Can A Concussion Lawyer help me Claim Workers’ Compensation?
Know Your Rights: Concussion Related Workers’ Compensation in Philadelphia, PA
Individuals who are hurt on the job may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, especially if they have suffered any type of head injury or brain injury like a concussion. This is because Pennsylvania has a no-fault system of benefits for employees who are injured on the job, who suffer work-related injuries, or who have a work-related illness. Nearly any injury that is work-related may qualify for WC benefits. While the WC benefits program has done a good job in creating a fairly fast and relatively easy-to-apply application process, our workers’ compensation attorneys in Philadelphia, PA, know that is not always the case with brain injuries like a concussion.
A concussion does not always show up on an imaging study, unlike broken bones or torn muscles. It can be hard to prove and evaluate the true extent of a concussion, meaning that some WC medical examiners may undermine or undervalue your disability—often forcing you to decide to go back to work before you are ready or risk not being paid. Other times the treatment you may desperately need may not be approved for reimbursement by WC because of a poor evaluation.
If this sounds familiar, call the experienced workers’ compensation lawyers in Philadelphia, PA, at HGSK to learn how we can help recover the full extent of WC benefits that you may be entitled to for a concussion, head injury, or other brain injury. We offer FREE consultations and only get paid after you get paid.
What is a Concussion?
According to the CDC, a concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) “caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or by a hit to the body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth.” This impact or jolt can cause chemical changes to the brain (which can be very hard to detect) or cause stretching, tearing, or other physical damage to brain cells.
While there are three classifications of concussions—mild, moderate, and severe—there is no such thing as a “mild” concussion. All brain injuries are significant, and multiple concussions can cause irreparable injury to the brain and the rest of the body.
How Can a Concussion Occur at Work?
Every worker is at risk for a concussion. Although laborers or individuals who are physically performing work like stacking boxes, on ladders, or delivering parcels are at a higher risk of a concussion, all workers could suffer a head injury in a motor vehicle accident, slip and fall, or other workplace accident.
Some of the most common ways that a concussion could occur include the following:
- Slip and fall or trip and fall
- Fall from a height (like off a ladder)
- Hit with a falling object
- Struck with an object on the ground
- Motor vehicle accident
- Hit by a car, truck, delivery van, forklift, or other motor vehicle, or
- Other accidents that could impact the head or cause whiplash.
Could Concussions Qualify for WC Benefits?
Yes, concussions may qualify for WC benefits in Pennsylvania if they are work-related. Workers’ comp pays for two-thirds (2/3s) of a work-related accident’s lost wages and medical bills. Individuals who are injured in a work accident that causes a concussion may obtain benefits, even if they were partially at fault for the accident and their injuries.
Even if a mild concussion (although there is no such thing as a mild concussion) could entitle a worker to recover compensation for medical bills to get evaluated and treated—even if the injury ultimately heals.
Did You Suffer a Concussion at Work? Let HGSK Help
If you or a loved one suffered a concussion, head injury, brain injury, or any other injury at work, call our experienced workers’ compensation attorneys in Philadelphia, PA, for a FREE case evaluation by calling (267) 350 6600 or by sending us a message through our “contact us” box. Our compassionate and skilled team can help you at any stage of the WC process, whether you are about to apply, have already applied, or were denied. Together, we can help you focus on your recovery and get through this.