Many workplace injuries can have lasting consequences, but few are as life-changing as a traumatic brain injury. Some conditions may require care for the rest of your life. We understand that families often depend on the income of an injured worker, and a severe injury may prevent you from working or caring for loved ones. That’s why our Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyers are dedicated to winning the benefits and compensation to which you are entitled. Our practice was founded on a commitment to workers’ rights, and we’re proud of our record protecting the injured and disabled. Call Emery | Reddy, PLLC today to speak to an experienced Intake Specialist for a Free Case Review and learn more about how we may be able to help you with your claim.
Emery | Reddy’s Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyers Can Help You with Your Claim
A blow to the head should not be ignored just because it seems relatively minor at the time. Even a mere bump on the head can escalate into a traumatic brain injury or other consequences decades down the road without proper medical evaluation and treatment.
Unfortunately, insurance companies are primarily looking to save money for the party or parties involved in your injury. Because of the high costs of these cases, they often refuse to acknowledge the unique character of traumatic brain injuries. Providing comprehensive, long-term, high-quality care can mean hundreds of thousands — or millions — of dollars, and insurers will aggressively fight to minimize costs on their end.
Traumatic brain injuries have lifelong consequences, and Emery | Reddy never loses sight of this long perspective when preparing your case. Our Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyers will carefully analyze your medical records and work with our network of top medical specialists to maximize your compensation and care. We have assembled the best team of outside experts in Washington state, including accident reconstructionists, physicians, and economic loss experts. Let us put our winning record and considerable resources to work for you.
If you suspect you have a traumatic brain injury, seek medical attention immediately, and then contact our office so we can get started on your case. Call Emery | Reddy today to speak to an experienced Intake Specialist for a Free Case Review and learn more about how we may be able to help you with your claim.
Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries
In general terms, a traumatic brain injury includes any harm resulting in damage to the brain. Most cases of traumatic brain injuries are caused by blunt force trauma to the head or closed head injuries. For example, a person’s head may hit their windshield in a collision or be struck by a falling object in a warehouse at work. Other accidents involve penetrating head injuries where an object actually penetrates the skull, directly damaging the brain.
Be aware that traumatic brain injuries do not necessarily result in loss of consciousness. Some people with serious damage initially present only minor symptoms, like a headache.
Signs of Traumatic Brain Injury
Brain injuries can be dangerous precisely because they often go unnoticed for some time. It’s important to understand the symptoms and get medical attention immediately if you have sustained a head injury. The following are some symptoms to look for:
- Persistent headache, pressure, or neck pain
- Confusion or fogginess
- Fatigue
- Vomiting or nausea
- Slurred speech patterns
- Dizziness
- Loss of memory, concentration, or ability to make decisions
- Difficulty reading or focusing
- Low energy or sex drive
- Change in sleep patterns (insomnia as well as oversleeping)
- Loss of balance and coordination
- Sensitivity to light and noise
- Blurred vision
- Ringing in the ears
- Mood swings
If you suspect that you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury, call Emery | Reddy today to speak to an experienced Intake Specialist for a Free Case Review and learn more about how we may be able to help you with your claim.
Workplace Accidents and Traumatic Brain Injury
Brain injuries and trauma are common among workers involved in auto accidents, slip-and-falls, construction site accidents, and other work-related incidents. Working with heavy equipment in a warehouse or construction site puts workers at increased risk. Any impact to the head or incident involving violent movement can result in traumatic brain injury. Just because there is no fracture or puncture wound does not mean the injury is less serious. In a closed head injury, blood may slowly seep into critical areas, causing a build-up of pressure that can lead to death or permanent brain damage.
Concussions and Traumatic Brain Injury
A concussion is a common type of traumatic brain injury that occurs when the brain is jarred inside the skull. A growing body of medical research shows that concussions have greater long-term consequences than previously understood. This may lead to minor or serious memory loss, behavioral issues, and ongoing cognitive challenges.
