Depending on your workplace, traumatic brain injuries (TBI) may be an injury that occurs frequently and can be the source of a Connecticut workers’ compensation claim. These types of injuries can be severe and long-lasting resulting in not only a short stint out of work, but impacts that last far beyond the workplace.
As the incidents of these TBIs increase it is important to understand exactly what a TBI is, because it goes beyond just a head injury. In fact, a TBI is defined by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) as “an injury that affects how the brain works. It may be caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head, or a penetrating injury (such as from a gunshot) to the head.”
The problem of TBIs happening at the workplace is not a new one, but it is a growing one. Here are some statistics compiled by the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) that give a clear picture of how vast this problem is in the workplace.
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TBIs account for 15% of all permanent total workers’ compensation claims in the United States
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The claim amount for a TBI can be significant with 30% of all claims that were paid out at $10 million or more being considered TBIs.
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The amount of lost work time from a TBI is more than double that of those injuries that did not affect the head.
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The dollar amount associated with TBI claims is more than triple the average of other lost-time claims ($136,000 for TBIs vs. $51,000 for all other claims).
In order to understand whether or not you’ve experienced a traumatic brain injury while on the job you should consider what some of the symptoms are according to the CDC. Symptoms of a TBI include; headaches, loss of vision or concentration, feelings of dizziness, problems with short or long-term memory, and many other symptoms. You can find a complete list of these symptoms here.
While it is important to report any injury you received while at work, it can be particularly important to report a traumatic brain injury as the long-term effects of not getting it treated can be devastating. If you have experienced this type of injury you may be eligible to file a Connecticut workers’ compensation claim. Don’t wait.
When you’re considering whether or not to file a claim it can be helpful to have a board certified attorney on your team to guide you through the process. One of our experienced attorneys can walk you through the process step by step to make sure your long-term interests are cared for. Contact our office today.
