Texas Concussion Lawsuits
Any incident that causes a concussion or traumatic brain injury (TBI) can forever alter a victim’s life. The most serious head injuries may require lifelong treatment. However, even minor injuries can prove expensive and debilitating.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), TBIs are one of the most common causes of death and disability in the United States.
If you suffered a head injury or concussion due to the negligence of another, you may have a legal right to compensation. Read on to get more information on concussions and Texas concussion lawsuits.
What Causes Concussions?
The CDC cites emergency room statistics indicate that the four most common causes of a concussion are:
Trucking accidents
Bike accidents
Object impacts
Physical assaults
Sports injuries
Concussions and head trauma actually alter the brain. Usually, concussions happen when the brain impacts the inside of the skull, damaging cerebral tissue.
The symptoms of concussions include altered behavior, irritability, depression, an inability to focus, altered pupillary dilation, and memory loss. All of these symptoms following a head injury require immediate medical attention.
Untreated concussions can become fatal. Moreover, repeated head injuries can cause chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease.
Athletes who play contact sports, the victims of domestic abuse, and military veterans are all prone to CTE. One concussion can increase the damage from subsequent ones, especially if they occur close together.
Anyone exhibiting the signs of a concussion must seek medical attention as soon as possible. Additionally, those whose concussion resulted from another’s negligence should contact a Texas personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.
If you or someone you love has suffered a concussion or another head injury in the state of Texas, contact Sneed|Mitchell LLP to schedule a complimentary consultation today.
What Are The Indicators Of A Concussion in Children?
According to the CDC, over 200,000 children under age 14 visit emergency departments annually for playground-related injuries. 20,000--10%--of those visits are for traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and concussions.
When a young child suffers a concussion, it’s up to an adult caregiver to recognize the symptoms and seek medical care.
Caregivers who suspect that a child has a concussion should NOT give the child aspirin. Aspirin is a blood thinner that can cause serious complications.
Young children can have trouble expressing their distress to others; adults should also learn to recognize the signs of a concussion. If you notice any of the following symptoms in your child following a head injury, call your pediatrician as soon as possible:
Excessive crying
Persistent headaches
Sudden changes in behavior or temperament
Sudden changes in eating or sleeping habits
Excessive, intense temper tantrums
Excessive mood swings, including intense bouts of anger or sadness.
Loss of interest in favorite toys or activities
Regression of new skills such as utensil use or toilet training
Lost balance or unsteadiness
Reduced attention span
If you notice any of the above symptoms in your child following a head injury, call your child’s doctor immediately.
Furthermore, if the head injury occurred at daycare, school, or an after-school program in Texas, you should consider contacting a Texas head injury attorney. A personal injury lawyer can investigate your case and determine if you are entitled to damages for your child’s injury.
How Dangerous Are Concussions For Older Adults and Nursing Home Residents?
Concussions pose a special danger to older individuals or those in poor health. In senior citizens, concussions are more likely to lead to potentially fatal complications such as brain bleeds. A headache that continues or intensifies following a fall or other injury can signal a brain bleed.
In addition to potential complications, concussion symptoms are often more difficult to recognize in elderly people with other serious conditions. Consequently, elderly people must seek medical attention following any fall or other injury.
Finally, elderly patients taking blood thinners are more prone to serious complications following a head injury. The CDC recommends that these patients see their physician immediately following any forceful impact to the head.
If you or someone you loved suffered a concussion or went untreated for their head injury in a Texas nursing home, contact the Texas personal injury attorneys at Sneed|Mitchell today.
Can Concussions Occur During A Car Accident?
According to the Mayo Clinic, concussions can occur in multiple ways during an auto accident.
For example, sharp acceleration or deceleration may cause brain injuries when impact to the side of the skill is forceful enough to impact the cerebral tissue. Alternatively, impacts with the airbag, the vehicle itself, or another object may also cause serious head injuries. When victims suffer concussions, they also suffer spinal cord injuries, whiplash, brain stem injury, or fractures.
Make sure to seek emergency medical attention immediately following any car accident. If medical professionals diagnose you with a concussion, contact a Texas car accident lawyer to determine your rights, even before you speak to an insurance adjuster.
What Is The Connection Between Multiple Concussions, CTE, and Sports and Football Head Injuries?
It’s no secret: Texans love football. However, all contact sports pose a risk of head injury for the players. Consequently, coaches and referees have a responsibility to evaluate any players involved in a forceful collision during a game or practice for signs of a concussion.
Multiple concussions pose a serious danger. For example, recent evidence indicates that multiple concussions may result in in a degenerative disease called chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
Athletes that suffer many head injuries over the course of their career are especially at risk of CTE. The disease is primarily seen in athletes who play contact sports.
Boston University’s CTE Center studied the effects of head trauma on athletes and military personnel to gain information on the clinical presentation, prevention and treatment of CTE. The Center found that CTE causes serious, potentially fatal brain damage.
Texas Concussion Injury Lawyers
If another's negligence caused you to suffer a concussion or head injury, call Texas Concussion attorney Niles Sneed today. Niles has experience helping accident victims get the compensation they deserve after a devastating TBI or brain-related injuries. Learn about your full rights and recovery options by calling (866)434-0014 or by filling our our contact form. Concussions lawsuits must be litigated correctly, our lawyers can help!