Rockford Workplace Head Injury Lawyers

I had a bit of a freak accident at work. My ex employer literally refused to even answer my calls after the accident. So I called Newland & Newland... My case was handled by the book. And done with grace and tact, especially since I knew nothing regarding Workers Compensation.

A serious head injury can affect a person's life in many ways. A traumatic brain injury (TBI) may affect a person's ability to think, communicate, remember details, and control their body. While some people may be able to fully recover from head injuries with treatment, others may need months or years of rehabilitation, and they may experience issues that could prevent them from returning to work. When a brain injury is caused by an accident at work, a person will need to understand their legal options.

At Newland & Newland, LLP, our lawyers can provide guidance for people who have suffered head injuries or traumatic brain injuries in workplace accidents in Rockford. We can help injured workers receive the full workers' compensation benefits needed to address their injuries, and we can also assist with claims against third parties whose contributed to an injury.

Workplace Accidents That Cause Head and Brain Injuries

Head and brain injuries can occur in a wide range of workplace accidents, including:

Falls From Heights

When a person falls from a ladder, scaffolding, rooftop, or elevated platform, they may experience a brain injury when their head strikes the ground, a piece of equipment, or another object. Falls are the leading cause of workplace injuries for construction workers, and they may occur because of a lack of fall protection equipment, guardrails, or safety nets.

Machinery and Equipment Accidents

Contact with industrial machinery can result in head injuries, such as lacerations, skull fractures, or severe traumatic brain injuries. Manufacturing workers or farm workers may be at risk of machinery-related head injuries because of a lack of guards or other safety features, improperly maintained equipment, or negligent operation of machinery.

Accidents Involving Falling or Flying Objects

Workers may be struck by falling tools or materials. They may also be struck by moving equipment or loads or broken parts that fly away from machinery. These accidents can lead to head trauma. Even when wearing hard hats or using other safety equipment, workers on construction sites or in other locations may be at risk of head injuries when they are struck by objects.

Vehicle and Forklift Accidents

Collisions involving forklifts, cranes, or construction equipment can cause serious head and brain injuries. Workers may be struck by vehicles or injured when equipment rolls over. Head injuries may also occur in car accidents that take place while a person is on the clock. Accidents may occur on local roads or highways, or forklift or equipment accidents may take place in warehouses or on construction sites.

Explosions

People who work around flammable materials, chemicals, or pressurized equipment may be at risk of blast injuries when explosions occur. The shockwaves of a blast can cause traumatic brain injuries, or objects or shrapnel sent flying in an explosion may strike a person on the head.

Workplace Violence

Assaults may sometimes be committed in the workplace by coworkers, customers, or other parties. These incidents may lead to head injuries when a person is struck, hit with an object, or thrown against a surface. People in certain industries may be at a higher risk of workplace violence, including those who work in healthcare, retail, social services, or transportation.

How Brain Injuries Can Affect a Worker's Life

The effects of a traumatic brain injury can be long-lasting and far-reaching. They may include:

Cognitive Effects

A worker who has suffered a TBI may have difficulty concentrating and maintaining attention. They may experience problems with short-term and long-term memory and difficulties with problem-solving, reading comprehension, and communication. These issues can affect a person's ability to perform work that they had done before their injury.

Physical Symptoms

A traumatic brain injury may lead to ongoing headaches, dizziness, balance problems, fatigue, visual impairments, loss of hearing, and sensitivity to bright lights and loud noises. Some people may experience seizure disorders. These issues may prevent a person from maintaining concentration while working or performing certain types of work.

Emotional and Behavioral Changes

A brain injury can alter a person's personality and affect their ability to regulate their emotions. They may experience issues like irritability, impulsive behavior, depression, or anxiety. These issues may make it difficult for a person to continue working in a job they had held in the past.

Workers' Compensation Benefits for Head and Brain Injuries

As a person recovers from a traumatic brain injury that was caused by a workplace accident, they may receive different types of benefits that can help address the ways they have been affected. Medical benefits will cover all medical care that a person receives, including emergency treatment, hospitalization, neurosurgery, neuropsychological testing, inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation, speech therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, psychiatric treatment, and medications.

When a brain injury prevents a person from returning to work in their previous job, they may receive temporary partial disability (TPD) benefits if they are required to work part-time or in a lower-paying position, or temporary total disability (TTD) benefits may be available if they are unable to return to work at all. Permanent disability benefits may be available if a person's injury will have a permanent impact on their life and career.

Third-Party Claims in Workplace Head Injury Cases

Workers' compensation provides important benefits, but it does not provide compensation for pain and suffering, and it will not fully cover the wages lost due to a workplace injury. When a third party, such as a property owner, equipment manufacturer, or contractor, was responsible for an injury, additional compensation may be available. A third-party claim can hold the responsible party accountable for the injuries and damages a person has suffered.

Frequently Asked Questions About Workplace Head and Brain Injuries in Rockford

Contact Our Rockford, IL Workplace Head Injury Lawyers

A traumatic brain injury that took place at work can place serious limitations on your life, your career, and your future. At Newland & Newland, LLP, our lawyers understand the challenges that come with these injuries, and we can help you secure workers' compensation benefits or other forms of compensation to help you address your ongoing needs. Contact our Rockford work-related brain injury attorneys at 847-797-8000 to arrange a free consultation.