Head Injuries Attorney in Bloomington, Illinois

Workers’ compensation is a no-fault insurance program designed to compensate Illinois employees injured in the workplace or in the agency of those employers required to carry coverage. Between 30,000 and 40,000 new workers’ compensation cases are filed in Illinois every year.

Some employees sustain head injuries which can be among the most serious workplace injuries of all. Depending on the type and severity of the head injury, a worker may never be able to return to their job or any job. The amount of compensation required to make some injured workers whole is substantial, and workers’ compensation insurers will fight to pay as little as they can.

Dodds Law Office, PC represents injured employees in Bloomington, Urbana, Champaign, Peoria, Decatur, Lincoln, and Pekin, Illinois. Whether my clients have suffered minor injuries or major ones, I fight aggressively for their just compensation.

Injured at Work? Contact Me Today

bearded man with bandaged head

How Do Head Injuries Usually Happen at Work?

Workplace injuries occur in many of the same ways traumatic brain injuries occur outside of work. However, some work environments can be far more dangerous, exposing employees to a greater risk of injury. There are a few more common incidents that may result in head injuries:

  • Employees who slip and fall, trip and fall, or fall from a height often strike their head on the floor or on another surface during the fall. Objects left on the floor in walkways, spilled substances, and uneven surfaces are hazardous for employees. Platforms or beams with no railings, scaffolding, and ladders are easy to fall from.
  • Employees’ heads may come into contact with objects. Moving equipment, falling objects, or conditions with low head clearances may result in head injuries.
  • Explosions in the workplace and on job sites may result in traumatic brain injuries. Explosions may occur from misfired explosive devices used on the site or from ignition of gasses or other volatile materials.
  • Motor vehicle accidents are another common cause of employee head injuries. Any employee involved in a crash while in the agency of the employer, whether they were driving a company vehicle or not, should qualify for workers’ compensation benefits.

What Are Symptoms of Common Types of Head Injuries?

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) occur when there is force that causes the brain to hit the skull or when something penetrates the skull and enters the brain. Concussions are the most common type of TBI, and they are categorized as mild, moderate, or severe. A mild concussion causes a “dazed” feeling, confusion for a day, and may result in loss of consciousness for a few seconds or up to 30 minutes.

Moderate concussions may be accompanied by loss of consciousness for more than 30 minutes and a week of confusion. Severe concussions result in loss of consciousness for 24 hours or longer and changes to the brain diagnosed by CT scans or an MRI.

Most TBIs are closed head injuries. Open head injuries occur when something penetrates the skull and damages brain tissue. There are also non-traumatic brain injuries caused by seizures, choking, and inhalation of substances other than oxygen.

Confusion, loss of consciousness, severe headaches, and seizures are all symptoms of TBIs. The milder the injury, the shorter the time the symptoms will last. The more severe, the most severe the consequences. Brain swelling and bleeding can cause a coma, permanent brain damage, and death.

How Do I File a Workers’ Compensation Claim?

The process for some workers’ compensation claims is fairly straightforward. You report your injury to your employer who submits it to their insurance company for payment of medical expenses and for wages and benefits you miss while recovering from your injuries.

If your injuries are permanently disabling, you will need to attempt to negotiate a settlement with the workers’ compensation insurer, which can be complex and complicated. If you cannot reach a settlement with the insurer, you can file an appeal with the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission which can compel your employer to pay more.

You must report an injury to the employer within 45 days of being injured or risk having your employer deny the claim altogether. If you choose to appeal the insurer’s settlement offer, you have three years from the date of the injury or two years from the date you received the last compensation payment from the insurance company to file an appeal.

You can expect the employer and its insurer to pay you as little as possible for your claim. As with any insurance company, workers’ compensation insurers are driven by corporate profits, and they will do what they can to pay as little compensation to injured employees as possible.

You may therefore believe that the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission will put your interests first, but they will not. They are more likely to protect employers from the cost of paying higher premiums for insurance coverage.

Only an experienced, aggressive, and knowledgeable workers’ compensation attorney you retain to represent you will put your best interests at the forefront of everything else.

Head Injuries Attorney Serving Bloomington, Illinois

Head injuries can be serious, debilitating, long-lasting, or even permanent. How you are compensated for a workplace injury is a big deal. Don’t attempt to pursue your claim without an attorney like me on your side.

If you have suffered a head injury at work, call Dodds Law Office, PC now to schedule a free case consultation. Your future may be riding on this call.

Client Testimonials

Terry Dodds has been extremely helpful with my case in the past. My charge was a possible felony, and Dodds Law Office took matters in their own hands and moved the charge down to a misdemeanor with extreme haste. He and his team are spectacular at what they do and will provide the best service with the best outcome possible. I highly recommend working with Dodds Law Office in the future.

Henry Le
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What Type of Attorney Do You Need?

In addition to providing defense against drunk driving charges in Illinois, the attorneys at Dodds Law Office, PC, represent victims of a variety of injury accident types.

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