Minnesota Workers' Compensation: What is a Claim Petition?

In Minnesota, a workers’ compensation claim is often initiated by filing a Claim Petition. A Claim Petition is a standard form that sets forth basic information about the employee’s claim for workers’ compensation benefits. The Claim Petition contains information about the employee, including his or her name, address, Social Security Number, date of birth, and date(s) of injury. It also lists the name of the employer(s) and insurer(s). The Claim Petition also sets forth the nature of the injury and the average weekly wage at the time of the injury. Finally, the Claim Petition lists the types of claims alleged, including Temporary Total Disability (TTD), Temporary Partial Disability (TPD), Permanent Total Disability (PTD), Permanent Partial Disability (PPD), Rehabilitation benefits, and/or medical benefits.

The Claim Petition is filed with the Department of Labor and Industry, and copies of the Claim Petition are served on the employee, the employer, the insurer, and any third-party payors, such as major medical insurers. Notice to Potential Intervenors is often served along with the Claim Petition to any medical providers and any third-party payors.

A Claim Petition is generally filed when the employer and/or insurer is denying primary liability, meaning that they admit no responsibility for the injury. A Claim Petition is also filed when there is a claim for monetary benefits, such as Temporary Total Disability, Temporary Partial Disability, and/or Permanent Total Disability, even if the insurer admits primary liability. If an injured worker has settled his or her case on a full, final complete basis, leaving open future medical benefits, a Claim Petition may be used in some instances where there is a dispute over medical expenses.

Once your Claim Petition has been filed, the employer and/or insurer is generally required to file an Answer to the Claim Petition within 20 days. The employer and/or insurer is required to serve specific responses to the allegations in the claim petition. If an answer is not filed in a timely matter and/or an extension of time to answer is not requested, the employee may request that the matter be scheduled for an expedited hearing.

Typically, after the Claim Petition has been filed, the matter is scheduled for a Settlement Conference at the Office of Administrative Hearings. Prior to the Settlement Conference, if appropriate, the employee’s attorney will often submit a settlement demand to the attorney for the employer and insurer. The purpose of the Settlement Conference is to attempt to discuss the possibility of settlement. Some cases settle at the Settlement Conference, and some do not. If it appears that the parties have reached an impasse, and that further negotiations will not facilitate a settlement, the case may be referred to the Office of Administrative Hearings for the scheduling of a hearing. If either side needs additional information, if the case is not ripe for settlement discussions, or if the sides need additional time to negotiate, the Compensation Judge may also reset a Settlement Conference for a month or two in the future.

If the parties are unable to reach a settlement, the case will proceed toward a Hearing. In Minnesota workers’ compensation, a Hearing is the equivalent of a trial. At the Hearing, both sides will present evidence in support of their respective positions, and the employee will generally provide testimony. After all evidence has been heard, the Compensation Judge issues a decision, which is final and binding on the parties.

The entire process from the filing of the Claim Petition through a Hearing can take anywhere from six months to a year or more. To see a blank copy of a claim petition, click here.

If you’ve been injured on the job, and the workers’ compensation insurance company is denying your claim, you should consult with an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer who can file a Claim Petition on your behalf to help you get the benefits you deserve. Meuser & Associates has been representing injured workers for over 20 years. To schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our workers’ compensation lawyers, call Meuser & Associates at 877-746-568 or click here to send us an email.

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Health Care Workers and Minnesota Workers Compensation Injuries

Health care workers, including nurses, nursing assistants, nursing home attendants, laboratory aids, health care aids, orderlies, CPNs, LPNs, PAs and doctors and other types of health care workers are all at risk for work injuries. In Minnesota, work injuries are covered by workers’ compensation, which provides a variety of benefits to injured workers, including wage loss benefits, permanency benefits, rehabilitation benefits, and medical expense benefits.

While health care might not seem like an inherently dangerous business, between 1995 and 2004 health care workers belonged in the group (second only to truck drivers) with the greatest number of reported work injuries and illness. Eight-hundred-thousand health care workers reported injuries or illnesses during this time period. One-hundred-fifty-four health care workers died from their work injuries between 1995 and 2004.

