A concussion can support a New York personal injury claim when another person, property owner, driver, business, contractor, school, or healthcare provider caused or contributed to the injury. A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury, and symptoms can affect memory, focus, balance, mood, sleep, work, and daily life. Porter Law Group represents concussion injury victims in Syracuse, Central New York, and throughout New York State.
Concussions are often dismissed as minor because they may not leave a visible mark. That can make the injury frustrating for people who look “fine” but cannot work, drive, read, focus, tolerate light, sleep normally, or manage daily responsibilities the way they did before the accident.
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
If you or someone you love suffered a concussion because of negligence, call Porter Law Group at 833-PORTER9 or email info@porterlawteam.com for a free consultation. There is no fee unless we recover compensation for you.
What Makes A Concussion Different From Other Brain Injuries?
A concussion is a traumatic brain injury caused by a blow, jolt, impact, or sudden movement that disrupts how the brain functions. A person does not need to lose consciousness to have a concussion, and a normal CT scan does not always mean the person is symptom-free.
Unlike a skull fracture, cut, or visible bruise, a concussion can be hard for other people to see. The person may look normal but still struggle with headaches, dizziness, light sensitivity, memory problems, brain fog, irritability, fatigue, or sleep disruption. These symptoms may appear right away, or they may become more noticeable hours or days after the accident.
That gap between what others can see and what the injured person feels is one reason concussion claims are often disputed by insurance companies. A concussion lawyer helps connect the injury to the accident, organize medical proof, document treatment, and show how the symptoms affected the injured person’s work, family life, and daily function.
For more serious brain injury claims, Porter Law Group also handles traumatic brain injury cases across New York.
What Are Common Concussion Symptoms?
Concussion symptoms can affect the body, thinking, emotions, behavior, and sleep. The CDC explains that concussion signs and symptoms may not appear right away and may take hours or days to be noticed.
Common concussion symptoms include:
Physical Symptoms
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Balance problems
- Vision changes
- Light sensitivity
- Noise sensitivity
- Fatigue
- Ringing in the ears
Cognitive Symptoms
- Confusion
- Memory problems
- Trouble concentrating
- Feeling slowed down
- Brain fog
- Trouble following conversations
- Difficulty reading or using screens
Emotional And Behavioral Symptoms
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Mood swings
- Feeling more emotional than usual
- Personality changes
- Social withdrawal
Sleep Symptoms
- Sleeping more than usual
- Sleeping less than usual
- Trouble falling asleep
- Waking frequently
- Feeling tired even after rest
Emergency warning signs may include repeated vomiting, worsening headache, seizure, slurred speech, weakness, numbness, unusual behavior, increasing confusion, one pupil larger than the other, loss of consciousness, or trouble waking up. Anyone with these symptoms after head trauma should seek emergency medical care.
What Causes Concussion Injuries In New York?
Concussions can happen in many types of accidents involving sudden impact, a fall, or violent movement of the head and body. The cause of the concussion matters because it affects who may be liable, what evidence must be preserved, and which legal deadlines apply.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Car crashes, truck collisions, motorcycle crashes, pedestrian accidents, and bicycle accidents are common causes of concussions. A person can suffer a concussion when the head strikes a steering wheel, window, dashboard, airbag, pavement, or another surface. A concussion can also occur when crash forces rapidly move the brain inside the skull.
In New York auto accident cases, the no-fault system may apply first. If the injury meets New York’s serious injury threshold, the injured person may be able to pursue a claim against the at-fault driver. Concussions can be disputed in these cases because symptoms may not be visible, so medical records and treatment history are especially important. Learn more about related claims on Porter Law Group’s car accident page.
Slip, Trip, And Fall Accidents
A fall on ice, snow, wet flooring, uneven pavement, a broken stair, or an unsafe walkway can cause a concussion when the person’s head strikes a hard surface. These cases are common in Syracuse and Central New York, especially during winter weather when property owners may fail to address unsafe walking conditions.
A property owner may be responsible if they created the dangerous condition, knew about it, or should have discovered and fixed it through reasonable inspection and maintenance. Learn more about related claims on Porter Law Group’s slip and fall accident page.
Workplace And Construction Accidents
A concussion can happen when a worker falls, is struck by a falling object, is hit by equipment, or is injured in a vehicle incident on the job. Workers’ compensation may cover medical care and part of lost wages, but it does not usually cover pain and suffering.
In some workplace and construction accident cases, the injured person may also have a separate third-party claim against a property owner, general contractor, subcontractor, equipment company, or another responsible party.
