Have you been in a car accident or a motorcycle accident? Have you been injured while playing sports? Are you suffering from a concussion?This article will discuss what a concussion is, its symptoms and causes, and its long-termeffects on the quality of your life. We will help you understand how a concussion can change your life drastically and why you need to consult a personal injury or long-term disability lawyer who can help you obtain compensation including long-term disability benefits.
According to the Canadian Psychological Association, concussions are the most common type of head injury in the country. It has an incidence of 210,000annually in Canada.
What is a Concussion?
The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) describes a concussion as a type of TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury). This is usually caused by a blow or jolt to the head. In some cases, it is caused by a hit to the body or neck that causesyour brain to bounce around or twist in the skull, which creates chemical changes in the brain.
A concussion is an invisible injury. It is a mild form of brain injury that can be very problematic but does not show up on CT scans or other traditional scans. In some cases, concussion symptoms can show up on a CT scan after a few weeks or months.
In the U.S., approximately 300,000 TBIs in sports occur every year, and most of these injuries are concussions. The American Physical Therapy Association also reports that female athletes have higher concussion rates compared to male athletes.
However, sports are second only to car accidents and motorcycle accidents as the leading causes of TBI among individuals aged 15 to 24.
What are the Symptoms and Potential Effects of a Concussion?
According to Parachute, Canada’s national charity dedicated to injury prevention, the following are signs that an individual has a concussion:
- Double vision
- Severe headache or headache that becomes increasingly painful over time
- Loss of consciousness, usually more than 30 seconds
- Deterioration of consciousness
- Having a feeling of weakness or tingling in your arms and/or legs
- Frequent vomiting or nausea
- Convulsions or seizures
- Becoming increasingly restless, agitated or combative
- Growing confusion or disorientation
The Mayo Clinic lists the same concussion symptoms plus a few others:
- Ringing in the ears
- Amnesia surrounding the event or accident that caused the concussion
- Dizziness often described as “seeing stars.”
Now that we’ve discussed the different concussion symptoms and causes, did you know that concussions have long-term effects?
What are Long-Term Effects of Concussions?
As stated earlier, a concussion is a traumatic brain injury that affects the way your brain functions. The effects of a concussion are temporary in most cases and generally cause some discomfort, such as headaches and some problems with memory, concentration, coordination, and balance.
However, depending on the severity of the concussion, some people suffer long term effects from concussions:
Post-concussion Syndrome
Post-concussion syndrome is also known as persistent post-concussive symptoms. This occurs when concussion symptoms last longer than the patient’s expected recovery period after their initial injury.
Following are persistent post-concussive symptoms:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Difficulty or loss of concentration
- Difficulty or loss of memory
- Double or blurry vision
- Constant ringing in the ears
- Sensitivity to light and noise
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Having trouble sleeping or insomnia
- In rare cases, a decrease in taste and smell
The Mayo Clinic reports that some experts believe post-concussion syndrome is caused by structural damage to the patient’s brain or a disruption of the messaging system within the nerves caused by the impact that resulted in a concussion.
Other experts believe that post-concussion syndrome is psychological. They point out the most common symptoms are headache, dizziness, and problems sleeping. These are similar to common symptoms of people diagnosed with anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Long-term effects of concussions are rare. Only around 20% of people might suffer from post-concussion syndrome. These people typically continue to experience symptoms after six weeks.
However, if you get more concussions over time, you are more likely to suffer from the long-term effects of concussions.
When a Concussion Becomes a Long Term Disability
As stated earlier, post-concussion syndrome can last for several months. In a few cases, symptoms persist for a lifetime.
If you suffer from post-concussion syndrome, it may be challenging to go back to your normal day-to-day activities, including work.
Before going back to work,you need to be cleared by a doctor first. You have to consider activities that can make your concussion worse. Your employer must accommodate your limitations and restrictions, which your doctor will identify.
However, if your symptoms persist and you cannot return to work, you need to apply for short-term disability benefits. After the short-term disability period ends and you still have not recovered, you should apply for long-term disability(LTD) benefits.
Unfortunately, since a concussion is an “invisible injury,” insurance companies often deny disability claims. They typically ask for fact-based data like bloodwork, a CT scan, or MRI to prove that you suffer from post-concussion syndrome.
If you face long-term disability denial when you are suffering from a concussion, you need an experienced LTD law firm that has successfully represented clients with concussions. It would be best to have an LTD lawyer who will assist you ingetting the LTD benefits you are entitled to.
“You already have a lot to deal with when you are suffering from an injury. You do not have to deal with an LTD denial on your own. As you work on your recovery, I will help you understand your rights, and I will personally fight for you to obtain LTD benefits. “
Derek Wilson
Personal Injury Lawyer
If you have been denied LTD benefits by your insurance provider, Derek Wilson Personal Injury Lawyers can help appeal your LTD denial and successfully obtain maximum compensation for your injury. Contact us today
Testimonial
“I met Derek 6 years ago. My case involved a bicycle accident against the City. It was a long hard battle, but Derek delivered on his promise and got me the compensation I deserved. He stood by my side throughout the entire ordeal, and for that, I am very grateful. Thank you.”
D.T., Hamilton, ON
FAQs
What Incidences can Lead an Individual to Get a Concussion?
- If you were involved in a car accident or a motorcycle accident.
- If you were involved in a bicycle or pedestrian accident.
- If you participate in contact sports such as football, soccer, rugby, hockey, boxing, etc.
- If you don’t wear or use proper safety equipment while participating in contact sports.
- If you are a physical abuse victim.
- If you are a soldier involved in combat.
- If you fall (especially in older adults and young children).
What are the Long Term Effects of Multiple Concussions?
The longer you endure a concussion, the more likely you will have long-lasting symptoms because your brain functions are not normal.
Repeated trauma to your brain can also disrupt the healthy functioning of your autonomic nervous system, which regulates several involuntary processes within your body.
Athletes, especially those participating in contact sports, have a higher risk for multiple concussions. Unfortunately, when you sustain one concussion, you are at a higher risk of getting more.
