Concussions and Dementia

If you suffered a concussion in a car accident, fall, or some other incident, you should be aware that recent research suggests your concussion could have a significant impact on your future. In particular, the research tends to suggest that your chances of developing dementia are increased if you have had a concussion.

The brain injury lawyers at the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe fight to protect injured and disabled individuals by working to obtain compensation to help put people back on their feet and improve their lives after serious injuries. Here is what you should know about concussions and their impact on your risk of dementia.

The Research Shows a Strong Connection Between Concussions & Dementia

A recent study from the University of California San Francisco (UCSF), in cooperation with the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Health System, has revealed a shocking link between concussion and dementia. To reach this conclusion, researchers followed 357,558 veterans over roughly four years. Of those studied, the average age was 49, and approximately half of them had a traumatic brain injury (TBI) diagnosis. Interestingly, however, of that group, 54% had suffered a concussion during their lifetimes.

How Researchers Came to this Conclusion

The researchers broke the group into three distinct subgroups of veterans with head injuries:

• Group 1: Mild Concussion. Those who suffered a blow to the head but did not lose consciousness.
• Group 2: Moderate Concussion. Those who lost consciousness for up to 30 minutes.
• Group 3: Serious/Severe Concussion. Those who lost consciousness more than 30 minutes.

The Results

As it turns out, those veterans who never lost consciousness from a head injury were still almost twice as likely to suffer from dementia as those who never had a concussion. Those in groups 2 and 3 were as much as four times as likely to develop dementia, when compared to the general population. Notably, however, all groups had an elevated statistical risk of dementia. This tends to show that concussions – even mild ones without any loss of consciousness – can have long-term and tragic consequences. The underlying conclusion to be drawn from the research seems to be that there is no such thing as a “minor concussion.” All concussions carry severe consequences for the victims.

Getting Help After a Traumatic Brain Injury

Insurance companies often try to downplay the significance or seriousness of a concussion. Adjusters may try to argue that being knocked dizzy or feeling a little woozy is no big deal. You got better, you moved one, and you are not in pain, right? They will try to suggest that this means your problems are over and you should not be compensated very much for your injuries.

At Cohen & Jaffe, LLP, our Long Island head injury lawyers recognize that as research continues, we are beginning to see that concussions, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), and other types of head injuries can all have serious effects that last a lifetime. If you have suffered a head trauma and suspect concussion, call for a free consultation to discuss your injuries. The consultation is free, and we never collect a fee unless we can recover compensation on your behalf. Do not delay; strict deadlines may bar you from recovering if you wait too long. Free consultation 24/7.

For a free legal consultation, call 516-358-6900