Concussion Lawyer

A concussion can seem minor compared to other injuries. No broken bones, no visible wound, no obvious signs of damage. But the effects of a concussion can last for months or years, interfering with work, memory, relationships, and daily function in ways that are difficult to explain and even harder to prove.

The Brain Injury Law Center represents people who have suffered concussions and other traumatic brain injuries as a result of someone else's negligence. If a concussion has changed your life, we can help you pursue the compensation you deserve.

Call (757) 244-7000 or message us for a free case review with a top-rated concussion lawyer.

"The attorneys and staff are great to work with. They care not only about a successful recovery, but ensuring their clients know what options are available for protecting the recovery long-term." 

— Andy H., Client

What Is a Concussion?

A concussion is a traumatic brain injury caused by a blow or jolt to the head, or by a hit to the body that causes the brain to move rapidly inside the skull. That sudden movement stretches and damages brain cells, disrupting normal brain function.

Despite being classified as a mild traumatic brain injury, a concussion can have serious and lasting effects. The word "mild" refers to how the injury initially presents, not to how it affects a person's life. 

Many concussion survivors deal with symptoms for months after the injury, and some develop post-concussion syndrome, a condition where symptoms persist well beyond the expected recovery period.

Types of Concussions

Concussions are generally classified by grade based on the severity of symptoms at presentation:

• Grade 1 (Mild). No loss of consciousness. Symptoms such as headache, dizziness, or confusion last less than 15 minutes. The person may feel briefly disoriented but appears to recover quickly.
• Grade 2 (Moderate). No loss of consciousness, but symptoms last longer than 15 minutes. Memory problems, prolonged confusion, or difficulty concentrating may be present. This grade requires medical evaluation and monitoring.
• Grade 3 (Severe). Any loss of consciousness, even briefly. This grade carries the highest risk of serious complications and requires immediate medical attention. Even a few seconds of unconsciousness signals significant neurological disruption.

It is important to note that grade classification does not determine long-term impact. A Grade 1 concussion can produce lasting cognitive and emotional effects, particularly when it occurs alongside other injuries or is followed by a second concussion before full recovery.

Concussion Symptoms

Concussion symptoms vary from person to person and do not always appear immediately after the injury. Some develop within hours; others emerge over days or weeks. Common symptoms include:

• Headache or pressure in the head
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness or balance problems
• Blurred or double vision
• Sensitivity to light or noise
• Fatigue or low energy
• Difficulty concentrating or thinking clearly
• Memory problems, including gaps around the time of the injury
• Slowed reaction time
• Sleep disruption, including sleeping more or less than usual
• Irritability, anxiety, or mood changes
• Feeling foggy or mentally slow

In children, symptoms may also include changes in behavior, crying more than usual, loss of recently learned skills, or unsteady walking.

If any of these symptoms appear after a head injury, medical evaluation should be sought immediately. Symptoms that worsen over time, particularly severe headaches, repeated vomiting, seizures, or loss of consciousness, require emergency care.

"Every case is about people first. We never lose sight of that." 

— Emily Strak, Attorney, Brain Injury Law Center

Common Causes of Concussion

Concussions happen in many types of accidents and incidents. When another party's negligence caused the injury, legal action may be available to recover compensation for the harm done. Common causes include:

• Car, truck, and motorcycle accidents. The force of a collision, even at low speeds, can cause the brain to move violently inside the skull. Whiplash alone can generate enough force to cause a concussion without any direct impact to the head.
• Slip and fall accidents. Falls on unsafe surfaces, poorly maintained property, or wet floors are a leading cause of concussions, particularly among older adults. Property owners who fail to maintain safe conditions can be held liable for injuries that result.
• Workplace accidents. Falls from heights, being struck by falling objects, and machinery-related accidents are common causes of workplace concussions. Workers in construction, manufacturing, and warehousing face elevated risk.
• Sports and recreational injuries. Contact sports, cycling, skiing, and other activities carry concussion risk, particularly when proper equipment is not provided or safety protocols are not followed.
• Assault and violent incidents. Intentional acts that result in a concussion may support both criminal and civil legal action.
• Medical negligence. Failure to diagnose or treat a concussion appropriately can worsen the injury and create independent grounds for a claim.

