When It’s Not JUST a Concussion: How Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries Can Destroy Lives

If you or a family member have been diagnosed with a concussion, contact a Wisconsin personal injury attorney today. Concussions are a common injury resulting from car accidents, slip and falls, and workplace accidents. Concussions are caused by trauma to the head resulting in confusion and disorientation. Although MRIs and CT scans may not detect noticeable injury to the brain, the individual often experiences intense headaches, difficulty concentrating, mood swings, and memory difficulties. Other common symptoms include dizziness, seizures, irritability, sleep difficulties, nausea, light sensitivity, and a general delay in processing information.  Some individuals who have experienced a concussion find that their symptoms resolve in a few days to several weeks. Others, however, continue to experience symptoms long after the accident occurs.

When an individual’s symptoms fail to resolve within a few weeks of being diagnosed with a concussion, they may have a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). In fact, in cases of mTBI, some symptoms may not appear for days to weeks after the incident. With mild TBI, family members and friends may notice that the individual behaves differently. They may be sullen or may anger easily. They may have a difficult time concentrating, especially on classroom or work activities. Perhaps they experience frustration with tasks they could perform easily before the accident that are now more challenging. If you notice these symptoms, especially beyond several weeks after the accident, it is likely a mild TBI has occurred.

If an individual is experiencing mTBI, treatments and therapies should be pursued. Stimulants may be prescribed on a temporary basis to help with cognitive impairment and slowness of thought. Antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications may be given to address mood swings. The individual may require physical and/or occupational therapy to address any motor concerns. Also, psychosocial therapy can be helpful in order to cope with the emotional symptoms and frustration associated with mTBI.

Treatment for mTBI, however, is not an exact science. There is no quick fix, and some individuals with mTBI may require extensive time off work or engage in less intense duties. In fact, rest and sleep may help the brain recover more than anything. The effects of mTBI may last for months or even years. If you or a family member experienced a concussion and noticed that you still continue to have symptoms weeks later, contact a physician to determine if you may have mTBI. As Wisconsin personal injury lawyers, we discourage our clients from accepting quick settlement offers. That is because, in many cases, injuries are more severe than they seem initially. What may present as “just” a concussion, may actually present ongoing difficulties for months or even years.

If a concussion or traumatic brain injury has affected your family, contact the Madison personal injury lawyers at Eisenberg Law Offices, SC. We understand that brain injuries can be devastating, and we will pursue justice in your case. Contact our Madison attorneys online or by phone at 608-256-8356 for a free consultation.