The difference between a concussion and a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the degree of injury. A concussion is a mild type of TBI. Think of it like this: every concussion is a brain injury, but not every brain injury is a concussion.
The main difference is how bad and long the injury lasts. Whether you have a concussion or a brain injury, you may have a legal case. Concussions, though milder, can still cause a lot of damage. A brain injury lawyer in Boston can give you guidance on what to do after someone gives you a brain injury.
About Concussions
A concussion happens when something hits or shakes your head hard enough to hurt your brain. Most people get concussions from falls, car crashes, or playing sports. Your brain can usually heal from a concussion if you give it enough time to rest, but not always. Repeated concussions may not heal well.
Doctors call concussions “mild” brain injuries because they usually don’t cause lasting damage to your brain. But don’t let the word “mild” fool you. You still need to see a doctor after a concussion. You might get headaches, feel confused, or have trouble remembering things after a concussion.
These problems usually get better within days or weeks. While healing, keep track of all your symptoms and doctor visits and follow your doctor’s advice. If someone else caused your concussion, this will help us get you money for your injury.
Traumatic Brain Injury Vs. Concussion
Traumatic brain injuries damage your brain tissue more than concussions do. These often come from bad accidents, big falls, or serious car crashes. The hit to your head might cause bleeding, bruising, or tears in your brain.
It takes longer to get better from a bad brain injury than from a concussion, and you may never recover completely. You might need lots of expensive medical care and therapy. You’ll have doctor bills, therapy costs, and possibly home health care costs.
A traumatic brain injury can change your whole life. You might have trouble working or doing daily tasks. Your family may have to take care of you or hire someone to take care of you. A lawyer can help you get money to afford the care you need.
Examples of Concussions
Remember that a concussion is a mild type of traumatic brain injury. Some situations where you could get a concussion include:
- Another driver runs a red light and causes a rear-end collision, causing their head to snap forward and back against the headrest
- A shopper could slip on an unmarked wet floor, hitting their head on a display case
- An employee might sustain a concussion when improperly secured materials fall from a high shelf
- A tenant could trip on poorly maintained stairs, striking their head on the railing or steps.
Examples of Traumatic Brain Injuries
More severe traumatic brain injuries need higher trauma levels. Here are some examples:
- A motorcyclist might suffer a TBI in a high-speed collision, even while wearing a helmet.
- At a construction site, a worker could experience a TBI from falling debris hitting the head.
- An elderly resident might sustain a TBI from hitting their head on the floor from a standing position in a nursing home.
- A person could suffer a severe TBI in an elevator accident if the elevator malfunctions and drops suddenly, causing them to be thrown against the walls or floor.
How Brain Injuries Affect Your Daily Life
Brain injuries have a damaging effect on sleep. Studies show this happens to about half of all people with brain injuries. Bad sleep might not sound serious, but it can make it hard to get better.
You might find it harder to remember things or think clearly. Simple tasks might feel harder than before. Your family might notice changes in how you act. Brain injuries can also change how you feel. You might get upset more easily or feel sad for no reason.
These feelings are normal after a brain injury, but they are unpleasant. You may need to get therapy to help you with the changes in your brain while you heal.
When to Get Medical Help
There is no difference between a concussion and a TBI as far as medical care is concerned. Always see a doctor after hitting your head, even if you think it’s not serious. The doctor will run tests to check how bad your injury is. These tests can help us prove your injury if we seek money for you.
Look out for warning signs of a traumatic brain injury. Get help right away if your headaches get worse, you feel more confused, or you pass out. Quick medical care gives you the best chance of getting better.
After you’ve been treated, your doctor will check on you to ensure you’re healing well. Follow up with all of your medical appointments. Each visit creates a record of your injury. These records help us show how the injury has hurt you and can get you more money in a lawsuit.
Getting Money for Your Care
Brain injuries can cost a lot of money. You might have big medical bills, and you could miss work while you heal. We can help you get money for all these costs.
We know how to prove brain injuries in court. We work with doctors who can explain your injury to a jury. Pictures from medical tests help show the damage to your brain.
Insurance companies often try to pay less than they should. We know their tricks, and we’ll fight to get you fair compensation for your injury.
Get Legal Help After Any Brain Injury
You now know that the difference between a concussion and TBI is a matter of degree. A concussion is still a brain injury. Whether you have a concussion or a worse brain injury, you need good medical care and legal help to protect your future.
Contact Jason Stone Injury Lawyers today for a free talk about your brain injury case. You’ll get the Stone Cold Guarantee® when you work with us. We’ll help you understand your options and next steps, and you never have to reach into your pocket to pay us.
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