Closed Head Injury

Many times, we do not notice an injury that does not have any associated physical signs, such as bleeding or bruising. Closed head injuries often occur without any outward signs, and while they may be caused by a significant impact to the head, that is not always the case. Even a seemingly insignificant bump can have lasting effects on cognitive health and ability to earn a living. If you suffered a closed head injury in the course of your job duties, you should consult an Riverside and San Bernardino County work injury attorney to discuss any right to recover benefits. The attorneys at Law Office of Joseph Richards, P.C. have substantial experience helping injured workers pursue the workers’ compensation benefits that they are rightfully owed following closed head injuries as well as back injuries and many other types of injuries.

Our knowledge and experience allow us to anticipate any potential obstacles to recovery of benefits and may assist you in obtaining the maximum amount of compensation to which you may be entitled due to your injury. Our main office is in Orange County, while our secondary office is in Riverside County. We regularly represent individuals who were injured at work in workers’ compensation cases throughout Southern California.

Closed head injuries are caused when the brain undergoes trauma, without anything actually penetrating the brain. Closed head injuries are usually caused by a blow to the head, which can occur in countless situations. Common scenarios in which employees sustain closed head injuries include slip and falls, car accidents, and being struck in the head by moving equipment or parts. Closed head injuries include concussions, intracranial hematoma, brain contusions, and diffuse axonal injuries. A person who suffers a closed head injury may experience symptoms such as headaches, nausea, vomiting, and slurred speech. In cases in which the closed head injury is severe, a person may suffer seizures or loss of consciousness. Extensive diagnostic and cognitive testing is most likely necessary to diagnose a closed head injury. If you suffer a closed head injury, it is in your best interest to confer with a skilled workers’ compensation attorney to help you ensure that your accident is properly assessed and that the full extent of the harm is recognized.

Concussions are one of the most common types of closed head injuries. While many concussions resolve within a short time after the injury, some people who suffer concussions will develop post-concussion syndrome and may experience symptoms for several months or even years following the concussion. A person suffering from post-concussion syndrome may experience migraines, mental fogginess, impaired memory or judgment, noise and light sensitivity, and an inability to control his or her emotions. Post-concussion syndrome is difficult to diagnose and treat, and a person suffering from post-concussion syndrome may face difficulty in recovering benefits from his or her employer’s workers’ compensation carrier. As a result, if you are suffering from post-concussion syndrome, you should seek the assistance of an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer in your pursuit of benefits.

You should advise your employer of any blow to the head that you suffer while working, no matter how seemingly insignificant it may be. Your symptoms may not be immediately apparent, and a delay in notifying your employer may make it harder to prove that your injury was caused by the workplace incident, which may affect your right to recovery. Following your injury, you may be able to recover benefits for medical treatment, including diagnostic testing, prescriptions, and any physical or occupational therapy. If you are partially or totally disabled, you may also be able to recover disability benefits. The amount and duration of the disability benefits that you may be entitled to recover depends on whether your disability is deemed temporary or permanent. If your injury prevents you from returning to your prior position, you also may be entitled to supplemental job displacement benefits to help you obtain training for a job in a new field. The laws defining workers’ compensation benefits can be confusing, and you may be unable to fully assess which benefits you are entitled to receive without assistance. A knowledgeable attorney can assess your case and provide assurance that you are recovering all of the benefits that you are rightfully owed.

The attorneys at Law Office of Joseph Richards, P.C. have substantial experience managing workers’ compensation cases and will diligently pursue the benefits due under the law, whether these are related to closed head injuries or more subtle types of harm, such as illnesses caused by exposure to toxic substances in the workplace. We have offices in Orange County and Riverside County and regularly represent individuals seeking workers’ compensation benefits in Santa Ana, Costa Mesa, Anaheim, Irvine, Moreno Valley, Corona, Temecula, El Centro, Long Beach, San Bernardino, Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, and San Diego. We also assist people elsewhere in Orange, Riverside, Imperial, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and San Diego Counties. Contact us at (888) 883-6588 or via our online form to set up a consultation.

• Brain Injury Association of California Resources & Education
• Craig Hospital Education & Resources
• MSKTC for TBI
• MSKTC TBI Recursos en Español
• Centre for Neuro Skills
• Centre for Neuro Skills Español