What Happens If a Concussion Is Untreated?
A concussion is a very common type of traumatic brain injury. Often caused by a bump or jolt to the head, this injury can significantly impact your brain function without prompt treatment. An untreated concussion can result in serious, life-impacting complications, which are sometimes even fatal.
If you experience any type of head injury, it is imperative to seek medical care as soon as possible. The longer that a concussion goes untreated, the more severe the side effects can be.
Common Causes and Symptoms of a Concussion
Concussions are especially dangerous brain injuries because you may not notice any signs at first. Symptoms of a concussion may not appear for days or even weeks following the injury. When a victim does feel concussion symptoms, he or she may experience the following.
- Headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fatigue and drowsiness
- Ringing in the ears
- Blurred vision
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Amnesia
- Slurred speech
- Forgetfulness
- Temporary loss of consciousness
- Delayed responses
There are many activities and incidents that can cause a concussion. These injuries are particularly common during sports or in high-risk jobs like construction. Accidents like motor vehicle collisions or slip and falls may also lead to concussions.
Complications Due to Untreated Concussions
An untreated concussion can lead to serious complications. You may suffer from long-term physical difficulties or experience significant emotional and psychological problems. Without prompt treatment, an untreated concussion can even be fatal.
It is common for an untreated concussion to lead to memory problems, concentration issues, and sudden personality changes. You may develop sensitivity to light and noise and experience persistent headaches, fatigue, dizziness, and brain fog.
Additionally, you could develop any of the following long-term conditions.
- Post-Concussion Syndrome: If you experience persistent concussion symptoms that do not go away after a few weeks, you likely have post-concussion syndrome. This condition causes headaches, dizziness, irritability, tinnitus, insomnia, and many other unpleasant symptoms.
- Post-Traumatic Vertigo: This condition refers to dizziness that follows a head injury like a concussion. You can suffer difficulties getting out of bed or moving your head. It can be very difficult to live with post-traumatic vertigo, which can last for a very long time following the initial injury.
- Second Impact Syndrome: This condition develops when you sustain a second concussion before the first injury has a chance to heal. As a result, you can experience severe and sometimes fatal brain swelling. Second impact syndrome can occur days or weeks following the initial injury from even mild trauma.
Legal Options After You Develop a Concussion
Sometimes, concussions are completely accidental and occur due to the fault of no one. However, in other cases, another person or entity’s actions are responsible for our injuries. If you develop a concussion due to someone else’s actions, you may be eligible for financial compensation.
Depending on the circumstances surrounding your accident, you may be eligible to file an insurance claim or lawsuit against the party responsible for your concussion. Through your claim, you can recover damages to pay for medical care, lost wages, property damage, and many other losses.
To initiate your concussion injury claim, it is important to speak to an attorney as soon as possible to discuss your legal options. A New York brain injury lawyer can conduct a full investigation into your case and identify your optimal path to recovery. After your accident, speak to a lawyer and take your first steps toward compensation.