Concussions can affect general function, memory, and mood, which makes working many jobs difficult or impossible. Concussions vary greatly in terms of severity and time it takes to heal and, if not properly treated, the after-effects can be life altering. It is essential to take proper care of yourself if you have sustained a concussion.
Do You Have a Concussion?
You may start to experience concussion symptoms immediately after a head injury occurs or they may take a few days to develop, so pay attention to how you are feeling after an accident, even if you think that you do not have a concussion at first. If you experience any unusual symptoms after head trauma, go to a doctor immediately.
Post-concussion syndrome can last weeks, months, or even years. Symptoms very greatly from one person to another, so everyone’s experience is different, but often include some of the following:
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Behavioural changes
- Headaches
- Depression
- Sensitivity to light and/or noise
- Dizziness
- Memory loss
- Inability to focus
What Do You Do if You Have a Concussion?
You will likely need to take at least a few days off work if you get a concussion. Depending on the extent of your concussion, you may need to be off work for a couple of weeks or several months. This can mean missing out on a significant amount of your regular income.
After sustaining a concussion, what the brain needs most is rest and sufficient time to heal. If proper rest does not take place, healing can be stunted and delayed. When recovering from a concussion or other traumatic brain injury, you should avoid physically demanding activities as well as activities that require deep concentration.
Talk to your doctor about whether or not you can work. You may be able to work part time, only do certain tasks, or do your regular work day with more frequent, longer breaks added. Your doctor can talk to your employer to explain the extent of your injury and help come up with an alternate work plan that makes sense for you.
Make sure that you talk to a reliable personal injury lawyer if you are missing work due to concussion. At Hoogbruin & Company, we offer Consultations so we can help you determine whether you have a case and what your next steps should be.