If you’ve suffered any type of head injury or concussion on the job, you’ll want to make sure your workers comp claim is extensive, covering all possible ramifications of the injury. Unfortunately, head injuries can lead to very serious conditions and complications, such as traumatic brain injury (TBI), skull injuries, and internal bruising or bleeding of the brain. In lucky cases, the person may simply have a mild concussion, but on the farther end of the spectrum, TBIs can be fatal.
You’ll want to be sure you have a doctor who is first and foremost competent and will help you recover as quickly as possible, but one whose team is also well-versed in workers comp claims, who can help you get everything you are owed from this disaster.
Workplace Head Injuries
Some of the most common causes for head injuries in the workplace are:
- Slips and falls
- Vehicular accidents
- Falling from heights
- Dropped objects
Many federal & local governmental employees have jobs that put them at risk for such injuries, such as government contractors, police, post office workers, and more.
With the brain being the epicenter for all control of the body, any damage to it can be severe. While the skull serves to protect the brain from injury, when there is a blow, whether from an external object, or even from something like whiplash, the soft, delicate tissue of the brain ends up slamming into the skull, which can cause swelling and internal bleeding, sometimes leading to serious problems.
One of the problems with head injuries and concussions is that you don’t always know the extent of the damage until much later. That’s why it’s so important to seek immediate medical attention after a possible head injury (on the job or otherwise). There is no shame in getting yourself checked out to be sure you didn’t suffer a concussion, or worse.
You may notice symptoms like:
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Fatigue or tiredness
- Nauseousness
These can all indicate there’s been a concussion, and possibly a traumatic brain injury.
More severe symptoms that you should keep an eye out for include:
- Dilated pupils (in one or both eyes)
- Vomiting
- Headache worsening
- Slurred speech
- Behavioral changes
Any of these symptoms can mean serious injury and you should seek immediate medical attention. Make sure you tell your doctor that this accident or injury happened in the workplace, and answer any questions they have for you honestly.
At OWCP Docs of Houston, our staff will guide you through the claim process, working with you each step of the way to help ensure you get the full benefits you’re entitled to. Schedule your free consultation with us by calling our office today (832) 793-6726.
