A concussion – a traumatic brain injury resulting from a blow to the head – can have a variety of consequences on your health. Some concussions have little to no symptoms, while others clear up in a matter of days. However, in some cases the symptoms of a concussion can last for days or weeks after the injury occurs. These symptoms could be a sign of post-concussion syndrome.
Post-Concussion Syndrome Explained
Any stiff impact to the head could lead to a concussion. In some cases, these injuries occur following a seemingly minor blow to the head. In fact, the injuries that cause concussions frequently leave no exterior sign of injury. That does not mean there is no damage under the surface, however.
Concussions are essentially a violent jolt to the brain. With many impacts to the head, the skull is able to absorb the force without much movement of the brain within the skull. With a concussion, the impact is so severe that the brain shakes violently within the skull. This jolt and cause damage to various parts of the brain – many of which are not immediately noticeable. In some cases, a injury victim could seem fine only to develop post-concussion syndrome symptoms years later.
Post-Concussion Syndrome Symptoms
There is no blueprint for what the symptoms of a concussion might look like. While there are a wide array of symptoms that could occur, not every concussion results in every symptom. Some of these symptoms can last for an extended period of time, while others are brief. Post-concussion syndrome symptoms include:
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Memory loss
- Loss of concentration
- Irritability
- Blurred vision
- Ringing in the ears
- Diminished cognitive abilities
- Noise sensitivity
- Light sensitivity
- Decrease in taste or smell
Of all of the symptoms, headaches are arguably the most common. These headaches can come and go for years. They vary in intensity, with some reporting effects similar to a migraine. Others liken these headaches to tension-induced pain.
Causes of Post-Concussion Syndrome
To put it simply: post-concussion syndrome is caused by a blow to the head. However, there are some warning signs and early indicators that the effects of a concussion could be lasting.
For starters, certain individuals are more at risk for the syndrome than others. Younger injury victims as well as the elderly are more likely to suffer from this condition. Anyone with a long history of headaches and women are also at an increased risk. More than any other sign, a prior history of concussions increases the chances of this syndrome. The more concussions occur, the more likely post-concussion syndrome is.
There are some early signs that post-concussion syndrome could be an issue. Injury victims that exhibit signs of amnesia, fatigue, or confusion immediately after an injury could be facing increased risk of the syndrome. Injury victims that immediately show the lingering presence of headaches after trauma to the head could also be at risk.
Legal Options Following Post-Concussion Syndrome Disorder
Your legal options following post-concussion syndrome depend in part on the cause of your injuries. If you were injured during a vehicle accident, you could have grounds for an insurance claim. If your concussion symptoms keep you from working for long periods, you might be entitled to long-term disability benefits. However, if you sustained a concussion due to another person’s negligence, your best option may be pursuing litigation.
Depending on the severity of the symptoms, the compensation in civil litigation could be significant. Curious to know the post-concussion syndrome settlement value in Ontario? That is a question best answered by a skilled injury lawyer during a private case evaluation.
