Head injuries are among the most common workplace injuries, affecting thousands of workers each year. Due to the complexity of this these types of workplace injuries, if you or a loved one has sustained a head injury, it’s best to get in touch with a Virginia work injury lawyer to help you navigate the Workers’ Compensation claim process.
Types of Work-Related Head Injuries
Tragedy can strike without warning; a normal day on the job quickly can turn into a nightmare when a workplace accident leads to a head injury. Accidents as simple as a trip on a carpet, a scaffolding collapse or an object falling from a shelf can cause traumatic injuries with serious, long-term complications.
Some workplaces pose numerous safety hazards, setting the stage for common workplace injuries, such as:
- contusions;
- skull fractures;
- scalp wounds; and
- concussions.
Often, an employee will suffer a traumatic brain injury (TBI) as a result of a workplace accident, which can lead to serious, long-term complications. They can occur anywhere, too — for instance, a steep fall at a construction site. But even a desk job at an office building in the Biotech and MCV District could lead to a TBI in the event of a stumble, a broken handrail or some other mishap.
Brain Injury Symptoms
Head injuries, especially internal injuries such as TBIs, can be difficult to diagnose. The symptoms may appear gradually and not begin to manifest immediately, and because some of the symptoms mimic other health conditions, it can be hard for doctors to link your symptoms to your accident..
The list of possible side effects is long and far-reaching, but some of the symptoms of a workplace head injury might include:
- dizziness and nausea;
- confusion, disorientation and memory problems;
- headaches and sensitivity to lights and sounds;
- seizures; and
- personality changes.
Head injuries may have devastating long-term implications and leave an employee unable to continue living and working in the same manner as prior to the accident.
Filing for Virginia Workers’ Comp
Before you embark on the Workers’ Compensation claim process, you might want to discuss your accident with a Virginia work injury lawyer who regularly handles common workplace injuries, such as work-related head trauma. Claims for workplace injuries can become quite complicated with a complex head injury, and an attorney can help make sure you get all the benefits that you’re entitled to.
The basic Virginia Workers’ Compensation claim process involves:
- reporting your accident to your employer (as soon as possible);
- getting medical treatment and abiding by the doctors’ orders;
- filling out Workers’ Comp forms and submitting them to the designated place;
- receiving paperwork from the insurer either accepting or denying your claim; and
- receiving an award letter (if accepted) or filing an appeal (if denied).
Difficulties with Head Injury Claims
Stalls in the award letter, adhering to time limitations, the possibility of third party claims, wrongly denied claims, workplace discrimination and shady insurance tactics can cause claim complications and significant frustration.
Additionally, you’ll have the burden of proving the extent of your injury, which can be quite difficult with composite head injuries that don’t necessarily have telltale symptoms that fit neatly into a box.
When your life or the life of your loved one has been forever changed because of a work accident, the Virginia Workers’ Comp law is supposed to protect you and provide you a means to receive benefits while incapacitated. You deserve to be able to receive the full extent of those benefits in order to pay the bills and cover your medical expenses.
If you run into problems at any stage of the Workers’ Compensation claim process, speak with a Virginia work injury lawyer who handles common workplace injuries to receive practical, pertinent legal counsel and help obtaining your benefits.
Contact a Virginia Work Injury Lawyer
When you have difficulties with the Workers’ Compensation claim process, a Virginia work injury attorney can bear some of the burden you’ve been placed under. To get back on your feet, whether it means getting back to work or getting the benefits you deserve, order a copy of our free book, the Ultimate Guide to Workers’ Compensation in Virginia, and contact a Workers’ Comp attorney at the Injured Workers Law Firm for a no-cost consultation – 1-877-755-7744 or 1-804-755-7755.
The Injured Workers Law Firm is a Richmond, Virginia based firm solely focused on serving clients with workers' compensation claims in Virginia. If you have questions about your benefits or if you would like more information on the Virginia Workers’ Compensation system, order our book, “The Ultimate Guide to Workers’ Compensation in Virginia” , or call our office today (804) 755-7755.