Sports And Recreational Injuries
Sports, cycling, skiing, skating, boating, and other recreational activities can lead to concussions. A legal claim may be available when the injury was caused by negligent supervision, unsafe property conditions, defective equipment, failure to follow safety rules, or premature return to activity after a known head injury.
Medical Negligence After A Head Injury
Some concussion cases involve medical negligence after the initial injury. For example, a provider may fail to evaluate concerning symptoms, miss signs of a more serious brain injury, discharge a patient too quickly, or fail to give appropriate follow-up instructions.
Not every poor outcome is malpractice. A medical malpractice claim requires proof that a healthcare provider departed from accepted medical standards and that the departure caused additional harm. Porter Law Group can review whether a concussion-related case involves ordinary negligence, medical malpractice, or both.
What Concussion Treatment May Be Needed After An Accident?
Concussion treatment depends on the person’s symptoms, medical history, job demands, age, and recovery timeline. Some people improve with a short period of relative rest and gradual return to normal activity, while others need weeks or months of follow-up care.
Concussion treatment may include:
Emergency Evaluation
Emergency care may be needed after a head impact, loss of consciousness, vomiting, confusion, seizure, worsening headache, weakness, or other concerning symptoms. Doctors may evaluate neurological signs and decide whether imaging is needed to rule out bleeding or other structural injury.
Primary Care Or Neurology Follow-Up
Follow-up visits help track whether symptoms are improving, worsening, or changing. A doctor may refer the patient to a neurologist, concussion clinic, rehabilitation provider, or other specialist if symptoms continue.
Cognitive Rest And Gradual Return To Activity
A person recovering from concussion may need short-term changes to work, school, screen use, driving, exercise, and daily responsibilities. The goal is usually gradual return to activity based on symptoms and medical guidance, not pushing through symptoms too early.
Vestibular Or Balance Therapy
Some concussion patients develop dizziness, balance problems, motion sensitivity, or nausea. Vestibular therapy may help when these symptoms interfere with walking, driving, working, or normal activities.
Vision Therapy
Blurred vision, eye strain, difficulty reading, trouble focusing, or sensitivity to light may require evaluation and targeted therapy from providers trained in post-concussion vision problems.
Cognitive Rehabilitation
When a concussion affects memory, attention, processing speed, or executive function, cognitive rehabilitation or neuropsychological support may be recommended.
Medication And Symptom Management
Some patients need medication or specialist care for headaches, sleep disruption, mood changes, anxiety, depression, or other symptoms connected to the concussion.
Consistent treatment is important for both health and the legal claim. Insurance companies often use gaps in care to argue that symptoms were not serious or were unrelated to the accident.
How Does A Concussion Lawyer Build The Case?
A concussion lawyer builds the case by proving what happened, connecting the concussion to the accident, documenting treatment, and showing how the injury affected the person’s life. This is especially important because concussion symptoms are often invisible and may be minimized by insurers.
Important evidence may include:
Medical Records
Emergency room notes, urgent care records, primary care notes, neurology records, imaging reports, therapy notes, prescriptions, and specialist referrals help establish the medical timeline.
Symptom History
A written symptom journal can show headaches, dizziness, brain fog, light sensitivity, sleep problems, emotional changes, and missed activities over time.
Neuropsychological Testing
Neuropsychological testing may help document memory, attention, processing speed, executive function, and other cognitive changes when symptoms persist.
Accident Evidence
Police reports, crash reports, incident reports, photos, videos, surveillance footage, property records, maintenance logs, witness statements, and jobsite records can help prove liability.
Employment And School Records
Missed work, reduced hours, poor performance after the injury, school accommodations, and inability to return to normal duties can help show economic and practical impact.
Family And Daily-Life Evidence
Family members, friends, coworkers, and caregivers may describe changes in mood, memory, sleep, personality, concentration, and independence after the accident.
Expert Opinions
A concussion case may require opinions from neurologists, neuropsychologists, rehabilitation providers, vocational experts, or accident reconstruction specialists, depending on the facts.
What Should You Do After A Suspected Concussion?
The steps you take after a suspected concussion can protect your health and strengthen your claim. Concussion symptoms may change over time, so documentation matters from the beginning.
- Get Medical Care
Seek medical care after any head impact, loss of consciousness, confusion, vomiting, severe headache, dizziness, balance problem, or symptom that feels unusual.
- Follow Treatment Instructions
Attend follow-up appointments, complete recommended testing, follow activity restrictions, and ask your provider when it is safe to return to work, school, driving, exercise, or sports.
- Track Symptoms Daily
Write down headaches, dizziness, nausea, memory problems, concentration issues, sleep changes, mood changes, and any activity that makes symptoms worse.
