Head Injuries

Wheaton and Schaumburg Lawyers for Workers’ Compensation Claims

Head injuries are among the most serious injuries an employee can suffer at work. If you or a loved one has suffered an on-the-job traumatic brain injury (TBI), concussion, or other head injury, you may be allowed to recover workers’ compensation benefits under the law. Our experienced Wheaton and Schaumburg workers’ compensation attorneys understand the ins and outs of Illinois workers’ compensation laws and can apply our knowledge to your case. You can count on us to help you assert your rights. Time is of the essence in these matters, so it is advisable to contact us as soon as possible after your injury if you are in need of legal help.

Common Causes of Workplace Head Injuries

Head injuries can range from a minor concussion to a severe brain injury. Your brain is the control center to your body so when head injuries affect the brain, the consequences can be devastating, significantly impacting your health and ability to work. A TBI occurs when a blow to the head disrupts the function of the brain. TBI symptoms can range from mild to severe, and the injured individual may experience physical, cognitive, and behavioral problems. While the symptoms can vary from patient to patient, workers who suffer a head injury may experience the following:

• Headaches;
• Dizziness;
• Light-headedness;
• Confusion;
• Amnesia;
• Seizures;
• Changes in mood;
• Inability to move; and/or
• Inability to focus.

There are some jobs in which workers are more prone to head injuries than others. For example, construction workers, warehouse workers, and factory workers may be at risk of head injuries from falling objects, while hospitality industry workers may be at risk of head injuries due to slip and fall accidents. Workers who work at high elevations can also suffer head injuries if they fall from heights. And workers who are required to drive for work, such as delivery personnel, may suffer a head injury in the event of a collision.

Workers’ Compensation Benefits Can Help

If you have suffered a head injury while working, you may be entitled to certain workers’ compensation benefits. Your top priority following a workplace head injury should be seeking medical treatment and reporting the injury to your employer. Under Illinois law, all medical costs that are reasonably necessary to treat a person’s work-related injury or cure his or her work-related illness are covered by workers’ compensation. If you are unable to work due to your head injury, you may qualify for partial compensation of your lost wages while you recover. If the head injury has led to you becoming disabled, you may be entitled to certain disability benefits depending on whether the disability is temporary or permanent and whether it is total or partial. In addition, if you are no longer able to work in your field due to the effects of the head injury, the workers’ compensation system may provide you with occupational training that permits you to learn new job skills that can be applied to a new field of work. A knowledgeable work injury lawyer can help you determine what kind of benefits you may be eligible for.

Third Party Claims

Workers’ compensation is the ‘sole’ or ‘exclusive’ remedy for on-the-job injuries, meaning that an employee who is injured at work cannot sue the employer. However, if your head injury was caused by a third party (i.e., someone other than a colleague or employer), then you can sue that at-fault third party. It is important to note that the compensation you can obtain from a third party lawsuit is potentially much more than what you can get from workers’ compensation.

Workers’ Compensation Attorneys in Schaumburg and Wheaton

Sustaining a head injury while working can leave you feeling confused and unsure of what to do next. If this has happened to you, a seasoned work injury lawyer can help. With years of experience serving Wheaton and Schaumburg, we can answer your questions and help you understand your legal options. We proudly take on clients from Norwood Park, Harwood Heights, Norridge, Edison Park, Park Ridge, Des Plaines, Elmwood Park, Rosemont, Elk Grove Village and Mt. Prospect. To discuss your claim in more detail, call us at 312-588-1900 or contact us online.