Concussions are often associated with a fall or blow to the head, but it’s not necessary for the head to actually hit the ground or another object to sustain a concussion. Violent motion from a sudden stop can cause also the brain to strike against the skull, resulting in a concussion. Concussions often occur from:
- Vehicle collisions,
- Slip-and-falls,
- Workplace accidents,
- Personal assault, and
- Sports and recreational injuries.
Workers should understand that a concussion is a traumatic brain injury. Even though some are comparatively mild, no injury to the brain is ever trivial. A seemingly minor concussion can result in long-term consequences, from persistent headaches and fatigue to notable changes in mood.
If someone’s negligence has contributed to your concussion injury, you need a law firm with a record of winning cases for brain injury survivors. Our Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyers can fight to get you the maximum compensation for your injury. Call Emery | Reddy today to speak to an experienced Intake Specialist for a Free Case Review and learn more about how we may be able to help you with your claim.
Is My Traumatic Brain Injury a Third-Party Claim or an L&I Claim?
Third-Party Claim
A third-party claim is one in which someone other than your employer or co-worker is responsible for your injury. If you have been injured on the job due to someone else’s actions or negligence, you may be entitled to additional compensation through a third-party claim, which combines your L&I claim with a personal injury claim using the same facts.
Unlike workers’ compensation payments, there is no limit to the amount of compensation an injured worker may seek in third-party damages. Third-party claims are private matters and are typically litigated directly with the Washington State Superior Court.
If your traumatic brain injury leaves you out of work for an extended period of time, you may be entitled to compensation for pain, suffering, and lost wages.
L&I Claim
An L&I claim results from a workplace injury or occupational illness. An L&I claim is monitored and managed by an L&I Claims Manager who sees the process through from initial claim filing to closure. If all goes as planned, your claim is accepted by L&I and you will receive certain benefits.
When you are injured or contract certain types of illnesses at work, you are entitled to certain workers’ compensation benefits. You can file an L&I claim in Washington state through the L&I website’s File Fast tool, by calling the L&I office at 877.561.3453, or at your doctor’s office. After you file, it is imperative that you call an experienced L&I attorney to help you navigate the L&I claims process.
Our Seattle L&I Attorneys Will Help You Recover:
- Medical benefits: L&I medical benefits will cover all medical costs associated with your claim. This can include doctor appointments, treatments, surgeries, occupational therapy, and prescription medications.
- Time-loss and wage replacement: If you are approved for time-loss benefits, you may receive compensation for the lost wages and vocational rehabilitation.
- Damages for pain and suffering: L&I settlement and award amounts vary widely and typically fall into three categories:
1. L&I disability pension: a life-long benefit awarded to injured workers who will never be able to return to any gainful employment due to a severe or life-threatening injury.
2. Permanent partial disability (PPD) award: a one-time sum paid to injured workers when their L&I claim is closed. The worker can re-enter the workforce following a PPD award.
3. Claim resolution settlement agreement (CRSA): an L&I settlement option where all parties agree to close an injury claim for a specified amount. When agreeing to this settlement type, the injured worker exchanges all future L&I benefits, except medical, for the payment.
We understand that many families depend on the income of an injured worker, and our L&I and Brain Injury Attorneys are dedicated to winning the benefits and compensation you are entitled to by law. Our practice was founded on a commitment to advocating for workers’ rights, and we are proud of our record protecting the injured and disabled. Call us today to speak to an experienced Intake Specialist for a Free Case Review and to learn how Emery | Reddy may be able to help you with your back injury claim.
