When you suffer a traumatic brain injury, it can change your life. You may face major changes in cognitive functions, and many victims may be unable to work for a time after their injuries. In some cases, they may be unable to work at all.
Traumatic brain injuries can be difficult to recover from. If your injury occurred while at work or while performing duties of your job, you may have grounds to file for workers’ compensation benefits. At The Law Offices of Hansford McDaniel – Workers’ Compensation Attorneys, we understand how head injuries can impact your work life, and we are here to help you get the workers’ compensation you are due. Contact an Atlanta traumatic brain injury lawyer for the help you need with your case.
Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries Atlanta Workers May Experience
Workplace head injuries may require immediate medical attention to protect your health. These accidents can happen in many ways, from motor vehicle accidents to falls and blows to the head. Any forceful trauma to your head may lead to serious cognitive dysfunction.
So what types of brain injuries can we help with? If you have suffered from the following types of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), reach out to our team to learn more about how we can help you.
Closed Head Injuries
In your work-related accident, you may have suffered head trauma that did not lead to a break in the skull surrounding the brain. These injuries are called closed head injuries, but that does not make them any less dangerous.
For example, anoxic brain injuries may not lead to open head wounds, but they do mean that your brain’s oxygen supply is cut off. That can damage brain cells and even lead to death. Frequently, closed head injuries can lead to future medical bills and high expenses, so speak with your attorney about getting compensated by workers’ compensation insurance.
Catastrophic Injuries
In some cases, your workplace head injuries may be devastating. You may need ongoing physical therapy, which can get expensive fast. Unfortunately, catastrophic workplace injuries can feel almost impossible to recover from.
Fortunately, our brain injury lawyers are on your side. If you have suffered a catastrophic injury that leaves you permanently disabled, reach out to our team for help getting the workers comp benefits you are due.
Post-Concussion Syndrome in the Workplace
Some workers may suffer a mild brain injury, only to find that they still face symptoms much longer than expected. For example, mild concussions can leave you suffering symptoms for months after you expected. This condition, called post-concussion syndrome, can lead to higher medical bills and more time off work.
Post-concussion syndrome should also be reflected in your workers’ compensation claim. Our attorneys can help you ensure you get the funds you need for all the suffering you’ve experienced because of your work accident.
Symptoms of a Brain Injury
If you believe you have suffered a work-related head injury, you may need to seek out help from a law firm to ensure your rights are protected. While you will need to file your workers’ compensation claim as soon as possible, ensuring that you have medical records showing proof of the accident can be beneficial to your claim.
Your symptoms can vary. Often, the symptoms depend on the severity of your injuries. Below is just a sample of symptoms you may suffer following a head injury:
- Persistent headache
- Memory loss
- Loss of motor function
- Slurred speech
- Mood swings
- Problems with short-term memory
Atlanta Workers’ Comp Process
When you are hurt and suffering in the workplace, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits to help you get your life back on track. However, if you have never been involved in a work accident before, you may not know where to begin. Fortunately, that is where our Atlanta workers’ comp attorneys can step in.
Following any work accident, your first step is to notify your employer. Typically, your workplace should have clear instructions on how to report your accident. Once you report your accident, it’s up to the employer to notify the insurance company as soon as possible. Once the insurance company knows an accident occurred, they will investigate.
This investigation will cover who was injured, how the injury happened, and whether workers’ comp benefits apply. If they approve your case, you may be offered benefits that cover your needs. If you were denied or if your benefits do not cover the entirety of your suffering, talk to an attorney about appealing with the State Workers’ Compensation Board.
Workers Comp Benefits for Injured Atlanta Workers
When you suffer through a serious work accident, especially a traumatic brain injury, you may be unable to work and support yourself or your family. That can be devastating for families where your loved one is the sole breadwinner. Fortunately, workers’ comp benefits are designed to help you through the many expenses that may arise when you are injured at work.
These benefits can cover any expenses related to the injury, from your medical bills to the wages you would have received if you were still able to work. Your workers’ compensation attorney can help you navigate these benefits and ensure that you get what you are due.
Medical Benefits
After a work-related injury, you may need to seek compensation for the medical treatments for your brain damage. The cost of your medical care depends on the severity of your injuries.
Because workplace accidents can vary so much, your workers’ compensation may vary just as much. Ensuring that every part of your medical expenses, from transportation costs to long-term rehabilitation, are paid for is a major part of a successful claim. Talk to a lawyer after you seek medical attention to ensure all your needs are covered.
Wage Replacement
You may be unable to work for some time after your injury. Head trauma can make it difficult to focus on the tasks ahead of you, and serious TBIs can cause complete cognitive dysfunction.
Depending on the specifics of your injuries, you may be eligible for temporary partial disability benefits or temporary total disability benefits. These benefits offer a portion of your wages while you are unable to return to work. The amount depends on whether you are able to return to work at all or are completely unable to.
If you are unable to work because of your workplace injury, reach out to an attorney about permanent disability benefits and how you can seek them out.
Vocational Support
When you are in a serious workplace accident, you may have grounds to seek compensation for job replacement support. For example, construction workers with brain injuries may be unable to fulfill their job duties but may be able to work a different job
Let’s say that you worked in a manual labor position. They require you to lift things on a regular basis. However, following your brain injury, you do not have the fine motor skills to do this job. With vocational support, you can receive the training you need to fill another position.
If workplace accidents cause changes to a person’s daily life, vocational support can help them get their life back on track. Talk to your attorney if you believe you may be eligible to continue working in a different capacity.
Death Benefits
When TBI victims pass away from their brain injury, their families may still need benefits for their lost income. A severe TBI can easily become deadly, leaving families struggling to survive.
When a head injury goes beyond cognitive impairments, you may be due death benefits for fatal workplace accidents. These benefits may cover funeral costs, burial costs, and death benefits for the surviving spouse or dependent. That means any current and future lost wages may be replaced for some time following the fatal accident. Seek out an experienced attorney for guidance.
Atlanta Traumatic Brain Injury FAQ
Getting answers for your TBI can be difficult. When you have suffered a head injury, you may have difficulty recovering from your injuries and getting the workers’ comp you are due.
Fortunately, you may have grounds for a work compensation claim. If you have any questions about your claim, reach out for help. In the meantime, we answer some of our most commonly asked questions.
How much compensation do you get for traumatic brain injury?
The injuries you have suffered can inform the compensation you get for a traumatic brain injury. For example, if your loved one was left in a vegetative state, you may be due significant damages through workers’ comp benefits. Talk to your lawyer about your options.
What qualifies as a traumatic brain injury?
A traumatic brain injury occurs when you suffer a blow to the head that leads to damage to the brain. These injuries may or may not require hospitalization as well as certain treatments, including surgery. Talk to an Atlanta workers’ comp lawyer if your TBI happened on the job.
Is a traumatic brain injury considered a disability?
In some cases, a brain injury can lead to a disability. Even with medical treatment, you may find that you are still facing ongoing, lifelong changes to your cognitive function. Because a serious head injury can lead to long-term disability, contact a workers’ compensation attorney for help. They can help workers in all industries, from airlines to warehouses, get the disability benefits they need.
Can I claim compensation for a brain injury?
A traumatic brain injury case can be difficult, and you may have trouble getting compensated fairly. However, you have legal protections that ensure you can access the benefits you deserve. Brain injury victims can seek out the help of an experienced workers’ compensation attorney to pursue the benefits they are due.
What is the average settlement for a traumatic brain injury case?
Because wage loss benefits and specific needs can vary so much, it can be difficult to name an average settlement for an injured worker. Fortunately, that means you can receive the amount you are due, not a flat rate. If you have suffered a TBI because of a work accident, our team is prepared to help you settle with the State Workers’ Compensation Board and get the benefits you need.
Reach Out to a Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer in Atlanta
When you have suffered a traumatic brain injury, your recovery can be lengthy and difficult. Brain injuries can lead to many medical expenses, trouble working, and even death. You may be completely unsure where to begin following your injuries.
Fortunately, our team at The Law Offices of Hansford McDaniel – Workers’ Compensation Attorneys is here to help injured workers in the aftermath of severe brain injuries. We understand that your injuries may make it difficult to advocate for your needs, which is why our legal professionals are here to help, starting with a free consultation.
When you are ready to speak with us through a phone call, a video conference, or an in-person appointment, call or fill out our online contact form to learn more.
