Victims of brain injuries may need future workplace accommodations

People who suffer from traumatic brain injuries often have a difficult path ahead of them. For some, this means learning how to do their job duties in different manners. Sadly, others won’t be able to return to work at all.

For those who are still able to work, certain accommodations may be necessary. Accommodations are meant to enable someone with a disability to still do their job duties. Taking the employee’s abilities and the changes that occurred because of their brain injury into account can help determine what accommodations are necessary. 

What workplace accommodations are required?

The Americans with Disabilities Act notes that employers are expected to make reasonable accommodations for employees. These can’t place a heavy burden on the employer. Because of vast differences in what employers are capable of doing, accommodations are judged for reasonableness on a case-by-case basis. 

Some common accommodations for a person who’s living with a traumatic brain injury include:

• Written instructions the person can refer to as they do their job duties

• Extra time to complete the work assigned to them

• Changing a work schedule to allow a person to work when they’re able

• Providing a mentor for the person to help with tasks

For some, the complications from their brain injury might be too great for them to work at all. Whether the individual has to cut back on their hours or leave their job completely, their financial situation is likely to go downhill. They may opt to pursue a claim for compensation if their traumatic brain injury was the cause of another person’s negligence. If the injury was due to an incident at work, worker’s compensation is likely where the person would turn for compensation.