What’s the Difference Between a Concussion and a Traumatic Brain Injury?

Maybe you fell off a ladder at work. Maybe you got rear-ended on a back road outside Tupelo. Or maybe your child took a hard hit on the football field. However it happened, you’re now hearing two terms from doctors that seem to overlap: concussion and traumatic brain injury.

Are they the same thing? Should you be worried? And what does it mean for your long-term health or your legal rights?

Let’s slow things down a bit and look at what’s really going on inside your head, both biologically and legally. Understanding the difference between a concussion and a traumatic brain injury (TBI) isn’t just semantics. It can affect your recovery, your treatment, and, if someone else caused your injury, your claim for compensation.

Is a concussion a traumatic brain injury?

Yes, a concussion is a traumatic brain injury. But not every traumatic brain injury is a concussion.

A concussion is considered a mild form of TBI. However, that label can be misleading. Even a so-called mild brain injury can have serious consequences, especially if you’ve had one or more before.

All concussions are TBIs, but traumatic brain injuries range from mild to moderate to severe. They exist on a spectrum. And where you fall on that spectrum depends on several factors, like:

• Whether you lost consciousness
• How long you were disoriented or confused
• What your brain scans show (or don’t)
• How your symptoms evolve over time

What exactly happens during a concussion?

Let’s say you get hit in the head by a falling object, a steering wheel, or even your own skull rattling inside your helmet. The brain, suspended in fluid inside your skull, lurches forward, hits bone, and then snaps back.

There are other factors that go beyond the impact, though, like acceleration and deceleration. The movement itself can stretch or shear brain tissue, disrupting neurons and triggering a cascade of chemical changes.

You might black out for a moment. Or not. You might feel dizzy, nauseated, or foggy. Maybe your memory is fuzzy. These are all classic signs of a concussion.

But here’s the problem: you can’t see a concussion on an X-ray. Even a CT scan might look “normal.” That doesn’t mean your brain is fine. It just means we’re not as good at detecting the damage as we are with, say, a broken bone.

What’s the difference between a mild and severe TBI?

If a concussion is mild, a severe TBI is at the other end of the spectrum. This is where things get more dangerous and more permanent.

A moderate to severe TBI might involve:

• Extended loss of consciousness (30 minutes to hours)
• Bleeding or swelling in the brain
• Skull fractures
• Visible injuries on a CT or MRI
• Long-term cognitive impairment
• Seizures or physical disabilities
• Coma

Where a concussion might heal with rest and time, a severe TBI can change your life. It can alter your ability to speak, think, move, or even live independently. It can mean years of rehabilitation, or years of needing help from others.

Why does the diagnosis matter in a legal claim?

You might be wondering: if a concussion is technically a traumatic brain injury, why does the terminology matter in a lawsuit?

Here’s why: insurance companies and defense attorneys love to minimize your injury. If they hear the word concussion, they may assume (and then argue) that it was “no big deal.”

But if that concussion has affected your memory, your mood, or your ability to work, it is a big deal. And a good traumatic brain injury lawyer knows how to make that case.

Likewise, if you’ve been diagnosed with a more severe TBI, your claim could involve:

• Ongoing medical treatment
• Lost wages or reduced earning potential
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Long-term care needs
• Assistive devices or home modifications

Whether your TBI was caused by a car accident, a workplace fall, a violent assault, or medical negligence, the classification can directly affect your compensation.

How are TBIs diagnosed?

Doctors usually start with a clinical exam. They might use the Glasgow Coma Scale, which scores you on eye-opening, verbal response, and motor skills. The lower your score, the more severe your injury.

They’ll also ask about:

• Loss of consciousness
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Vision problems
• Nausea or vomiting
• Sensitivity to light or sound

If your symptoms are serious or getting worse, you’ll likely get a CT scan or MRI to look for bleeding, swelling, or structural damage.

But here’s the tricky part: even if your scan is clear, you could still be struggling. That’s especially true for “invisible injuries” like mood swings, depression, brain fog, or memory loss.

This is where a seasoned traumatic brain injury lawyer can step in to help document your condition and link it to the injury.

What are the long-term effects of a concussion?

For most people, concussion symptoms resolve within a few weeks. But not always.

Some people develop post-concussion syndrome, where symptoms persist for months, or even longer. These can include:

• Chronic headaches
• Trouble sleeping
• Anxiety or depression
• Cognitive difficulties
• Fatigue

In cases of repeated concussions (think athletes, military personnel, or workers in dangerous industries), the risk of long-term brain damage goes up.

If you’re dealing with memory problems, mood changes, or reduced job performance after a concussion, don’t brush it off. You could be looking at a long recovery and a legitimate personal injury claim.

What should you do if you suspect a brain injury?

If you’ve hit your head (or someone else’s actions caused you to), you should:

• Seek medical attention immediately, even if you feel okay at first.
• Document your symptoms in a journal: what hurts, what’s more difficult, how you’re feeling.
• Follow up with neurologists or specialists if needed.
• Avoid activities that put you at risk for another injury while your brain heals.
• Call a traumatic brain injury lawyer who understands how these cases are built and how to value them properly.

At Merkel & Cocke, we’ve represented clients across Mississippi with serious brain injuries, including those that didn’t show up on imaging but showed up in their lives every single day.

When should you talk to a traumatic brain injury lawyer?

You should talk to a traumatic brain injury lawyer as soon as you suspect your injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, whether it was a distracted driver, an unsafe workplace, a defective product, or even a medical mistake.

Time matters. Not just because of the statute of limitations, which gives you three years to file a personal injury lawsuit, and just two for medical malpractice. Also, the longer you wait, the harder it becomes to prove the injury’s impact.

We can help you:

• Gather medical evidence
• Work with neurologists and vocational experts
• Calculate future costs
• Handle communications with insurers
• Fight for full and fair compensation

And if the other side tries to downplay your concussion as “just a bump on the head,” we can make sure they see the full picture.

Getting on the road to healing

The line between a concussion and a traumatic brain injury is thinner than you think, because they’re often one and the same. What matters most isn’t the label, but the impact on your life.

If you’re struggling with headaches, confusion, mood changes, or memory issues after an accident, don’t try to go it alone. These injuries are complex. The science is evolving. And the legal terrain is just as tricky.

But with the right help, you can get the treatment, support, and compensation you deserve.

Ready to talk to someone who understands brain injuries? Contact Merkel & Cocke today for a free consultation with a traumatic brain injury lawyer who puts your recovery first.