Did you or a loved one suffer a blow to the head? You must get immediate medical attention. Any head injury is a serious concern. You may be wondering: How common is memory loss after a head injury? The short answer is that it is a relatively common impairment, especially short-term memory loss. At the same time, any memory loss is a serious matter that indicates a potential concussion and/or traumatic brain injury (TBI). Here, our Anderson personal injury lawyer discusses head injury, memory loss, and your rights and options after a bad accident in South Carolina.
Memory Loss After Head Injury (Relatively Common)
Memory impairment is one of the most common symptoms after a head injury. If you are dealing with it in some form, you are certainly not alone. In fact, even a seemingly “mild” concussion can disrupt normal brain function and interfere with the ability to form or retrieve memories.
Short-term memory loss occurs frequently because the brain’s temporal lobes and frontal systems are highly sensitive to trauma. As a consequence, injured victims may forget details of the accident, conversations, or events that occur immediately after the impact. Beyond that, victims may also experience difficulty concentrating, confusion, irritability, or delayed recall.
In South Carolina, medical professionals treat any memory disturbance as a sign of acute neurological dysfunction. The underlying mechanism is often a biochemical disruption or shearing of neural connections. Loss of consciousness increases the likelihood of memory loss, but memory loss can (and does) still happen even if a person remains awake and alert through the accident.
You Need Immediate Medical Care for a Head Injury
Any blow to the head should be taken seriously. Immediate medical attention is a must for injured victims. A comprehensive medical evaluation by a licensed doctor should be viewed as a mandatory step for a person who has experienced memory loss after a head injury. In some cases, immediate emergency medical care, including a trip to the nearest hospital, is required. Doctors who treat these injuries may use neurological exams, cognitive tests, and imaging when appropriate to assess the extent of impairment. In South Carolina, doctors also often order CT scans to rule out bleeding or swelling. MRI may follow if symptoms persist or worsen.
Clear medical documentation protects both health and legal rights. Memory loss can complicate the victim’s ability to describe what happened. A doctor’s assessment anchors the timeline and provides objective evidence of the connection between the trauma and the neurological injury. Follow-up care is equally important. Symptoms may evolve, and continued monitoring helps identify subtle deficits. With serious head injuries, some form of physical therapy or cognitive therapy may also be needed.
Note: You will need medical records to be able to pursue a personal injury claim in South Carolina. If you do not have medical documentation, the defendant or insurance company will almost certainly deny your claim. In other words, it is important to see a doctor after suffering a head injury in an accident in South Carolina for both legal reasons and medical reasons.
What to Know About Brain Injury, Memory Loss, and Financial Compensation
South Carolina follows a fault-based system for most types of personal injury claims, including those that cause concussions and/or traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). A victim who suffers memory loss because of another party’s negligence has the right to seek compensation for all related damages. Along with other types of damages, this includes medical expenses, diagnostic imaging, specialist care, rehabilitation, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, and pain and suffering. Memory impairment can increase the value of a claim because it reflects direct disruption of brain function. A person dealing with a memory issue may have to take considerable time off from work to recover.
Future damages are another key issue. Memory loss may affect long-term cognitive function, employment, and safety. South Carolina law permits recovery for future medical care and future loss of earning capacity when supported by expert testimony. A structured life-care plan can quantify the cost of ongoing treatment, therapy, or support services. Since memory injuries may worsen under stress or create lifelong vulnerabilities, long-range planning matters. With a serious brain injury, you must have a top attorney on your side.
Note: Personal injury claims are time-sensitive in South Carolina. Concussion and TBI cases are no exception to the rule. There is a three-year statute of limitations (S.C. Code § 15-3-530(5)). If you fail to initiate your claim on time, you could lose out on your right to recover compensation at all. Be proactive: Consult with an Anderson personal injury lawyer right away.
Why Trust Our Anderson Personal Injury Lawyers for a Brain Injury Case
Traumatic brain injury claims are complicated. They can be especially difficult to navigate for a person who is enduring memory loss or other cognitive challenges. At McCravy, Newlon & Clardy Law Firm P.A., we put victims and families first. Our case results and client testimonials tell the story best. We are proud to serve Anderson.
Contact Our Anderson Head Injury Attorney for a Free Case Review
At McCravy, Newlon & Clardy Law Firm P.A., our Anderson traumatic brain injury lawyer is standing by, ready to protect your rights and your interests. If you have any questions about a head injury claim, we can help. Contact us today for a free case review. It is our mission to fight for the maximum financial support for victims.