symptoms of a concussion may not appear for several days.

4. More Rest

Rest is an important part of any concussion treatment. The recovery time from a concussion can be greatly reduced if the patient takes it easy. Therefore, light tasks that do not interfere with the brain’s healing process can be started.

5. Therapy and Rehabilitation

How long does it take to recover from a concussion? As mentioned above, it depends on the severity of the concussion. The symptoms of the concussion will determine treatment, which may include rehabilitation and therapy. Also, cognitive exercises can be essential for concussion recovery.

6. Back to Routine

Phase 6 of concussion recovery treatment involves the patient’s transition back to daily activities. It is also crucial to gradually return to daily activities under the supervision of a physician.

Woman during a test to determine the recovery time stages of a head injury.

Concussion Lawsuit Settlement

Suffering any form of brain damage can be devastating to a person. In addition to the physical toll, concussion victims also face high financial costs due to medical expenses and the inability to work.

Filing a concussion lawsuit to seek compensation for the accident is the best course of action. However, concussion victims need an expert to guide them through the process. With the help of an experienced concussion lawyer, the injured can count on financial assistance to secure a better future. These professionals will work on all legal aspects of your concussion lawsuit to get you the settlement you deserve.

Get Help From a Concussion Lawyer

Want to know what the average settlement for a concussion car accident is? Need to talk to an injury attorney about concussion law in California? Looking to hold the person who injured you responsible? If you or a loved one has been the victim of an accident that resulted in a TBI, let us help. With over 100 years of combined legal experience, our firm is the #1 choice for injury accidents. Our concussion injury lawyers are available 24/7.

Trust our specialized, bilingual law firm to get you the concussion settlement you deserve. Call us today at (800) 310-1606 or submit your case online.

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