Representing St. Louis Concussion Accident Victims
When you begin a concussion injury case in St. Louis, it is important to secure legal counsel with experience in such matters. Our St. Louis concussion injury lawyers at The Dixon Injury Firm ensure clients have the resources they need to win a claim. We will be by your side throughout the claims process offering guidance and support while also handling your claims paperwork and other legal aspects of your case. We are trial-tested and willing to take your court if that is what is required to secure the fair and just compensation you deserve.
Have you suffered a concussion in an accident that wasn’t your fault? CONTACT us now to schedule your free consultation with an experienced St. Louis concussion injury attorney.
When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention
If you have been in an accident of any kind that may have affected your head—from a car accident to a fall—see a doctor right away. A rare and potentially fatal complication of a concussion can occur when a blood clot forms on the brain, causing the brain to swell and to place pressure on the skull.
If any of the following dangerous symptoms are present, medical attention should be sought immediately:
- A worsening headache that does not go away
- Weakness, numbness, or decreased coordination
- Dizziness
- Feeling slowed down
- Repeated vomiting or nausea
- Slurred speech
- The appearance of drowsiness or inability to rouse the person
- Sensitivity to light and sounds
- Blurred vision
- Uneven size of pupils
- Convulsions or seizures
- Impaired ability to think, concentrate, or to remember, including an inability to recognize familiar people and places
- Impaired balance and coordination
- Confusion, restlessness, and agitation
- Unusual or odd behavior out of character for the person
- Loss of consciousness, no matter how brief
Concussion Warning Signs in Children
Young children can display similar symptoms of a concussion as older children and adults; however, it can sometimes be difficult to tell if a child has sustained a concussion. They may not even realize they have been injured themselves.
Young children may exhibit concussion symptoms such as:
- Will not stop crying and cannot be calmed down
- Headache that persists
- Loss of interest in playing or their favorite toys
- Loss of skills, such as talking, toilet training, crawling, etc.
- Loss of balance and trouble ambulating (walking, crawling, turning over)
- Will not nurse or eat
Treatment for Concussions
In the event of sustaining a concussion, you should seek medical attention at the nearest hospital emergency room, medical clinic, or office of your primary care physician. Your health care professional will want to determine how and when the injury happened and whether you have suffered any prior concussions. Your doctor or other health care professional will perform a physical exam and will try to determine if there are obvious signs of injury, such as changes in thinking, speaking, behavior, or balance and coordination or difference in pupil size. They may order specialized tests to evaluate brain function.
These may include:
- Electroencephalogram (EEG) or brain wave tests: An EEG helps determine if a patient’s level of alertness or consciousness is normal, if abnormalities exist in a specific part of the brain, and if the patient is showing any signs of seizures or convulsions.
- Head Computed Tomography (CT): A Head CT is a series of X-rays taken from many different directions used to quickly detect the presence of brain injuries.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the brain: An MRI of the brain uses magnetic field and radio pulses to take pictures or images of the brain. The MRI is capable of showing tissue damage that cannot be seen on an X-ray. Sometimes dye is used with an MRI. This helps to show blood flow and can show areas of inflammation.
- Neuropsychological or Neurocognitive testing: These are special tests designed to assess different areas of brain functioning, such as intelligence, memory, conceptual reasoning, and linguistic (language) skills. These tests correspond to different areas or neural pathways in the brain. An abnormally low score on any one of these tests can indicate the possibility of brain impairment.
It is important to note that these tests are not entirely definitive. It is entirely possible to have sustained a concussion—even one with serious, lifelong effects—without a positive finding on any of these tests. Despite the incredible advances and sophistication of diagnostic testing and tools, medical and scientific capacity for discerning the source (pathogenesis) of brain injury remains incomplete. In other words, negative findings of a brain injury on any and all of these tests do not imply that there is no concussion.
If your healthcare professional determines that further evaluation or treatment is warranted, they may refer the patient to a neurologist, neuropsychologist, neurosurgeon, or specialist in rehabilitation (such as a physical, occupational, or speech pathologist). Getting help soon after the injury by trained specialists may speed recovery.
Post-Concussion Precautions
It is important to take the following precautions if you or someone you know has sustained a mild concussion:
- Do not leave the person alone. Be aware that concussions can have a delayed onset. Keep an active watch for any sign of complications.
- Follow the instructions that the healthcare provider has given, especially those that provide direction as to when it is safe to resume normal activities.
- Avoid all activities that could result in further injury.
- Avoid activities that require concentration or complicated thinking, such as homework, reading, and writing. Such activities stimulate the brain at a time when it needs rest and recuperation.
- Avoid bright lights and loud noises.
St. Louis Concussion Lawyers Fighting for Injury Victims
Concussions can have serious and lifelong effects. If you or a loved one has sustained a concussion due to the negligence or purposeful actions of another, we offer free consultations to all injury victims. Christopher R. Dixon and The Dixon Injury Firm focus on concussion injuries and other personal and workplace accidents. We look forward to helping you.
The Dixon Injury Firm
9666 Olive Blvd #202,
St. Louis, MO 63132
Phone:(314) 208-2808