Last Updated: 1/25/2023

MRI of Brain after head injury at work in IowaConcussions are a common type of head injury if you are in a car accident or even hurt at work. They are usually caused by a blow to the head or a high impact event.  It doesn’t necessarily have to be directly to the head--sudden acceleration or deceleration of the head such as in a car accident can also cause a concussion.  Depending on how hard you were hit in the head, your concussion may be minor or major.  However, regardless of how hard you were hit, it will temporarily affect the way your brain works.

How Can a Concussion Affect Me?

A concussion can affect many different bodily functions, including:

• Speech
• Balance
• Coordination
• Memory
• Judgment
• Reflexes

Will You Know If You Have a Concussion?

If you get a concussion you may not even know it. Most people who do receive concussions don’t black out. You should watch for the symptoms of a concussion any time you take a blow to your head. Two major symptoms are confusion and amnesia. However, you may have a headache, dizziness, ringing of the ears, nausea or vomiting, slurred speech, and fatigue. Sometimes certain symptoms may not show up right away.  It make take hours or days for certain symptoms to be present, such as:

• Irritability
• Depression
• Sleep disturbances
• Memory problems
• Concentration problems
• Sensitivity to light and noise

Should I Go to the Doctor Right Away?

If you were involved in a car or work accident where the injury to your head was minor and you aren’t having symptoms other than minor pain, you may not have to be seen by a doctor.  Most concussions get better on their own. However, some concussions are more serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms after a head injury you should be seen by your doctor immediately:

• Prolonged headache or dizziness
• Ringing in the ears
• Loss of smell or taste
• Impaired balance
• Vision or eye disturbances
• Prolonged memory loss

If you do go see your doctor for a head injury you will most likely need to have a CT scan done so your doctor is able to get a good look at your brain and determine how severe your injury is.  If your doctor does conclude that you have a concussion, the best thing you can do is get plenty of rest because it takes time for your brain to heal. You can take over-the-counter pain relievers with acetaminophen for any headaches. You may also want to take it easy at work or while playing sports for a little while if that was how you got hurt.  Recovery can take time, so be patient about feeling better.

Learn More if You Have Been Injured at Work and Have a Concussion

To receive a free book entitled "Iowa Workers' Compensation - An Insider's Guide to Work Injuries" which describes Iowa work injuries, including the "7 Mistakes To Avoid If You Are Hurt At Work" Call Now 641-792-3595 or log onto www.IowaWorkInjury.comWhy offer a Book at No Cost?  Iowa workers' compensation attorney Corey J. L. Walker practices primarily in workers' compensation law and has represented hundreds of Iowans hurt at work and has seen too many clients from Des Moines, Ankeny, Cedar Rapids and throughout the state of Iowa make mistakes before they had the “right” information about work injuries, resulting in them losing thousands of dollars.  Iowans hurt at work are beginning to realize that the insurance company is not there to help them and that they should have someone on their side.  For immediate assistance, contact us online or call 641-792-3595 and ask for Corey or Erik. 

Corey Walker
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With over 28 years legal experience, Corey has been recognized for his work as an injury attorney.