Monthly Archives: July 2016

Kansas City Personal Injury Attorneys Discuss the Dangers of Concussions

A bump on the head, while playing basketball or being involved in a minor fender bender, do not sound like events that could cause serious injuries. Surprisingly, though, both could leave the person with a type of traumatic brain injury known as a concussion.  So before you dismiss an injury as nothing to worry about, you need to make sure you are certain that the person is not suffering from a concussion. If you are not fully informed about concussions, you are not alone. The following are some of the basic questions answered about concussions:

How does a concussion occur?

Your brain is made of a gelatinous like matter and is housed in your skull. The brain is surrounded by fluid which protects it from everyday jostling. A concussion occurs when the head and brain move violently back and forth sending the brain crashing into the skull. Sudden movements, like a blow or knock to the head, can cause damage to the brain cells and even result in chemical changes.

What types of injuries can cause a concussion?

Unfortunately, there are many types of injuries that can result in a concussion. Most of these injuries result from accidents. Car accidents, motorcycle crashes and construction and workplace accidents can all result in a person receiving a blow to the head. Even a slip and fall can cause a person to hit their head hard enough to cause damage. However, accidents alone are not the only causes of concussions. Athletes from sports to soccer to football to hockey are all at risk of developing a concussion from regular practice and play.

What symptoms are common with a concussion?

If your child was hurt in a sports injury or your spouse was in a car accident, it is possible that he or she may be suffering from a concussion. Unlike broken bones, a concussion may not be immediately noticeable after an accident. Symptoms of concussions can include:

  • Fatigue
  • Headache
  • A feeling of pressure in the head
  • Momentary loss of consciousness
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Appearing confused or feeling as if in a mental fog
  • Slurred speech
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Inability to recall the accident or traumatic event
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Problems sleeping
  • Depression
  • Difficulties concentrating or dealing with noises
  • Memory problems

What should you do if you think your loved one has a concussion?

If you think your spouse or child may be suffering from a concussion, the first step is to seek immediate medical attention. It is important to have a healthcare professional make a formal diagnosis. Do not let your child return to a sport or physical activity until he or she has been cleared to do so by his or her physician. While most concussions are mild in nature, it is still important to allow the brain adequate time to heal.

If you or a loved one suffered a concussion as the result of an auto accident or the negligence action of another person, it is important to speak with a skilled Kansas City Injury Attorney as soon as possible. Only an experienced Injury Attorney will be able to determine whether you may be able to hold another person responsible for your injuries. The Kansas City Personal Injury Attorneys at the Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. have helped countless injury victims, in both Kansas and Missouri, obtain compensation. Our compassionate team of attorneys will make it priority to fight for your rights and to hold the wrongdoers accountable. To schedule an initial consultation with one of our Injury Attorneys, contact Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. today at (816) 472-4673. We look forward to helping with your legal needs.

Kansas City Injury Attorneys Discuss Back to School Safety Tips

If you are a parent, summer is a time of year you may look forward to and dread all at the same time. Of course, summer means nice warm weather, vacations to the beach, and a plethora of outdoor activities and events. On the other hand, summer means finding ways to keep children occupied for weeks on end. However, no matter whether you love or loathe summer, one thing is for certain it does not last long.

Before you know it the economy sizes boxes of sunscreen, bug spray, and charcoal at your local big box store are replaced with tubs of backpacks and notebook paper—leaving you to think “where did summer go?” Back to school has a tendency to sneak up on even the most seasoned of parents. However, before you grab a supply list and rush out the door, students are not the only ones who need to get ready for the start of the new school year. Parents too, need to refresh themselves about how to share the road when the school year congestion begins.

School days are hectic, and that means the streets around your child’s school can become a difficult place to drive. Parents, frazzled from trying to get their children out of the door, are all trying to drop off their children before the school bells ring. In the mix of things are also kids who ride their bike and kids who walk to school.  Oh, and do not forget those large yellow buses that are also trying to get to and from the school as well. While schools are considered to be safe places, the few minutes during a school’s pickup and drop-off can be quite dangerous times. According to the National Safety Council, more kids are hit by cars at schools than by any other location.

Parents can help make their children’s school pick up and drop off zone a safer place to be by keeping in mind the following:

  • NEVER pass a school bus: Did you know that it is illegal in all 50 states to pass a school bus that has stopped to pick up or drop off children. Once you see a bus’s yellow or red flashing lights flashing or the extended stop sign—you must stop. Keep in mind that the 10-foot radius around a bus is the most dangerous area for a child. So you once you have come to a stop, be alert.
  • SLOW DOWN! Having a child be a few minutes late for school or being late yourself for work while not great is not the end of the world. Slow down, however, can save lives. It is important for parents to focus on the road and pay attention for children on bikes and walking through crosswalks.
  • If possible, carpool. By trading off the responsibility of driving your children to school with other parents, you can reduce the amount of traffic around your child’s school. Easing congestion can make school zones safer for all children.

If you or your child suffered serious injuries after being involved in an accident, you can trust the experienced Personal Injury Attorneys at Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. to help. Our team of skilled Kansas City Injury Attorneys will work diligently to make sure that you receive compensation for your injuries. Trust the Personal Injury Attorneys at Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. to help you, just as they have helped countless injured victims around the area, both in Kansas and Missouri. To find out how the attorneys at Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. can assist you with your injury case, contact our office today at (816) 472-4673 to schedule a consultation. At Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. we strive to provide injury victims with outstanding legal services.