Key Takeaways
- Post-concussion syndrome can cause lasting physical, cognitive, and emotional symptoms after a concussion.
- Doctors diagnose post-concussion syndrome by reviewing your symptoms, medical history, neurological function, and other clinical findings.
- Persistent headaches, dizziness, memory problems, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and mood issues can interfere with your ability to work, manage household responsibilities, maintain relationships, and participate in everyday activities.
- Medical records, neurological evaluations, neuropsychological testing, employment records, and testimony from family members or coworkers can help demonstrate how post-concussion syndrome has affected your life.
- Because post-concussion syndrome doesn’t always appear on CT scans or MRI studies, insurance companies may dispute the diagnosis or argue that your symptoms are unrelated to the accident. Thorough documentation helps address these arguments.
- Keeping a record of your concussion symptoms, following your treatment plan, saving documentation of your expenses and lost income, and speaking with a traumatic brain injury attorney before accepting a TBI settlement offer can help protect your right to compensation.
Post-concussion syndrome can become one of the most disputed issues in a traumatic brain injury claim. While many people recover from a concussion within a few weeks, others continue experiencing headaches, dizziness, memory problems, sleep issues, and mood changes for months or longer. These ongoing symptoms can affect your ability to work, complete daily activities, and participate in the life you had before the accident.
At Harris Velázquez Gibbens, we represent Oregon injury victims affected by post-concussion syndrome. In this article, our legal team explains how post-concussion syndrome is diagnosed, how it can influence a traumatic brain injury settlement, and what you can do to protect your personal injury claim while pursuing the compensation you may be entitled to.
What Is Post-Concussion Syndrome?
Post-concussion syndrome (PCS) is a condition in which symptoms continue for weeks, months, or longer after a concussion or mild traumatic brain injury (TBI). Doctors diagnose PCS based on a patient’s symptoms, medical history, and clinical evaluation because no single test can confirm the condition.
PCS can develop after many types of accidents. Motor vehicle collisions are among the most common causes, but slip and falls, bicycle accidents, motorcycle crashes, pedestrian accidents, workplace injuries, sports injuries, and acts of violence can also result in post-concussion syndrome. The severity of the initial injury doesn’t always predict how long symptoms will last: some people experience persistent symptoms after what was first diagnosed as a mild concussion.
Insurance companies may argue that ongoing symptoms are unrelated to the accident, particularly when CT scans or MRI results appear normal. That’s one reason why consistent medical care and thorough documentation are so important in a traumatic brain injury claim. Medical records that show continuing symptoms and changes in your daily functioning can help establish how post-concussion syndrome has affected your life.
What Are the Common Symptoms of Post-Concussion Syndrome?
Physical Symptoms
Persistent headaches are among the most common symptoms of post-concussion syndrome. Some people experience daily headaches, while others develop migraines that interfere with their lives. Vertigo, balance problems, nausea, and fatigue may also continue long after the initial injury. Some people also report light sensitivity and noise sensitivity, blurred vision, ringing in the ears, and sleep disturbances.
Cognitive Symptoms
People with PCS may have trouble remembering conversations, appointments, or recent events. They may also struggle to concentrate during meetings, complete tasks without distractions, or follow multiple instructions at once. Some people also have difficulty finding words during conversations or learning new information at work or school.
Emotional and Psychological Symptoms
Anxiety, depression, irritability, frustration, and mood swings may develop after the injury or become worse as symptoms continue. Some people become less interested in social activities because loud environments or mental fatigue make participation difficult. Others get discouraged by changes in their memory, concentration, or ability to complete routine tasks. These emotional symptoms are a recognized part of post-concussion syndrome and should receive the same medical attention as physical symptoms.
Note: Recovery from post-concussion syndrome isn’t always linear. You may feel better for a while, only to have symptoms return after a full workday, exercise, or extended screen time. These fluctuations reflect the way post-concussion syndrome affects the brain during recovery.
How Is Post-Concussion Syndrome Diagnosed?
Unlike a broken bone or other injuries that appear clearly on imaging studies, PCS is diagnosed by reviewing your symptoms, medical history, and neurological function over time. Your doctor will consider when your symptoms began, how they have changed since the accident, and how they affect your ability to work, perform daily activities, and maintain your normal routine.
During your evaluation, your physician will perform a physical and neurological examination. This examination may assess your memory, concentration, coordination, balance, vision, reflexes, and speech. Your doctor may also ask about headaches and other symptoms that developed after the concussion. Depending on your symptoms, your medical evaluation may include:
- Neurological examinations
- Neuropsychological testing
- Cognitive assessments
- Vestibular and balance testing
- Vision evaluations
- CT scans or MRI scans to rule out other injuries
Those with PCS often receive care from several medical providers, including:
- Neurologists
- Neuropsychologists
- Physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians
- Vestibular therapists
- Occupational therapists
- Speech-language pathologists
- Psychologists
- Psychiatrists
Each provider documents different aspects of your condition, creating a more complete picture of how the injury affects you. These medical records help establish when your symptoms began, how long they have continued, the treatments you’ve received, and your doctor’s assessment of your condition over time.
