Concussions

Concussion injuries and their serious effects upon victims, particularly athletes in both professional sports and high school and college programs have been much in the news lately. The same concerns about concussion symptoms are equally true for individuals who suffer concussions in accidents like car crashes or even slip and falls. Making matters even more complicated, concussion injuries are not always easy to diagnose. At Rubin Guttman & Associates, our Cleveland concussion lawyers have fought vigorously on behalf of victims throughout Ohio and helped them receive the fair compensation that they deserve.

A concussion is an injury to the brain caused by trauma of some kind which is characterized by changes in the way your brain functions and may be reflected in an altered mental status or a loss of consciousness for a period of time. According to the American Association of Neurosurgeons, there is no such thing as a minor concussion.Many people are aware some of the issues associated with brain injuries like concussions or closed head injuries, but you may not know that it is critical to receive prompt medical attention immediately after your accident to diagnose the nature and extent of your head injury. Although many concussions cause only temporary pain and discomfort to the victim, there are other situations in which the concussion may result in permanent damage, especially if it is not diagnosed and treated in a timely manner. Each concussion is different, and the impact that it has on a victim may last a short time, a lifetime, or somewhere in between.

There are many common symptoms linked to concussion injuries, including sleepiness or trouble sleeping, impaired motor function, poor memory, headaches, and nausea. In more serious cases, a concussion victim may report experiencing a more troubling set of symptoms over a period of time. These include changes in personality, moodiness, depression, anxiety, memory loss, impaired motor function, and a general disruption in cognitive abilities. When the symptoms are prolonged, this is known as “post-concussive syndrome.”

The concussion attorneys at our Cleveland firm understand that concussion injuries can be devastating for a victim and his or her loved ones, especially if the personality changes or cognitive impairments affect their relationships and career. If you suffer a concussion injury, the medical professionals who treat you will perform a thorough evaluation to determine the nature and extent of your concussion and to monitor you for signs that a concussion injury is serious or possibly life-threatening. Sometimes the actual injury is microscopic and will not show on a CT scan, which makes diagnosis difficult, which is why consistent medical observation and carefully relating your symptoms to your doctor can be critical.

Concussion victims are entitled to compensation for their past and future medical expenses, emotional pain and suffering, lost wages and other damages from the party who caused the accident to happen. Whether you have suffered a concussion or a more catastrophic injury your case will likely involve a negligence claim in which you have the burden of showing that the defendant did not act with the correct level of care and skill at the time of the accident and that this failure was a direct or proximate cause of the concussion-related injuries that you suffered. What constitutes negligence may vary depending on the circumstances surrounding the accident. In slip and fall cases, for example, the plaintiff will need to show that the defendant did not maintain his or her property in a reasonably safe condition or failed to provide warnings about known dangers which were not open and obvious. Different standards may apply in a residential setting where a tenant may be protected by the Ohio Landlord Tenant Act ( ORC § 5321). Motorists have a duty to use reasonable care and skill at all times and to obey all applicable traffic laws, including yielding to pedestrians. Our Cleveland concussion attorneys and team can help investigate your case and determine whether the other party’s negligence caused your injuries and damages.

After showing that the defendant did not act with due care, you must prove that this negligent conduct was a direct or proximate cause of the injuries that you suffered. In many situations, symptoms and permanent disabilities may not become noticeable for a period of time after the accident. This can make it harder to establish your right to compensation because the defendant may argue that other intervening factors or events which happened between the crash and the first time that you noticed your concussion-related symptoms are to blame. That’s why we diligently collect evidence to demonstrate the specific cause of your injuries so that a defendant does not escape liability. If your concussion results in permanent disabilities or long-term health issues, you can seek compensation for not only your past and current medical bills but also your future estimated medical care needs, which can be quite costly, and for your lost earning capacity in addition to lost income.

The experienced personal injury lawyers at Rubin Guttman & Associates have counseled numerous Ohio residents about claims involving concussions, closed and penetrating head injuries, helping them prove their case and pursue the compensation they deserve. Let us address each of your questions and concerns and protect your legal rights. Our attorneys assist people in cities such as Akron, Canton, Beachwood, Brookpark, Cleveland, Parma, Lakewood, Euclid, Cleveland Heights, Strongsville, Akron, Columbus, Chardon, Toledo, Youngstown, Ravenna, Elyria, Lorain, and Mentor. To arrange your free consultation, call us now at (216) 696-4006 or (888) 488-8529 or contact us online.