Common types of health care worker injuries include:

• Neck and back strains and sprains
• Musculoskeletal disorders
• Overexertion injuries
• Neck and back disc herniations
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Repetitive motion disorders
• Assaults by patients
• Lifting injuries
• Slip and falls
• Cuts and sticks from sharps (including needles, surgical tools, etc.)
• Exposure to blood borne pathogens, such as HIV, Hepatitis C, Hepatitis B, or other illnesses
  

If you’re a health care worker who has been injured on the job, you may be entitled to Minnesota workers’ compensation, including medical expenses benefits, wage loss benefits, rehabilitation benefits, and/or permanency benefits. Call Meuser & Associates to learn about your rights under Minnesota workers’ compensation. To schedule a free, no-obligation consultation, call us at 877-746-5680 or click here to send us an email.

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Travel With Care on Holiday Weekends: Several People Killed or Injured on Minnesota’s Highways Over Easter Weekend

According to the Star Tribune, several accidents on Minnesota’s roadways caused a number of deaths and serious injuries over Easter weekend.

Sadly, on Sunday, in Scott County a pregnant woman was injured and suffered a miscarriage when the vehicle she was riding in was broadsided by a pickup truck. The pickup truck failed to yield at the intersection of 220th Street and Highway 13. The driver of the car and the pickup truck driver also suffered minor injuries.

Two more people were killed, and two were seriously injured in a two-car collision on Saturday night near Waubun in Mahomen County, when one vehicle struck another vehicle head-on on Mahomen County Road 2.

In Wright County, a 45-year old man was killed when his motorcycle struck a road sign while traveling west on County Road 106. Another Minnesota motorcyclist was killed on Friday in Pierce County, Wisconsin, when he was thrown from his motorcycle on Highway 29 near River Falls.

Three more motorcyclists were injured Saturday afternoon in Minnesota in Pierce County, near Elmwood. One motorcyclist hit a truck when he lost control of his motorcycle while going around a sharp curve and crossed into oncoming traffic. As he made his way back into the southbound lane, he was hit by another motorcycle. All three motorcyclists were taken by emergency transport from the scene.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims of these crashes and their families.

As Memorial Day and Fourth of July quickly approach, it’s critical to use extra caution on Minnesota’s roadways during busy holiday weekends. Here are a few simple, yet powerful things that can decrease your odds of being involved in an accident:

Pay attention. Inattention is one of the leading causes of accidents. Inattention can be caused by many things, including daydreaming, distractions, sleepiness, fatigue, “highway hypnosis,” cell phone use, talking, etc. Paying attention allows you to see, recognize, and avoid potential hazards. Do your best to actually concentrate on what you’re doing while you’re driving, and you’ll be much more likely to see and be able to react to dangerous conditions.

Keep an eye on the other guy. We all make mistakes on the road. Don’t assume that the car next to you won’t make an error. Try to anticipate mistakes other drivers might make to allow yourself a chance to react if a driver does make a mistake. Always allow yourself plenty of braking distance between cars.

Yield anyway. If in doubt, yield. It’s better to be safe than sorry. Remember, no one actually HAS the right of way, until that right of way has been given. It’s not the principle of who should yield, but a safe outcome that matters.

For more good tips on driving safe, visit Roadtrip America’s 70 Rules of Safe Driving.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a serious car accident, you should speak with an experienced personal injury attorney. When you’re trying to recover from your injuries, trying to get back to work, and trying to put your life back together, dealing with insurance companies is the last thing you need to worry about. We can help you get the compensation you deserve. To schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our attorneys, call us at 877-746-5680 or click here to send us an email.

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Use Your Head: Wear a Helmet

Some recreational activities, such as riding horse, skiing, snowboarding, riding bicycle or riding motorcycle, carry with them an increased risk of traumatic brain injury should an accident occur. The single best way to prevent catastrophic brain injuries as the result of an accident is to wear a helmet.

Dr. Marvin Zelkowitz, a board-certified neurologist at Ingalls Memorial Hospital, notes in the SouthTown Star that "In my 30 years as a neurologist, I have seen every type of head injury imaginable, from mild to fatal. Wearing a helmet can help reduce serious head injuries 50 to 80 percent of the time."

Helmets provide two types of protection, Dr. Zelkowitz said. "They're best at preventing penetrating injuries, but they also absorb quite a bit of force."

In order to choose the right type of helmet, one must keep in mind that different activities require different types of helmets. For example, you shouldn't wear a bicycle helmet while skiing and vice versa. Visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s Website or the Snell Memorial Foundation, which independently tests all types of helmets to learn more about choosing a helmet. Design and fit are the most important safety features of any helmet. They should be comfortable and snug. A helmet should be centered on the top of the head and the strap should always be buckled.

