It’s been more than a decade since the stunning death of 45-year-old actress, who attracted international attention to the serious dangers of a seemingly minor head injury.
When Richardson’s head hit hard-packed snow after a minor topple on a beginner ski hill, she suffered a devastating brain injury. She initially refused medical care since she felt fine. Her bewilderment and pain sent her to the hospital within hours. Her condition quickly deteriorated, even though she appeared to be stable at first. Richardson was taken off life support two days later, surrounded by her family.
To assure this does not happen to you or a loved one, it is important to know what signs to look for after a concussion. Read on to learn more and then contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 if you or a loved one has suffered a brain injury due to an accident that was someone else’s fault.
Concussions are very common
A concussion is the most frequent type of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), accounting for roughly 3/4 of all TBI cases, from which most people fully recover. A concussion occurs when the brain is bruised by movement within the skull, and it can be caused by blunt-force trauma or a violent jolt, even if the incident does not appear to be particularly spectacular. Though concussions are rarely deadly, they can have devastating consequences, and repeated concussions can be lethal, especially before the brain has fully recovered (second-impact syndrome).
A moderate to severe traumatic brain injury is a medical emergency that necessitates rapid medical intervention. A strong blow to the head or an injury that fractures or penetrates the skull can result in TBI. Complications, such as compression produced by blood pooling between the brain and the skull (epidural hematoma), can end in coma or even death in severe cases, including Richardson’s.
There are many potential causes for head injuries
Head injuries can occur for a variety of reasons. The following are a few of the most common: car and bike accidents, falls (out of bed, on the ice, down the stairs, down a ladder), Football, rugby, boxing, ice hockey, skiing/snowboarding, and even soccer are common causes of sports injuries. Accidents on the jobsite, and violence or combat (explosions and bullet wounds in the military; domestic violence, including shaken baby syndrome) are other common causes.
After an accident, watch for the following
To begin, understand that concussion and TBI symptoms differ widely from person to person. Symptoms might be subtle, and the wounded person may not even realize they are experiencing difficulties. After a head injury, seek medical advice. While medical intervention cannot always influence the outcome, getting assessed and treated as soon as possible can be crucial.
Symptoms and signs of a concussion include neck pain or headache, dizziness, low energy, fatigue, and lethargy, nausea or vomiting, vision issues, feeling or acting “fuzzy” or “off”, grogginess, very emotional feelings/actions, getting less or more sleep than normal, or having problems getting asleep.
If you suspect you or a loved one has suffered a concussion, it is essential to contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 now to get started.
