Head Injury Attorneys in Philadelphia
According to statistics, more than 1.4 million people sustain a traumatic head injury every year in the U.S. Of the 1.4 million traumatic head injuries occurring in the nation every year, thousands are directly related to workplace accidents. Although federal and state regulations exist to protect individuals from sustaining a serious injury or illness at work, failure to follow regulations can result in a devastating workplace accident.
Head Injury Lawyers in Philadelphia
A head injury is a general term used to describe trauma to the scalp, skull or brain. Head injuries are usually described as either closed or open. An example of a closed head injury is a concussion. Concussions occur when an object hits the head, but does not penetrate the scalp, skull or brain. Open head injuries happen when an object hits the head and penetrates the scalp, skull or brain.
Closed and open head injuries can both cause permanent brain damage and severe secondary injuries. When an open wound is present as is the case with an open head injury, there is little doubt whether or not a person has sustained an injury. However, injury may not be obvious when an individual suffers a closed head injury. In fact, many people suffering from a closed head injury appear normal, and can walk and talk.
Individuals who have sustained a closed head injury may not experience symptoms right away. In some cases, symptoms may take days or even weeks to develop. Individuals suffering from a closed head injury can experience many symptoms, including:
- Abnormal behavior
- Excessive drowsiness
- Dilated pupils
- Severe, radiating headache
- Inability to move an arm or leg
- Brief or sustained loss of consciousness
- Vomiting
Brain Injury Attorney in Philadelphia
Damage to the brain, which is the control center for the human body, can cause permanent changes in behavior, critical thinking, memory, and movement. Severe brain injuries like a coma can be life threatening. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, brain injuries are a contributing factor in a third of all injury-related deaths in the nation.
If you or a loved one suffered a severe head or brain injury while at work, you do not have to face the devastating effects of a severe injury alone. Look to a compassionate head injury lawyer at Liberty Bell Workers Compensation to get you benefits and quality medical care. Nothing is more important than your health and they will leave no stone unturned when going up against for profit insurance companies looking to pay you as little as possible.
Workers Compensation May Cover Concussions and TBI
Head trauma may occur at any workplace if you fall down and hit your head on the floor or a piece of furniture, something falls from a shelf or scaffolding and strikes you, or if you experience some type of violent shaking or reverberation due to machinery, equipment, or vehicle malfunction, for example. All of these things can result in concussions and more severe problems called traumatic brain injuries or TBI.
After getting immediate medical help, your next step is to contact the type of knowledgeable attorney who can help you file for workers compensation benefits in Pennsylvania. With 35 years of experience, Gregory Boles has what it takes to stand up for your rights and get you the compensation you deserve.
The Causes and Symptoms of a Concussion
Any blow to the head can cause a concussion. They occur when the brain is jarred inside the skull, which causes a variety of unpleasant symptoms. Workers usually get concussions when they fall, something falls on them, or they are in an accident in a vehicle or some type of machinery. This is one reason why all construction workers should always wear hard hats. People in all industries should follow recommended safety instructions.
Some of the symptoms of a concussion are relatively mild such as a headache or temporary neck strain. There are quite a few more severe symptoms. These include:
- Vertigo or trouble balancing and lack of coordination
- Falling unconscious or fainting
- Lack of concentration or memory issues
- Inability to synchronize your eyes or different pupil sizes
- Impaired speech or fine motor skills
The Dangers of Post-Concussion Syndrome
A lot of talk in the news lately reveals that football players are developing post-concussion syndrome at alarming rates. You do not need to be a pro athlete, however, to suffer from this rather severe problem. If you experience a hard hit to your head or repetitive vibrations that resulted in a concussion diagnosis at work, be aware of these symptoms of post-concussion syndrome:
- Increased dizziness and erratic movements
- Behavioral and emotional changes
- Increased irritability or sensitivity to noise and light
- Fatigue and insomnia
These are all signs that you have a more serious medical condition than a simple bump on the head. You require appropriate treatment from a physician and time off work to recover completely. However, it is difficult to get those things if you do not have the finances available to do so. That is where the workers compensation program in Pennsylvania comes in. With the help of a quality attorney like Gregory Boles, you have the ability to file all necessary paperwork and gather documentation to prove that your concussion or other brain injury was caused by something that happened at work.
Concussions Allow Workers Compensation Benefits
In Pennsylvania, it does not matter if the injury occurred due to something that was apparently the employer’s fault or an accident that occurred because of an employee action. Workers compensation benefits exist as a no-fault insurance policy that protects them both in the case of an injury like a concussion or post-concussion syndrome. It provides financial recompense for medical appointments, treatment, and lost wages.
The overall benefits provided by the Pennsylvania Workers Compensation Act, which was first put into place way back in 1915, include co-pays or cash payments for doctor visits, therapy related costs, medications, surgery, and rehabilitation. You can even receive compensation for travel expenses to get to the hospital, physician or therapist’s office. If the concussion or brain injury was quite severe and cause long-lasting problems that made it impossible to return to work, either partial or total temporary or permanent disability payments may be due.
Besides getting medical treatment as appropriate, the most important step you can take after getting a concussion at work is to contact an attorney like Gregory Boles who has 35 years of experience with Pennsylvania workers compensation claims. All consultation appointments are free, and he only accepts a contingency fee payment if you recover benefits yourself.
Brain Injury Lawyer in Philadelphia
At Liberty Bell Workers Compensation, our workers comp attorney has handled work comp cases for decades. We know how to handle all workers compensation insurance companies. We also work with the best medical providers and vocational rehabilitation providers. Don’t risk losing your one chance to get financial help for a devastating injury. Call our office today at 215.399.0089 to arrange a confidential consultation. You will not have to pay a consultation fee, and you won’t pay any legal fees until your case is won. Act now before too much time has passed and you are barred from filing a work comp claim.