Helmet use is particularly important for children. As many as 75% of bicycle-related deaths among children could be prevented by the use of a bicycle helmet. To encourage regular helmet use, adults should serve as role models for their children and wear helmets as well.

Despite best intentions, injuries still do happen. The risk of head injuries or traumatic brain injuries is highest among men ages 15 to 24. Fortunately, most head injuries are relatively minor, but for half a million Americans every year, the injuries are severe enough to require hospitalization. For safety’s sake, anyone who has suffered a blow to the head should seek medical attention. If you experience convulsions, slurred speech, weakness or numbness in the extremities, dilation of one or both pupils, vomiting, severe headaches, confusion or agitation, you should seek emergency medical attention. The initial period of care following a brain injury is critical. Emergency care for traumatic brain injury focuses on preventing permanent and serious brain damage.

If you or a loved one has suffered injuries as the result of a bicycle or motorcycle accident, contact Meuser & Associates to learn about your rights under Minnesota law. For a free, no-obligation consultation, call us at 877-746-5680, or click here to send us an email.

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Pronator Teres Syndrome and Minnesota Workers' Compensation

Repetitive motion injuries, or cumulative trauma injuries, are commonly known as Gillette injuries under Minnesota workers’ compensation law.

Because the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome and pronator teres syndrome are similar, it is often difficult to determine which nerve has been injured when a person experiences symptoms in his or her fingers, hands, wrists, forearms, and elbows.

Pronator teres syndrome (also referred to as Pronator syndrome) is an upper extremity nerve entrapment syndrome involving the median nerve.

PTS develops from compression of the median nerve by the pronator teres muscle, and is sometimes referred to as pronator syndrome. The term pronator syndrome also can include median nerve compression by other structures in the elbow, such as the ligament of Struthers or the bicipital aponeurosis (lacertus fibrosus). Compression can be due to muscle hypertonicity or fibrous bands within the muscle pressing on the nerve. In some cases, pressure is placed on the nerve by anatomical anomalies, such as the nerve traveling deep to both heads of the pronator teres. In this situation, the nerve might be compressed against the ulna by the pronator teres muscle itself.

Symptoms of pronator syndrome include a diffuse forearm ache, usually resulting from prolonged muscular effort. Paresthesia may also be noted in the median field of the hand. There may also be tenderness over the area of entrapment, which can lead to pain in the forearm. Pressure on the area of nerve entrapment may cause abnormal sensations down the path of the median nerve. This is known as Tinel’s sign. People suffering from pronator syndrome may also experience decreased strength to muscles in the forearm. Specifically, victims of pronator teres syndrome may result in a decreased ability to pronate the wrist, a loss of wrist flexion, partial loss of finger flexion, and a loss of thumb opposition. In contrast, people with carpal tunnel syndrome will not demonstrate weakness in wrist flexion, wrist pronation, or finger flexion.

People with carpal tunnel syndrome and pronator teres syndrome both experience sensory loss, however the patterns of sensory loss differ. Pronator syndrome causes sensory loss in the entire median nerve field of the hand. In contrast, carpal tunnel syndrome causes sensory loss primarily in the thumb and fingers. Additionally, pronator teres syndrome pain is exacerbated by repetitive elbow flexion, and symptoms arise in the forearm as well as the hand. Carpal tunnel syndrome, on the other hand, is aggravated by wrist movements, and forearm pain is not as common or as severe.

People with carpal tunnel syndrome frequently report night pain, while individuals with pronator syndrome generally do not. This is because prolonged wrist flexion during sleep aggravates carpal tunnel syndrome, whereas wrist flexion does not affect the pronator teres muscle.

Treatment for pronator teres syndrome may include conservative therapies such as massage and physical therapy, ultrasound, anti-inflammatory medications, pain medications, or corticosteroid injections. If conservative therapies fail, decompressive surgery may be necessary.

People suffering from pronator teres syndrome as the result of repetitive motions at work are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits under Minnesota law, including medical benefits, wage loss benefits, permanency benefits, and/or rehabilitation benefits. Unfortunately, workers who suffer from pronator teres syndrome may ultimately be medically required to avoid the types of repetitive motions required by their jobs.

