The brain controls every system in the body, so brain injuries like concussions can have extreme and far-reaching negative consequences for a person’s health. Treating a concussion can leave you with massive medical bills, and your injuries might prevent you from earning an income. Brain injuries cause a significant amount of suffering and may impact your ability to navigate daily life.
If you have suffered a concussion or traumatic brain injury in St. Louis because of someone else’s wrongdoing, contact Sumner Law Group, LLC. Concussions are a serious medical issue, and you have the right to seek financial compensation for your injuries. Our St. Louis brain injury lawyers want to help you pursue a claim against the responsible parties and work toward a satisfactory outcome.
Contact us online or call today for a case consultation with a St. Louis concussion and brain injury attorney.
Reasons to Choose Our St. Louis Concussion Law Firm
Sumner Law Group, LLC, brings to the table nearly 50 years of collective experience in personal injury law. We have secured millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for injury clients, including a $4.87 million verdict for brain injuries after a truck cargo accident. While all cases are unique, and past results do not guarantee future outcomes, our track record of success indicates the level of experience and resources our experienced brain injury attorneys bring to each case.
Our catastrophic injury attorneys focus on providing a personalized approach to cases that takes into account our clients’ unique situations and needs. Here is what one satisfied client had to say about their experience at our law firm:
“Brent and his team are the consummate professionals. Within the same day of the call, they were offering to meet in person to understand my case. Great communication and results! Highly recommend for any personal injury cases in St. Louis!” – Darryl T.
What Is a Concussion Injury?
A concussion is a type of head injury in which rapid acceleration and deceleration cause the brain to twist or deform inside the skull. Normally, the brain sits suspended in a special fluid that cushions it against impact. A sufficiently powerful force, like an impact to the head, can cause the brain to slide around and collide with the skull’s bony interior.
The physical trauma to the brain can cause functional disruptions and, in severe cases, damage brain tissue. A single impact can cause a concussion, but concussions can also arise from repeated minor impacts.
Signs and Symptoms of a Concussion
Although often thought of as a type of “mild” traumatic brain injury, concussions can produce severe symptoms. Common symptoms of a concussion include:
- Headaches and migraines
- Hearing difficulties
- Nausea and vomiting
- Weakness and fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Loss of balance or coordination
- Light and sound sensitivity
- Loss of consciousness
- Changes in smell or taste
Because they affect the brain, concussions are also associated with several behavioral and mental changes, such as:
- Confusion and concentration difficulties
- Trouble speaking or comprehending language
- Memory problems or memory loss
- Sleeping issues
- Mood swings
- Depression and anxiety
- Loss of inhibition
Most acute issues, like nausea or loss of consciousness, manifest immediately after a more severe traumatic brain injury, but many other symptoms are delayed. For instance, one NIH study found that about 20 percent of concussion victims experience mental health symptoms for up to six months. It is not uncommon for concussion victims to report post-concussion syndrome months or even years later.
When Can You Sue for a Concussion After an Accident?
In Missouri, the time limit for a concussion claim due to negligence, like a car accident, is five years. In contrast, the time limit for a concussion claim due to intentional violence like assault or battery is two years. In most cases, the time limit for injury claims starts counting from the date the injury happened. However, concussions might not be immediately detectable after an accident. In the case of hidden injuries, the timer instead starts from the date of injury discovery.
Proving a Concussion Injury in Court
To prove a concussion injury in a personal injury lawsuit, you must demonstrate that the at-fault party caused your injuries, whether through negligence or intentional actions. To that end, your attorney can rely on evidence such as medical records of your injuries and photos and videos of the accident scene. Other evidence, like eyewitness accounts and police reports, can help establish liability in a concussion claim.
One notable challenge with concussion and other severe brain injury claims is demonstrating the full impact your injuries have had on your life. Severe head injuries can affect virtually every aspect of your daily functioning, and it is difficult to fully express the extent of impairment and subjective suffering.
In personal injury claims, expert medical testimony can present a critical piece of evidence. Testimony from neurologists or psychiatrists regarding the long-term impacts of concussions can lend credence to claims about mental suffering and behavioral dysfunction.
Compensation for Concussion Victims in Missouri
Depending on your circumstances, you could be entitled to pursue a brain injury lawsuit for the following kinds of concussion-related losses:
- Emergency medical bills and continuing medical expenses
- Lost income, such as hourly pay or salary, and other forms of employment compensation
- Reduced lifetime earning capacity due to disability
- Additional living expenses (for example, increased childcare expenses, in-home assistance, and alternate transportation)
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional anguish and distress
- Loss of life enjoyment
Common Causes of Concussions in St. Louis
Below are some of the most common causes of concussions in St. Louis:
- Car accidents – The forces and accelerations in car accidents can cause concussions, even if the head does not take a direct impact.
- Falls – Falls are another major cause of concussions, particularly among older adults.
- Collisions with objects – Falling objects like store merchandise or construction materials and tools can cause concussions if they strike passersby on the head.
- Recreational sports – High-contact recreational sports, like football, hockey, martial arts, rugby, basketball, and soccer, carry a pronounced risk for concussions.
- Intentional violence – Intentional violence, like assault and battery, can also cause head injuries like concussions.
The Role of a Concussion Injury Lawyer
When recovering from a concussion in St. Louis, the last thing you want to deal with is filing insurance claims and handling potential litigation on your own. The St. Louis brain injury attorneys at Sumner Law Group, LLC, are ready to take care of all the legal aspects of your claim so that you can prioritize healing and recovery. We leave no stone unturned and will not rest until we have exhausted every legal avenue to a satisfactory resolution.
Contact our offices online or call today to discuss your traumatic brain injury case with an experienced brain injury lawyer in a free consultation.
