Sometimes an accident happens at work and you don’t realize that you are injured right away. This can happen to maritime workers often. You hit your head on something or slip and fall, but there’s a job to be done and you feel fine. That feeling doesn’t last though, and soon you start to worry if you have a concussion or another injury. It’s important to know what signs to look out for and when it’s time to talk to a maritime injury lawyer about pursuing compensation.
What Are Some Signs of a Concussion?
It can sometimes be difficult to diagnose a concussion right away. If you have suffered a blow to your head, you should look out for symptoms like:
- Nausea
- Clumsy movement
- Issues recalling what happened right before the accident
- A feeling of pressure in your head
- Confusion
- Slurred speech
- Mood changes, like depression and irritability
- Double or blurry vision
Can I Receive Benefits After a Concussion?
A maritime worker should receive maintenance and cure benefits for any injuries suffered on the job. The maintenance benefits are meant to help with your living expenses, like housing costs. They are not meant for frivolous expenses like cable or streaming subscriptions. The cure benefits help with your medical expenses. They are awarded until you reach “maximum medical improvement.” These benefits do not make up for things like pain and suffering, but they can be awarded regardless of fault.
If you believe that your employer was careless and that their lack of focus on safety caused your concussion, then you may be able to claim additional benefits. When you make a claim of negligence or question the seaworthiness of the vessel you worked on, you go through the Jones Act. If you can prove that your employer was someone to blame for your concussion, then you can claim additional compensation.
Do I Need a Lawyer?
You may need the assistance of a lawyer. Sometimes it can be difficult to get an employer or their insurer to pay out a fair amount of maintenance and cure benefits. A lawyer may be able to help you if you believe that these parties are not acting in good faith.
If you decide to sue your employer for negligence, a lawyer can be even more helpful. Proving negligence can be difficult. An experienced maritime injury lawyer can help you gather evidence and build a more convincing case. We are ready to help you fight for the compensation you deserve.
Ask to Schedule a Case Consultation
So if you suffered a concussion while working, make sure that you get the benefits that you are entitled to. Contact Amy C Brown Law, PLLC to schedule a case consultation. There is no obligation, so take the time to learn more about your legal options and what our knowledgeable attorneys can do for you.
