Invisible Brain Injuries Can Have Lifelong Consequences

Lindsay Corley lost control of her car in a freak snowstorm in February 2012 and crashed into a median. She walked away from the accident, thinking she was fine. But a week later, her real condition became apparent. She was nauseous and could not sleep or concentrate.

Suspecting that Lindsay had a concussion, a friend suggested that she make an appointment with a doctor. Lindsay had thought that a concussion was not possible because she did not lose consciousness after the accident. Many “minor” concussions like Lindsay’s do not cause loss of consciousness or show up on MRIs, but they can still change a person’s life.

Most concussions heal within weeks or months of the accident, but Lindsay’s did not. She could not follow conversations, and would blurt out something that was not relevant. A journalist and graduate student, she could not read a sentence. Her eyes tried to read the letters on the page top to bottom, rather than left to right. Her balance and coordination were shaky. She needed help to do almost anything.

A year later, thanks to intensive therapies and medical procedures, her doctors say that she is 85 percent better. However, Lindsay does not know if she will ever have the same abilities as she did before the accident.

Many brain injury patients do not have access to the kind of care that Lindsay received. Indeed, even with the best medical care available, patients can be left with severe problems. If you or someone you love has suffered a brain injury, you need to consult a qualified brain injury attorney to discuss whether you can recover damages for your injuries. Success in court may make it possible for you to obtain the care you need and move on with your life.