In the United States, traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of death and disability. According to data by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 2.8 million people suffer a TBI every year in the United States. These injuries range from mild concussions to more severe injuries that impact the person’s ability to care for themselves.
Many victims of TBI need ongoing care and assistance, which can be costly. If you or a loved one suffered a TBI at work, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits and/or additional compensation through a personal injury claim.
Causes and Types of Head Injuries
The CDC reports that falls are the leading cause of TBI, followed by struck by/against accidents and motor vehicle accidents. Head injuries vary in symptoms and severity, depending on how the injury occurred and what part of the brain was affected.
Open head injuries occur when something strikes or penetrates the skull and damages the brain. You may see visible bumps, bruising, lacerations, or blood. Closed head injuries occur when a force impacts the head, causing the brain to shift and hit the skull. Other less common types of head and brain injuries include infections, chemical injuries, and hypoxia, which occurs when the brain is deprived of oxygen for too long, causing brain damage.
Because symptoms can be subtle or possibly indicate other health conditions, many TBI go misdiagnosed or undiagnosed altogether. Any employee who experiences a fall or blow to the head should be screened for:
- Confusion
- Convulsions
- Dilated pupils
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Irritability
- Memory loss
- Mood changes
- Pain
- Seizures
- Vomiting or nausea
With concussions and other head injuries, symptoms may not immediately be apparent. Monitor injured persons closely in the hours and days after any impact to the head.
Compensation for Workplace Head Injuries
If your TBI occurred at work, you are most likely eligible to receive workers’ compensation benefits to replace lost income and cover any medical bills related to your care while you are unable to work. To ensure a smooth claim, report your injury to your employer immediately, document all your medical treatment, and contact a Downingtown workers’ compensation lawyer for assistance. It should be noted that workers’ compensation benefits only go so far. For debilitating, permanent injuries, you may consider bringing a third-party claim that allows damages for pain and suffering, future lost wages, and possibly even punitive damages.
Downingtown Workers’ Compensation Lawyers at Wusinich, Sweeney & Ryan, LLC Help TBI Victims Recover Damages for Life-Changing Injuries
A TBI is a complex injury because damage to the brain can impact the body in so many ways. Based on the circumstances surrounding your accident, you may have legal recourse to seek compensation for the different ways your injury has changed your life. If you suffered a brain injury at work, contact the Downingtown workers’ compensation lawyers at Wusinich, Sweeney & Ryan, LLC today. For a free consultation, call us at 610-594-1600 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation. Located in Exton, Pennsylvania, we represent clients throughout West Chester, Coatesville, Phoenixville, Malvern, Lyndell, Wagontown, Uwchlan Township, Parkesburg, Chester Springs, Reading, Morgantown, and Lancaster County.