“You’re fine. Walk it off.” People say it after fender benders, falls, and sports hits every day. But a concussion is a brain injury — the medical term is mild traumatic brain injury (mild TBI). And “mild” describes the initial exam, not what your life may look like for the next six months.
If someone else’s negligence gave you a concussion, you have real rights. The Burkett Law Firm has represented brain injury victims in the Coastal Bend since 1960. Call 361-738-5548 or visit our Corpus Christi brain injury lawyer page to learn more.
| 214,110
TBI-related hospitalizations in the U.S. in a single year |
190
TBI-related deaths per day in the U.S. |
Many more
Concussions treated only in ERs and clinics — or never treated at all — aren’t counted in these totals |
| Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), TBI Data | ||
What Actually Happens in a Concussion
Your brain floats inside your skull. A sudden jolt — a crash, a fall, a hit — slams it against bone. The impact stretches brain cells and disrupts brain chemistry.
Because the damage is chemical and microscopic, standard CT scans usually look normal — which is exactly why concussions get dismissed as “just a bump.”
Here is the key point: you do not have to hit your head. Whiplash-type forces alone can concuss you. And you do not have to black out. Most concussions involve no loss of consciousness at all.
Symptoms to Watch For
Concussion symptoms often appear hours or days after the injury:
- Physical: headaches, dizziness, nausea, sensitivity to light and noise, blurred vision
- Cognitive: brain fog, memory gaps, trouble concentrating, slowed thinking
- Emotional: irritability, anxiety, sadness, mood swings
- Sleep: sleeping much more, much less, or poorly
Get emergency care for repeated vomiting, worsening headache, seizures, slurred speech, one pupil larger than the other, or unusual drowsiness. These can signal bleeding in the brain.
Post-Concussion Syndrome: When “Mild” Lasts Months
Most people recover within a few weeks. Many do not. Post-concussion syndrome can drag symptoms out for months or longer — headaches that will not quit, focus problems that wreck your workday, mood changes that strain your family.
The financial toll compounds too: missed work, reduced hours, medical visits, and childcare help all add up while the insurer insists nothing is wrong. Those losses are compensable — if they are documented.
A second concussion before the first heals is even more dangerous. That is why proper diagnosis, rest, and follow-up care matter so much.
Common Causes We See in Corpus Christi
- Car accidents — including rear-end collisions where the head never touches anything
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Falls at work, in stores, and on unsafe property
★★★★★ “Thank you for the help with my car accident. Your team does great work and I could not have gotten through this without you. Great accident lawyers! I recommend them to everyone hurt in an accident.” — Paul E., Burkett Law Firm client
Why Insurance Companies Fight Concussion Claims
Concussions do not show up on most standard scans. Insurers exploit that: no visible injury, no payment. We counter with the evidence that does prove concussions:
- Medical records documenting symptoms from day one
- Neuropsychological testing
- Testimony from treating doctors and specialists
- Work records and witness accounts showing how you changed
This is why seeing a doctor immediately — and reporting every symptom — protects both your health and your claim.
Concussion Recovery: What Doctors Generally Recommend
Recovery is not “tough it out.” Modern concussion care follows a pattern:
- Relative rest early — reduced screens, work, and physical exertion in the first days
- Gradual return — stepping back into work, school, and exercise as symptoms allow
- Follow-up care — reporting symptoms honestly so treatment can adjust
- Specialist referrals — neurology, vestibular therapy, or vision therapy for stubborn symptoms
Following the plan protects your brain. It also creates the medical record that makes your claim provable. Skipped appointments become the insurer’s favorite exhibit.
Concussions Hit Some People Harder
Children and teens often need longer, carefully managed recoveries — especially before returning to sports. Older adults face higher risks of complications, including slow bleeding in the brain that can appear days after a fall or crash. Anyone on blood thinners should be evaluated immediately after any head impact, even a seemingly minor one. When another person’s negligence caused the injury, these heightened risks and longer recoveries belong in the claim’s value — not brushed aside.
Concussion Injury FAQs
I didn’t go to the ER after my crash. Is my claim ruined?
No, but see a doctor now. Delayed symptoms are medically normal after concussions. The sooner you document them, the harder they are to dispute.
What is a concussion case worth?
It depends on how long symptoms last and how they affect your work and life. Lingering post-concussion syndrome can support significant compensation for medical care, lost income, and suffering.
Can I claim a concussion if my scan was normal?
Yes. Concussions are diagnosed by symptoms and clinical exams, not just imaging. A normal CT does not mean you are fine — it means you likely do not have a brain bleed.
How long do I have to file in Texas?
Generally two years from the injury. Start documenting now, even if you have not decided whether to pursue a claim.
How is a concussion different from a severe TBI?
Severity is graded by the initial exam — length of unconsciousness, memory loss, and responsiveness. Moderate and severe TBIs involve longer unconsciousness and often visible damage on imaging. But the label describes the beginning, not the outcome: a “mild” concussion with lasting symptoms can disrupt life more than expected, and it deserves the same serious medical and legal attention. Our brain injury lawyers handle the full spectrum.
Take Your Head Injury Seriously — We Do
Get checked, follow up, and let us handle the insurance company. Call 361-738-5548 or schedule a free consultation with our personal injury team today.
