Workers’ Comp for Head Injury: Do You Have a Claim?

Head injuries are some of the most common injuries suffered while on the job, and the consequences can be serious and even life-threatening. Many of our clients contact us concerning claims for workers’ comp for a head injury and are curious about pursuing a head injury workers’ compensation claim.

In this blog post, we’ll answer common questions about workers’ compensation for head injuries, including concussions, traumatic brain injuries, closed head injuries, and more.

Head Injuries Suffered on the Job

Head injuries go by many different names. Concussion. Traumatic Brain Injury, or TBI. Closed head injury. Whatever term you use, an injury to the head is serious, and can dramatically impact your life and ability to earn a living. If you’ve suffered a head injury while on the job, you may be entitled to workers’ comp for your head injury.

Workers’ comp for head injuries can help compensate you for expensive medical bills, lost income, emotional injury, and more.

The most serious head injury is one that causes bleeding on the brain, which can lead to death or serious permanent cognitive impairment. Our work injury attorneys have handled many claims involving these traumatic brain injuries.

Workers’ Comp Claims for Head Injury are Complicated

When you suffer from a head injury on the job and apply for workers’ compensation, it’s important to know that these workers’ comp for head injury claims aren’t as simple as most other claims.

With a broken arm, you take an x-ray, and you know you have a broken arm. With a head injury, x-rays, CT scans, and even MRIs might all appear normal. But you may have serious cognitive impairment even when all your diagnostic scans are “negative” or “normal”. Radiologists looking at CT scans and MRIs are usually looking for hemorrhaging or bleeding of the brain and not for more subtle signs of injury.

You might not have visible damage or bleeding when you suffer a closed head injury. You might not even have struck your head against anything because you can suffer a concussion from a whiplash-type motion, which rattles your brain within the fluid in your skull.

“I’ve suffered a head injury at work. What do I do to get workers’ compensation?”

There are many factors to consider when seeking workers’ comp for a head injury.

Seek Medical Care

The reasons above demonstrate how important it is to obtain care from a physician trained in treating serious head injuries. It’s not enough to order a CT scan. A doctor needs to evaluate your symptoms. Are you having headaches? Experiencing memory loss? Are you feeling lethargic and low on energy, or depressed? Are you photophobic with bright lights, or having problems staring at a computer screen? Did you vomit after the injury? Are you nauseous? Have you experienced slurred speech?

Every head injury is different, and injuries manifest themselves in different ways in different people. It is important to see a doctor who will identify your individual symptoms and create a course of treatment that fits your injury.

Find the Right Doctor

It’s also important to have a physician that understands the significance of a head injury and assigns you proper work restrictions. If your doctor puts you back to work before you are ready, it can worsen your symptoms. Even worse, it can expose you and others to new injuries. If you have a concussion and you are sent back to work climbing ladders or driving a truck, it can be a recipe for disaster. You shouldn’t be put in a position where you can fall or get into a car wreck and hurt yourself or others.

Unfortunately, many worker’s compensation claimants are directed to treat with urgent care doctors or on-site doctors and nurses who may not have the training or expertise to properly identify and treat a head injury.

This can complicate your workers’ comp for head injury claim later on, and make it more difficult to get the benefits you need and deserve.

It is important to know your rights and to understand that you are entitled to treatment with a doctor who is able to treat your particular injury.

Be Cautious About Employer Requests

It is also important that if your employer wants you to return to work in a “light duty” position, that the modified position they have planned for you is something that is really safe for you and for others.

Most people would consider a desk job “light duty”, but for someone who has suffered a head injury, a desk job might not be something that is safe or manageable. Brain injuries, even moderate concussions, can create symptoms for months after the initial injury.

An experienced workers’ comp attorney can help evaluate your case and advise you on your legal rights concerning your head injury workers’ comp claim.

“I’ve suffered a head injury at work and need workers’ compensation. What should I do?”

If you believe you’ve suffered a serious head injury while on the job, it’s important to know your rights. Our workers’ compensation attorneys and staff have experience working with victims of serious head injuries, and we are happy to talk with you about your claim and your individual situation.

Our team is led by Board-Certified Workers’ Compensation Specialists, who have been recognized by the North Carolina State Bar for their experience and expertise handling these specific types of cases.

Results for Victims of Workplace Head Injuries

In one recent head injury workers’ comp case, we negotiated $2,475,000 in total compensation from a workers’ compensation carrier after our client suffered a severe and disabling head injury in a fall from a platform while on the job (see disclaimer below).

This was one of the most complicated cases we’ve ever handled, and we were pleased to help the victim and his loved ones get the justice and compensation they deserved.

“I was more than happy with the outcome of the workers’ compensation case that was settled and won on my behalf.”

–Linda M., Riddle & Brantley client

For a FREE, no-obligation consultation with an experienced workers’ comp attorney handling head injury claims in North Carolina, please call 1-800-525-7111 or complete the short and easy form below.

There is never any obligation and, because we work on a contingency basis, you won’t pay any upfront costs or attorney fees unless we get you the workers’ comp benefits for your head injury.

Justice Counts for victims of workplace head injuries and we would love to help you seek justice if we can.

*** Disclaimer: The results mentioned are intended to illustrate the type of cases handled by the firm. These results do not guarantee a similar outcome, and they should not be construed to constitute a promise or guarantee of a particular result in any particular case. Every case is different, and the outcome of any case depends upon a variety of factors unique to that case.