Concussions are often viewed as minor injuries, but that’s not always the case. Concussions can also produce serious symptoms like memory loss. These symptoms often involve longer healing times, making it hard to accomplish things at work or home.
It’s important to know the signs of a concussion and see a doctor promptly if you think you’ve experienced one. If you begin to notice signs of memory loss after a concussion, you should let your doctor know right away. If you act promptly, a brain injury lawyer may even be able to help you recover injury compensation.
Understanding Concussions
A concussion is a type of brain injury. Traumatic brain injuries are divided into mild, moderate, and severe classifications, depending on how long the injured person loses consciousness. A mild brain injury is typically diagnosed when the person does not lose consciousness for any length of time. “Concussion” is simply another term for a mild brain injury.
However, the use of the term “mild” can be misleading. Any injury to the brain, including a concussion, is a serious medical event. That’s why it’s important to seek prompt medical care and follow treatment instructions carefully. Failing to do so can lead to worsening symptoms and further complications.
Signs of a Concussion
A concussion can produce a wide range of symptoms, many of which are concerning.
Some of the most common concussion symptoms include:
- Dizziness
- Disorientation
- Confusion
- Tiredness
- Forgetfulness
- Light or noise sensitivity
- Nausea or vomiting
As long as medical directions are followed, concussion symptoms should begin to subside in about a week. However, in some cases, concussion symptoms can be more severe, giving cause for alarm.
How a Concussion Can Cause Memory Loss
The brain is the most complicated organ in the human body. Any time it sustains an injury, the specific symptoms and recovery time can vary by person.
The brain’s ability to store, organize, and draw on memories is a complex process. When you sustain a concussion, your brain gets injured. There may be many cognitive functions that don’t work as smoothly or as well as you’re accustomed to.
Experiencing memory loss after a concussion can be particularly alarming. There’s a good chance that it will be a temporary condition, but you shouldn’t make that assumption. If you notice you’re struggling to recall things after a concussion, you should let your doctor know right away.
Types of Concussion Memory Loss
Concussions can cause both short and long-term memory loss. Short-term memory loss refers to forgetting things that have recently happened. For example, you might walk into a grocery store and forget what you went there to buy. Experiencing short-term memory loss can be deeply frustrating and concerning.
Long-term memory loss refers to the loss of older memories. The brain doesn’t store all information forever. There’s a filtering process through which certain short-term memories are converted into long-term ones. Long-term memory loss involves forgetting things that you may have known for years, like childhood memories or bits of common knowledge.
In general, a concussion is more likely to impact short-term memory. Most of the time, this symptom gradually abates. However, healing times are different for everyone. Memory loss can be a concern for weeks or months after the concussion took place.
Treating Concussion-Related Memory Loss
Memory loss might feel like one of the most concerning symptoms of a concussion. However, there’s not much doctors can do to treat one specific symptom of a brain injury. Instead, a doctor is more likely to look at the big picture, working to help your brain as a whole recover.
Concussion treatment primarily involves rest. The less strain you put on your mental faculties, the more likely a concussion is to heal quickly.
Standard concussion treatment involves rest and avoiding:
- School work
- Reading
- TV or phone screens
- Computer screens
- Exercise
You should also avoid anything mentally or physically taxing for at least a week after the accident that caused the concussion. Your doctor will likely give you additional instructions based on your symptoms. For example, if you’re experiencing light or noise sensitivity, remaining in a quiet room with dim lighting can help your recovery.
If symptoms persist or worsen, you should return to your doctor. When concussion symptoms don’t resolve on their own, a doctor might recommend additional testing. This testing may include an MRI, to gain a better understanding of what’s going on with your brain.
The Financial Impact of Memory Loss After a Concussion
Any time you sustain a concussion, your finances are likely to take a hit. Concussion treatment involves incurring medical bills and often requires you to miss a week or more of work. When a concussion involves memory loss that doesn’t resolve within a week or so, you risk a more serious financial blow. Treating concussion complications can quickly become expensive.
If you continue to struggle with memory loss, your doctor is likely to recommend continued rest. This can mean that you can’t return to work for an unknown length of time. If memory loss continues as a lingering symptom after you’re cleared to return to work, it can have a direct impact on your ability to work.
While memory loss from a concussion is expected to eventually heal, there’s no guarantee that this will always be the outcome. If you can’t work in the meantime, you can easily struggle to keep up with living expenses and medical bills.
Recovering Concussion Compensation
If you’ve sustained a concussion that’s impacted your finances, a brain injury lawyer may be able to help you recover compensation. Recovering personal injury compensation requires first proving that someone else caused your injuries.
A lawyer can review the facts of your accident and how the concussion has impacted your life. They’ll then identify whether you have grounds to pursue personal injury compensation.
Concussions can happen in many ways, from car accidents to workplace accidents. It’s a good idea to look for a lawyer who practices in the same area as your accident type. However, since a concussion is a brain injury, it’s most important to hire a lawyer who has experience handling brain injury cases.
Consult a Dallas Brain Injury Lawyer Today
Jay Murray Car Accident and Truck Accident Lawyers understands that a concussion can be a serious blow. Our Dallas brain injury lawyer works with clients to recover the money they need when a concussion leads to complications like ongoing memory loss.
Contact Jay Murray Car Accident and Truck Accident Lawyers today at (214) 855-1420 to learn more about how a Dallas brain injury lawyer can help you recover concussion compensation.