If a concussion has affected your ability to work, think, or function, you may have legal options. The Brain Injury Law Center has recovered more than $1 billion for brain injury survivors nationwide and has spent nearly five decades handling these cases exclusively. 

Call (757) 244-7000 or contact our concussion attorneys online for a free case review.

Dangers of Multiple Concussions

A single concussion can have lasting effects. When a second concussion occurs before the brain has fully recovered from the first, the risks increase significantly.

Second Impact Syndrome

Second impact syndrome occurs when a person sustains a second concussion before recovering from an earlier one. The brain loses its ability to regulate blood flow and pressure, which can cause rapid and catastrophic swelling. 

This condition carries a mortality rate that can exceed 50% and has been documented in athletes, accident victims, and others who returned to activity too quickly.

Cumulative Cognitive Damage

Repeated concussions, even mild ones, are associated with accelerated cognitive decline. Research has linked a history of multiple concussions to increased risk of depression, memory loss, and neurodegenerative conditions including Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE).

Longer Recovery with Each Injury

Each subsequent concussion typically requires a longer recovery period than the one before it. A person with three or more documented concussions is significantly more likely to develop post-concussion syndrome and long-term cognitive deficits than someone sustaining a first-time injury.

When a person has a known concussion history and sustains another concussion due to someone else's negligence, that history is relevant to the legal claim. Prior injuries do not eliminate liability. They can, in fact, demonstrate a more serious harm.

Compensation a Concussion Attorney Can Help You Pursue

The compensation available in a concussion case depends on the severity of the injury, how it has affected daily life, and what the injury has cost financially. A concussion claim can include:

• Medical expenses. Emergency care, imaging, specialist visits, neuropsychological evaluation, cognitive therapy, and any ongoing treatment are all recoverable. Future medical needs are also considered, particularly in cases involving post-concussion syndrome or persistent cognitive deficits.
• Lost income and earning capacity. Time missed from work during recovery, reduced hours, and the inability to return to a prior role are all documented and pursued as part of the claim. For those whose cognitive or physical limitations affect long-term earning ability, vocational and economic experts calculate the full extent of that loss.
• Pain and suffering. Headaches, cognitive fog, emotional distress, sleep disruption, and the frustration of a changed daily life all factor into non-economic damages. These are not minor considerations. In serious concussion cases, pain and suffering damages can represent a significant portion of the total recovery.
• Loss of enjoyment of life. When a concussion limits a person's ability to participate in activities, hobbies, or relationships they previously valued, those losses are compensable.
• Punitive damages. In cases involving particularly reckless or egregious conduct, punitive damages may be available. These are designed to punish the responsible party and deter similar conduct.

The value of a concussion claim depends heavily on how the injury is documented and presented. According to a Martindale-Nolo Research personal injury survey, injured people who hired a lawyer recovered nearly three time more compared to those who handled their claims alone. 

While every concussion case is different, the data reflects an important reality: insurance companies often undervalue brain injuries, especially when symptoms are invisible, delayed, or difficult to measure.

Brain Injury Law Center Concussion Case Results

The Brain Injury Law Center has recovered significant results for clients who suffered concussions and mild traumatic brain injuries as a result of negligence. These results are not a guarantee of any particular outcome.

$12.26 Million — Slip and Fall 

The largest slip and fall verdict in Virginia history. This case involved a man who suffered a mild traumatic brain injury during a fall. The verdict reflects the long-term impact a concussion can have on a person's life, even when the initial injury was classified as mild.

$1 Million — Falling Shelf 

A nurse suffered a mild traumatic brain injury in a physician's office when a shelf fell and struck her head in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The settlement recognized both the physical injury and the professional impact on her ability to work.

Learn More: Brain Injury Litigation Podcast

David Holt, a partner at the Brain Injury Law Center, discusses traumatic brain injury litigation in depth. Listen to the episode here: