A head injury is one of the most serious types of workplace injuries.
Most work-related head injuries result from slip and fall accidents, falling objects, motor vehicle accidents, and defective and dangerous equipment. A worker who has suffered a brain concussion may experience no symptoms at all, or in worse cases, may become unconscious. Other symptoms include loss of equilibrium, abnormal behavior, nausea, confusion, and blurred vision.
Common Causes of Work-Related Head Injuries
The brain is covered by the skull which acts as a protective shell. Inside the skull there is cerebrospinal fluid that acts as a cushion between the skull bone and brain. A concussion occurs when a head trauma causes the brain to push through the layer of cerebrospinal fluid and hit the skull. Workers who are at a higher risk of head injuries are:
- fire fighters
- construction workers
- delivery personnel
- race car drivers
- loading dock workers
- professional athletes
Head Injuries and Workers’ Compensation
The first thing a worker must do after suffering a brain injury is to get medical attention and then report the injury to the employer or supervisor. Seeking medical attention is important even if there are no visible signs of injury, because the symptoms of a concussion may not appear right away and any delay may cause a serious threat to life. It also acts as proof that the injury is work-related.
Diagnosing a Concussion
File a report of injury with your employer as soon as possible after the injury. Any delays in reporting may jeopardize your workers’ compensation claim. When you report your head injury to the doctor, diagnostic tests may be ordered to evaluate the extent and type of injury. Some common tests used to diagnose concussions are:
- CT scan: An imaging technique used to identify hemorrhages, skull fractures, and hematomas.
- MRI scan: An imaging technique used to assess brain function.
If both tests show no evidence of a serious, life-threatening brain injury, a brain concussion may be diagnosed. In order to treat a concussion, several days of rest may be recommended so that the brain can return to its normal function on its own. After a few days, doctors may perform another round of tests to evaluate how well you have recovered from the injury, and once the doctor feels that you have achieved maximum medical improvement, you will be allowed to return to work.
Reaching Maximum Medical Improvement
A concussion is not a life-threatening condition and rarely leads to permanent or even temporary disability. After you have reached maximum medical improvement, you will be able to return to work and perform normal duties. However, if you feel that you have not completely recovered from your injury, immediately consult an experienced Missouri workers’ compensation lawyer. Contact The Law Office of James M. Hoffmann at (314) 361-4300. We will help you get the benefits that you may be entitled to.
Work Related Injuries
Leg Amputation
Finger Amputation
Ankle Injury
Ankle Replacement
Arthroscopic Surgery
Work Related Arthritis
Accidental Asphyxiation
Work Related Asthma
Avulsion Injury
Back Injury at Work
Back Pain from Work
Lower Back Pain at Work
Chronic Back Pain
Head Injury Internal Bleeding
Internal Bleeding after Injury
Blood Related Illness
Broken Bones
Brain Injuries
Traumatic Brain Injury
Bursitis Work Related
Burn Injury at Work
Electric Burn
Chemical Burn
Calcaneus Fracture
Sudden Cardiac Arrest
Cardiovascular Disease
Carpal Tunnel Work Related
Cartilage Injury
Cervical Disc Replacement
Cervical Fusion
Chronic Illness
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Work Related Concussion
Contagious Disease
Work Related COPD
Skin Corrosion
CRPS Disease
Crush Injuries
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
Work Related Death
Degenerative Bone Disease
Degenerative Disc Disease Work Related
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Elbow Injury
Epicondylitis at Work
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Fibromyalgia
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Work Related Injuries to the Hand
Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome
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Closed Head Injury
Open Head Injury
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Hip Fracture
Hip Replacement
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Intracranial Injury
Broken Jaw
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Laceration
LCL Injury
Legionnaires Disease
Ligament Tear
Limb Loss
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Lumbar Fusion
Lumbar Spinal Fusion
MCL Tear
MCL Injury
Meniscus Tear
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Work Related Neck Pain
Work Related Neck Injury
Neurological Disorders
Occupational Disease
Organ Damage
Pain and Suffering from Work Related Injury
Paralysis
Patella Fracture
Pelvic Fracture
Plantar Fascitis
Pre Existing Work Related Injury
Work Related PTSD
Radiation Sickness
Repetitive Stress Injury
Rhabdomyolysis
Rotator Cuff Tear
Rotator Cuff Surgery
Work Related Rotator Cuff Injury
Sciatica Work Related
Shift Work Disorder
Shoulder Fusion
Shoulder Impingement
Shoulder Injury
Work Related Shoulder Pain
Sick Building Syndrome
Skull Fracture
Spinal Cord Injury at Work
Spondylolysis
Sprain at Work
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Work Related Stress
Stress Fracture
Subdural Hematoma
Work Related Tendonitis
Lost Tooth at Work
Trigger Finger Work Related
Vertebroplasty
Vision Impairment
Lost Vision at Work
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