Why Post-Concussion Syndrome Is A Serious Injury After Motor Vehicle Crashes in Missouri & Kansas

Post-Concussion Syndrome Attorney in Kansas City, Missouri

One of the most common injuries sustained by accident victims is a concussion.  A concussion is a type of brain injury and is often referred to as “mild”.  Although brain injuries range from mild to severe, they are all serious.  A person with a mild brain injury may still suffer long-term symptoms and impairments.

Immediate medical treatment is the best way to prevent a head injury from becoming life-threatening or disabling.  After your condition stabilizes, seeking legal advice about a personal injury claim protects your right to fair compensation of damages.

Insurance companies downplay concussions.  Many deny the existence of post-concussion syndrome. Without experienced legal counsel, you might not receive a fair brain injury settlement for your accident claim.

If you or a family member sustained a concussion or other head injury, contact our law firm to discuss your case with our brain injury attorney.  Our law firm handles personal injury cases throughout the states of Missouri and Kansas.  Call 816-203-0143 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation with our personal injury attorney in Kansas City, Missouri.

What Is a Concussion?

A concussion is another term used for mild traumatic brain injury (mild TBI).  It affects how your brain functions.  A concussion may result from a direct blow to the head, referred to as blunt force trauma.  However, concussions also occur from blast injuries and acceleration-deceleration injuries (i.e., whiplash).

The symptoms of a brain injury vary depending on the severity and type of brain injury.  Symptoms may include:

• headache or a feeling of pressure in the head
• temporary loss of consciousness
• confusion or feeling as if in a fog
• dizziness or 'seeing stars'
• ringing in the ears
• nausea
• vomiting
• slurred speech
• delayed response to questions
• appearing dazed
• fatigue

It is important to remember that you may or may not suffer from each of the above symptoms if you have a concussion.  Furthermore, you could have delayed symptoms of a concussion that could develop days or weeks after a head injury.

Trust your instincts.  If something feels “off” or “strange,” see a doctor immediately.  If you experience any symptoms, seek medical attention immediately, regardless of how mild the symptoms may appear.

Only a doctor can evaluate your head injury to determine whether you sustained a concussion or other brain injury. Immediate medical treatment after an accident can help you avoid developing long-term complications and disabilities caused by traumatic brain injuries.

What is Post-Concussion Syndrome?

The symptoms of a concussion are collectively referred to as post concussion symptoms (PCS).  A person may experience post concussion symptoms for a few days or weeks after a head injury.  However, with time and rest, the symptoms usually disappear relatively quickly.

However, some individuals may experience concussion symptoms for months or years after a brain injury. When symptoms persist longer than the expected recovery period, the condition is called post-concussion syndrome.  Post-concussion syndrome can result in debilitating conditions and life-long physical, cognitive, or emotional impairments for some individuals.

The causes of post-concussion syndrome vary.  However, it is believed that physical trauma to the brain and emotional reactions to the effects are factors in the development of post-concussion syndrome.  However, some risk factors could make someone more likely to develop post-concussion syndrome.

Risk factors that could increase your chance of developing post-concussion syndrome include, but are not limited to:

• Increasing age
• Gender (women are more likely to have persistent post-concussive symptoms)
• History of anxiety, depression, and PTSD
• Lack of social support system and coping skills
• Significant life stressors

Additionally, someone who has experienced one or more prior head injuries could be at a higher risk of developing post-concussion syndrome.  Repeated brain injuries can also result in a higher risk of developing degenerative brain diseases (i.e., dementia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, etc.).

The only way to prevent post-concussion syndrome is to avoid head injuries.  Wearing helmets whenever engaging in activities that could result in a head injury is one of the best ways to prevent concussions. Taking action at home and work to prevent falls is another way to prevent concussions and traumatic brain injuries.

Average Settlement for Post-Concussion Syndrome in Kansas City, Missouri  

Concussions are serious brain injuries. Accident victims may require extensive treatment to recover from a mild traumatic brain injury.  Furthermore, some victims may never recover fully. They may experience long-term impairments, including post-concussion syndrome.

The average settlement value of a concussion injury claim is between $20,000 to $100,000.  In Missouri and Kansas, post-concussion syndrome cases may be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars or more depending on the circumstances.  Brain injuries that result in permanent impairments could result in a multi-million-dollar settlement or verdict.

Many factors and circumstances affect how much a post-concussion claim is worth.  Factors that might affect the value of your case include, but are not limited to:

• The severity of the brain injury
• The development of severe cognitive, physical, or emotional impairments
• The impact on your personal life, such as difficulty maintaining relationships, communicating with others, participating in social functions, etc.
• The impact on your professional life, including reductions in earning capacity, inability to perform work tasks, problems working with other people, etc.
• Developmental delays and other impairments children may suffer after a head injury
• The cost of ongoing nursing, personal, or medical care
• The estimated loss of income and benefits because of the brain injury
• Similar jury awards in the local Kansas or Missouri jurisdiction

Calculating the value of a post-concussion syndrome claim can be difficult.  The insurance company downplays the effects of a concussion to avoid paying the total value of your damages.

Our Kansas City personal injury attorney works closely with you and your physicians to document the extent of your damages and injuries.  Our law firm may also recommend certain medical, financial, and other experts to prepare a settlement demand or prepare to go to trial.

Contact Our Kansas City Brain Injury Attorney to Discuss Your Case

You do not have to fight this battle alone.  Our brain injury attorney in Kansas City, Missouri is ready to handle all aspects of your personal injury case so that you can focus on your recovery.

Call 816-203-0143 or complete our online contact form to request a free consultation with our Kansas City brain injury lawyer.  Let’s discuss your case and how we can help you recover the money you deserve after an accident that caused post-concussion syndrome.