Brain injuries can devastate an individual’s physical and cognitive functioning and can significantly impact their ability to work and earn a living. When a brain injury is suffered in the course of employment, it may be possible for the injured worker to seek compensation through the workers’ compensation system.
Injured employees are eligible for workers’ compensation if they suffer any injury at the workplace. However, if an injured employee faces difficulties seeking compensation, they should consider hiring a lawyer. You can learn more about hiring a lawyer by clicking on the link added to this article.
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What is a brain injury?
Before you know how a brain injury can affect workers’ compensation claims, you should become familiar with what a brain injury is. A brain injury, also known as a traumatic brain injury (TBI), is an injury to the brain that is caused by an external force, such as a blow to the head or a jolt to the body.
Brain injuries can also cause physical symptoms, such as muscle weakness, paralysis, or difficulty with coordination or balance. In severe cases, brain injuries can lead to coma or death. Brain injuries can range in severity from mild to severe and can cause a wide range of symptoms, including:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Mood changes
- Memory problems
- Difficulty with concentration or attention
- Vision or hearing problems
How Do Brain Injuries Affect Workers’ Compensation Claims?
Suppose you have suffered a brain injury while on the job. You may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits to cover your medical expenses and lost wages. However, seeking workers’ compensation for a brain injury can be complex and may require the assistance of an experienced attorney.
One of the critical challenges in seeking workers’ compensation for a brain injury is demonstrating that the work environment directly caused the injury. To be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits, you must be able to show that your brain injury was caused by a specific event or exposure that occurred while you were on the job.
It may be difficult if the cause of the injury is not immediately apparent or if you have a pre-existing medical condition that could have contributed to the injury. Another challenge in seeking workers’ compensation for a brain injury is documenting the full extent of the injury and its impact on your ability to work.
Brain injuries can cause many symptoms that may not be immediately apparent. It is essential to provide thorough documentation of your symptoms and their impact on your daily life.
It may include medical records, statements from your treating physician, and testimony from friends, family, and coworkers. It is also essential to know that workers’ compensation benefits are generally limited to medical expenses and lost wages. If you cannot return to work due to your brain injury, you may be entitled to disability benefits.
