Head Injury Attorney in Peoria, Illinois

In the United States, we thankfully have comprehensive workers’ compensation laws in every state that protect employees when they’re injured on the job. However, the actual process of filing these claims and ensuring you get adequate compensation can be more complicated than you may think. This can also be exacerbated by the type of injury you sustain. One such injury that can present issues is a concussion or traumatic brain injury. 

If you’d like help figuring out how to file for a workers’ compensation claim or what to do if you get a head injury at work, call me at The Law Office of David Hunt to schedule a consultation. I’m located in Peoria, Illinois and I’m proud to represent clients throughout Peoria, Woodford, and Caswell counties. 

Common Head Injuries at Work  

Although the cause of your workplace head injury may vary, there are two main types of head injuries that you may sustain: concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Concussions are considered less serious than TBIs, but they can still cause lasting injury and should be addressed immediately. A TBI usually occurs when the individual loses consciousness and can be categorized as mild or severe. 

Causes of Head Injuries   

A work-related head injury can happen for a number of reasons. An injury could occur if you’re struck by an object, are in a vehicle crash, are near an explosion, or are involved in a trip and fall or slip and fall incident in which you land on your head. Of these, falls are the most common cause and can often result in a traumatic brain injury. 

If you’re required to travel for work—whether it’s making deliveries or driving to and from job sites—car accidents will also be a likely culprit of a brain injury. Any action that suddenly jolts your body rapidly (like being rear-ended or involved in a crash) can cause your brain to jostle and can result in swelling or bleeding.  

Symptoms of a Head Injury  

Many people who suffer a concussion or other type of head injury may not be immediately aware that they’ve even been injured. Or, perhaps they recognize that they’re hurt, but they think that it’s only a minor injury and that they don’t need to report it or get medical attention. The symptoms of a head injury can sometimes be very subtle. If you’re at all concerned that you’ve sustained an injury, you should get help right away.  

Symptoms of head injuries vary, but they can include drowsiness, double vision, headaches, loss of balance, confusion, restlessness, unconsciousness, different-sized pupils, seizures, depression, fluid draining from the ears, irritability, slurred speech, sensitivity to light, or nausea and vomiting. Many people who have a head injury won’t black out, so you need to be aware of even the most minor symptoms that could indicate injury. It’s also common for symptoms to wait to show up days or even weeks after the initial incident which can make the victim even more likely to brush them off as unrelated to the trauma.  

What to Do If You Get a Head Injury at Work  

Any time you’re injured on the job, the first thing you should do is seek medical attention. Your physical health is the most important consideration. At first, you can go to any provider you like, but after your claim is processed, you may be required to see a different doctor. Next, you’ll want to alert your employer to your injury. In Illinois, this must be done within 45 days of the incident, although ideally, this happens much sooner. Although your employer should then help you file a workers’ compensation claim, it’s in your best interest to hire a workers’ compensation attorney on your own. Your attorney can help you keep track of your case and ensure that your best interests are always being represented.  

After your claim is processed, you’ll work with your provider and employer to put in place any work restrictions which could include temporary disability depending on the severity of your injury. Then, using documentation from your provider and potentially an independent medication examination (IME) ordered by your employer, you’ll negotiate what kind of benefits package you’re eligible for that compensates you for your medical expenses, lost income, future lost income, and pain and suffering. After this, if you wish to bring a lawsuit if you feel you weren’t adequately compensated for damages, you have two years from the last date you received a disability payment.