What Is a Concussion?

A concussion is a traumatic brain injury that occurs when the head accelerates quickly and then suddenly stops or is rapidly rotated. A concussion can occur even if the head does not come into contact with a hard surface. A concussion can result in confusion, blurred vision, memory loss, and nausea. Although in some severe cases, a concussion can result in loss of consciousness, in most cases a concussion does not result in unconsciousness.

Sports injuries, especially football injuries and hockey injuries, are a common cause of concussions. Concussions are sometimes referred to as “getting your bell rung,” but concussions are not to be taken lightly. Concussions can occur in any sport or recreational activity, but they are most common in football, hockey, baseball/softball, and cycling. It is important for athletes and parents to understand the signs and symptoms of concussions, as well as the appropriate treatment of concussions.

The knowledgeable Chicago head injury attorneys at Ankin Law, LLC focus on representing the victims of personal injury and product liability accidents, including the victims of sports-related head injuries. If you or a loved one has suffered a sports-related head injury, such as a concussion, do not hesitate to contact one of our skilled Chicago traumatic brain injury attorneys to schedule a free consultation.

Symptoms of a Concussion

It is sometimes difficult to know if an athlete has a concussion. Oftentimes, an athlete will not lose consciousness with a concussion, and symptoms range from mild to severe. The symptoms and effects of a concussion can last for hours, days, weeks, or months. The following are some common symptoms of a concussion:

• Headache
• Fuzzy or blurry vision
• Nausea and vomiting
• Dizziness
• Difficulty concentrating
• Difficulty remembering new information
• Sensitivity to light or noise
• Balance problems
• Feeling lethargic
• Difficulty controlling emotions
• Easily upset, angered, or saddened
• Feeling nervous or anxious
• Sleep alterations (more or less than usual)
• Difficulties falling asleep

Secondary Impact Syndrome

When an athlete who is recovering from a head injury, such as a concussion, resumes playing before he or she has fully healed, the athlete is at risk for a secondary impact syndrome (SIS). SIS can result in massive swelling of the brain since the brain has not had time to heal from the initial injury. In some cases, SIS can lead to herniation, which can cause loss of blood flow to the brain and death.

Multiple concussions, including SIS, can cause significant neuropsychological brain damage to athletes. Athletes who have suffered multiple concussions or SIS are at an increased risk for learning difficulties and neuropsychological difficulties. For instance, an athlete who suffers from multiple concussions or SIS is more likely to experience difficulties processing new information, difficulties concentrating, memory loss, and behavioral problems.

SIS is currently the subject of significant litigation involving the NFL and several former football players would have suffered SIS. In some serious cases, SIS has even been known to result in death.

Free Consultation

If you or a loved one has suffered a sports-related concussion, contact the Chicago sports concussion lawyers at Ankin Law to schedule a free consultation to discuss a possible cause of action to obtain compensation for the sports-related head injuries.