Vermont Workplace Head & Brain Injury Lawyer
Head and brain injuries are especially concerning because they have the potential to change every aspect of a person’s life, including their ability to speak, think or communicate effectively, to move and care for oneself, or to alter a person’s personality, identity and sense of self. They can cause lasting or permanent injuries, coma or persistent vegetative state, or death. Head and brain injuries can range from mild to severe and impact one’s work-life from temporary partial disability to permanent total disability.
Getting a timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment are keys to recovering to the fullest extent possible after a head or brain injury. Medical care can be costly and require ongoing therapy and rehabilitation, along with significant periods away from work on a temporary or permanent basis. Because brain injury symptoms can sometimes be mysterious, employers and their workers’ compensation insurance carriers often take a hard look at these types of injuries. They might dispute the severity of the injury or push treatment options that aren’t in your best interests. In situations like these, the advice and counsel of an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer can be crucial.
Vermont workplace injury attorney Justin Sluka builds on nearly 20 years of experience defending employers and their insurance companies in workers’ comp matters to deliver high-quality representation to employees who suffered a head or brain injury on the job. At Sluka Law, we work to see that you get the medical care and disability benefits you need and are entitled to under the law, especially when the employer’s insurance company is working against you. If you or a loved one suffered a head or brain injury at work and you need help with your Vermont workers’ compensation claim, call Sluka Law. Your call is free, and we only charge a fee if we are successful in your workers’ compensation case.
Leading Causes of Head and Brain Injuries in Vermont Workplaces
Motor vehicle accidents and falls are the leading causes of accidental head and brain injuries. People who drive for a living, such as truck drivers, delivery drivers, loggers and others are especially at risk of getting into a serious crash, but anyone injured in a car accident while on the clock is entitled to workers’ compensation. This includes accidents that occur while driving between job sites, running errands, picking up or delivering supplies, etc., although workers’ comp generally will not cover an accident that occurs during a daily commute to or from work. Employees working outdoors are also at risk of a head or brain injury if they get hit by a car or truck driving negligently onto the job site. Highway workers in road construction zones adjacent to live traffic face this risk every day, and hundreds of road workers lose their lives in work zone crashes every year.
A head injury from a fall is most likely to occur to employees like construction workers who work from heights, but any employee can suffer a head or brain injury, even a fatal one, in a simple slip and fall or trip and fall at ground level. These types of accidents can happen to anyone from the factory floor to the front office, or from the cafeteria to the classroom.
Treatment for Head and Brain Injuries on the Job
A head or brain injury can be a medical emergency, and any worker who suffers a blow to the head should get checked out by a doctor sooner rather than later. Symptoms are not always immediately apparent, but a doctor can perform an initial examination, tell you what signs to watch out for, and order appropriate tests or follow-up appointments. Concussions and skull fractures can require surgery to remove bone fragments or foreign objects or to reduce swelling and pressure on the brain. Upon release from the hospital or intensive care, patients with head or brain injuries might require a lengthy stay in a specialty hospital or rehabilitation center where they can receive appropriate services such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, cognitive therapy or psychological counseling. Depending on the severity of the injury and its impacts on functioning, long-term treatment might require assisted living, nursing care, or home health care and durable medical equipment. Some workers might fully recover and return to their previous job, although others might not be so fortunate.
Signs Treatment May Be Necessary After a Head or Brain Injury
As noted earlier, any fall or injury that involves a blow to the head should be followed with a trip to the doctor as soon as possible. If you notice any of the following signs, though, it is time to seek immediate medical attention:
- Loss of consciousness, even for only a moment
- Dizziness
- Ringing in the ears
- Nausea or vomiting
- Persistent headache
- Dilated Pupils
- Blurry vision
- Slurred speech
- Numbness in the extremities
- Confusion or disorientation
- Lack of balance or coordination
- Excessive sleepiness
- Mood or personality changes
Get the Help You Need After a Head or Brain Injury on the Job in Vermont
If you are having trouble getting workers’ compensation after a workplace accident involving a head or brain injury, call Sluka Law for immediate assistance. We help workers throughout the state of Vermont get the medical care and compensation they need and are entitled to after a work injury. If the insurance company is taking too long to resolve your claim, if they deny your claim, dispute your injury or the benefits you are due, or if they terminate your benefits before you are ready to go back to work, Sluka Law can help. Call 802-457-1000 for a free consultation. There’s no fee unless we win your case.