- Save Evidence
Keep medical records, discharge papers, prescriptions, bills, accident reports, photographs, videos, emails, insurance letters, and witness contact information.
- Avoid Recorded Statements Before Legal Advice
Insurance adjusters may ask questions before your symptoms and treatment needs are fully known. Speak with an attorney before giving a recorded statement or signing a release.
- Contact A Concussion Lawyer
A lawyer can preserve evidence, identify responsible parties, organize medical proof, and explain whether a concussion settlement or lawsuit may be available.
What Compensation May Be Available In A Concussion Claim?
A New York concussion claim may include compensation for both financial losses and the human impact of the injury. The value depends on the cause of the accident, severity of symptoms, treatment history, recovery time, work impact, and liability evidence.
Potential compensation may include:
- Emergency medical care
- Doctor visits
- Neurology appointments
- Concussion treatment
- Imaging and diagnostic testing
- Physical therapy
- Vestibular therapy
- Vision therapy
- Cognitive rehabilitation
- Prescription medication
- Counseling or mental health treatment
- Lost wages
- Reduced future earning capacity
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium in qualifying cases
New York does not place a general cap on pain and suffering damages in most personal injury cases. However, every case is fact-specific. No lawyer can promise a specific concussion settlement before reviewing the medical records, liability evidence, insurance coverage, and full impact of the injury.
What Factors Affect Post Concussion Syndrome Settlement Value?
Post concussion syndrome settlement value depends on the medical proof, treatment timeline, work impact, liability evidence, and how clearly the symptoms can be connected to the original accident. The guide below is general information only. It is not a prediction or guarantee of what any case is worth.
Settlement Value Factor: Length Of Symptoms
Symptoms lasting weeks are evaluated differently from symptoms lasting months or longer. The longer the documented recovery, the more important consistent treatment records become.
Settlement Value Factor: Type Of Treatment Needed
Cases involving neurologists, vestibular therapy, vision therapy, cognitive rehabilitation, medication management, or mental health care may show a more serious and costly recovery.
Settlement Value Factor: Work Impact
Missed work, reduced hours, inability to perform job duties, screen intolerance, or permanent work restrictions can increase economic damages.
Settlement Value Factor: Medical Consistency
A clear timeline from the accident to diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing symptoms helps counter insurance arguments that the condition was unrelated or exaggerated.
Settlement Value Factor: Daily-Life Impact
Difficulty driving, parenting, reading, exercising, sleeping, socializing, or managing normal responsibilities can support pain and suffering damages.
Settlement Value Factor: Liability Evidence
A case is usually stronger when evidence clearly shows another party caused the accident. Disputed fault can reduce settlement value or require more investigation.
Settlement Value Factor: Comparative Fault
New York follows a pure comparative negligence rule. If an injured person is partly at fault, compensation is reduced by that percentage of fault, but partial fault does not automatically bar recovery.
How Long Do You Have To File A Concussion Lawsuit In New York?
Most New York personal injury lawsuits must be filed within three years from the date of injury under CPLR Section 214. This may apply to concussion claims involving car accidents, falls, premises liability, workplace third-party claims, and other negligence-based cases.
Different deadlines may apply in specific situations:
Medical Malpractice
A medical malpractice claim generally must be filed within two years and six months from the act, omission, or failure complained of, or from the end of continuous treatment for the same condition under CPLR Section 214-a.
Government Entities
If the concussion claim involves a city, county, town, village, school district, public hospital, public authority, public bus, municipal vehicle, or unsafe public property, a Notice of Claim may be required within 90 days under General Municipal Law Section 50-e. Some municipal lawsuits also have shorter filing deadlines.
Wrongful Death
If a head injury is fatal, a wrongful death claim generally must be filed within two years from the date of death.
Minors
Special tolling rules may apply when the injured person is a child, but government notice requirements and related claims may still have shorter deadlines.
Because the correct deadline depends on the facts, it is safer to contact a concussion lawyer as soon as possible after the injury. Waiting can make it harder to preserve medical proof, witness testimony, surveillance footage, accident reports, property records, vehicle data, or jobsite evidence.
Learn what treatment, evidence, and settlement factors may matter in your claim. Free, confidential consultation.
Why Choose Porter Law Group For A Concussion Case?
Post concussion syndrome cases require careful medical documentation, symptom tracking, and a clear explanation of how the condition changed the injured person’s daily life. Porter Law Group represents New York injury victims in personal injury, medical malpractice, traumatic brain injury, and catastrophic injury cases.
