After a person suffers a traumatic brain injury, sometimes returning to his or her prior employment is not an option. Traumatic brain injuries can affect people in many different ways. Sometimes after a healing period and medical treatment, a person recovers completely and is able to return to work, but for others than cannot go back to their prior employment, what are their options?
El Centro work-related brain injury attorneys understand the fear and anxiety that goes along with not knowing what lies ahead after a brain injury, especially as it relates to employment and earning a living. There are many reasons brain injury sufferers may not be able to return to their prior employment, for example:
- Extreme fatigue, loss of balance, or compromised eyesight could prevent a construction worker or commercial truck driver from safely being able to perform his or her job.
- Loss of coordination or weakness in hands caused by a brain injury could prevent a longshoreman from returning to his or her profession.
- Loss of driver’s license due to brain injury induced seizures may prevent a pharmaceutical sales representative from being from returning to work because he or she is unable to travel independently for work.
ALTERNATIVE EMPLOYMENT OPTIONS
Just because brain injury sufferers cannot return to their prior employment does not mean they are necessarily unemployable. Some people need more flexible employment because their injuries prevent them from working a set schedule. Some brain injuries prevent people from working a full-time job, but fewer hours are manageable. Physical limitations may mean that they need to find a different job that is less physical than their former jobs.
There are many resources for people with brain injuries such as the San Diego Brain Injury Foundation that are available to help people with brain injuries and their families adapt to a new way of life. Work-related brain injury compensation is also helpful for brain injury victims and their families who are often under a financial strain due to high medical costs associated with brain injuries.
WORK-RELATED BRAIN INJURY COMPENSATION
Fortunately for people who sustain work-related brain injuries, there are financial recovery options that will help to alleviate some of their financial burdens.
- Social security disability benefits – In brain injury cases where a person is unable to work or unable to make a livable wage, he or she may be eligible for social security disability benefits.
- Workers compensation – An employee who suffers work-related brain injuries may be eligible for workers compensation benefits through his or her employer.
- Third party liability – An employee who suffers a brain injury in the scope of his or her employment caused by someone unrelated to his or her employer may be able to recover under a third party liability claim. A common scenario is when an employee is involved in a car accident while he or she is working, the employee may be able to seek recovery from the other driver who caused the car accident.
If you or a loved has sustained a brain injury, contact an El Centro work-related brain injury attorneys to discuss your recovery options.