What concussion and TBI claims are worth and what drives the settlement.
A concussion or TBI typically settles in the $50,000 to $300,000+ range, with pain and suffering estimated at about 4.5x medical bills. Even a mild TBI can produce symptoms that last months, which is reflected in the higher multiplier.
| Factor | Typical figure |
|---|---|
| Pain & suffering multiplier used here | 4.5x medical bills |
| Typical settlement range | $50,000 to $300,000+ |
| Mild, resolving case | Symptoms clear in 2 to 6 weeks |
| Post-concussion syndrome case | Symptoms persist 3+ months, cognitive testing typical |
Traumatic brain injuries carry the second-highest multiplier on this site, behind only spinal cord injuries, because the effects of even a mild concussion can persist for months or years in ways that are genuinely debilitating but difficult to prove with a single scan. A standard CT or MRI often comes back normal after a concussion even when real cognitive symptoms are present, which is part of why these claims move differently than a fracture or a herniated disc. The formula still starts the same way, economic damages plus a pain and suffering figure from a severity multiplier near 4.5, but the medical documentation supporting that multiplier tends to rely more heavily on specialist evaluation than on imaging alone.
Neuropsychological testing that documents specific cognitive deficits, an inability to return to prior work or usual activities, and symptoms that persist well past the typical few-week recovery window are the strongest upward drivers. A concussion that resolves fully within a month, confirmed by a normal follow-up exam and a return to baseline function, generally settles toward the lower end of the range. Because TBI symptoms overlap with stress, fatigue, and unrelated health issues, consistent documentation from the same treating providers over time matters more here than in almost any other injury category.
Most concussion claims begin with an ER evaluation or urgent care visit, followed by a period of rest and gradual return to activity under a physician's guidance. Cases where symptoms do not resolve within two to three weeks are typically referred to a neurologist, and persistent cases add neuropsychological testing and sometimes vestibular or vision therapy. The length and consistency of this specialist involvement is a major factor in how the claim is ultimately valued.
Yes, if the symptoms persist. A concussion diagnosis alone does not determine value; what matters is whether headaches, memory problems, light sensitivity, or mood changes continue for months. Post-concussion syndrome, where symptoms linger past the typical few-week window, is what pushes these claims toward the higher end.
It is not always required, but it is the strongest form of objective evidence available for cognitive effects that do not show up on a standard CT or MRI. Insurers are far more skeptical of a TBI claim supported only by self-reported symptoms.
Because the range of outcomes is genuinely wider. A concussion that resolves in a month and a traumatic brain injury that permanently limits someone's ability to work sit on the same spectrum but represent enormously different losses, so the dollar range has to stretch accordingly.
It can support a more serious diagnosis, but its absence does not disqualify a claim. Many significant concussions occur without any loss of consciousness at all. Documented symptoms and their duration matter more than whether you blacked out.