A concussion is referred to by many sufferers as an “invisible injury.” There are no stitches or slings showing an outward demonstration of your injury. You may look normal to others, but for many, this façade of normalcy does not reflect the suffering their concussion caused and continues to cause.
Even medical professionals can fail to recognize the true harm of a concussion. A concussion may not manifest symptoms until days following the collision that caused it, leading to delayed treatment and an initial misdiagnosis that everything is fine.
When concussion symptoms persist
A concussion can have long-lasting effects that also go unnoticed by many. A significant number of those who suffer a concussion go on to develop persistent post-concussive symptoms (PPCS).
PPCS includes symptoms of a concussion that extend past the time it should have taken for recovery, generally 10 to 14 days for adults although it can take a year or more to recover from a concussion. Those with PPCS may continue to suffer:
- Tension-like headaches
- Memory issues
- Difficulty concentrating
- Dizziness
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- Tinnitus
- Sensitivity to noise and light
PPCS symptoms can persist for a long time; even months.
PPCS is a problematic invisible injury. Physicians may downplay the severity of your symptoms. Even friends and family can grow weary of your complaints of suffering.
This can lead to a feeling of invalidation, depression and ongoing trauma.
Invisible injuries and damages
If you choose to pursue legal action for a concussion following a collision caused by someone else, note that if you develop PPCS, it could reflect a significant injury that you have suffered and are seeking compensation for.
An invisible injury, such as a concussion, can be extremely physically and mentally damaging. If you suffer a concussion at the hands of another, you deserve to seek the compensation you are entitled to for all damages suffered.