According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of disability and death in the United States. Sometimes the signs of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) are apparent right away, but in other cases, an injured worker may not experience symptoms until days, weeks, or even months later. At Nappa, Monterosso & Poznansky, LLP, our workers’ compensation lawyers understand complex cases involving traumatic brain injuries. Knowing the signs and symptoms of TBI can help you get the medical care you need and prevent more serious conditions from developing.
What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)?
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can occur when someone suffers a blow or jolt to the head or when an object pierces the skull. Brain injuries range from mild concussions to serious TBIs that have life-altering consequences. Common causes of TBI in the workplace include:
- Slip, trip, and fall accidents
- Falling objects
- Falls from heights
- Motor vehicle collisions
- Malfunctioning machinery or equipment
Although anyone can suffer a head injury, workers in the construction industry are particularly vulnerable due to the nature of the work. Whether you’re hurt in a construction site accident or slip and fall on a wet floor at work, it’s important to seek medical care promptly so you can be properly diagnosed and treated.
Types of TBI
Concussion
The most common type of TBI that may go unnoticed is a concussion. A blow to the head or rapid movement of the neck and head may cause the brain to move inside the skull, causing injury. Most signs of concussion usually occur shortly after injury, while others can take days or weeks to appear. If an injured worker already suffers from chronic headaches, anxiety, or other conditions, they may not realize they are experiencing symptoms of a concussion.
Common signs of concussion include:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sensitivity to noise and light
- Blurred vision
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Difficulty concentrating
- Irritability
- Mood swings
- Memory loss
- Depression
- Anxiety
If you’re suffering from any of these symptoms after a workplace injury, see a doctor as soon as possible. If you are diagnosed with a concussion or another type of TBI that occurred on the job, seeking the counsel of a workers’ compensation lawyer can help to ensure you receive the medical care and benefits you deserve.
Brain Hemorrhage
Usually caused by ruptured blood vessels, uncontrolled bleeding either inside or outside the brain is called hemorrhaging. Although hemorrhaging is a serious injury that can be fatal, an injured worker may not experience symptoms of a brain hemorrhage right away. Brain hemorrhages often require surgery, and getting this type of TBI treated immediately may help you avoid effects such as loss of movement, vision problems, severe headaches, or death. Even if you believe a head injury or other workplace injuries you’ve suffered aren’t severe, it’s better to be safe than sorry and go to a hospital right away.
Subdural Hematoma
When blood pools or clots between the surface of the brain and the skull, a subdural hematoma can form. As it grows, a hematoma can put pressure on brain tissue, causing loss of consciousness and death. Signs of subdural hematoma include headache, confusion, drowsiness, slurred speech, nausea, vomiting, and vision changes. This condition can be especially dangerous for older workers.
Treatment for this type of TBI can be extensive and costly, so it’s important to make sure you get the full amount of workers’ compensation benefits to cover your medical costs, wage loss, and other workplace injury-related expenses.
Cerebral Edema
Edema, or swelling of the brain, is caused by fluid collecting in the skull, which can compress and damage the brainstem, eventually leading to death. If edema is treated early, the injured person may be able to avoid the long-term effects of this type of TBI. Signs of cerebral edema include difficulty speaking, headache, dizziness, memory loss, vision changes, and stiffness in the neck.
Workers’ Compensation Claims for TBI
Brain injuries are complex, and it can be tough to prove the long-term effects of a work-related TBI. One way to help make your case for compensation is to keep a daily journal of your symptoms, thoughts, and feelings. Write down how the TBI has affected your ability to perform tasks and enjoy life.
For these types of workplace injuries, you may have to be evaluated by different types of medical professionals of your employer’s or their insurer’s choosing. Unfortunately, it’s common for insurance companies to challenge TBI workers’ compensation claims. Having an experienced workplace injury lawyer who knows how to collect sufficient documentation and put it all together to prove the seriousness of your injury can significantly increase your chances of obtaining the full amount of benefits you deserve. The attorney also can assist you with any appeals for workplace injury claims that have been denied.
If someone else’s negligence caused your injury, you may be able to file a claim against them as long as it is not your employer. Your workers’ compensation attorney can work in concert with a personal injury lawyer to help maximize the total amount of your award.
Contact a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in NYC
At Nappa, Monterosso & Poznansky, LLP, our workers’ compensation lawyers understand that the financial, emotional, and physical repercussions of a TBI can wreak havoc on your life. The team at our workplace injury law firm is dedicated to fighting for injured workers’ rights on Staten Island and throughout the greater NYC area. Attorney Rolando Cubela proudly assists our Spanish-speaking clients. If you’ve suffered a workplace injury, call us at 718-273-9000 or contact us to schedule a consultation
