Traumatic brain injuries are among the most serious workplace injuries an employee can sustain. Whether caused by a fall from a height, a blow to the head from falling objects, or a vehicle accident on the job, these injuries can have devastating and long-lasting consequences. Workers in South Carolina should always recognize the severity of their condition, get proper treatment, and pursue the workers’ compensation benefits they deserve.
At Williams & Roche, LLC, our Columbia personal injury lawyers understand how different traumatic brain injuries can affect your ability to work and your quality of life, and we are committed to helping you secure the medical care and compensation you need. Contact us to discuss your claim in a free consultation.
Understanding Traumatic Brain Injuries
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when an external force causes damage to the brain.
This can happen through a direct impact, a penetrating injury, or rapid acceleration and deceleration that causes the brain to move violently within the skull. These injuries are common on construction sites and in warehouses, manufacturing facilities, and transportation jobs. The types of TBI can range from concussions that heal with time to severe injuries that result in permanent disability or death.
Brain injury symptoms may not appear immediately, and the full extent of the damage may not be evident for days, weeks, or even months after the initial injury. This makes it critical for injured workers to seek medical attention promptly and to work with experienced workers’ compensation attorneys who understand the long-term implications of these injuries.
Concussions and the Most Common Type of TBI
Concussions are the most frequently occurring type of traumatic brain injury in workplace accidents. While often classified as “mild” brain injuries, concussions should never be dismissed as insignificant. Concussions can have serious effects, such as:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Memory problems
- Sleep disruptions
- Sensitivity to light and noise
- Difficulty concentrating
In the workplace, concussions can occur from slips and falls, being struck by objects, vehicle accidents, and more. Some workers who suffer concussions may feel pressure to return to work quickly, but doing so before fully recovering can lead to second impact syndrome or post-concussion syndrome, both of which can cause serious long-term complications. Always follow your doctor’s recommendations and document your symptoms carefully for your workers’ compensation claim.
Contusions
A contusion is a bruise on the brain tissue itself, typically caused by a direct impact to the head. Unlike concussions, which may not show visible damage on imaging tests, contusions involve localized bleeding and swelling in the brain. The severity of a contusion depends on its size and location, and recovery can take months or longer. Large contusions may require surgical intervention to remove the damaged tissue and relieve pressure on the brain.
Workplace accidents that involve falls from ladders or scaffolding, being struck by heavy machinery or equipment, or vehicle collisions can all result in brain contusions.
Diffuse Axonal Injuries
Diffuse axonal injuries are among the most severe TBI types. These occur when the brain rapidly shifts inside the skull, causing widespread tearing of nerve fibers throughout the brain. This type of injury is common in high-impact accidents such as vehicle crashes or falls from significant heights.
Because diffuse axonal injuries affect multiple areas of the brain simultaneously, they often result in coma, persistent vegetative state, or severe disability. Even when recovery is possible, victims typically face long-term cognitive, physical, and behavioral challenges.
Penetrating Brain Injuries
Penetrating brain injuries occur when an object breaks through the skull and enters the brain tissue. In workplace settings, these injuries can result from accidents involving machinery, tools, projectiles, or explosions. Penetrating injuries often cause severe localized damage and carry a high risk of infection, bleeding, and seizures.
Treatment for penetrating brain injuries typically requires emergency surgery and prolonged hospitalization. Many victims face permanent disabilities that prevent them from returning to their previous occupation.
Coup-Contrecoup Injuries
Coup-contrecoup injuries involve damage to the brain at both the site of impact and on the opposite side of the brain. These injuries occur when the force of a blow is strong enough to cause the brain to strike the opposite side of the skull. For example, if a worker is struck on the front of the head, the initial impact may cause damage to the frontal lobe, while the rebound effect causes additional damage to the back of the brain.
These types of TBI are particularly serious because they involve multiple areas of injury, leading to complex symptoms and challenging recovery processes.
Contact Our South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Lawyers About Your Workplace Brain Injury
At Williams & Roche, LLC, we take on difficult cases for injured workers throughout South Carolina, including traumatic brain injuries. Our attorneys have worked on all sides of the workers’ compensation process, so we know how to best advocate for workers with complicated and misunderstood TBIS.
Put our over 50 years of combined legal experience representing injured workers to work for you. Contact us today and let us ensure your TBI is properly covered by insurers and respected by employers.
