Head trauma on the job can happen in several ways; you may be hit in the head by another co-worker’s equipment, or you might fall off a construction crane. No matter how mild or severe the injury, two things should happen: You should receive medical treatment as soon as possible, and you should follow up with a workers’ compensation claim.
What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury?
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) typically occurs in conjunction with a head trauma sustained after falling or being hit with an object. It is often common in construction, warehouses, delivery and other heavy physical labors.
A TBI, at best, is a mild concussion but could also be as damaging as a coma, a persistent vegetative state or fatal brain damage. Onset symptoms can include, but are not limited to:
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Nausea
- Dilated pupils
- Slurred speech
- Acute changes in behavior
- Seizures
Victims of TBIs may often experience chronic symptoms like difficulty speaking and processing information, impaired motor skills, loss of emotional control and fatigue. The medical costs of a TBI can be extensive, and the outcomes could last a lifetime. If even a mild head injury is sustained at work, it can be crucial to report it and get treatment to minimize effects and stay eligible for workers’ compensation.
Workers’ Compensation Eligibility
It’s simple. If you or a loved one suffers a TBI on the job, it’s usually eligible for worker’s compensation, right?
Right … but it isn’t always simple. Traumatic brain injury can be tricky because the signs may be subtle and often don’t appear right away. Perhaps worse, in the case of closed head trauma, the severity of the TBI can also be disproportionate to a seemingly trivial injury.
After suffering from head trauma at work, the incident should be reported to the employer, and a victim should seek medical attention immediately. Getting treatment is crucial to limiting the potential damage caused by a TBI. It is also vital to have a record of where and when the injury happened. If there is no record and delayed onset of symptoms, an insurance company may argue that an injury on the job did not cause the TBI.
Treating and managing the effects of a traumatic brain injury can last a lifetime, and the cost can be debilitating. If you or a loved one receives a head trauma at work, go to the emergency room, document the incident with the employer and follow up with a personal injury lawyer in Miami, FL.
Thanks to Needle & Ellenberg, P.A. for their insight into personal injury claims and workers compensation claims involving traumatic brain injury.
