Concussions on the Job Might be More Serious Than You Think

Posted on Wednesday September 01, 2021

Concussions are serious injuries, even though they are diagnosed as “mild” traumatic brain injuries. If you suffered a concussion working for U.S. defense overseas, speak with a Defense Base Act attorney right away. 

When you are working as a civilian on an overseas United States military base, there are many opportunities for you to hit your head or otherwise suffer a concussion. Concussions are diagnosed as “mild” traumatic brain injuries (mTBIs), so, unfortunately, too many people do not take them seriously enough. In reality, a concussion can become a complex and lasting injury. 

Concussions can be challenging when it comes to receiving the Defense Base Act (DBA) benefits you need and deserve, as insurers often underestimate the effects of this injury. You need an experienced Defense Base Act attorney on your side if you suffered a concussion on the job. 

How Concussions Happen

Many types of accidents and incidents can lead to head trauma, which can cause a concussion. Some common causes include:

• Slip and falls
• Falls from high places
• Motor vehicle accidents
• Getting hit by an object
• Explosions
• Assaults

If you suffer head trauma, you should seek a medical exam immediately. Based on your initial symptoms, which might include a headache, fatigue, irritability, confusion, and more, a doctor might diagnose you with a concussion or mTBI. You might be prescribed rest and expect your symptoms to alleviate in a few days or weeks. However, this “mild” diagnosis is based on your initial presentation of symptoms and does not necessarily reflect the potential severity of your brain injury. 

Possible Complications

Concussions can have complications like any other type of injury. For example, some people develop post-concussion syndrome, which results in your concussion symptoms lasting much longer than expected – perhaps for months or years. Because you might assume that your concussion healed, you might not associate your ongoing symptoms with your head injury, which can make things even more difficult. 

Post-concussion syndrome can prevent you from working or engaging in your usual activities for some time, and you deserve to receive benefits if you lose income due to your ongoing symptoms. Convincing the DBA insurance company that you have this complication can be an uphill battle, however, so you want the right legal help. 

In addition, you can experience much more severe complications if you suffer multiple concussions on the job. People with multiple brain injuries over time can experience:

• Early-onset dementia or Alzheimer’s disease
• Early-onset Parkinson’s disease
• Depression and anxiety
• Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)

These lifelong – and often disabling – conditions can completely alter your life. If they stem from work-related injuries, you might need to fight for disability benefits from the DBA insurer, and you can explore ways to seek damages for pain and suffering when possible. 

In short, concussions should never be considered minor injuries, and they can impact your brain in many serious ways and lead to lasting symptoms. You deserve full DBA benefits for your injuries. 

Speak with a Defense Base Act Attorney Today

At the Mara Law Firm, we seek benefits for civilian defense contractors and workers who are dealing with serious work-related injuries. Our Defense Base Act attorneys can assess your situation and assist with every step of the claims process, including appeals. Call (619) 234-2833 or contact us online for more information.