A concussion is caused by a sudden jolt, hit, or impact on the brain. Any child or adult can sustain this type of injury during many car accidents, slip and falls, games, acts of violence, and other situations. It is common to have serious side effects such as headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, amnesia, and loss of consciousness in more severe cases. A child’s brain grows and develops significantly throughout various stages of development.
When a child endures a concussion, watching as a parent may be very frightening and challenging. If your child has sustained a concussion or brain injury due to an accident, you have the right to file a claim on their behalf and collect compensation to help you throughout the extensive recovery. At The Law Offices of JG Winter, our experienced team is skilled in brain injury cases, and we are available to provide the best legal representation for your claim.
Common Causes of Concussions in Children
Children are curious and adventurous in playgrounds, schools, and other areas they encounter in their day-to-day lives. However, parents, family members, and individuals responsible for their care are typically aware and conscientious about protecting them from harm. When accidents occur, they may happen quickly and with no time to react. A concussion may not cause a loss of consciousness, but every head injury requires immediate attention, no matter how minor it may seem.
Typical causes and situations that lead to childhood concussions include:
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Falls
- Bike riding accidents
- Collisions while playing sports
- Playground accidents
- Many other accidents
While a child may experience different injuries during a development phase, a concussion may be severe and have long-term effects. If your child has suffered trauma resulting from an accident or a situation attributed to the injuries, seeking medical help right away can help your child recover with the best outcome. Concussions affect millions of children every year, and many recover within a few weeks. However, this is not always the case as the symptoms and recovery journeys that are not minor often do not resolve right away.
Effects of a Concussion during Childhood
Childhood and adolescent years are pivotal points for various areas of development, including cognitive development and brain function. When the ability of the brain to grow and function as it usually should is disrupted, a child’s everyday life and future may be affected. While mild brain injuries often resolve with faster recoveries, a severe concussion may lead to other results.
Effects of a severe concussion on a child might include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Head pain and pressure
- Difficulty paying attention
- Balance issues and dizziness
- Slowness and trouble understanding
- Disruption in sleep patterns
- Mood changes
- Changes in behavior and personality
Trauma to the head will have severe effects on the brain for any individual. When children are in stages of significant development and growth, suffering injury in the brain can cause severe effects and long recovery periods. A skilled doctor and specialist may want to follow up with a child months after a concussion to ensure that no long-term or dormant effects appear later on. Ultimately, the impact on the brain is often irreversible, and permanent brain damage can occur in some severe cases. While some injuries may be easier to brush off, not all injuries result in the same medical needs.
New Study Shows an Increased Likelihood of a Repeat Concussion after a First Occurrence
In addition to the effects and challenges of childhood concussions, a recent study discovered that children and adolescents aged five to eighteen are four times more likely to suffer a concussion if they have previously experienced a concussion than those with no reported concussions. This alarming discovery raises many questions regarding concussions’ severity and the full extent of childhood brain development and function.
Medical tests, expensive imaging, doctor’s appointments, time away from school or work, and other needs may be warranted in a child’s recovery period. Some short-term effects can resolve within weeks, but many long-term effects can last a few months or even years following a concussion. If your child has recently suffered a trauma due to an accident or negligence on the part of a liable party, seeking compensation can help them recover and help you care for your child during the process. Our brain injury attorney at J.G. Winter Law understands the full extent of brain trauma, as we have seen in previous child concussion cases, and we are available to help you.
A Sacramento Brain Injury Lawyer Can Help You File a Claim after Your Child’s Accident
At The Law Offices of JG Winter, our legal team is eager to continue helping our clients after suffering the unfortunate effects of brain and spinal cord trauma. If your child has recently experienced a concussion due to another’s negligence or unforeseen accident, attorney Jeremy G. Winter is readily available to help you develop a claim. You may fill out a contact form or contact our office at (844) 734-2626 to schedule a free consultation.
