Traumatic Brain Injuries in your Workplace: Here is what you need to know
The majority of injuries you sustain in your workplace are mild and you recover quickly from them. However, there are some which are long-lasting or permanent. This has a severe effect on your lifestyle, forcing you to adapt to a new type of life. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is amongst that kind of injuries.
A TBI is a type of injury to the brain from an external physical cause, which could lead to temporary or permanent impairment of the brain. This affects the psychosocial, cognitive and physical functions of the brain. All these are accompanied by an altered state of consciousness. TBIs range from mild concussions to very severe cases which entail permanent physical, emotional or mental disabilities.
A traumatic brain injury is therefore very devastating not only to the victim but to anyone to close to them. At the workplace, the victim’s working capability changes abruptly. The victim’s ability to take care of themselves is also affected.
Like all workers across all states in the US, you are entitled to Workers’ Compensation regardless of the severity of your injury. This is no easy process and it is imperative to seek the services of an experienced work injury lawyer. Lawyer Christopher M. Placitella, one of the most accomplished and established attorneys in the US, supports this, further stating that the right firm will have reliable medical experts’ contacts, to assess and confirm indeed the injury was sustained while at work.
Causes and impact of Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries in the workplace are caused by a variety of factors. Some of the common causes include
- Falls-this may be due to wet floors, water or coffee spills, uneven surfaces or tripping.
- Faulty stairs-poorly maintained stairs can cause an individual to fall and hit his head.
- Falling objects– workplaces that involve construction or storage of goods in high shelves are a major culprit. Falling objects can lead to serious injuries especially if they land on the head.
There are some industries in which the workers are at a higher risk of sustaining head injuries. These are;
- Warehouse and factory employees
- Construction workers
- Firefighters and emergency responders
Traumatic brain injury has the following impacts
- Loss of motor skills in the hand
- Difficulty in thinking and remembering
- Muscle stiffness
- Paralysis
Pursuing legal claim for TBI
Brain injury is a ‘catastrophic’ occurrence with immeasurable effects on the victim’s life. This basically makes them qualified for compensation. Once you visit a medical facility after sustaining brain injury at work, it is important to keep a record of all your medical bills and results as these will be used in the evaluation of your compensation.
The compensation you are eligible to include
- Economic damages– These include medical costs incurred, lost income/ wages due to inability to work, among others.
- Non-economic damages-This includes all the trauma, pain, suffering and impact on your relationships. This is typically damages due to the discomfort that cannot be assigned a dollar value.
The time frame over which you should report your injury for a claim in Philadelphia is two years. Like most states across the country, it is important to report your injury on time otherwise you may lose your right to file.
Traumatic brain injury cases are very complex and expensive. This is because of the severity of the effects caused by it. For this reason, it is important to retain an experienced attorney who will assess your case and handle it for you in court.
