Maybe you slipped on some wet tile and fell down the stairs. Perhaps you fell from scaffolding. You might have not fallen at all but rather got struck with equipment or materials. Suffering a traumatic brain injury (TBI) on the job probably means you have to go somewhere for medical treatment.
You also may require a temporary leave of absence while you recover. Some people will be able to get right back to work once the symptoms of their TBI are back under control. Others may find that their brain injury symptoms permanently affect what work they can do. How might a brain injury limit your career options?
When you have motor or equilibrium issues
Brain injuries can cause many different kinds of symptoms. Some people experience problems with motor function. They might lose strength, develop tremors or have an issue with fine motor skills. Others might lose their sense of equilibrium. Any symptoms that impact your ability to physically work or to maintain your balance could keep you from staying at your job.
When you have memory issues or cognitive symptoms
Brain injuries can affect the way you think and remember information. Some people may struggle to form new memories after a brain injury. Others can relearn things but may have a hard time recovering old information. Losing memories or struggling to learn can make it unsafe for you to do different kinds of work.
The same is true of cognitive deficits that result from a brain injury. If you have trouble making decisions, extrapolating likely outcomes from data or otherwise completing mental tasks as part of your job, you may no longer be able to keep the same career you enjoyed before your injury.
When the injury affects your personality
People sometimes experience marked changes in their overall behavior or mood after a brain injury. An injury that makes you more irritable could make it impossible for you to continue working in sales or a customer service position. A brain injury that makes you more amicable might mean you are no longer a good fit for management positions.
The lasting consequences of moderate to severe brain injuries can end someone’s career prematurely. Permanent disability benefits or total temporary benefits may be necessary to help those who can’t learn what they once did after a work-acquired brain injury. The better you understand the potential impact of a work-related head injury, the easier it will be for you to get the support you need, like workers’ compensation benefits.