Concussions can be particularly expensive injuries, as victims may be unable to work or engage in normal daily activities as they recover. This makes obtaining a good settlement crucial for victims, whether they suffer mild or severe concussions.
The average settlement for a concussion varies, depending on the concussion’s grade classification and the length of the recovery period. A concussion can prevent you from working many kinds of jobs, and you might be out of work for weeks or months as you rest and heal. A fair settlement should include damages for medical expenses, lost wages or reduced earning capacity, and pain and suffering, which often accompany traumatic brain injuries.
Call Rice Law’s Maryland personal injury lawyers at (410) 694-7291 to get your free case discussion.
What is the Average Settlement for the Different Grades of a Concussion?
Concussions can range in severity, and the average settlement amounts for these injuries typically reflect that.
Grade 1 Concussion
A Grade 1 concussion is generally considered a mild concussion. Common symptoms include headaches and dizziness. Victims who sustain Grade 1 concussions generally do not lose consciousness, but they may still have to go to the doctor to receive diagnostic testing.
The average settlement for a Grade 1 concussion is generally lower than that of more severe head injuries. However, you may still recover thousands of dollars in compensation for all medical treatment and other damages.
Common causes of Grade 1 concussions include rear-end collisions and trip and fall accidents. If you hit your head at all during an accident, get assessed for a possible Grade 1 concussion.
Grade 2 Concussion
Grade 2 concussions are moderate brain injuries that typically yield larger settlements than Grade 1 concussions. Symptoms associated with Grade 2 concussions may last for weeks, and often include confusion, disorientation, brief memory loss, ringing in the ears, irritability, fatigue, and balance issues.
Grade 2 concussions may require several weeks of rest to heal, and you may be unable to work in any capacity during this period.
Grade 3 Concussion
On average, victims who suffer Grade 3 concussions receive the largest settlements for this kind of brain injury. Symptoms of Grade 3 concussions include loss of consciousness, amnesia, severe headaches, blurred vision, slurred speech, and severe vomiting, all of which can negatively affect your quality of life.
You may need more neuroimaging for doctors to diagnose a Grade 3 concussion, which leads to more expensive medical damages. In general, the best treatment for a concussion, regardless of grade, is rest. For the most serious concussions, it may be weeks or months before victims can return to their previous lifestyle, workplace responsibilities, and normal hobbies.
What Factors Affect Concussion Settlements in Maryland?
We can assess all the factors that typically affect concussion settlement amounts to gauge the value of your case.
Inability to Work
Doctors often warn victims against returning to work immediately after sustaining a concussion, even a mild one. The nature of your work may prevent you from returning sooner, such as if you work a physically demanding job.
Those who suffer Grade 2 or 3 concussions may be unable to work for months because of brain injuries. You should not rush your return to work, as this could complicate your case and make it harder to recover compensation for lost wages.
Severity of Injury
The more severe an injury is, the more medical treatment and observation it may require. Severe concussions can bring many symptoms that make the recovery process even more challenging for victims and contribute to their pain and suffering or reduced quality of life since an accident.
You should never downplay a concussion, no matter the grade. These brain injuries can be seriously debilitating for long periods of time, and even mild concussions may warrant compensation.
Contributory Negligence
In Maryland, contributory negligence bars victims who contribute to their injuries from pursuing compensation. A negligent party might try to cite your involvement in the accident as a reason to decrease settlement offers. Our Baltimore personal injury lawyers can assess your case to determine whether contributory negligence might be an issue and develop a plan to address the opposing side’s arguments.
What Should Be Included in the Average Settlement for a Concussion in Maryland?
Average settlements for concussions generally help victims cover their medical bills, missed wages, and non-economic damages.
Medical Bills
An average settlement for a concussion should cover all the medical bills associated with the injury. After a car accident, fall, or other incident where you hit your head or lose consciousness, you should go straight to the hospital. Your future settlement should cover bills from an emergency room visit, as well as any expenses from subsequent diagnostic tests or appointments with neurologists.
Lost Wages
Concussions are serious brain injuries that require rest and relaxation to heal. Because of this, doctors generally advise victims with concussions against returning to work until their symptoms alleviate and the injury has healed. This varies from person to person and grade to grade, so there is no average amount victims typically receive for lost wages or reduced earning capacity due to concussions.
Pain and Suffering
Concussions may be invisible injuries that often cause considerable non-economic damages. Not only might you experience pain and discomfort from headaches and other frustrating symptoms, but you might also see your quality of life go down while you recover. A concussion might prevent you from working, playing with your kids, or engaging in your favorite hobbies, all of which can negatively impact your quality of life.
Non-economic damages should be part of your settlement, and you shouldn’t sign an agreement that leaves out compensation for pain and suffering.
Get a Good Settlement for a Concussion in Maryland with Our Help
You can reach our Columbia, MD personal injury lawyers for a free case review by calling Rice Law today at (410) 694-7291.