Concussions are common injuries on construction sites and other job sites. In fact, they are more common than most people realize: According to estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as many as 25 percent of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) go unreported. These injuries can have lasting consequences, and they can create substantial financial burdens for injured workers and their families.
If you have suffered a job-related concussion, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. Workers’ compensation covers all work-related injuries, and this includes concussions and other forms of TBI. But, in order to collect benefits, you need to make sure you take all of the necessary steps to protect your legal rights. This includes seeking a medical diagnosis, reporting your injury to your employer and engaging an experienced workers’ compensation attorney to represent you.
Concussion Symptoms
If you are experiencing symptoms of a concussion, it is important that you see a doctor promptly. You will need a medical diagnosis in order to secure benefits, and you need to obtain this diagnosis as soon as possible in order to prove that your concussion is work-related. Typical symptoms of concussions include:
- Blurred or fuzzy vision
- Fatigue or lack of energy
- Difficulty concentrating
- Difficulty remembering new information
- Difficulty thinking clearly
- Dizziness
- Feelings of sadness, nervousness or anxiety
- Headaches
- Irritability
- Sleep pattern disruptions, including sleeping more or less than usual
Are You Sure It is a Concussion (and Not a More-Serious Injury)?
While recent advances in medicine have shown that a concussion is not an injury to be ignored, if you are experiencing the symptoms listed above, it is also important to make sure that you have not suffered a more-serious form of TBI. Auto accidents, falls, being struck by falling objects and other common causes of work-related concussions can also cause injuries including:
- Contusions
- Coup/contrecoup lesions
- Diffuse anoxal injuries
- Epidural, intracerebral and subdural hematomas
- Subarachnoid hemorrhages
What if Workers’ Compensation Isn’t Enough?
For many workers diagnosed with concussions and other forms of TBI, filing for workers’ compensation is not enough. In Illinois, workers’ compensation benefits cover injured employees’ medical expenses, rehabilitation costs and a portion of their lost wages, but (i) they do not extend indefinitely, and (ii) they do not cover all injury-related losses. If you are unable to work due to a concussion, you may find that your benefits do not fully meet your needs.
To avoid this issue, when seeking legal representation for your workers’ compensation claim, you should speak with your attorney about filing a personal injury claim as well. If someone other than your employer is responsible for your concussion (for example, if a subcontractor’s employee injured you or you fell because of an unsafe property condition), you may be entitled to full compensation for all of the financial and non-financial costs of your injury.
Speak With a Chicago Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in Confidence
Have you been diagnosed with a concussion following an accident at work? Are you concerned about your symptoms but unsure of where to go for medical treatment? If so, our team of experienced attorneys and legal professionals can help. For a free, no-obligation consultation, call us at (312) 795-9595 or contact us online today.