A large majority of the victims of concussion injuries show an apparent “recovery”, meaning that the outward signs and symptoms disappear. However, concussion experts
recognize that concussion victims remain at increased risk for another concussion with greater injury from lesser forces of trauma than was the case before the concussion injury occurred. The bottom line is this: concussion victims have a hidden disability even after so-called recovery.
The world’s most respected neuro-psychologist, Dr. Muriel Lezak, says this:
I do not use the term “recovery” when discussing brain injuries. Damage that is severe enough to alter the level of unconsciousness even momentarily, or to result in even transient impairment of sensory, motor or cognitive functions is likely to leave some residual deficit.
All victims of a concussion injury should be seen by a doctor. The concussion experts at the Schmidt Salita Law Team recommend a follow-up medical evaluation even if the concussion is not diagnosed initially in the emergency department of a hospital. (Studies show that over 50% of concussions are not diagnosed in the emergency department!)
Often, a concussion victim will experience immediate symptoms of mental disorientation (“brain fog”) with dizziness, and blurred vision. Often, those symptoms will disappear by the time the victim reaches the emergency room. Often, the victim will remain disoriented and unable to tell the doctors what is wrong. Often, the victim of a car accident will have other physical injuries that are the focus of medical attention while the concussion in overlooked. Often, the victim will receive pain medications that hide the concussion symptoms.
It is well known that many of the symptoms of a concussion have a delayed onset, coming on days, weeks and months after the exposure to trauma. (Note: The US soldiers who suffered concussions from a missile attack in Iraq in January of 2020 were not all diagnosed until 30 days later when over 50% were diagnosed with concussions.)
First, it is important to remember that concussions are often defined as a “mild” traumatic brain injury. Under that definition, there is no such thing as a “serious concussion”. If the symptoms are “serious”, it is not a concussion-it is a moderate to severe brain injury.
That being true, the symptoms of a serious brain injury are these:
-Loss of consciousness (“knocked out”, “passed out”, “out cold”) even for short period of time. (Remember that the concussion victim that has suffered loss of consciousness will often not be able to give an accurate history. By definition, it is an indisputable fact that a person that has been unconscious cannot be expected to be conscious of the fact that they were unconscious!!!)
-One pupil larger than the other.
-Drowsiness or inability to awaken or remain awake.
-Worsening headache.
-Repeated vomiting or nausea.
-Convulsions or seizures.
-Increased confusion, restlessness or agitation.
The Schmidt Salita Law Team handles cases involving car accidents, trucking accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian car accidents, and bicycle accidents. It has many years’ experience in workers compensation , products liability and medical malpractice cases.
The Schmidt Salita Law Team has extensive experience with concussion injuries, traumatic brain injuries, neck and back injuries, whiplash injuries, broken bones, injured joint injuries (knee, hip, shoulder, wrist, ankle, spinal), amputation injuries, and vision and eye injuries.
The Schmidt Salita Law Team has offices throughout the State of Minnesota. Its primary location is at Ridgedale Office Center in Minnetonka, near the intersection of I-394 and I494. The offices are ground level, handicap accessible with ample parking.
The firm offers contingent fee agreements (You don’t pay lawyers fees until you collect and then only as a percentage of the settlement). It also offers home and hospital visits to clients whose injuries present difficulty in coming to the office.
The Schmidt Salita Law Team has locations throughout the Twin Cities metropolitan area of Minneapolis and St. Paul, as well as Minnetonka, Maple Grove, Plymouth, Osseo, Anoka, Coon Rapids, Brooklyn Center, Fridley, Blaine, Shoreview, Woodbury, Falcon Heights, Columbia Park, Stillwater, Hastings, Inver Grove, Cottage Grove, South St. Paul, Apple Valley, Eagan, Burnsville, Savage, Shakopee, Richfield, Bloomington, Chaska, Chanhassen, Edina, Eden Prairie, and Hopkins.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Founding Partner, Dean M. Salita, with more than 30 years of legal experience as a personal injury attorney.
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