Is A Concussion the Same Thing as a Traumatic Brain Injury?

A concussion is a serious type of injury. A concussion can occur in a car accident, it can occur from a fall, it can occur from any sort of type of trauma to the head. That’s why if you have a concussion, you should get immediate medical treatment, because a concussion can result in serious brain injuries or damage. It’s all over the news about concussions and the seriousness that that can cause.

If you were in some sort of type of accident or suffered some sort of trauma as a result of the fault of some other person, and you have a concussion or any type of brain injury, we here at Gainsberg Injury and Accident Lawyers have represented many individuals that have brain injuries. We will make sure that you get the proper medical attention, and that you get the compensation that you deserve for that injury.

People can suffer a wide variety of brain-related injuries. This wide variety includes traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and concussions. A concussion is sometimes called a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). So while all concussions are traumatic brain injuries, not all traumatic brain injuries are concussions.

Often, victims make a full recovery, though some may suffer permanent, though non-life-threatening, effects.

Concussions can result from a blow to the head or body, which leads to the swift movement of the head and brain. The swift motion, in turn, can causes the brain to jostle and hit the sides of the skull. (This is called a coup-contrecoup injury).

Symptoms of concussions differ from victim to victim; some people experience symptoms instantly while others do not experience symptoms until days, weeks, or months after getting injured. The most common symptoms can include:

  • Momentary unconsciousness
  • Partial or total amnesia
  • Confusion
  • Slowed movement, thinking, speaking, or reaction
  • Dizziness
  • Vision problems, including blurry vision
  • Headaches
  • Vomiting
  • Light sensitivity
  • Sound sensitivity
  • Physical, mental, and/or emotional imbalance

Symptoms on brain injuries in general

traumatic brain injury can result in symptoms like:

  • Chronic headaches
  • Seizures
  • Light and/or sound sensitivity
  • Blurriness
  • Cognitive difficulties
  • Loss of memory
  • Loss of motor skills
  • Loss of control over bodily functions
  • Changes in personality
  • Changes in mood

While these are some of the primary symptoms of a traumatic brain injury, other symptoms can develop, too. Some victims may enter a permanent vegetative state, or die from their injuries. Many people are left unable to return to work, or the lives they once had.

Why pediatric concussions are different

While any brain trauma – even “mild” trauma – is serious, trauma to children’s brains can be more so. The human brain continues to develop for about 25 years. Any interruption to this development, like that caused by trauma, can have long-lasting effects. In particular, the first eight years are critical to a person’s development.

So if a child sustains an injury to the brain, even if it’s classified as “only a concussion,” the brain will develop differently over time in response to that injury. In other words, the effects of a concussion can be cumulative for young children. A concussion injury which heals quickly in an adult could lead to cognitive and developmental delays in children, and that can affect every part of their lives and futures.

What are the common causes of concussions and brain injuries?

The majority of concussions and other brain injuries result from car crashes, guns, and falls. Concussions can result from:

  • Open head injuries, which involve skull penetration
  • Closed head injuries, which tend to involve falls, sports, or car accidents
  • Deceleration injuries, which come about due to the difference of speeds between the human skull and the brain

Other causes of traumatic brain injuries include:

  • Toxic chemical exposure
  • Oxygen loss
  • Tumors originating from brain cancer or negative surgical side-effects
  • Illnesses
  • Stroke originating from blood flow obstruction, unusual bleeding occurring in the brain, and/or cellular deterioration

Whether you have a concussion or traumatic brain injury, both types of injuries are serious enough to seek medical treatment. The level of care provided will depend on which condition you are diagnosed with, and which methods of treatment your physician believes will benefit you the most.

What are my options if someone else caused my concussion or TBI?

If your injuries were the result of another person’s negligence, you can file a lawsuit against the person who is liable for your injuries. The liable party might have caused an accident that led to your injuries because of their own negligence.

You may need extensive rehabilitation or medical care. If they are not treated promptly and effectively, the damage to the brain can be permanent.

If you have that type of injury, please call 312-967-0265 or email us today. Our Chicago brain injury lawyers are here to help.