x-ray images illustrating Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Head and Brain Injury Lawyer in San Diego

Head and brain injuries are among the most serious of all workplace injuries.  The brain is the central hub of the nervous system, which is responsible for delivering messages to speak, swallow, and move to the rest of the body. Trauma to the head or brain in any capacity, whether it’s minor or catastrophic, can result in lifelong brain damage or even death.

In California, an employee who suffers a head or brain injury on the job can collect Workers’ Compensation benefits to cover medical care and lost wages while he or she is in recovery.  While a worker can file a claim on his or her own, cases involving head and brain injuries tend to involve complex medical issues that are best handled by an experienced attorney.  If you or a loved one has suffered a head or brain injury at work, the lawyers at Bates Law can help you get the benefits needed for a safe recovery.

 

Common Head and Brain Injuries

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 1.7 million people suffer a traumatic brain injury each year. Concussions are most common, and are caused by direct trauma to the head.  Though loss of consciousness is common with a concussion, it doesn’t always occur. Headache, confusion, nausea, and dizziness are hallmark symptoms to watch for. Other common head and brain injuries include contusions, diffuse axonal injuries, and penetration injuries.

 

Workers’ Compensation for Head and Brain Injuries

Head and brain injuries can occur on any jobsite, whether you work in construction or drive a school bus. However, there are certain occupations with a higher risk for head and brain injuries, including:

  • Firefighters

  • Police officers

  • Construction workers

  • Loading dock workers

  • Delivery drivers

  • Professional athletes

The most common cause of a traumatic brain injury on the job is a slip or trip and fall accident. These incidents can happen in nearly any job setting, and are typically due to wet floors, obstructed walkways, uneven surfaces, and poor lighting. The second leading cause of traumatic brain injuries is vehicle accidents. Truck drivers, salespeople, delivery personnel, and taxi drivers are all at risk for colliding with another vehicle or object and suffering blunt force trauma to the head.  These situations can give rise to separate claims in negligence for bodily injury damages where the injury victim can recover more significant future lost earnings and pain and suffering compensation.

If you have experienced a head or brain injury, it’s important to seek immediate medical care – the effects of head injuries don’t always appear right away. Then, give us a call. The workers’ compensation lawyers at Bates Law can defend your rights and help you collect the benefits you need to heal and recover.

Give us a call today at (619) 222-0900.

Below are just a few of Bates Law's many personal injury cases.

$395,000 SETTLEMENT OF WORKERS' COMPENSATION NO FAULT DEATH CLAIM FOR DEPENDENTS OF INJURED WORKER.

This is notable because the benefit was placed into an Annuity for the Minor Children so that the guaranteed payout over time will be higher than the payments would be if the Workers' Compensation carrier continued to administer the benefits.

All case settlements results