Suffering a traumatic brain injury at work means that the employee will need urgent medical care. In more severe cases, that care will continue long-term. The effects of the injury may also persist, which means the person may have to adjust their entire life.
One area that often requires considerable adjustments is returning to work. While some people may not be able to return to work, others may need to have accommodations. This can be challenging.
What types of accommodations might be possible?
The accommodations a person can ask for if they’re returning to work after a traumatic brain injury vary based on their needs, abilities, and job duties. For example, an employee who’s sensitive to light may need a dim workspace. One who’s sensitive to sounds may need a quiet area or to wear hearing protection.
Some workers may have cognitive challenges, which could result in them needing written instructions, longer task deadlines and clearly defined work duties. Communication challenges are common after a traumatic brain injury, so those workers may need accommodations, such as only using digital communication methods after their return to work.
It’s important for employees to be honest and open about their needs when they return to work. Employers should be ready and willing to provide reasonable accommodations as these workers return.
In the event an employee can’t return to their original job duties after a traumatic brain injury, they may qualify for vocational rehabilitation as a benefit of workers’ compensation. This provides them with the opportunity to learn new skills so they can begin working in a different position. Because the benefits of workers’ compensation vary according to the case’s specifics, it’s critical that all injured workers seek the assistance of someone who’s familiar with these cases.