Memory loss can be one of the most concerning symptoms after a concussion. You may struggle to remember what happened immediately before an accident, forget conversations afterward, or have difficulty retaining new information. Even when a concussion is considered a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI), its effects can interfere with work, school, relationships, and everyday activities.
If your concussion and memory problems were caused by someone else’s negligence in Friendswood, Texas, you may have grounds to pursue compensation through a personal injury claim. Understanding the connection between concussions and memory loss can help you recognize the seriousness of your injury and protect your legal rights.
Can a Concussion Cause Memory Loss?
Yes. A concussion can cause problems with both short-term and long-term memory. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identifies memory problems, difficulty concentrating, feeling mentally slowed down, and trouble thinking clearly as potential symptoms of a mild TBI or concussion.
Memory problems can look different from person to person.
For example, someone with a concussion might:
- Have no memory of the accident itself
- Forget events immediately before or after the injury
- Have trouble remembering recent conversations
- Forget appointments, names, or instructions
- Struggle to learn or retain new information
- Frequently lose track of everyday items
- Need more time to recall familiar information
These problems can be frustrating and may not always be obvious to other people. In fact, the CDC notes that concussion symptoms can sometimes be overlooked by the injured person, family members, or even healthcare providers.
What Types of Memory Loss Can Occur After a Concussion?
Concussions can affect memory in several ways. One common problem is post-traumatic amnesia, which involves confusion or an inability to remember events surrounding the injury.
A person might also experience retrograde amnesia, meaning they cannot remember events that happened before the concussion. For example, someone injured in a car accident might remember leaving home that morning but have no memory of the minutes immediately before the collision.
Anterograde amnesia affects the ability to create new memories after an injury. Someone might repeatedly ask the same question or forget a conversation that occurred only a few minutes earlier.
Other people retain their memories but notice that recalling information takes longer or requires much more effort than it did before their concussion.
How Long Can Memory Problems Last After a Concussion?
There is no single recovery timeline for concussion-related memory loss. Symptoms can improve relatively quickly for some people, while others experience cognitive difficulties for a longer period.
The nature of the accident, severity of the brain injury, previous concussions, and individual health factors can all affect recovery. Other concussion symptoms can also make memory problems more difficult to manage.
For example, headaches, sleep problems, difficulty concentrating, dizziness, irritability, and fatigue may interfere with a person’s ability to process and retain information. The CDC recognizes these as possible symptoms associated with mild TBI and concussion.
What Accidents Can Cause Concussion-Related Memory Loss in Friendswood?
A concussion can occur when an impact or sudden movement causes the brain to move rapidly within the skull. You do not necessarily need to lose consciousness to sustain one.
Accidents that may result in concussions include:
- Car accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian and bicycle crashes
- Commercial truck accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Workplace accidents
- Sports and recreational accidents
- Assaults
A concussion can also occur without a direct blow to the head. For example, the force generated by a motor vehicle collision may cause the head and brain to move violently even if the person’s head does not strike the steering wheel, dashboard, or another object.
When Should I Seek Medical Attention for Memory Loss?
Memory problems following a head injury should be taken seriously. A healthcare professional can evaluate your symptoms, determine whether further testing is appropriate, and provide guidance about your recovery.
Certain symptoms may indicate a more serious brain injury and require emergency medical attention. The CDC advises seeking immediate emergency care for concussion danger signs, which can include worsening headaches, repeated vomiting, seizures, increasing confusion, unusual behavior, slurred speech, weakness or numbness, or difficulty waking up.
Medical documentation can also become important if another person’s negligence caused the injury. Records describing your symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and progress may help establish the extent of your injuries in a personal injury claim.
What Compensation Is Available for Concussion-Related Memory Loss?
If another party caused your concussion through negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for the losses resulting from your injury.
Depending on your circumstances, damages could include compensation for:
- Emergency and hospital treatment
- Doctor and specialist visits
- Diagnostic testing
- Rehabilitation and therapy
- Lost wages
- Reduced future earning ability
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
The value of a concussion claim depends on the specific effects of the injury. Persistent memory problems may be particularly important when they interfere with someone’s ability to perform their job, complete an education, care for family members, or live independently.
How Long Do I Have to File a Concussion Injury Lawsuit in Texas?
Texas generally gives injured people two years to file a personal injury lawsuit. Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003, a personal injury action generally must be brought within two years after the claim accrues.
However, exceptions can change the deadline in certain situations. Claims involving government entities may also involve additional notice requirements and much shorter deadlines.
Contact a Friendswood Personal Injury Lawyer at The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Memory loss after a concussion can affect your work, relationships, and daily life. If someone else’s negligence caused your injury, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. Contact The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers today at (281) 992-8633 for a free consultation with a Friendswood personal injury lawyer.
