Compensation For Work-Related Brain Injuries
Whether you have suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) on the job or off the job, it is very important for you to get prompt medical care and follow your doctors’ advice. The first hours, days and weeks after a head injury are a critical time for achieving maximum improvement. Your doctors may decide on or recommend one or more of the following:
- Surgery: perhaps temporary removal of part of your skull to allow swelling of your brain to diminish
- Medication: medical treatments to alleviate injuries
- Evaluations by experts such as a neurologist and/or a neuropsychologist
- Hospitalization
- Rest and recovery time at home
- Cognitive therapy and other types of therapy
To get the compensation you deserve after suffering a traumatic brain injury on the job, call us, the experienced workers’ compensation attorneys at Berger & Michelena: 800-488-4813.
You and your doctors may not know what your final outcome will be like until most of your healing is complete. However, there may come a time when other people believe you have recovered, when in fact, you still have lingering effects such as:
- Ongoing headaches
- Difficulty concentrating
- Irritability and moodiness
- Dizziness and/or vertigo
Some patients will experience other, much worse complications, including loss of certainly bodily functions and in the most extreme cases, vegetative state.
If an on-the-job accident caused your traumatic brain injury, lawyers at Berger & Michelena can help you get a workers’ compensation claim underway. They can help you cope with voluminous paperwork that is involved in a workers’ comp claim after a serious injury. They can advocate on your behalf whenever the workers’ compensation insurer puts up obstacles such as denying your claim or delaying payments.
At the same time, we can evaluate the facts in your injury case to determine whether you may have a third-party liability claim against a person or organization other than your employer. Our personal injury law firm can build a strong case for you at the same time that we continue to monitor the status of your workers’ compensation claim.
Get Answers About Work-Related Brain Injuries
A brain injury at work can bring fear, pain and many claim questions. The following questions and answers address common concerns about symptoms, treatment, medical authorization and workers’ compensation benefits.
Do TBI symptoms have to show up right away to qualify for workers’ compensation?
No. Delayed TBI symptoms may appear hours, days or even weeks after a fall, head injury or sudden jolt at work. Headaches, memory problems, dizziness, mood changes and trouble focusing can seem manageable at first, but they may point to a more serious injury. Do not wait until these symptoms disrupt your daily life. Tell your doctor when the workplace accident happened, how your head or body was affected and which symptoms you have noticed, even if they come and go. A delay does not automatically prevent you from seeking benefits, but detailed medical records can help show the connection between your injury and your job.
Will workers’ comp pay for cognitive therapy and neuropsychological evaluations?
Workers’ compensation may pay for this care when your doctor says it relates to your work injury. Cognitive therapy can help with memory, speech, focus and daily tasks. A neuropsychological evaluation can test how the injury affects your brain function. The insurer may still review or challenge the request through its approval process. Lawyers at Berger & Michelena can help you respond with records, forms and proof from your medical team when treatment runs into delays or when claim paperwork does not match your medical needs.
How long can I receive medical treatment under workers’ compensation for a TBI?
Medical care may continue while it is needed for the effects of your accepted work injury. A TBI may require more than one emergency visit. You may need follow-up care when symptoms affect sleep, balance, mood or focus. Your doctor may also change your care plan as you heal. Problems can arise when an insurer argues that you no longer need care or that another cause explains your symptoms.
What’s the difference between a concussion and a traumatic brain injury for work comp purposes?
A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury. For workers’ compensation purposes, the exact label matters less than the medical proof, the work connection and the treatment you need. A mild concussion can still cause headaches, dizziness, memory issues and trouble doing your job. A more severe TBI may involve longer care, time away from work and lasting limits. You should take any workplace head injury seriously and get medical care when symptoms appear.
Contact A Los Angeles Brain Injury Lawyer
For a free consultation with a knowledgeable and skilled attorney after a traumatic brain injury on the job or off, please call 800-488-4813 or contact us online.