If you get injured at work and are diagnosed with a head, skull or brain injury, you could be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits in Pennsylvania. Find out how to file this type of claim and when you should hire a workers’ compensation lawyer in Pittsburgh to represent you for optimal case results.

Can I File a Workers’ Comp Claim in Pennsylvania for a Concussion?

Yes, concussions and other head and brain injuries are all covered by Pennsylvania’s workers’ compensation program. Under state law, if a covered employee is injured as a result of his or her employment, the worker can recover financial compensation for related losses without regard to fault.

Coverage is available for almost all injuries and illnesses that arise out of the scope and course of employment in Pennsylvania. Unlike a personal injury case in Pittsburgh, a workers’ compensation claim allows an employee to receive insurance coverage for a head or brain injury without having to prove that an employer or co-worker was negligent. 

Concussions and other traumatic brain injuries, including bleeding or swelling in the brain, permanent brain damage, skull fractures, and post-concussion syndrome are all covered by workman’s comp in Pennsylvania if these injuries occur on the job. 

What Workers’ Compensation Benefits Are Available for Head and Brain Injuries?

Under state law, employees in Pennsylvania with work-related head or brain injuries are entitled to financial compensation for a variety of past and future damages. Workers’ comp benefits include: 

• Medical treatments: all reasonable surgical and medical services rendered by a health care provider to treat a work-related head or brain injury. Be sure to visit the correct doctor to ensure that your medical costs are covered.
• Lost wages: wage-loss benefits to reimburse a worker for having to take time off of work or take a new job for less pay because of a head or brain injury. These benefits generally equal about two-thirds of the worker’s pre-injury earnings.
• Disability: specific loss benefits for a permanent disability caused by a brain injury, such as irreversible brain damage. Serious and permanent disfigurement to the head, face or neck can also entitle a worker to disability benefits.

If a worker in Pennsylvania dies from a fatal head or brain injury, surviving dependents may be able to recover death benefits in a wrongful death claim. The value of these benefits will depend on the number of dependents and various other factors.

How to File a Workers’ Compensation for a Head or Brain Injury in Pennsylvania

It is critical to visit a doctor if you were involved in any type of incident in the workplace that impacted your head or face. Even a minor bump or blow to the skull could jostle the brain enough to inflict tissue damage. A medical checkup can diagnose a traumatic brain injury even before symptoms arise.

If you are diagnosed with a head or brain injury, report it to your employer right away. Obtain copies of your health and medical records. Then, tell your employer that you wish to file a workers’ comp claim. It is your employer’s responsibility to file a First Report of Injury Form with the Pennsylvania Bureau of Workers’ Compensation for you.

You may need to consult with a workers’ comp attorney in Pennsylvania if an insurance company rejects your claim or refuses to offer fair compensation. Head and brain injuries are serious. Don’t risk your future by accepting a lowball settlement. Contact an attorney at Dallas W. Hartman, P.C. to discuss your rights and options.