HOW IT WORKS
Watch This Video to Learn More about How Employment Law and L&I Claims Work Together
Your L&I Claim Is Worth More If You Also Have an Employment Claim
A significant number of L&I — workers’ compensation claims often involve additional legal claims such as employment or third-party claims. Many people file their claims without seeking representation from an L&I attorney and thus never discover that in addition to their L&I claim, they may be missing out on the ability to file an employment claim or a third-party claim. Pursuing additional legal action with the help of an experienced Labor and Industries attorney has the potential to significantly increase a claim’s overall compensation. At Emery | Reddy, our experienced Attorneys practice both Employment and Workers’ Compensation Law, which means we will investigate all aspects of your claim to make sure you aren’t missing out on any potential benefits.
What Is an Employment Claim?
Many injured workers find that their employer has taken, or plans to take, adverse action against them because they filed an L&I claim or they are out of work. You can file a lawsuit against your employer for several reasons, including retaliation, wrongful termination, disability discrimination, or unpaid wages. An L&I attorney who is experienced in both L&I — Workers’ Compensation Law and Employment Law can help you with your L&I claim while simultaneously filing a federal or state law claim for the violation of workers’ rights by your employer.
Who Is at Fault for a Workplace Injury?
L&I is a no-fault system, ensuring compensation for any occupational illness. However, if a third party is involved in causing your illness, you may be able to pursue legal action against them for additional compensation under third-party claims.
How Do I Know If I Have a Strong L&I Claim?
If you have suffered a traumatic brain injury at work and wonder if you should get help with your L&I claim, ask yourself the following:
- Have I been denied the medical care benefits to which I am legally entitled?
- Has L&I asked me to undergo an Independent Medical Exam (IME)?
- Do I have questions about the L&I claim process?
If any of the above apply to you, Emery | Reddy may be able to help.
Navigating a workers’ compensation claim can be difficult and very time-consuming, especially when you’re ill or injured. You want to focus on healing and make sure your bills are paid, but if you don’t file things properly or on time, your health, home, and job could be in jeopardy. Many individuals miss out on much-needed L&I benefits because they don’t understand what to do or how to get the most compensation for their injuries. If you are experiencing any challenges in your case, a Labor and Industries attorney can assist you. By contacting Emery | Reddy as soon as possible after you’ve been injured, we can help you avoid the common pitfalls of filing and navigating an L&I claim. Our Seattle L&I Attorneys are here for you every step of the way.
Emery | Reddy Can Help You with Your L&I Claim
Emery | Reddy is the only law firm in Washington state that is equipped to provide comprehensive representation on your case from every angle. Our Seattle L&I Attorneys thoroughly assess every case to determine if our clients have additional claims, and at times this can extend far beyond the underlying workers’ compensation claim.
If you have been injured in the workplace, call Emery | Reddy today for a Free Case Review with an experienced Intake Specialist to learn more about how we may be able help you.
Want More Information?
There are several different types of head injuries that you might experience in the workplace. Learn more about what to do if you have suffered a head injury at work.
Most people suffering from a personal injury have similar questions. Read more to learn the answers to some of the most common personal injury accident questions that we hear from injured workers.
Workers’ compensation is a form of insurance that provides wage replacement and medical benefits to injured workers. Learn more about the claims process, benefits and awards, and IMEs.
We fight for you
Meet the Team
The Personal Injury Attorneys at Emery | Reddy, PLLC are passionate about helping workers with L&I claims and Employment Law issues. We Help Workers®. It’s our motto and what drives us every day.
We know how L&I and big companies think, and we understand the tactics they use. Our Labor and Industries Attorneys use that knowledge coupled with over three decades of experience to help our clients get access to the L&I benefits to which they are legally entitled and hold employers accountable when they break the law.
If you’re struggling with an L&I claim, injury, or legal issue at work, call us for a Free Case Review with an experienced Intake Specialist to learn more about how Emery | Reddy may be able to help you today.
“After being unexpectedly laid off, I had thousands of questions and fears running through my mind. After talking with friends, I decided to explore my options and obtain legal advice. I was pointed in the direction of Karolina Arthur and let me tell you, she is an absolute joy and nothing short of a miracle.”
— Brandon S.
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