Returning to work after a TBI may require accommodations

People who suffer a traumatic brain injury at work will likely have a considerable road to recovery. Some may have an injury that doesn’t enable them to return to work at all. Others may be able to return to work eventually.

Coming back to work after a brain injury can be a challenge. Accommodations are sometimes necessary for people who are returning to work. These are things that your employer should provide to make it possible to do your job duties.

What accommodations might be necessary?

The exact accommodations you need depend on the specifics of your brain injury. A person who has trouble with memory may need the steps for the job duties to be written down so they can refer to the instructions. Someone who has trouble with bright lights may need to work in a dim space.

It’s up to you to let your employer know what you need to do your job successfully. Your doctor and other professionals on your care team may have suggestions. The goal is for you to be able to earn a living by having small changes to make it easier for you.

In some cases, you may need to change jobs. This could require vocational rehabilitation, which is a service that you may be able to receive through workers’ compensation coverage.

Suffering an injury at work is a traumatic experience because so much is uncertain about the future. Workers’ compensation coverage provides benefits, such as paying for medical care related to the injury and partial wage replacement. Ensuring you get the benefits you’re due until you can return to work is important.