Kids and Concussions

Any parent of a child can tell you that frequent falls, scrapes, and bruises are all part of the job, and that parents should be prepared with bandages and plenty of kisses at all times. What most parents aren’t prepared for, though, are child concussions. Weill Cornell Medicine reports that about 500,000 children visit emergency rooms across the nation every year for traumatic brain injury (TBI) accidents. While the majority of these are mild TBI concussions, all concussions, even the mild ones, can have profound consequences. Consider the following regarding children, concussions, and what steps to take if your child has suffered a TBI.

Top Causes of Concussions Amongst Children

On average, children are much more curious and active than adults. Further, children also lack the ability to rationally think about risks. These two things may put them at an increased risk of accident, although not all brain injury accidents are the fault of the child involved. Medscape reports that the top causes of brain injuries in children include:

• Falls from any distance;
• Falls while standing, walking, or running;
• Collisions with a stationary object while walking or running;
• Motor vehicle crashes; and
• Bicycle crashes.

These accidents can occur anywhere, including on the playground, at school, in a front or backyard, while at a playmate’s home, on a trampoline, while playing organized sports, etc.

The Effects of a Concussion on a Child’s Brain

The Brain Injury Association of America (BIAUSA) makes it clear that children are not just little adults; the brains of children are still developing, and therefore the effects of a brain injury on a child’s brain – that is, the functional impact – can be very different. Further, the BIAUSA also explains that the nature of the injury, and the effects and consequences that it has, can range from mild to severe, with disruptions to the following cognitive, physical, and emotional systems all possible–

• Physical – Speech, vision, hearing, balance, fatigue, headaches, paralysis, spasticity of muscles, balance, and motor coordination;

• Cognitive – Perception, planning, communication, writing, reading, judgement, limited attention span, thinking, and memory; and

• Emotional – mood swings, egocentrism, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, restlessness, lack of motivation, sexual dysfunction, and difficulty controlling emotions.

Sometimes, effects of a TBI are delayed, but will become more pronounced as the child ages, creating lifetime complications for the child as they move into adulthood.

The Signs of a TBI – How to Recognize a Childhood Concussion

For parents and other adults, recognizing the signs of a TBI is critical – the sooner that a child who has suffered a concussion receives medical care, the better the medical outcome of their case will likely be. Some of the symptoms of a concussion in a child include headaches, loss of consciousness, problems sleeping, numbness or tingling, confusion, memory problems, double vision, vomiting, excessive crying, lack of interest in toys or favorite activities, or sensitivity to light. If a child suffers a blow to the head, they should be seen by a doctor, even if they are not exhibiting signs of a concussion.

Taking Action after a Concussion – What’s Next?

The brain is a very complex organ, and it can be very difficult – if not impossible – to predict what the effects of a TBI might be on an individual. However, when the outcome is expected to be serious, parents should not hesitate to seek the counsel of an experienced Alabama brain injury attorney who can provide advice regarding damages and liability.

If your child’s brain injury was caused by the negligence of another party, such as a dangerous condition on a property, a sporting incident that was unsupervised, or a defective piece of playground equipment, your family has the right to take action, and to hold the negligent party responsible, and to seek monetary compensation for your child’s injury and your family’s losses.

At the offices of Chip Nix, Attorney at Law, we can provide you with the guidance and representation you need. To learn more about our legal services and steps to take after a child’s concussion injury, call our law firm today at 334-279-7770, send us an email, or visit our Montgomery office in person today.