Though it has entered the vernacular to describe a variety of head or brain injuries, “concussion” is a medical term that refers to a specific type of brain injury in which the victim has experienced a temporary loss of brain function because of trauma to the head. This loss of function may never recover, leading to long-term damage. As such, claiming for compensation that involves a concussion can be complicated.

A concussion is caused by the brain rapidly impacting the skull, and can result in headaches and neck pain similar to that experienced in whiplash. The victim may also experience ringing in his or her ears, bouts of dizziness and fatigue. It is essential to seek medical counsel, even if you feel that your symptoms are minor: they could be indicative of a larger problem that would deteriorate without intervention. Things such as imbalance and amnesia can often develop after the initial injury.

Medical treatment should be your first priority, though it is advisable to contact a solicitor as soon as possible after the accident occurred if your concussion was the result of negligence.

Steps in Recovering Compensation for a Concussion

As in any personal injuries claim, you should first file with the Injuries Board Ireland for assessment. The initial report should contain medical records detailing the nature of your injuries and how they were sustained. The application should also contain an “Accident Report” from the Gardaí or your employer (where applicable). This should also describe any expenses incurred by the accident.

The Injuries Board will then assess the claim and make a recommendation for a settlement of compensation based off of figures in the Book of Quantum, a reference guide for the calculating compensation for a variety of injuries. Injury claims are often resolved through out-of-negotiations, though if these negotiations break down, the claim then proceed to the courts for resolution.

Concussion Compensation Claims: A Summary

Though many concussions are mild, they often do not present their full range of symptoms for a while after the accident that caused them occurred. These can have potentially life-changing consequences, and as such it is strongly advised that anyone that has experienced head trauma seek medical counsel as soon as possible after the trauma has occurred. Once your health has been attended to, you should then consult a solicitor concerning the recovery of compensation. He or she will help advise you on any legal proceedings, and can give you counsel on any assessments of compensation made by the Injuries Board.