Baltimore Workers’ Compensation Lawyers: Report Head Injuries Immediately
March 7, 2017
One of the most common injuries sustained on the job is also one of the most difficult to diagnose. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), head injuries occur daily in workplaces throughout the country. However, head injuries often take time to develop. The resulting lag between when a head injury is sustained and when a head injury victim seeks medical treatment can lead to a denial of a claim for Workers’ Compensation benefits. It is imperative for employees to promptly report whenever it is even remotely possible that a head injury has occurred.
Some occupations are more prone to head injuries than others. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) maintains that several hundred construction workers die each year from a traumatic brain injury (TBI), despite a 6.2% industry-wide decrease in fatal TBIs from 2003 to 2010. Common causes of TBI on a construction site include blows to the head from a dropped object, falls from scaffolding or other elevated surfaces and being hit by a construction vehicle. Moreover, according to the CDC, construction workers over the age of 65 and construction workers who are foreign-born suffer TBIs more often than their younger, American-born peers. Workers in other occupations, such as healthcare workers, delivery drivers and professional athletes, are also at an increased risk of sustaining a TBI on the job.
Signs of Traumatic Brain Injury
Brain injuries may range in severity, but all head injuries should be taken seriously. Anytime an employee loses consciousness they should immediately receive medical attention. Loss of consciousness is indicative of a severe TBI, such as a grade three concussion or skull fracture. However, some brain injuries are not always so obvious. If in the hours and days after suffering a blow to the head a worker experiences dizziness, headaches, difficulty concentrating or sensitivity to light or sound, it may be a sign of mild post-concussion syndrome or a subdural hematoma. Without prompt treatment, these seemingly minor head injuries can progress into a life-threatening situation.
Any employee who suffers a blow to the head must immediately notify a manager of what has happened. Whenever possible, employees should also identify any bystanders who may have witnessed the workplace accident. Waiting days or even weeks to initiate a request for Workers’ Compensation benefits can render a claim unviable. Employees should follow up with a primary care physician as soon as possible to discern whether or not they have suffered a TBI. Moreover, workers should not return to work following a TBI until their physician has deemed them physically able.
Baltimore Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Represent Victims of Work-Related Head Injuries in Maryland
If you or a loved one has recently suffered a head injury on the job, you may be entitled to Workers’ Compensation, which provides wage loss benefits and medical benefits during your recovery. Baltimore Workers’ Compensation lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton will investigate your claim at no cost. Call us at 844-556-4LAW (4529) or contact us online today to schedule your free consultation at our offices in Baltimore, where we proudly serve clients throughout the surrounding area.
