Concussions and Closed Head Injuries

Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Representing Chicago Residents

Concussions and closed head injuries that occur at work may lead to devastating consequences for workers and their families. While not necessarily fatal, these types of head injuries may cause long-term, life-altering problems. Closed head injuries do not penetrate the skull, so symptoms may develop slowly over time, and injured workers may not show signs of bleeding or harm. If you or someone close to you has suffered a closed head injury or experienced a concussion in an industrial workplace accident, the work injury attorneys at  Katz, Friedman, Eisenstein, Johnson, Bareck & Bertuca  can help. We represent workplace accident victims as they pursue benefits under Illinois law. Our experienced Chicago concussion lawyers help workers seek full compensation for their harm by proving the connection between their medical condition and their employment.

Illinois Laws Provide Benefits for Concussions and Closed Head Injuries

There are many causes of closed head injuries and concussions, including slip and fall accidents at work, mechanical malfunctions, and motor vehicle accidents. Employees who regularly drive cars or trucks as part of their daily duties may suffer a head injury in a motor vehicle accident. Workers in the construction, home repair services, and trucking industries are particularly at risk of head injuries.

As minor traumatic brain injuries, concussions and closed head injuries entitle employees to file a claim for workers’ compensation according to the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act. The Act provides disability benefits and compensation for medical treatment associated with work injuries, which are available to employees regardless of fault. For example, if an employee negligently caused a motor vehicle accident in the course and scope of employment and suffered a concussion, they may still be entitled to benefits. Our concussion attorneys can assist Chicago residents in asserting their rights.

Injured workers should understand that concussions and closed head injuries may severely affect their ability to return to work. Any complications and brain damage that potentially accompany a head injury depend upon the severity of the injury. Some workers may suffer from light and sound sensitivity, while others endure seizures and depression. Extreme closed head injuries may lead to a coma. Due to the severe consequences of even a minor brain injury, employees may require ongoing professional medical care.

After suffering a concussion, employees may be entitled to temporary total disability benefits. Headaches and dizziness may prevent workers from undertaking typical job-related tasks. In the case of a closed head injury that has led to a traumatic brain injury, employees may be entitled to permanent partial disability benefits. These employees would eventually return to work, but with a disability.

In most cases, after a workers’ compensation physician has evaluated a head injury, the employee will be referred to a specialist. They will conduct a test to determine brain function and to identify hemorrhages or skull fractures. Evaluating the severity of a concussion is important in part because it affects the disability payments available through workers’ compensation. Closed head injuries and concussions may leave victims with high medical bills and an inability to perform work for extended periods of time. Determining future medical costs is essential to a workers’ compensation claim, since many workers’ compensation insurance companies offer a lump sum payment in exchange for waiving the right to future benefits.

Discuss Your Claim with a Concussion Lawyer in Chicago Workers who suffer head injuries are legally entitled to workers’ compensation benefits under Illinois law. Employers are responsible for the costs of current medical treatment as well as future needs, including physical rehabilitation. The Chicago concussion attorneys at  Katz, Friedman, Eisenstein, Johnson, Bareck & Bertuca enforce the rights of workers who have been hurt on the job, pursuing workers’ compensation benefits that cover lost wages from missed work and medical treatment. To further understand your legal rights, call our office to consult with an attorney. We can be reached today at 312-724-5846 or through our online form for a free consultation. A workers’ compensation lawyer in our office is ready to help you. We also represent people in Springfield, Rockford, Champaign, Aurora, and other communities throughout Winnebago, Champaign, Kane, Cook, and Adams Counties.