Work-related brain injuries are one of the riskiest injuries both employees and their employers face. They can also be frustratingly difficult to diagnose, leading to confusion and an uphill litigation battle at times. However, since recovery can be costly, it is important to understand how to get the compensation you deserve when dealing with Texas non-subscriber laws, as well as how to deal with the impact the injury might have on your life in the years to come.
If you've been injured on the job, it's important to find an experienced Texas personal injury attorney you can trust.
Common Causes of Work-Related Brain Injuries in Texas
There are several ways that an individual can sustain a brain injury at work. Some of these include:
- Falls from heights. If you work in construction or other manual labor industries that involve working off the ground, you are at risk for serious head injuries, especially if you work with scaffolding. When a fall from more than 30 feet occurs, it’s almost always fatal. But even a fall from as little as six feet can cause a significant work-related brain injury.
- Being struck by an object. Workplace accidents involving being hit by an object are among the most common causes of injury. From being hit in the head by a flying or swinging object to getting in the way of a falling or rolling object, everything from small debris to heavy machinery can cause a brain injury.
- Vehicle crashes. Those who drive a motor vehicle for their job are at risk of getting in a crash. Whether you’re a commercial truck driver, delivery driver, or salesperson, there are many jobs that involve driving and, in turn, the risk of a collision.
- Slips or falls. Anything that causes a worker to fall or slip can potentially cause work-related brain injuries. This includes spills, uneven flooring, recently mopped or waxed flooring, torn carpeting, or cluttered walkways.
- Explosions. Explosion risk is real for those who work in factories, mines, or construction sites. Explosion blasts are often fatal but can also cause severe work-related brain injuries.
Types and Symptoms of Brain Injuries
Brain injury symptoms vary greatly, and unfortunately, some are symptom-free, which makes them even more dangerous and important to treat. According to our experienced injury attorney, some symptoms you may experience include:
- Lost consciousness
- Chronic headaches or headaches that worsen over time
- Vomiting or feeling nauseous
- Seizures or convulsions
- Dilated pupils
- Problems with sleep or sleeping more than usual
- Confusion
- Agitation or unusual behavior
- Slurred speech
- Memory problems
- Difficulty thinking clearly
- Sensitivity to light or noise
Again, even if you don’t have any symptoms, if you’ve been in an accident where you hit your head, you should still see a doctor as soon as possible to be examined for any unseen injury.
There are various types of brain injuries, both external and internal. Externally, a worker can experience damage to the skull. Skull damage can include bruising and swelling, but also even fractured bones. There may also be cuts or lacerations on the scalp.
Internal effects tend to be even more severe, including blood clots and brain bruises. Another type of internal injury is known as Diffuse Axonal Injury (DAI). This is an injury that usually occurs when the brain has been shaken. If you experience a DAI, you might lapse into a coma and incur permanent injury to parts of the brain.
Most work-related brain injuries are referred to as Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) and range from minor concussions to permanent and devastating brain damage that has lifelong consequences.
Seeking Damages From Your Texas Non-Subscriber Employer
If you have experienced a brain injury related to your job, it is important to get the compensation you deserve, and our injury attorney can help. Chances are, you will not only have lost wages during your recovery time, but also a mountain of medical bills for hospital stays, rehabilitation, and more. The first course of action should be to determine whether or not your employer is a non-subscriber. This information is to be posted visibly by law, and if you still are unsure, you can ask your employer’s human resources department.
What are your options if your employer is a non-subscriber? Fortunately, you can still receive compensation. To the best of your ability, you should:
- Report your injuries to your employer as soon as possible. Even if it is a minor injury, there needs to be something on the record in order to successfully pursue compensation.
- Contact an experienced injury attorney immediately. At SJ Injury Attorneys, our team will guide you through the process and oftentimes expedite it.
- Keep all medical appointments and records. Don’t skip appointments, even if you’re feeling better. Get everything documented.
- Gather witnesses. If you can remember who was present during the accident, ask them to write down their perspective on the incident, including any employer negligence they observed.
You can receive a wide range of damages from your work-related brain injuries, including medical expenses and lost wages, as well as compensation for your pain and suffering. It is important to contact an injuiry attorney immediately in order to maximize your damages. The longer you wait, the more difficult it becomes to prove your case.
