Medical researchers are just now understanding how extensive traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are. New studies seem to indicate that far more people have experienced a TBI than they or their doctors know. While much of the data comes from studying athletes and veterans, it's becoming clear TBIs may also be a problem among workers who experience on-the-job accidents.
It can be challenging to connect the effects of a TBI to a workplace incident, so many Ohioans may be missing out on much-needed workers’ compensation benefits. Here's what you should know.
What Statistics Show
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate there are approximately 2.5 million TBI-related emergency room visits each year across the U.S. Also, around 250,000 people are hospitalized for TBI, and over 50,000 people die because of brain injuries.
Accounting for nearly half of all TBIs seen in the ER are falls, followed by being struck by an object and motor vehicle crashes. While data for workplace TBIs isn't available, it's estimated there are approximately 1,200 work-related fatalities caused by a TBI each year. Half of the work-related TBI deaths were among employees in construction, transportation, farming, forestry, and fishing industries; and the most common causes were car accidents, falls, being struck by an object, and physical assault.
Problems With Workers’ Comp Approval for TBI
Common workplace accidents in Ohio include falls, being struck by an object, and vehicle accidents. These accidents cause many injuries, from broken bones to TBIs. However, brain injuries are often overlooked as other more apparent injuries are treated.
Symptoms of a TBI—such as headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, and fatigue—may not develop for several days, or even weeks, after the accident. Because of this, many people fail to get the proper medical treatment that could prevent further, more severe problems. Also, by this point, it may be difficult to prove that the workplace accident caused the brain injury to qualify for workers’ compensation.
How a Workers’ Compensation Attorney May Be Able to Help
If you're experiencing the effects of a traumatic brain injury after a workplace accident, you'll need legal and medical assistance to connect the injury to the incident to file a successful workers’ comp claim in Ohio. Contact my team at the Monast Law Office to discuss your options. We can help you get the benefits you deserve.
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