How Does Post-Concussion Syndrome Affect Daily Life?
Persistent concussion symptoms can affect nearly every part of your life. Tasks that once required little effort may take longer to complete or require frequent breaks. Some people can continue working with accommodations, while others must reduce their hours or stop working altogether. The effects of post-concussion syndrome also extend beyond employment, influencing family relationships, social activities, and personal independence. For example:
- You may struggle to drive safely, exercise, complete household chores, or participate in hobbies you enjoyed before the accident.
- Sensitivity to light and noise may limit your ability to spend time in crowded places, attend family gatherings, or work in busy environments.
- You may forget appointments, lose track of conversations, or have difficulty following written or verbal instructions.
- Tasks that require planning, organization, or multitasking may become frustrating because your brain processes information more slowly than it did before the injury.
- You may become frustrated by limitations that didn’t exist before your injury or withdraw from social activities because symptoms make participation difficult.
- Family members may assume extra responsibilities while helping you with transportation, appointments, or daily tasks.
Tips for TBI Victims Living With Post-Concussion Syndrome
- Document Your Symptoms and Treatment: Keep a daily journal describing your symptoms and how they affect your routine. Also record any activities that make your symptoms worse. This journal can help your doctors monitor your condition while providing valuable evidence of your ongoing symptoms.
- Follow Your Treatment Plan: Attend your scheduled appointments and follow your physician’s recommendations for medication, therapy, rehabilitation, and activity restrictions. Report any new symptoms or changes in your condition as soon as they occur. Consistent treatment allows your medical providers to evaluate your progress and document how your condition changes over time. It also creates a continuous medical record that may support your personal injury claim.
- Be Careful When Speaking With Insurance Companies: Insurance adjusters may ask you to provide a recorded statement or discuss your injuries shortly after the accident. Before describing your condition, remember that post-concussion syndrome symptoms can change as your recovery continues. Avoid minimizing your symptoms or guessing about your long-term recovery before your doctors have completed their evaluation.
- Seek Legal Representation Early: A personal injury attorney can begin gathering medical records, employment documents, witness statements, and other evidence that supports your claim. If your injuries require future medical treatment or permanently affect your ability to work, your attorney can include those anticipated losses when pursuing compensation through settlement negotiations or litigation.
FAQs About How Post-Concussion Syndrome Affects Traumatic Brain Injury Claims and Settlements
How Is Compensation Calculated in Post-Concussion Syndrome Cases?
The value of a traumatic brain injury claim depends on how post-concussion syndrome has affected your health, your income, and your daily life. Because PCS can continue for months or years after the initial injury, a settlement should account for both current losses and those you are reasonably expected to experience in the future. This may include:
Medical bills
Future medical expenses like vestibular therapy
Lost wages
Pain and suffering
Supporting these damages requires medical records, employment information, financial documentation, and evidence showing how your condition has changed your daily activities.
What Challenges Can Complicate a Post-Concussion Syndrome Claim?
As we explained earlier, many people with post-concussion syndrome have normal CT scan and MRI results. The problem is that insurance companies may attempt to use normal imaging results to argue that you have recovered or that your symptoms aren’t related to the accident. Other challenges include:
Insurance adjusters may argue that your symptoms resulted from another medical condition instead of the accident. Medical records, treatment history, physician opinions, and testimony from people who have observed changes in your daily functioning can help address these arguments.
Not every concussion symptom appears immediately after an accident. Some people notice worsening headaches, cognitive issues, or fatigue only after returning to work, school, or other responsibilities. Insurance companies may attempt to use this delay to challenge the connection between the accident and your condition. Medical evaluations that document when symptoms developed and how they progressed can help establish that link.
Living With Post-Concussion Syndrome? Speak to a Hillsboro Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer
Post-concussion syndrome can continue affecting your health and daily life long after the initial concussion. Persistent headaches, cognitive difficulties, dizziness, sleep disturbances, and other ongoing symptoms can also affect the value of a traumatic brain injury claim by increasing medical expenses, lost income, and future treatment costs.
If you continue experiencing concussion symptoms after an accident, call Harris Velázquez Gibbens. We can evaluate your case, explain your legal options, and pursue the compensation you deserve. To learn more or to schedule a free and confidential consultation with a personal injury lawyer, contact us at 503-610-4398 or fill out our online contact form.
