On-the-job incidents can be catastrophic in some cases. If a worker ends up struck by a piece of moving equipment, exposed to dangerous chemicals in an industrial incident or injured in a car crash while on the clock, they could sustain injuries that forever alter their earning potential.
Other incidents may take place in mere seconds and may not be nearly as dramatic. However, they could still theoretically cause lasting complications for a worker. A slip or a trip that leads to a same-level fall may not seem like a major incident initially. However, workers can acquire permanent injuries in same-level falls.
A blow to the head can cause lasting medical issues
People who fall may hit their heads on the floor, nearby walls or equipment they use for their jobs. Trauma to the head can cause bleeding or swelling inside the skull. That pressure can then cause damage to the structure of the brain.
Frequently, those who injure their brains in same-level falls may not notice symptoms immediately. The inflammation or blood accumulation may continue for days before they notice concerning symptoms.
Unfortunately, brain injuries that are severe enough to change the structure of the brain are not fully treatable. Medical professionals can treat them to prevent symptoms from progressing, but they typically cannot reverse damage already caused by the incident. Workers hurt in a same-level fall and dealing with the aftermath of a brain injury may face challenges when seeking workers’ compensation benefits.
Securing support from a legal professional can be helpful. The more serious an on-the-job injury caused by a same-level fall is, the harder it may be to pursue appropriate benefits alone. Workers with permanent injuries often need support as they pursue medical coverage and disability benefits through workers’ compensation, and that’s okay.