A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury. Usually considered the mildest form of brain injury, it occurs when your brain shifts in your skull, hitting against the bone and causing damage to nerves and tissues. This can lead to chemical changes that could impact cognitive function.
Most of the time, concussion symptoms appear soon after the injury occurs, and they can take up to a couple of weeks to fade. In some instances, however, you can experience delayed symptoms. But what are these symptoms, and why do they occur?
Understanding Delayed Concussion Symptoms
Most people will experience immediate symptoms if they suffer a concussion, especially if it’s a severe one that causes unconsciousness. But in other cases, you can remain conscious even after sustaining a concussion.
For instance, imagine that you are in a car accident and hit your head against the window with significant force, but feel normal once paramedics arrive. Perhaps you have a headache, but nothing more. In this situation, you may not bother to get any medical care.
It could take days or even weeks before you begin to experience some symptoms, which may include:
- Disrupted sleep
- Headaches
- Memory problems
- Slurred speech
- Nausea
Some people may wake up with a seemingly unexplainable black eye a few days after a fall or a bicycle accident causes them to hit their head. They also may have auditory or visual issues that appear to come out of nowhere. These can all be delayed concussion symptoms.
Additionally, if you do experience some mild symptoms right after the accident, you can still have delayed ones later on. That doesn’t necessarily mean the injury is getting worse, but you should still get further assessments from your doctor.
Delayed Symptoms and Post-Concussion Syndrome
Delayed symptoms after suffering a concussion can often occur together with post-concussion syndrome. This refers to instances when it takes you longer than normal to heal from the injury, and you still experience symptoms months or even up to a year after the accident.
People who have had previous concussions or who have other brain-related conditions, including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), can face more complex issues after a concussion. If the injury resulted in complications, such as bleeding inside the skull, you may also be more likely to experience post-concussion syndrome.
Although dealing with nausea, headaches, and sometimes vision disturbances for months can be difficult, perhaps the most challenging aspect of post-concussion syndrome is the mood changes. You can struggle with depression and anxiety and find it very difficult to concentrate.
These effects can take a serious toll on your responsibilities, relationships, and your overall quality of life.
Starting a Claim After Suffering a Concussion in Florida
If the concussion you suffered occurred because of another party’s misconduct in Tampa, one of the legal options you have is to begin a personal injury claim. To demonstrate that you deserve compensation, you will typically need to establish that negligence occurred.
In Florida, that means you have to show that the other party breached their duty of care toward you and that their conduct resulted in your injuries. This can be a complex process, especially when you’re dealing with a delayed concussion at the same time, so hiring an experienced personal injury attorney to represent you is essential.
Contact a Tampa Personal Injury Attorney from Apex Law Firm for Help Today
For more information, please contact Apex Law Firm to schedule a free consultation with our lawyers in Tampa today. We conveniently serve Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, New Port Richey, and Lakeland.
We proudly serve Hillsborough County, Pinellas County, Pasco County, Polk County, and its surrounding areas in Florida:
Apex Law Firm - Tampa Office
412 E Madison St Suite 1206, Tampa, FL 33602
(813) 444-5212