Concussions & Brain Injuries
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, there are more than $1.7 million traumatic brain injuries in the United States every year and about 75 percent of those are concussions. People can suffer from concussions for a number of reasons. Many people get concussions from playing sports, but they are also very common from every day activities like falling off of a bike or from traumas such as getting in a car crash. If you or someone you know has suffered from a brain injury, it is important to know the difference in severities of each type: concussions, mild brain injury, moderate brain injury, and severe brain injury. The type of injury is determined by the following:
- If the victim was unconscious
- How long he or she was unconscious
- Length of amnesia
- Resulting cognitive, physical, and behavioral changes
- Recovery
Concussions are the least severe form of brain injury, although they can still be very dangerous. A concussion is defined as “a trauma that induces an alteration in mental status that may or may not involve a loss of consciousness,” by the Brain Injury Association. The types of concussion are as follows: Grade 1: Victim is confused, but conscious
- Temporarily confused;
- Dazed;
- Unable to think clearly;
- Trouble following directions;
- Symptoms diminish within 15 minutes.
Grade 2: Victim develops amnesia, but remains conscious
- Similar symptoms to Grade 1
- Symptoms persist longer than 15 minutes
Grade 3: Victim loses consciousness
- Brain function is noticeably disrupted in physical, cognitive, and behavioral ways;
- Unconsciousness lasts a few seconds to a few minutes;
- Often overlaps with mild brain injuries.
If you have been in an accident and you have suffered from a concussion or a more severe form of brain injury, contact a medical professional for a proper diagnosis. Often, brain injuries require specific instructions to overcome and if someone has caused your brain injury, they can be brought to court to pay for your suffering. After seeking medical attention, seek legal assistance in New Braunfels, Tex. at the Bettersworth Law Firm.
