By Michael Shemtoub, trial attorney, Beverly Law. Updated November 2026.
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The CDC danger signs in adults
The CDC says to seek emergency care right away, by calling 911 or going to an emergency department, if an adult who hit their head or took a hard jolt to the body:
- Has a headache that gets worse and does not go away
- Has weakness, numbness, decreased coordination, convulsions or seizures
- Vomits repeatedly
- Has slurred speech or unusual behavior
- Has one pupil (the black part in the middle of the eye) larger than the other
- Cannot recognize people or places, or becomes confused, restless or agitated
- Loses consciousness, looks very drowsy or cannot be woken up
The CDC’s HEADS UP program adds double vision to the eye signs (CDC HEADS UP). If you are the person who was hurt, you may not be able to judge your own symptoms, so the people with you should make the call. This page is general information and cannot diagnose you.
Extra danger signs in babies and young children
A child can have any of the adult danger signs. The CDC adds two more for children: the child will not stop crying and cannot be consoled, or will not nurse or eat. HEADS UP also lists signs that a child age 4 or younger may have a concussion, including crying more than usual, changes in sleep, losing interest in play, vomiting right after the injury without another cause such as a virus, and seeming dazed or unsteady. Children cannot always describe how they feel, so a change in behavior may be the first clue.
Why the first hours and days matter
Concussion signs “may not show up right away,” the CDC says, and may take hours or days to appear or be noticed. HEADS UP adds that symptoms are usually most severe right after the injury, typically one to two days later. A person who seemed fine at the scene can get worse at home that night.
The CDC also warns that, in rare cases, “a dangerous blood clot that crowds the brain against the skull can develop.” That is one reason the danger signs call for an emergency visit instead of waiting to see a regular doctor. Age raises the stakes: the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke says adults 65 and older are at greatest risk for hospitalization and death from TBI. For symptoms short of the danger signs, see a doctor soon; our page on whether a concussion is a TBI lists the common ones.
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How the emergency visit affects a later claim
Medical care comes first, and it is also the first piece of evidence. An emergency record made the day of the injury shows when symptoms started, what the staff saw and what tests were done. When you arrive, tell the staff how the injury happened: a fall, a crash, a blow from a falling object or an assault. Name every symptom, even ones that seem small or embarrassing.
Delay has a legal side as well. In California, a jury may reduce damages for harm the injured person could have avoided with reasonable efforts, judged in light of the circumstances at the time, including whether the effort carried undue risk or hardship (CACI No. 3930). Insurers in every state also look for gaps between the injury and the first visit. If you did not go in right away, our page on going to the hospital days after an accident explains what to do now. For how the medical record is used later, read how to prove a traumatic brain injury.
Deadlines when a government is involved
Many head injuries happen on public property: a fall on a broken sidewalk, a bus crash, a city vehicle. Those claims have short notice rules.
| California | Texas | Washington | |
|---|---|---|---|
| First step | Written claim to the public entity | Written notice to the governmental unit | Claim filed with the local government or the state before suing |
| Time limit | Within 6 months for an injury claim (Gov. Code § 911.2) | Within 6 months of the incident; a city charter may set its own period, and formal notice is excused if the unit had actual notice (CPRC § 101.101) | No suit until 60 days after the claim is presented (RCW 4.96.020; RCW 4.92.110) |
Texas cases are handled by the firm’s Texas-licensed attorneys, Joyce Ondich and John Efstathiou. For a California crash with a public vehicle, see what to do when a city or county vehicle hits you.
What this means for your case
Treat the danger signs as an emergency every time. Once the person is safe, write down when the injury happened, how, and when each symptom began, and keep every discharge paper. If a business, a driver or a public agency may be responsible, find out early, because a public claim can be due in six months. Related answers are collected in our injury FAQs.
Common questions
How long after hitting your head can danger signs appear?
The CDC says some symptoms appear right away and others may not appear for hours or days. Keep watching the person for at least the first few days and go to the emergency department if any danger sign shows up.
Should someone with a head injury be allowed to sleep?
The CDC’s danger signs include looking very drowsy, not being able to stay awake and not being able to be woken up. If any of those happen, call 911. Ask the emergency or treating doctor how closely to watch the person overnight.
Is a bad headache after a fall a danger sign?
A headache that gets worse and does not go away is one of the CDC danger signs and needs emergency care. A mild headache that is easing still deserves a call to a doctor.
What are the danger signs in a baby?
Any of the adult signs, plus crying that cannot be consoled or refusing to nurse or eat, according to the CDC.
Does going to the ER late hurt my injury claim?
It can give the insurer an argument, and in California a jury may reduce damages for harm you could reasonably have avoided. A late visit is still far better than no visit, and the records can explain the delay. Beverly Law offers a free case review in English or Spanish at (310) 552-6959. You owe no fees or costs unless we win.
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Related pages
Sources
- CDC, Signs and Symptoms of Mild TBI and Concussion (danger signs) (cdc.gov)
- CDC HEADS UP, Signs and Symptoms of Concussion (cdc.gov)
- NIH/NINDS, Traumatic Brain Injury (ninds.nih.gov)
- Judicial Council of California Civil Jury Instructions (CACI No. 3930) (courts.ca.gov)
- Cal. Government Code § 911.2 (leginfo.legislature.ca.gov)
- Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 101.101 (statutes.capitol.texas.gov)
- RCW 4.96.020 (claims against local government) (app.leg.wa.gov)
- RCW 4.92.110 (claims against the state) (app.leg.wa.gov)
Important: This page is general information, not legal or medical advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different; talk to a lawyer about yours. Texas cases are handled by the firm’s Texas-licensed attorneys, Joyce Ondich and John Efstathiou. Last reviewed: November 7, 2026.