A concussion is a head injury that results in a loss of normal brain function. It is often referred to as a mild traumatic brain injury (mild TBI).
Concussions can result in the temporary alteration of a person’s level of consciousness and mental status, but many people recover quickly and completely. The symptoms may last for several days or weeks.
However, some concussion victims may experience long-term symptoms, including memory loss. Brain experts emphasize that there is no such thing as a minor concussion. They should all be taken seriously, including seeking prompt medical treatment after a head injury.
Symptoms of a Concussion to Watch for After an Accident or Head Injury
Concussion symptoms vary based on the type and severity of the brain injury.
However, common symptoms of a concussion to look for after a head injury or accident include, but are not limited to:
- Loss of consciousness
- Dizziness or problems with balance or coordination
- Headaches
- Vomiting or nausea
- Seizures or convulsions
- Problems with vision or hearing (e.g., blurred vision or ringing in the ears)
- Mood changes, including feeling anxious, depressed, or irritable
- Problems with memory, concentration, or thinking
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Slurred speech
- One pupil is larger than the other pupil
- Feeling very drowsy or having difficulty waking up
Concussion symptoms can mimic other conditions, so it could be difficult to sort out the symptoms. It is best to report all symptoms to a physician.
Children may display any of the symptoms adults may experience. Concussion symptoms in children could also include changes in nursing or eating patterns, inconsolable, consistent crying, and loss of skills.
Post-Concussive Syndrome Causes Prolonged Symptoms
Some individuals experience prolonged symptoms after a concussion. When symptoms last for more than three months after a head injury, the condition is known as post-concussive syndrome.
Prolonged concussion symptoms can include, but are not limited to:
- Memory loss
- Concentration problems
- Headaches
- Personality changes
- Mood swings
- Dizziness
- Excessive drowsiness
- Insomnia
- Fatigue
Activities that put you at risk of another concussion should be avoided. Another head injury could cause fatal brain swelling and acute brain damage from second impact syndrome.
Post-concussive syndrome causes lasting cognition and learning problems. It also causes persistent memory loss and reduced executive function.
How Can a Concussion Cause Memory Loss?
A concussion injury can cause different types of memory loss. For example, a victim may not remember the events of the accident. They may not remember how the accident occurred or the moments immediately following it.
Memory loss could happen because:
- The concussion interrupts the brain from encoding the memories
- The brain damage prevents the person from retrieving the memories
- The brain blocks traumatic memories
Some concussion injuries result in short-term memory loss. The cause could be damage to the area of the brain that encodes and stores short-term memories. That area of the brain stores new information until it can be processed for recall later.
Short-term memory loss can cause problems at work and school. A person may be unable to return information necessary for completing school work or tests. Employees may be unable to recall information needed to perform their jobs.
Long-term memory loss can be devastating. The person cannot recall memories from their past. The severity of the memory loss depends on the area of the brain sustaining the injury and the severity of the damage.
Memory loss caused by a concussion can result in depression, anxiety, and other psychological conditions. It can significantly impact your enjoyment of life and your ability to earn income.
What Compensation Is Available for Memory Loss After a Concussion in Florida?
You can seek compensation for your economic damages, including lost wages and medical bills. You may also be entitled to compensation for non-economic damages, including diminished quality of life and emotional distress. If you are unable to work due to your memory loss, you may also receive future damages for decreased earning capacity and ongoing care.
Your legal team will work with your medical providers and expert witnesses to determine the extent of your memory loss caused by a concussion. They’ll analyze the factors impacting financial losses, pain, and suffering to determine how much your injury claim is worth.
Florida’s comparative fault laws could impact how much you receive in a concussion injury case. If you contributed to the cause of your concussion, your damages could be reduced by your percentage of fault. However, if the other party proves that you were more than 50% to blame, the law bars you from receiving any compensation for damages.
Prompt medical treatment and documenting all damages can increase the value of your case. Hiring an experienced concussion injury lawyer in St. Petersburg improves your chance of receiving a fair settlement for your personal injury claim.
Common Causes of Concussions in St. Petersburg, FL
Concussions can be caused by blunt force trauma to the head or a strong jolt to the body. Blunt force trauma can cause a brain injury directly beneath the place where the head was struck. It can also cause damage to the opposite side of the brain if the force of the blow causes the brain to slam into the other side of the skull.
Jolts to the body can also cause brain damage. The brain shifts violently and suddenly within the skull when the body receives a strong jolt. The result is damage to the brain tissue each time the brain strikes the skull.
Common causes of concussions include, but are not limited to:
- Automobile accidents
- Falls
- Workplace accidents
- Swimming pool accidents
- Truck accidents
- Nursing home abuse
- Assaults
- Sports and recreational activities
- Playground and school accidents
- Running into an obstacle
- Motorcycle crashes
- Being struck by an object
- Pedestrian and bicycle accidents
If you sustain head trauma, seek immediate medical treatment. A doctor will determine the severity of your brain injury and document symptoms. Your medical records become a key piece of evidence in a personal injury case.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Concussion Injury Claims in Florida?
The Florida legislature changed the statute of limitations for most negligence-based personal injury lawsuits in 2023. They changed the deadline for filing lawsuits from four years to two years for cases arising on or after March 24, 2023.
However, there are exceptions to the rule depending on the type of claim being filed, the parties involved in the case, and other factors. The best way to protect your right to pursue a court case is to talk with an attorney as soon as possible.
Discuss Your Concussion Symptoms With an Experienced St. Petersburg Personal Injury Lawyer
A brain injury claim is a complicated personal injury case. You need an experienced lawyer to help you recover the compensation you deserve after a concussion. Contact Lopez Accident Injury Attorneys at (727) 933 0015 to schedule a free case evaluation with an experienced St. Petersburg personal injury attorney. We’ll discuss how we can help you with a claim.
