For many people who suffer a slip-and-fall injury, it's tempting to brush it off and dismiss any concerns about your well-being. After all, you might feel embarrassed about the fall or you don't like having attention drawn to you. However, it's important that you understand the risk of concussions after a fall and why your personal injury lawyer wants you to seek a medical assessment right away.

Concussions are not always immediately apparent

Since a concussion diagnosis could directly affect your medical costs, future treatment considerations, and the details of any personal injury claim, it's important to understand that concussions are not always obvious from the start. In fact, some symptoms may take a couple of days to appear. The sooner you seek medical care to determine if you have a head injury, the sooner it's documented even if you don't notice the symptoms yet.

Early diagnosis reduces questions of validity

A delayed concussion diagnosis could be called into question in court. The more time that passes between the fall and your concussion diagnosis, the greater the chance that the responsible party's attorney could claim that you suffered that concussion somewhere else after your fall. If you want to be sure that you can hold the responsible party accountable, make sure you seek medical care as soon as possible and let them know what happened so they can assess your concussion risks.

Delayed treatment can worsen your condition

The sooner you seek a diagnosis for your concussion, the better your chances are for a full recovery. If you wait and you've suffered a severe concussion, you might find your symptoms worsening, which could lead to prolonged recovery periods or long-term complications. The responsible party may be able to claim that your ongoing treatment costs are not their responsibility because you delayed treatment. That's why your personal injury lawyer will recommend a medical evaluation right away after your fall.

The more documentation you have, the better

One thing that every personal injury lawyer will tell you is that you need to document your injuries, your treatment plan, the care you have received, and the effects the incident has had on your life. Seeking a diagnosis for your concussion puts your medical examination on the record, which ensures that you have the records to support your claim.

These are just a few things that your personal injury lawyer will want you to consider if you are injured in a slip-and-fall accident. Remember that concussions can occur even if you don't directly strike your head, so be mindful of the risks and seek medical care as soon as possible. 

Contact a local personal injury lawyer to learn more.