Long-Term Impacts of Post-Concussion Syndrome (PCS) in Vancouver, Washington

Concussions are a fairly common injury. Not only do they happen in car accidents, but they occur frequently among athletes. In fact, one study found that about 20% of high school athletes playing contact sports will suffer a concussion each year. While concussions might be common, they are also dangerous and can cause long-term symptoms and complications. Post-concussion syndrome can lead to ongoing and potentially permanent symptoms.

If you suffered a head injury in an accident, you should learn the signs of post-concussion syndrome and find out whether you might be experiencing this condition. You might be able to pursue compensation for this injury.

Understanding post-concussion syndrome (PCS)

According to the Mayo Clinic, concussions are mild traumatic brain injuries that can cause headaches, along with difficulties with concentration, memory, mood, sleep, and balance. The symptoms in most concussions are short-term. However, post-concussion syndrome can result from the initial concussion.

PCS involves concussion symptoms that persist beyond one to two months following the initial injury. Those who experience PCS may feel concussion-like symptoms for no apparent reason or when they are exerting themselves physically or mentally. The pain and other symptoms can lead to individuals with PCS withdrawing from activities they enjoy, like sports, socializing, or work.

Common PCS symptoms

Many symptoms of PCS are similar to those of the initial concussion. Signs to look out for include:

• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Memory problems
• Difficulty concentrating
• Mood changes (anxiety, irritability, depression)
• Sensitivity to light

The long-term persistence of these symptoms can lead to complications in all areas of a person’s life.

Long-term effects of PCS

When a person has long-term severe headaches and other cognitive difficulties, it can impede their social life, relationships, and hobbies, but it can also impact their livelihood. A person with PCS can struggle to provide for themselves or their family. If another person’s negligence led to the initial injury, the victim may have the ability to file a claim for compensation that can help remove some of the financial burdens.

How to diagnose and treat PCS

Doctors can diagnose PCS in several ways. They may evaluate the patient’s history of head injuries and perform diagnostic tests like MRIs or CT scans. Physicians will also want to rule out other possible causes, including brain bleeds, poisoning, and infections.

There isn’t currently any treatment that will cure PCS. However, there are some ways that doctors treat the symptoms, including pain medication, medication for depression, cognitive rehabilitation, and therapy. Those treatments can lead to ongoing costs for a person who experiences this type of injury.

What to do after you suffer a head injury

If you sustained a head injury, the first thing to do is get medical attention. Head injuries can be dangerous, even if they don’t initially appear to be serious. Getting medical care is also important for anyone looking to file a claim for compensation. The reason for this is that your medical records will play a major role in your claim for damages. If you neglect to seek treatment, the person who caused your injury may use that to argue that you didn’t suffer a serious injury.

After getting emergency care, the next step is to follow the doctor’s advice. If you miss future appointments or don’t see a specialist the doctor recommended, that, too, might make the injury appear less serious.

You should also keep your records and notes on your symptoms and treatment. Finally, you will want to reach out to an attorney. You should find a personal injury lawyer in Vancouver, Washington, as soon as possible. In many cases, insurance companies will make settlement offers early on in an attempt to get rid of the case. You should never accept one of these offers without speaking to a lawyer. Insurers tend to make offers below what your claim could be worth. Your attorney can handle communications with the insurer or opposing counsel to protect your rights and help you recover the compensation you need.

How much compensation can you recover in a post-concussion syndrome case?

If you suffer injuries in an accident, such as a car crash or a slip and fall, you may be able to file a claim for damages. For instance, if another driver was negligent and rear-ended you, causing the initial concussion that then led to PCS, you can claim compensation for the PCS in addition to the initial injury. In fact, you can recover damages for your past medical care and future expected treatment costs.

Your attorney can help you calculate a total amount that takes into account your medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other possible losses.

Remember the statute of limitations

There are strict time limits on personal injury claims. In Washington, the law states that you must file your claim within three years of the accident that caused your injuries. While three years seems like a long time, there are disadvantages to waiting before filing your claim or speaking to an attorney. Identifying evidence can become more challenging as time passes. It may become more difficult to find witnesses or for them to remember what they saw. The best course of action is to be proactive and find a lawyer who can guide you through the process from the start.

Contact Philbrook Law

If you or a loved one are suffering from the symptoms of post-concussion syndrome caused by the actions or negligence of another, you need to speak to an attorney. You deserve compensation that will help you cover the costs of long-term care, lost income, and your diminished quality of life. Contact Philbrook Law to speak to one of our attorneys about your case.