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Yes, it is possible to get a concussion without hitting your head. A concussion can be the result of a sports accident, a fall, an explosion, or a concussive blast without anything physical object directly hitting the individual’s head. If you have concussion symptoms after any of these events, you should get a professional medical examination right away.
A Los Angeles personal injury attorney can help you seek the compensation you deserve from the party whose negligence caused your head injury. Going after monetary damages for your injuries and other losses after suffering a concussion that did not involve a direct hit to the head can be challenging, so you do not want to handle your injury claim by yourself like a DIY project.
Ways to Get a Concussion Without Hitting Your Head
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals that blast injuries can include concussion, in which the victim suffers a traumatic brain injury (TBI) without physical indications of a head injury. Blast injuries are wounds caused by explosions, as in a terrorist attack. Blast injuries can happen in other settings, like a workplace accident or in combat.
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons explains that “concussion” comes from a Latin word, concusses, which means to shake violently. Concussions can happen in any type of recreational or sports activity.
Some sports, like football, soccer, and ice hockey, are more prone to traumatic brain injuries. When “a force causes the brain to rapidly move back and forth inside the skull,” the person can suffer a concussion, either from a direct hit to the head or a blow to the body that makes the head rotate suddenly.
How a Concussion Can Affect Your Life
Some people recover from a concussion within a few days or weeks, but the Mayo Clinic cautions that some people develop “persistent post-concussive symptoms” that can last for weeks or months. The injured person can experience dizziness, severe headaches, and challenges with thinking, remembering, and attention.
Recoverable Damages for a Head Injury
If someone else caused you to suffer a concussion or some other type of traumatic brain injury (TBI), you might be able to pursue a personal injury claim or lawsuit for compensation. You will want to have a lawyer advocating for you so that the insurance company’s claims adjuster doesn’t trick you into saying or doing something that could rob you of the money damages you deserve from the at-fault party.
Common recoverable money damages in personal injury cases that involve concussions include the following:
- Medical expenses for the treatment of your traumatic brain injury and any other injuries you suffered in the accident.
- Lost wages for when you could not work while recuperating from your head wound.
- Rehabilitation services from a facility that offers specialized therapies and treatments for your injuries.
- Future lost wages if lingering impairment from the accident makes you unable to earn as much income as before.
- Pain and suffering for the physical discomfort and emotional distress of the accident and your injuries.
You can work with a Los Angeles personal injury attorney on your case. We offer a free initial consultation. You can reach out to us today to get started.