Recognize The Long-term Costs Of A Traumatic Brain Injury At Work

Getting knocked on the head with a falling object or landing on your head in a fall off a ladder are just two of the many ways that you can end up with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) on the job. Unfortunately, too many people try to “walk it off” when they’re hurt — not realizing that they’ve suffered damage that will affect their lives far into the future.

TBIs cause all kinds of cognitive, physical and emotional changes in victims — and almost no two people have exactly the same experience. How well you heal, if at all, can depend on everything from the nature of the blow to your head to your age and how quickly you received appropriate treatment.

The financial damage to a victim’s life can also be profound. Aside from needing to cover their lost wages, victims may also need to find the resources to cover things like:

• Skilled nursing care, especially immediately after a serious head wound
• Occupational therapy, to learn how to function as independently as possible
• Physical therapy to address any damage caused to the body
• Emotional therapy, to cope with the change in circumstance and the psychological fallout of the injury
• Respite care for the victim’s primary caregivers during the recovery period
• Modifications to a car or home to accommodate the victim’s new limitations
• Medications, including stimulants, antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs and other prescriptions that are used to lessen the symptoms of a TBI
• Ongoing tests, doctor’s visits and even plastic surgery to restore a damaged facial appearance
• Dental restoration, in cases where the head injury also damaged the victim’s teeth or jaw
• Transportation expenses going back and forth to doctor’s visits, therapy and other appointments

Insurance companies typically try to deny as many of the satellite expenses as possible in order to control their costs — but you don’t have to let them get away with it. If you suffered a traumatic brain injury working construction or another job, find out what we may be able to do to help you. Contact our office today.