If you’ve been diagnosed with pronator teres syndrome as the result of your work related activities, you should report the injury to your employer, and consider retaining an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer to make sure you get the benefits you are entitled to. To schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our attorneys, contact Meuser & Associates at 877-746-5680, or click here to send us an email.

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Spinal Disc Herniation Injuries

One of the most common injuries we see in our workers’ compensation and personal injury practice is disc herniation. If you’ve suffered a disc herniation as the result of your work activities, or as the result of a motor vehicle collision, you may be entitled to compensation.

A disc herniation, also commonly referred to as a prolapsed disc, ruptured disc or “slipped disc,” is a medical condition affecting the spine, where a tear in the outer, fibrous ring (annulus fibrosus) of an intervertebral disc allows the soft, central portion (nucleus) of the disc to bulge out. A tear in the outer disc ring may cause the release of inflammatory chemicals into your body, causing severe pain. If the bulge or prolapse compresses on a nerve root, it can cause pain and symptoms extending from the neck or back into the arms or legs. A disc herniation may begin as a disc protrusion, or disc bulge, where the outer layers of the disc are intact, but protrude outward when the disc is under pressure.

Disc herniations can occur at any level of the spine, but most commonly, they occur in the cervical spine (neck) or in the lumbar spine (low back). Lumbar disc herniations occur 15 times more often than cervical spine disc herniations. Cervical disc herniations occur in 8% of cases, and herniations occur only 1-2% of the time in the thoracic spine (mid-to-upper-back). Lumbar disc herniations often cause leg pain, which is commonly referred to as sciatica.

Lumbar herniations occur most commonly between the fourth and fifth vertebrae (L4-L5), and between the fifth vertebrae and the sacrum (L5-S1). Symptoms from a herniation in the lumbar spine can affect the low back, buttocks, hips, thigh, calf, foot, and toes. The sciatic nerve can be affected, causing symptoms of sciatica. The femoral nerve can also be affected, causing a numb, tingling feeling throughout one or both legs, or a burning feeling in the hips and legs.

Cervical herniations occur most often between the sixth and seventh vertebrae (C6-C7). Symptoms from a herniation in the cervical spine can affect the back of the skull, the neck, shoulder girdle, scapula, arm, and hand. The nerves of the cervical plexus and brachial plexus can also be affected.

Interestingly, most disc herniations occur to persons in their thirties or forties. After age 50 or 60, intervetebral discs tend to “dry out” and are less likely to herniated. Low back pain after the age of 50 or 60 is more frequently caused by spinal degeneration or spinal stenosis.

Disc herniations can be caused by repetitive motions, overuse, general wear and tear, blunt force trauma, lifting injuries, sharp impacts, or a variety of other strains.

Symptoms of a herniated disc depend largely on the location of the herniation. Herniations can cause little or no pain, isolated to the neck or back, or they can cause severe and disabling pain throughout virtually the entire body. Other than pain symptoms, herniated discs can cause sensory changes, such as numbness, tingling, muscular weakness, paralysis, paresthesia, decreased sensation and decreased reflexes. Generally, symptoms are experienced on one side of the body or other, in correlation whith the side of the spine where the herniation has occurred. If the herniation is large and presses on the spinal cord or cauda equina in the lumbar spine, both sides of the body may be affected.

A herniated disc is diagnosed by a doctor based on the patient’s history, symptoms, and physical examination. If a disc herniation is suspected, X-rays, a CT-Scan, an MRI, or a Myelogram may be performed to confirm a suspected herniation and to pinpoint its location.

Many herniated discs will heal after several weeks or months without surgical intervention. Often, conservative therapies including chiropractic treatment, physical therapy, bed rest, support belts, prescription anti-inflammatory medications, yoga therapy, prescription pain killers, spinal decompression, prescription muscle relaxers, oral steroid medications, and cortisone and steroid injections, are used to treat the symptoms of a herniated disc.

Surgery is generally considered as a last resort after conservative treatments fail to relieve pain or heal the disc herniation. Surgery is generally required if a patient has a significant neurological deficit, such as paralysis or cauda equina syndrome (in which there is incontinence, weakness and genital numbness). This condition is considered a medical emergency.

Surgical options include:

• Microdiscectomy 
• IDET 
• Laminectomy 
• Hemilaminectomy 
• Lumbar/Cervical fusion
• Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion
• Disc arthroplasty 
• Dynamic stabilization
• Artificial disc replacement 
• Nucleoplasty

If you have sustained a herniated disc as the result of a work injury or car accident, a workers’ compensation lawyer or personal injury can help you get the compensation you deserve. To schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our attorneys, call Meuser & Associate at 877-746-5680 or click here to send us an email.

