SIGNS OF BRAIN INJURY AND CONCUSSION – MN LAWYERS
After an injury accident, a person may not initially know that he or she has a concussion or mild brain injury. It is important to recognize the signs and symptoms of a concussion or brain injury so that you can get the appropriate treatment and do everything necessary to promote healing. Our Minnesota TBI attorneys have experience handling brain injury and concussion cases. Here is an article from the U.S. Center for Disease Control that discusses signs and symptoms of a concussion or brain injury that you should look out for after being in an accident.
Concussion/Brain Injury
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Concussion/Brain Injury?
Most people with a concussion recover quickly and fully. But unfortunately for some people, symptoms can last for days, weeks, or longer. In general, recovery may be slower among older adults, young children, and teens. Those who have had a concussion in the past are also at risk of having another one and may find that it takes longer to recover if they have another concussion.
Symptoms of brain injury/concussion usually fall into four categories:
 Thinking/ Remembering |
 Physical |
 Emotional/ Mood |
 Sleep |
|---|---|---|---|
| Difficulty thinking clearly | Headache Fuzzy or blurry vision |
Irritability | Sleeping more than usual |
| Feeling slowed down | Nausea or vomiting (early on) Dizziness |
Sadness | Sleep less than usual |
| Difficulty concentrating | Sensitivity to noise or light Balance problems |
More emotional | Trouble falling asleep |
| Difficulty remembering new information | Feeling tired, having no energy | Nervousness or anxiety |
Some of these symptoms may appear right away, while others may not be noticed for days or months after the injury, or until the person starts resuming their everyday life and more demands are placed upon them. Sometimes, people do not recognize or admit that they are having problems. Others may not understand why they are having problems and what their problems really are, which can make them nervous and upset.
The signs and symptoms of a concussion can be difficult to sort out. Early on, problems may be missed by the person with the concussion, their family members, or even their doctors. People may look fine even though they are acting or feeling differently.
See Getting Better, for tips to help aid your recovery after a concussion.
When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention:
Danger Signs in Adults In rare cases, a dangerous blood clot may form on the brain in a person with a concussion and push the brain against the skull. Contact your health care professional or emergency department right away if you have any of the following danger signs after a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body:
- Headache that gets worse and does not go away.
- Weakness, numbness or decreased coordination.
- Repeated vomiting or nausea.
- Slurred speech.
The people checking on you should take you to an emergency department right away if you:
- Look very drowsy or cannot be awakened.
- Have one pupil (the black part in the middle of the eye) larger than the other.
- Have convulsions or seizures.
- Cannot recognize people or places.
- Are getting more and more confused, restless, or agitated.
- Exhibit unusual behavior.
- Lose consciousness (a brief loss of consciousness should be taken seriously and the person should be carefully monitored).
Danger Signs in Children Take your child to the emergency department right away if they received a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body, and:
- Have any of the danger signs for adults listed above.
- Will not stop crying and cannot be consoled.
- Will not nurse or eat.
Pam Rochlin and David Rochlin are lawyers in MN with more than 25 years’ experience successfully representing hundreds of people who have been injured in an accident, including many brain injury cases. Pam Rochlin is a former partner with Meshbesher & Spence, has served on the Board of the Minnesota Association for Justice, and was the 2014 – 2015 president of the Minnesota Women Lawyers Association. The primary focus of our brain injury accident attorneys is to make sure you receive the compensation you need for medical bills, wage loss, and other more. If you or someone you love has sustained a concussion or traumatic brain injury (TBI) in an accident, please contact one of our personal injury attorneys for a free consultation. An experienced brain injury attorney can meet with you at our office or your home. Also, see our brain injury resources page for additional information regarding brain injury treatment in Minnesota.