In a recent study conducted by the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) found that traumatic brain injuries (TBI) may have a significant impact on an employees ability to carry out her/his job over time. When a brain injury occurs it can lead to a Connecticut workers’ compensation claim that may in turn lead to permanent benefits being paid out by an employer.
It’s first important to define a TBI. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) a TBI is when the head experiences physical trauma which then leads to the altering of the normal function of the brain. The CDC also reports that TBIs are considered to be a significant cause of death and disability in the United States.
It is with this understanding of TBIs that employees and employers should consider them a serious issue in the workplace. In fact, the numbers don’t lie according to the NCCI study which looked at the impact of TBIs on the workplace. The study was conducted between 2013 and 2018 and reports out these numbers that are staggering and should be of concern to all parties involved.
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15% of all permanent claims filed in the U.S. had a traumatic brain injury associated with the claim.
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The average cost of a TBI involved claim was more than double that of a claim that did not involve some type of brain injury.
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47% of all claims that are paying out in the millions of dollars are related to traumatic brain injuries
With the continuous danger of TBIs in the workplace, safety protocols and educational information around injuries relating to the head and neck area are a company’s best defense against this incredibly damaging type of injury. Not only are TBIs bad for employees, but this study shows that when a Connecticut workers’ compensation claim is filed that involves a TBI it is consistently more likely to result in a multi-million dollar settlement between the worker and the company.
If you’ve been injured on the job you may wish to speak to a board certified attorney that can review your case and work with you to navigate the claims process. Contact our office and one of our experienced attorneys will work with you.