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Commercial Truck Accidents in Minnesota: Use Extra Caution When Driving Around Trucks

Each year, thousands of people in the United States are killed or seriously injured in accidents involving commercial trucks. Drivers should exercise caution when driving near commercial trucks to help prevent serious accidents.

Here are some things to keep in mind about sharing Minnesota roads and highways with commercial trucks, tractor-trailers, and semi-trucks:

Truck Drivers Have Large Blind Spots. There are large blind spots around the front, back, and sides of the truck. When cars are in these blind spots, the trucker cannot see them. Always give a truck plenty of space, and try to avoid its blind spots.

Trucks Make Wide turns. Truck drivers often have to swing out to make turns. Give trucks plenty of space when they are making turns. Do not try to squeeze by a truck as it's attempting to make a turn.

Tractor Trailers Require Longer Stopping Distances. Due to the heavy weight of tractor-trailers, it takes longer for trucks to come to a stop. If there’s a sudden stop on the highway, semi-trucks may not have enough stopping distance to avoid a rear-end collision.

In addition to the inherent physical and mechanical characteristics that contribute to truck accidents, a number of other preventable factors can lead to more truck accidents:

Driver fatigue. Long hours, unrealistic schedules and tired drivers increase the likelihood of truck accidents. According to the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), driver fatigue is a probable factor in 20 to 40% of truck crashes.

Intoxicated driving. The NTSB reports that 67% of fatally injured truck drivers tested positive for alcohol or drugs.

Excessive speed. Drivers operating their trucks at excessive speeds are much more likely to be involved in jackknife or rollover accidents.

Inadequate inspections. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there were over 2 million roadside inspection violations last year alone.

If you or a loved one has been injured as the result of a truck crash in Minnesota, you should seriously consider retaining an experienced Minnesota personal injury lawyer. Fighting an insurance company on your own to secure the compensation you deserve can be an extremely difficult and frustrating process. We can help make the process less difficult. To schedule a free, no-obligation consultation, call Meuser & Associates at 877-746-5680 or click here to send us an email.

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Injuries Sustained During Recreational Activities and Employer Sponsored Social Events and Minnesota Workers’ Compensation

In many states, workers’ compensation covers people who are injured at company picnics, employer-sponsored social events, and employer organized recreational activities.

The Minnesota legislature, however, decided to limit the types of employer sponsored social and recreational activities that are considered to be within the course and scope of the employment. What this means is that many injuries that occur at company picnics, company softball games, employer-sponsored social events, and other employer organized recreational activities are not covered by workers’ compensation.

Specifically, Minnesota Statute Section 176.021(9) (1988) provides:

Injuries incurred while participating in voluntary recreational programs sponsored by the employer, including health promotion programs, athletic events, parties, and picnics, do not arise out of and in the course of employment even though the employer pays some or all of the costs of the program. This exclusion does not apply in the event that the injured employee was ordered or assigned by the employer to participate in the program. Minn. Stat. § 176.021(9) (1988).

This does not mean, however, that all injuries that occur at employer-sponsored events are excluded from workers’ compensation coverage. In order to fall within the exclusion set forth in the statute, (1) the event must be “recreational,” (2) the activity must have been voluntary, and (3) the employee must not have been ordered or assigned to participate in the program.

If you have been injured at an employer-sponsored “Fun Day,” picnic, party, or other recreational or social activity, you should speak with an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer to determine whether your injuries are covered by Minnesota workers’ compensation. These cases are very fact specific, and workers’ compensation insurance companies almost never voluntarily pay benefits in these circumstances. To schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our workers’ compensation lawyers to determine if you are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, call Meuser & Associates at 877-746-5680 or click here to send us an email.

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More 3M Layoffs and MN Work Comp. Benefits

News of more and more layoffs belies the harsh reality that our economy is not recovering quickly. The Pioneer Press recently reported that Maplewood, Minnesota-based 3M Company laid off 1,200 workers in the first three months of 2009, and 2,400 in the last three months of 2008. Executives said that more job cuts could be coming. Several hundred of these layoffs are from 3M locations within Minnesota.