Michael S. Porter founded Porter Law Group to help injured New Yorkers and their families pursue accountability after serious harm. He is a graduate of Harvard University and Syracuse University College of Law, served as a Captain in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps, and has been selected to Super Lawyers for 14 consecutive years from 2012 through 2025.
No Fee Unless We Win. Post concussion syndrome cases are handled on a contingency basis. You pay no attorney fee unless Porter Law Group recovers compensation for you.
Free Consultations, Available 24/7. You can contact Porter Law Group at any time to discuss your case at no cost and with no obligation.
Direct Attorney Access. Clients work with the legal team handling their case and receive direct communication throughout the process.
Experience With Brain Injury Evidence. Post concussion syndrome claims often require medical records, specialist opinions, therapy records, work documentation, and daily-life evidence. Porter Law Group prepares these cases with the proof needed to show the full impact of the condition.
You can review our case outcomes on our Results page, read client experiences on our Testimonials page, and meet our team on our Attorneys and Staff page.
Serving Concussion Injury Victims In Syracuse And Across New York
Porter Law Group represents concussion injury victims across New York State, with a strong focus on Syracuse, Central New York, and surrounding communities.
We serve clients in:
- Syracuse and Onondaga County
- Liverpool
- DeWitt
- Camillus
- Cicero
- Baldwinsville
- Auburn
- Oswego
- Utica
- Rome
- Binghamton
- Rochester and Monroe County
- Buffalo and Western New York
- Albany and the Capital Region
- Yonkers and Westchester County
- Long Island, including Nassau and Suffolk Counties
- New York City and the five boroughs
Distance does not prevent Porter Law Group from reviewing your case. The team is available by phone, email, virtual consultation, and in-person consultation when appropriate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Need A Concussion Lawyer In New York?
You should consider speaking with a concussion lawyer if symptoms continued after the accident, you needed medical treatment, you missed work, the insurance company disputes your injury, or the concussion affected your daily life. Concussion claims can be difficult because symptoms are often invisible and may not appear on standard imaging. A lawyer can gather medical proof, preserve evidence, identify responsible parties, and explain whether a settlement or lawsuit may be available.
What Is A Concussion Settlement Worth?
A concussion settlement depends on the severity of symptoms, length of recovery, medical treatment, lost income, liability evidence, insurance coverage, and long-term impact on daily life. A short-term concussion with full recovery is valued differently than post-concussion syndrome involving months of headaches, cognitive problems, light sensitivity, sleep disruption, and missed work. No lawyer can guarantee a settlement amount without reviewing the medical records and facts of the case.
What Concussion Treatment Helps Support A Legal Claim?
Concussion treatment that may support a legal claim includes emergency care, follow-up visits, neurological evaluation, vestibular therapy, vision therapy, cognitive rehabilitation, medication management, and neuropsychological testing when symptoms persist. The key is consistency. Medical records help show when symptoms began, how they changed, what treatment was recommended, and how the concussion affected the injured person’s function.
Can I Sue If My CT Scan Or MRI Was Normal?
Yes. A normal CT scan or MRI does not automatically prevent a concussion claim. Many concussions do not show clear structural damage on standard imaging. Proof may come from symptom history, medical records, neurological exams, neuropsychological testing, therapy notes, work limitations, family observations, and expert opinions. The claim is stronger when the medical timeline is consistent and the symptoms are clearly connected to the accident.
How Long Do I Have To File A Concussion Lawsuit In New York?
For most New York personal injury cases, the deadline is three years from the date of injury. Medical malpractice claims generally have a two-year-and-six-month deadline. Claims involving a government entity may require a Notice of Claim within 90 days. Wrongful death claims generally must be filed within two years from the date of death. Because deadlines depend on the cause of the concussion and who may be responsible, early legal review is important.
What Clients Say About Porter Law Group
Meet the Attorney
Michael S. Porter, J.D.
Founder and managing partner of Porter Law Group. Harvard University (B.A., 1994), Syracuse University College of Law (J.D., 1997). Former U.S. Army JAG Corps Captain, Airborne Training School graduate. Super Lawyers 14 consecutive years, 10.0 Superb on Avvo, Distinguished rating from Martindale-Hubbell. Over 20 years of trial experience and $500 million in recoveries.
Reviewed by Michael S. Porter, J.D. | Last updated: [April, 2026]
Contact A New York Concussion Lawyer Today
A concussion can disrupt your health, work, family life, and sense of normal routine. Porter Law Group can review what happened, explain your legal options, and help you understand what evidence may matter in your concussion claim.
Call 833-PORTER9 | Available 24/7 | No fee unless we win
