3 Causes of Workplace Brain Injuries

One of the most serious types of injuries that can occur at work are brain injuries. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can range from mild to severe and may affect the injury victim and their family for the rest of their lives. These injuries can arise in a myriad of situations, but when they happen at work most often occur due to falls or motor vehicle collisions. Whenever someone suffers an injury at work they may be eligible to file a workers’ compensation claim.

Workers’ compensation may cover part of the initial expense after a workplace brain injury.

Workers’ compensation or “workers’ comp” is a form of injury insurance most employers are required or choose to carry; this insurance provides a means of compensating an injured worker for some of their medical expenses and lost wages due to a workplace injury, while simultaneously protecting the employer from liability.

However, if the injury occurred due to negligence on the part of the employer or a third-party, such as another driver or equipment rental agency, it may also be possible to file a personal injury claim to seek compensation for a more comprehensive list of damages.

Three common causes of workplace brain injuries include:

1. Falls
2. Falling objects
3. Motor vehicle accidents

While these risks can be significantly reduced by wearing proper protection and following safety protocol at all times, accidents can still happen, in which case workers’ compensation might provide an immediate form of financial relief. However, if the injury is severe and/or could have been prevented by proper attention to safety from one or more parties, it may be possible to file an injury claim in addition to receiving workers’ comp benefits. This is good news for brain injury victims: since the resulting damages for these injuries tend to be severe and may be long-lasting or even permanent, an injury claim can help cover the costs associated with treating them.

Brain injuries may not be immediately noticeable.

Unfortunately, brain injuries are not always diagnosed right away, even at the hospital. Due to the invisible nature of these injuries, sometimes the individual does not realize the extent of their injury until some time later when family and friends begin to notice changes in their behavior and mood. The following signs may indicate the presence of a brain injury:

• Mood swings
• Becoming angry, irritable, or combative without apparent cause
• Difficulty concentrating
• Difficulty remembering things
• Confusion
• Difficulty sleeping
• Difficulty waking up
• Changes in personality
• Slurred speech
• Lack of interest in previously enjoyed activities
• Persistent headaches
• Depression and anxiety
• Decreased coordination
• Unusually drowsy
• All-around unusual behavior
• Seizures or convulsions

If you suspect that you or a loved one sustained a brain injury at work, it’s important to reach out to an experienced TBI attorney in your area as soon as possible to begin exploring your options for recovery. Proving when and how a brain injury occurred after the fact can be challenging, but doing so can be well worth it to the ability of an individual and family to return to a reasonable quality of daily life.