Concussions and Traumatic Brain Injury

A traumatic brain injury, such as a concussion, can lead to significant difficulties for the victim and the family, whether the injury is mild or severe. After a concussion, you may experience painful or uncomfortable symptoms, such as nausea and headaches, and even permanent brain damage. Recovery from such an injury may require months or even years of medical treatment and/or rehabilitation, during which time you may not be able to work. Without financial compensation during your recovery, you may struggle to support yourself or your family.

A concussion may be the most common type of brain injury, but that does not mean it has no serious consequences. You can seek legal help if someone’s negligence or recklessness caused you to suffer a concussion.

Head Injuries Among Athletes

Sports are one of the leading causes of traumatic brain injuries in people 15 to 24 years old, second only to car accidents. In Georgia, the number of head injuries among young people is constantly increasing. Teenagers who practice contact sports such as football, hockey, and boxing are more susceptible to repeated concussions.

Symptoms of head injuries include memory loss, decreased capacity, depression, and moodiness. If you do not get medical treatment, these symptoms can have fatal consequences in certain situations. Multiple blows to the head can cause a degenerative brain disease known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy that can lead to suicide and dementia.

Do You Have a Valid Concussion Claim?

You have the option of filing a personal injury claim if your concussion was caused by another party’s negligence, but you will need help from an experienced lawyer to help you prove it.
The underlying factor in all personal injury claims is negligence. If you can prove that your injury and its consequences were caused directly by the negligent or reckless actions of another, then you can have a valid claim for compensation. Negligence has to do with a lack of concern or care for others. Common examples of negligence that could result in a brain injury accident include:

• Drunk driving;
• Driving in a state of fatigue;
• Distracted driving;
• Failure to yield the right of way;
• Poor maintenance of the property;
• Lack of supervision;
• Not taking necessary safety precautions

How to Prepare for Your Claim

The more information you have and the better prepared you are, the greater your chance of succeeding in your compensation claim. The following steps can help your lawyer gather the right evidence and present a strong case on your behalf:

• Keep a record/timeline of any symptoms, such as problems with confusion, headaches, vomiting, nausea, and mobility.
• Keep consistent medical records and take them to all meetings with your lawyer. If you cannot prove that you received medical treatment, insurance companies and/or defendants may try to use it against you, stating that it means that your injuries are not so serious.
• Keep a record of the income you have lost as a result of not working because of the injury.

Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney Today
The more information you can give your Georgia concussion lawyer about your condition and situation, the more information you will have to work at the time you file your claim. Contact the attorneys at Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C. today to schedule a consultation.