You can have legal representation for your Monroe workers’ compensation head injury settlement. Horton & Mendez, Injury & Car Accident Attorneys represents workers in Monroe, NC, and the surrounding areas. Contact us to talk to an experienced Monroe workers’ compensation lawyer and get help today.
Understanding Workers’ Compensation Head Injury Settlements in Monroe, NC
If you suffer a head injury in the workplace, you may receive a workers’ compensation head injury settlement.
- Brain injury workers’ comp settlements in Monroe are part of the North Carolina workers’ compensation system.
- You don’t have to prove that your employer was at fault to receive compensation.
- To receive benefits, you must suffer an injury arising out of, and in the scope of, employment. You must report the workplace injury and file a claim for benefits.
- You may have a lawyer represent you.
Horton & Mendez, Injury & Car Accident Attorneys represents people who live and work in Monroe, NC. If you or a loved one has suffered a head injury, brain injury, or disruption of brain function, we encourage you to contact us. Brain injuries can be life-changing, and legal representation can be key to protecting your rights.
Leading Causes of Work-Related Head Injuries in Monroe, NC
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports 68,170 head injuries that resulted in missed work days in private industry in the United States in one year. Causes of work-related head injuries in Monroe, NC, include:
- Falling from heights: A person may work on a ladder or an elevated structure or fall down the stairs.
- Slip and fall: A slip and fall accident may occur from the same level, resulting in a head injury.
- Falling objects: Objects that fall from above may strike the head or cause a fall that injures the head.
- Motor vehicle accidents: Many employees drive or take transportation for work. A motor vehicle accident can result in serious injury.
- Electrocution: Electrical injury can disrupt brain function or cause a fall.
- Explosions: An explosion can cause injury from blast waves or flying objects.
- Crushing injury: Equipment, supplies, and materials can result in crushing injury that damages the brain.
- Equipment malfunction and misuse: Equipment mishaps can result in being pulled in, stuck between, or otherwise hurt by machinery.
- Structure collapse: If a person is on or underneath a structure that collapses, serious injuries may occur.
- Workplace violence: Brain injury can occur in the workplace because of assault, including with weapons.
Monroe, NC, is the county seat of Union County, North Carolina, and part of the Charlotte Metropolitan Area. Employers in the area include automotive, financial, healthcare, retail, and technology sectors.
Head Injuries That Qualify for Workers’ Compensation Benefits
Many types of brain injuries may qualify for workers’ comp benefits:
- Concussion: Disruption of brain function caused by shaking of the brain. A person can suffer a concussion without visible head trauma.
- Skull fracture: Breaking the bones of the skull. A fracture may be a crack, bone fragments, or a break at the base of the skull.
- Diffuse Axonal Injury (DAI): Destruction of nerve fibers, resulting in severe brain malfunction.
- Hemorrhage: Intracranial hemorrhage or subarachnoid hemorrhage can put pressure on the brain and result in severe malfunction.
- Contusion: A brain contusion can result in bleeding and damage to brain tissue.
- Penetrating injury: When an object breaks through the skull, a person sustains a penetrating brain injury.
Fully identifying the extent of injury is a crucial part of a brain injury workers’ compensation settlement. Future impact, including extended medical care, is an important component of the value of a case.
How NC Determines Settlement Amounts for Head Injuries
Generally, a person who qualifies for workers’ compensation in NC may receive paid medical care, replacement income (temporary total or partial disability), and disability pay.
Medical care may cover costs to diagnose and treat injury, including reducing the period of disability and care required for relief and to effect a cure. In North Carolina, a severe brain injury can be an exception to the typical 500-week limit for temporary total disability. To qualify for an exception, the person must have severe neurological, communication, cerebral function, motor, or sensory impairment due to brain trauma. If your claim results in a settlement, how you structure medical benefits can be particularly important. Our lawyers are experienced in negotiating brain injury workers’ compensation settlements for injured workers.
Calculating a settlement amount for a brain injury also involves evaluating pre-injury wages, permanent disability, and rehabilitation needs.
Cognitive, Physical, and Long-Term Impacts of Head Trauma
One of the challenges of Monroe workers’ compensation head injury settlements is the long-term impact of head trauma. When a brain injury occurs, the long-term effects are often unknown. To obtain fair compensation, it’s essential to undergo diagnostic testing, receive appropriate treatment, and evaluate the long-term impact. This information will enable you to negotiate a comprehensive settlement for your claim that accounts for the lasting impact of head trauma.
How To Build a Strong Head Injury Claim with Medical Evidence
Medical evidence can be key in a head injury claim and serves a variety of purposes:
- Prove that your injury is work-related
- Support your diagnosis
- Explain what treatment should be covered
- Support a claim for physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Identify future care needs
- Form the basis of a claim for permanent and total disability
- Determine what disability compensation should be included in a settlement
You may rely on medical records, evaluations, and expert testimony to support your claim.
What To Do If Your Head Injury Claim Is Denied
You must report your workplace injury to your employer within 30 days and then have two years to file a claim for benefits. You can also negotiate a settlement agreement with the insurance company. If your head injury workers’ compensation claim is denied, you can appeal it through a form requesting a hearing. Involving a lawyer early in the process can help you preserve evidence and pursue benefits promptly.
How a Monroe Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Can Help
Horton & Mendez, Injury & Car Accident Attorneys is a team of Monroe workers’ compensation head injury lawyers. When a brain injury changes your life, our experienced team can guide you through the process to receive your benefits.
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