Introduction: What is Workers Comp for Traumatic Brain Injury?
Workers’ compensation is a type of insurance that covers medical costs and lost wages for employees who are injured on the job. In fact, the purpose of this system is to ensure that employers would not take advantage of their workers by refusing to pay for their injuries.
Workers’ compensation is a type of insurance that pays out benefits to employees who have been injured in the course of their work.
Further, workers’ compensation can help with the following:
- Medical care
- Loss of income
- Permanent disability
- Death benefits
What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?
To start, a traumatic brain injury (TBI) has many possible causes: a bump or blow to the head, a violent shaking of the head, a sudden stop in blood flow to the brain, or by an object piercing the skull and entering brain tissue.
Further, a traumatic brain injury is a serious medical condition that can cause death or long-term disability. In fact, approximately 30% of people who experience a TBI will die as a result. And of those who survive, 50-75% will be left with permanent disabilities.
In the United States, over 1.7 million people sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI) each year. Unfortunately, the long-term effects can be devastating and will impinge on the person’s functioning in many aspects of life. For example, a TBI impacts their ability to earn a living and to participate in family life and community activities.
What are the Most Common Signs & Symptoms of TBI?
In general, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) can cause a variety of symptoms. To name some, symptoms include headache, loss of consciousness for more than 30 minutes, confusion, and memory problems. Apart from these physical symptoms an individual may also experience mood swings.
However, those are just some of the symptoms. Here are the most common symptoms of TBI:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Confusion and disorientation
- Slurred speech
- Blurred vision
- Ringing in the ears
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a serious condition that can have life-long consequences. In many cases, it goes undiagnosed due to lack of awareness. So, it’s important to get your loved ones screened. To do this, consult a doctor or ask yourself a few questions:
- Do you sometimes feel dizzy, disoriented, or get a headache after a bump on the head?
- Has your balance, coordination or memory changed over the past year?
Plus, some signs include:
- Trouble balancing while walking
- Poor coordination while doing tasks like brushing your teeth or cooking food
- Forgetting where you put things
What Are the Different Types of TBIs?
Traumatic brain injury is a type of injury to the head and brain. Usually, it occurs as the result of an external force, such as a blow to the head.
Now, there are three types of traumatic brain injuries:
- Closed Head Injury: Also called a concussion. To start, concussion is the most common type of traumatic brain injury, or TBI. It can happen when there is a sudden, violent shaking of the head or upper body. For instance, a concussion might occur in an automobile accident. Or they could be caused by falls, sports injuries, and explosions.
- Penetrating Brain Injury: A penetrating injury is an injury that results from an object penetrating the body. For example, this object can be anything such as a bullet or knife. In most cases, gunshot wounds or stab wounds are the cause of penetrating injuries. Oftentimes, these types of injuries are life threatening.
- Diffuse Brain Injury: This type occurs when there is not a specific area that has been injured. Rather it is widespread damage to many areas in the brain. Further, diffuse injuries are often caused by a direct blow, or cerebral contusion. When an object hits the skull, a contusion occurs in the brain tissue. In general, a contusion is the result of burst blood vessels and blood leaks into surrounding brain tissue from the ruptured vessels. Usually, this type of injury leads to loss of consciousness and difficulty with motor control.
Overall, the brain is a fragile organ that does not have a lot of protection in the skull. There are several types of diffuse brain injury, which are classified based on the severity and location of the damage to the brain tissue.
When Should You File a Claim?
When is it appropriate to file a claim? At what point is it time to call a lawyer? These are the questions that most people think about when involved in an accident. The answer is not always clear cut. But there are some things you can do to help determine when it is appropriate to file a claim.
If you are unsure whether your injury is a claim-worthy event, there are some things that you can do to help make the decision. First, if you have not been able to go back to work since the accident and/or it has drastically impacted your life in some way (i.e. severe anxiety about driving, work, etc.), you should be entitled to compensation for the occupational injury. Second, if you are a caregiver for someone who has sustained an injury in the accident, you may qualify for compensation as well.
If you need to file a claim against your employer, there are some things you should consider before you make that decision. You should think about whether or not it would be worth it for you financially. Plus, you should determine if it would be worth the time and effort on your part.
What are the True Costs of Workers’ Comp?
Workers’ comp is designed to provide the necessary care for a worker who has been injured in the workplace. Oftentimes, the law requires workers’ compensation insurance. Plus, it provides benefits for medical treatment, lost wages, and in some cases death benefits.
Next, workers’ compensation insurance coverage is available through private insurers or through state-run programs. Also, the cost of workers’ compensation varies from state to state and depends on the type of industry that you’re working in.
Workers’ compensation is an important consideration for employees and employers alike. In the United States, each state has its own set of regulations for what constitutes workers compensation and how much it costs. Also, the cost of workers compensation varies depending on the industry in which you work. For example, mining and construction are more dangerous than most other industries and they have higher rates of injury that result in more accidents and deaths.
Conclusion: Know Your Rights as an Employee with a Traumatic Brain Injury Caused by Work
Know your rights as an employee with a traumatic brain injury caused by work.
As a result of traumatic brain injury (TBI), this serious condition can lead to long-term disability. A TBI is caused by either a blow to the head or an explosion that sends a shock wave through the skull and damages the brain. If you have suffered a TBI, it is important to know your rights as an employee with this condition.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations for those who are disabled, including those who have suffered from TBIs. Thus, employers must provide these accommodations unless they would pose an undue hardship on the company.
If you are unsure what accommodations would be appropriate for your situation, consult an attorney. A lawyer can help you understand your rights and ensure that you are being treated fairly.