Rhode Island Concussion Injury Lawyers

A concussion can be caused by a blow to the head or the violent shaking of the head and upper body. Concussions are very common, affecting an estimated 1.6 - 3.8 million people a year; many concussions go unreported.

The most common causes of concussions are:

• Car accidents
• Sports Injuries
• Falls

If you or your loved one suffered a concussion because of the negligence of another person, Karns & Kerrison can help you pursue justice. Our Rhode Island concussion injury attorneys have over 85 years of combined legal experience, recovering over $250 million dollars in settlements and verdicts on behalf of our clients.

Call Karns & Kerrison at (888) 281-3100 to start your case with a free consultation.

There's Nothing "Mild" About a Concussion

A concussion is a form of mild traumatic brain injury. The word "mild" is used in reference to the physical trauma that causes the injury and not the results of the injury. Many of these injuries have lasting effects some of which can be permanent, impacting a victim's ability to participate in everyday activities and work.

Some of the potential ways that a concussion can manifest include:

• Convulsions or seizures
• Drowsiness and inability to wake up
• Continued, unrelenting headache
• Weakness and decreased coordination
• Vomiting and nausea
• Confusion
• Slurred speech

The ways that a concussion will affect a victim differ on a case-by-case basis. There is no way to accurately predict which symptoms you will experience or how long it will take for you to get better, but you may need continued medical care and time away from work to fully recover from this type of injury.

Diagnosing a Concussion

Often, a concussion not diagnosed right away because the victim either doesn't get medical attention or their attending physician fails to recognize the symptoms.

The following are common symptoms associated with a concussion:

• Confusion or feeling dazed
• Speech difficulties
• Memory issues
• Nausea
• Headache
• Balance problems
• Vision problems
• Disorientation

Anyone experiencing these symptoms should immediately contact their primary care physician for a referral to a neurologist or go to a neurologist directly giving the physician the full history of what brought the symptoms on and what the symptoms are.

Treatment for Persistent Post-Concussive Symptoms

Although many people suffering from concussions make a full recovery, some victims do not and experience continuing symptoms known as persistent post-concussive symptoms.

Symptoms can include:

• Fatigue
• Confusion
• Concentration problems
• Memory loss
• Irritability

The victim or the victim's family should make certain they consult with a neurologist, neuropsychologist and ultimately undergo cognitive therapy to help with these symptoms. Many hospitals and rehabilitation centers have the proper care regarding cognitive therapy including speech therapy and occupational therapy. The neurologist or neuropsychologist can help guide the victim or the victim's family on behalf of the victim to the proper cognitive therapy and rehabilitation.

In addition, there are medications that can help with cognitive rehabilitation that can be discussed with the neurologist.

Lastly, the victim should make certain that he or she joins the Brain Injury Association of the state he or she resides in and attends support group meetings.

Car Accidents and Concussions

Concussions are some of the most common types of car accident injuries, and because of this, many people tend to dismiss these injuries as minor. Head injuries, no matter how severe the impact, are quite serious, and victims should seek immediate medical attention for a proper diagnosis.

Some of these symptoms may not even appear until days or weeks after the accident, and you could be wondering how you will ever fully recover from what you initially thought was a minor injury.

If you suffered a concussion in a car accident that was not your fault, you have the right to seek financial compensation. With the help of an experienced attorney, you can hold liable parties accountable for what you suffered and secure what you need for a full and fair recovery.

Karns & Kerrison is extremely experienced in handling traumatic brain injury cases and concentrates on handling traumatic brain injury cases. Our firm has offices in Cranston, East Providence, and Middletown, Rhode Island.