Hopefully, the economy will start to recover, layoffs of Minnesotans will slow in the next few months and folks can start getting back to work.

While getting laid off is extremely difficult, it can be even more difficult for laid-off workers who have physical restrictions related to a work injury. Frequently, workers who are on light-duty or who have physical restrictions related to a work injury are the first to be laid off. These physical restrictions, such as lifting limitations, or limitations on the number of hours a person can work can make finding a new job incredibly difficult. Fortunately, in Minnesota, if a worker who has physical restrictions due to a work-related injury is laid off for economic reasons, that worker may be entitled to wage loss benefits, and rehabilitation assistance through workers’ compensation.

Wage loss benefits, including Temporary Total Disability (TTD) Benefits, Temporary Partial Disability (TPD) Benefits, and Permanent Total Disability (PTD) Benefits, are available to workers who are unable to work, or who are working at a wage loss due to a work-related injury.

These workers may also be entitled to the assistance of a Qualified Rehabilitation Consultant (QRC), who can provide job placement services and/or retraining.

If you’re a 3M worker, or any other worker who has been laid off for economic reasons, but you have physical restrictions for a work-related injury, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. To schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our workers’ compensation lawyers, call Meuser & Associates at 877-746-5680 or click here to send us an email. We can help you get the benefits you are entitled to.

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Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Causes, Signs and Symptoms

More than 1.5 million people suffer traumatic brain injury (TBI) every year. Traumatic injury to the brain occurs in one of two ways. First, the cerebral cortex can be bruised as the result of a hard object striking the head, or when the head strikes a hard object. This is sometimes called a contusion or concussion. Second, the deep white matter in a person’s brain can suffer diffuse injury as the result of an injury to another part of the body, where the force of the shock is transferred to the brain. In these types of injuries, such as in severe whiplash injuries, the axons or neurons, which conduct electrical impulses in the brain, are damaged.

Traumatic brain injuries can cause a variety of physical, cognitive, and emotional or behavioral symptoms, including:

• Physical symptoms: paralysis, hearing loss, ringing in the ears, vision impairment, blurred vision, headaches, speech impediments, seizures, involuntary muscle spasms, reduced endurance, loss of consciousness
• Cognitive symptoms: communication impairments, difficulty with writing, attention deficits, difficulty with concentration, unusual perception, difficulty planning, short and/or long term memory loss, dizziness, loss of coordination, vertigo, poor judgment, deficient reading skills, disorientation
• Behavioral/emotional symptoms: agitation, restlessness, fatigue, anxiety, mood swings, low-self esteem, depression, sexual dysfunction, lack of motivation, sadness, inability to cope
  

Traumatic brain injuries frequently occur as the result of a car accident or as the result of a fall. Even minor accidents or seemingly small head bumps can cause life-altering brain injuries. Some traumatic brain injuries do not immediately cause obvious impairments or symptoms. If a head or brain injury is suspected, the victim must be monitored closely. Unfortunately, in some instances, an untreated serious brain injury can cause death or catastrophic disability.

What to watch for after an accident:

• Monitor the victim. If a person has been involved in a car accident or fall where they hit their head, even if they did not lose consciousness, they should be monitored carefully for signs and symptoms of traumatic brain injury.
• Watch for symptoms of dizziness, headache, confused thinking and vomiting. These symptoms are signs of traumatic brain injury. If the victim displays any of these symptoms after an accident where they hit their head, take them to an emergency room.
• Monitor for changes in condition. If an accident victim’s symptoms change, i.e., a headache worsens, they vomit or become nauseous, they become sleepy, or exhibit confusion or other behavioral changes within 12 hours of the head injury, they may have a brain bleed, and should be taken to an emergency room.
• Medications. People on blood thinning medications are at greater risk for bleeding in the brain. Monitor their symptoms closely.
• Seniors, children, and young adults. Seniors, children, and young adults should be very closely monitored for symptoms of a brain injury after an accident. These victims may have more difficulty communicating their symptoms, or may not as notice the symptoms as readily as other people. If they show any signs of vomiting, confusion, or severe headache, they should be taken to an emergency room.
  

If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic head injury as the result of a car or truck accident, or as the result of a work-related injury, contact the experienced personal injury and workers’ compensation lawyers at Meuser & Associates for a free, no-obligation consultation. We can help make sure you get the compensation you are entitled to. Call us today at 877-746-5680 or click here to send us an email to schedule a free consultation.

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