Brain Injury Lawyer in Alpharetta, GA

Why these injuries get missed

Many traumatic brain injuries, especially concussions and other “mild” TBIs, do not show up on a CT scan or a standard MRI. The scan is looking for bleeding and swelling. A brain injury can disrupt how the brain works without producing either.

And the symptoms often arrive late. Someone leaves the ER with a clean scan and a diagnosis of “bumped head”. Over the following days come headaches that will not go away, trouble concentrating, irritability, sensitivity to light and noise, or poor sleep. By then, the insurer’s position is already forming: the scan was normal.

The CDC’s guide to mild TBI and concussion explains how these injuries are diagnosed and why prompt medical care matters for recovery.

Symptoms to take seriously

• Headaches that persist or worsen
• Difficulty concentrating, finding words, or following conversations
• Memory problems — forgetting appointments, losing track mid-task
• Dizziness and balance problems
• Sensitivity to light or noise
• Mood changes — irritability, anxiety, depression
• Sleeping much more or much less than usual

If you notice these after a crash or fall, go back to the doctor and say so specifically. Then keep a written record of what you notice and when.

How brain injuries are proven

Because imaging is often normal, these claims are built from other evidence:

• Neuropsychological testing, which measures memory, attention, processing speed and other functions, and can show deficits a scan cannot.
• A neurologist’s evaluation, and in more serious cases, advanced imaging.
• People who knew you before. Family, coworkers and friends who can describe the change in concrete terms are often the most persuasive evidence in the case.
• Work records — missed deadlines, reduced hours, a changed role.

The long tail

Most concussions resolve within weeks. Some do not. Post-concussion symptoms can last months or longer, and more serious brain injuries can permanently affect someone’s ability to work. That is exactly why a brain injury claim should not be valued early — the outcome is not knowable until the recovery has played out. See catastrophic injuries for how long-term costs are valued.

How these injuries happen

Car and truck crashes, including relatively low-speed ones — the brain moves inside the skull even without the head striking anything. Falls. Motorcycle and bicycle crashes. Pedestrian impacts. Assaults. Workplace accidents, where a workers’ compensation claim may run alongside a claim against whoever else was responsible.

Deadline

Generally two years from the injury to file suit (O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33). Do not let a slow recovery run the clock out.

Related: catastrophic injuries · car accidents · motorcycle accidents

Common questions

Can I have a brain injury if my CT scan was normal?

Yes. CT scans look for bleeding and swelling, and many concussions and other mild brain injuries show neither. A normal scan does not rule out a brain injury.

What symptoms should I watch for after a crash or fall?

Headaches that persist or get worse, trouble concentrating or finding words, memory problems, dizziness, sensitivity to light or noise, mood changes and changes in sleep. If they appear, go back to the doctor and name them specifically.

How is a brain injury proven without a positive scan?

Through neuropsychological testing, a neurologist's evaluation, work records, and people who knew you before the injury and can describe the change.

Can a low-speed crash cause a brain injury?

Yes. The brain can move inside the skull even when the head does not strike anything.

When should a brain injury claim be valued?

Not until recovery has played out. Most concussions resolve within weeks, but some symptoms last months or longer, and the claim should reflect the real outcome.