How Much Compensation Do You Get for Post-Concussion Syndrome?
Post-concussion syndrome is a difficult medical condition that often stems from a traumatic accident like a fall or car crash. If you or someone you love if suffering from post-concussion syndrome because of an injury that occurred through little or no fault of their own, you may be entitled to compensation.
The amount that a post-concussion syndrome case is worth depends on the severity of the injury as well as other case specifics. However, post-concussion syndrome victims can increase their chances of a larger award or settlement by retaining the services of an experienced personal injury lawyer.
The attorneys at Ellis Injury Law have a well-established reputation for expert representation in a variety of personal injury cases, including post-concussion syndrome cases. We will work tirelessly to make sure you are awarded the maximum possible compensation for your pain, suffering, and losses.
What is post-concussion syndrome?
Post-concussion syndrome, often shorted to PCS, is the condition that occurs when concussion symptoms persist beyond the normal concussion recovery period.
Most concussions resolve on their own within two weeks to a month of the injury, but if they extend longer than one or two months it may be PCS.
Symptoms of post-concussion syndrome
The most common PCS symptoms include:
- Consistent and persistent headache
- Cognitive deficits
- Dizziness including memory loss, finding the right word, attention, following directions, and concentration
- Migraine, such as a chronic focal ache around the injury site
- Lightheadedness and vertigo, causing additional falls
- Personality disorders or a change in personality
- Mood disorders such as depression
PCS usually doesn’t leave any outward scarring, bruising, or otherwise visible signs of injury, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t horribly debilitating.
Most PCS victims have their lives completely disrupted by the condition as they have to avoid certain activities that could increase the symptoms or cause re-injury, take the medication with their own side-effects, and other measures that make it hard to continue working, socializing or leading a normal life.
For adults, PCS can mean not being able to work, raise a family, or even have a social life. For children, PCS often leads to missed school and a loss of extracurricular activities.
How common is PCS?
Sadly, post-concussion syndrome is very common, especially after a traumatic accident like a car crash, workplace incident, or fall.
Some studies show that PCS can occur in 50% to 80% of concussion cases. Meaning, if you’re still suffering from concussion symptoms months after an accident, you’re far from alone.
There is hope, however, in the form of a personal injury lawsuit. You can seek monetary compensation for losses you suffered because of your PCS. This compensation can not only give you the justice you deserve but can also help you get your life back on track.
Compensatory damages in post-concussion syndrome cases
The exact amount of damages you may be awarded in a PCS case depends on the case’s specifics, such as:
- Your age and medical history
- Cost of medical care
- General pain and suffering from the PCS
- Lasting complications
- Amount of lost income
- Recovery time
- Pre-existing conditions that might have made your PCS worse
- The amount your actions contributed to the accident that caused the PCS
- Loss of consortium or the impact your PCS has had on your relationships
- Punitive damages to punish the negligent party in the event of extremely careless or deplorable actions
Your personal injury attorney will investigate case factors such as these to determine how much money he or she should seek on your behalf in your PCS case.
Not just any lawyer will do
Post-concussion syndrome cases can be very complex as the condition’s symptoms can be vague or not clearly diagnosable in a scan or x-ray image. These complexities and potential difficulties mean it’s imperative that you have an experienced lawyer on your side.
Your lawyer will need to be able to negotiate the best possible settlement or argue on your behalf in court to ensure you’re awarded the maximum possible amount. The lawyers at Ellis Injury Law can help you do just that. We’ve won more than $350 million on behalf of our clients and will work hard to help you too.
Call Ellis Injury Law today for a free consultation.