Injuries like concussions can happen anywhere, anytime, and all too often they occur due to someone else’s carelessness.
Common causes of concussions include car accidents, workplace accidents, property hazards, and sports games. When a head injury results from another party’s negligence, the injured person may be entitled to compensation.
If you or a loved one has sustained a serious concussion in New Jersey through no fault of your own, The Grossman Law Firm is ready to help you.
Contact us to discuss the situation and learn about your legal options.
Symptoms Of Concussion And Post-Concussion Syndrome
A concussion is a form of traumatic brain injury (TBI) resulting from the violent shaking of the brain when the head receives a strong blow.
Most cases are mild, and the injured person will experience slight dizziness. Severe concussions may involve more urgent symptoms such as severe dizziness, nausea, loss of consciousness, and prolonged disorientation.
Whether or not there is a serious-looking symptom, a concussion may lead to a persisting condition called post-concussion syndrome. This refers to the continuing manifestations of the injury, typically lasting weeks or months. Symptoms include:
- Headaches
- Sensitivity to light
- Dizziness
- Lack of coordination
- Fatigue or loss of energy
- Sleeping difficulty
- Concentration issues
- Memory issues
- Cognitive difficulty
- Personality changes (Such as becoming more irritable, aggressive, or reckless)
- Psychological or mood disorders (Such as anxiety or depression).
Without proper treatment, post-concussive symptoms can be significant enough to disrupt a person’s life. Some people suffer debilitating headaches that force them to stop working or change their careers.
Severe, chronic headaches may drive some to suicide. Issues with memory and cognitive ability can hinder young people from functioning at school. Mood disorders can have a negative impact on a person’s lifestyle, social interactions, and relationships.
This is why it is always best to visit a doctor after getting hit on the head. Like many other brain injuries, a concussion can be unpredictable and ambiguous. What seems to be a harmless blow to the head may later turn out to be a serious, life-altering injury.
Costs Of A Concussion Injury
Many concussions go away after some rest, however, there are many cases that require professional intervention. Such serious head injuries incur costs not only for medical treatment, but also for rehabilitation, long-term care, and lifestyle changes.
Take a look at some medical treatments that may be necessary for a concussion and their approximate costs:
- Brain CT scan – $1,200 (average)
- Head MRI – $1,000 to $5,000
- Pain medication – $10 to $1,200 per prescription
- Occupational therapy – $50 to $400 per hour
- Functional neurology five-day intensive treatment – $5,550 to $7,500
- Speech therapy – $48 to $215 per session
- Psychotherapy – $251 per session (private practice).
Many families also have to pay for ambulance fees, hospital stays, and transportation to and from the hospital. If the concussion involves a long-term impairment, other practical expenses may be necessary such as wheelchairs, caregivers, and home modifications (like ramps and railings).
All these could crop up alongside a significant loss of income and heightened emotional distress, both for the patient and the entire family.
Post-Concussion Syndrome Lawsuit And Settlement
With such steep costs associated with concussions, you may be wondering, “How much could I get as a concussion settlement?”
There is no reliable average when it comes to concussion settlements. In our decades of practice, we’ve seen amounts as low as $1 and as high as tens of millions of dollars.
The settlements vary widely because each case is unique, constituting many specific factors and projections, depending on factors such as:
- Severity of the injury
- What factors caused the accident
- How extensive the recovery time is expected to be
These and many other questions are taken into account in evaluating each concussion claim.
Of course, the negotiating skill of each party also plays a huge role in how much an injured person gets paid.
The big challenge in a post-concussion syndrome lawsuit is that the symptoms are often vague and subjective. The defense (most often insurance companies) can easily question the plaintiff’s description of pain or their claims of brain function issues. Even when these symptoms are evident, the defense may assert that these aren’t necessarily symptoms of injury – the very same symptoms may indicate a pre-existing condition or a health-related problem that has nothing to do with the accident.
Contact an Experienced New Jersey Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney Today
If you are pursuing a brain injury claim, it’s essential to have a trusted personal injury lawyer on your side. Your attorney will establish the true costs of your case, and help you can fight for the compensation you deserve.
Our lawyers are highly experienced and aggressive when it comes to personal injury cases, and many New Jersey clients have received major settlements. Consult with us for free by calling (732) 625-9494 today.
