Index
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Sponsor
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Attorneys
at Law
LEADING BRAIN INJURY LAW
FIRM
RESULTS OF PROVEN TECHNIQUE,
DEDICATION AND HARD WORK
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Sponsor
Centers for
TBI Rehab
800-296-5462 |
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206-547-1000
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Tompkins & Associates
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 9/11/01
| Work Place
Injuries: |
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Except in very limited circumstances most states
do not allow personal injury claims against employers or supervisors.
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Such claims are covered under workers compensation
regulations.
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However, just because an individual was injured
at work, does not mean that no one else can be sued.
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For example, if an individual was injured on a
defective machine, the manufacturer of the machine could possibly be liable.
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| When to Consult an Attorney: |
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When an injury occurs on the job a workers compensation
claim should be investigated
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An experienced personal injury attorney should
be consulted, early-on
to prevent the loss of important evidence and to protect your right to
due process.
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| Return to Work: |
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Work plays a major role in the lives of most people.
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Work is one important way we define ourselves.
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It provides a sense of accomplishment, achievement, recognition, independence
and meaning to our lives.
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Often, persons with brain injury experience changes in behaviors, emotions
and thinking that make returning to a work environment frustrating
and difficult.
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Application of the brain building strategies and techniques on this site
can help make the return to work more efficient and productive.
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| Re-Employment Strategies: |
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Become intimate with the nature of your impairments.
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Understand and work within your new cycles of energy and fatigue.
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Work closely with your doctor concerning medical restrictions on
hours of work and workload.
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During your off-hours engage in activities that sharpen your mental
skills, and increase your stamina, check with your doctor in this regard.
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Work with your doctors and your employer to prioritize tasks, timelines,
hours of work, and even location of work, i.e., telecommute. Allow
extra time for completion of tasks, and when necessary negotiate
for additional time, and /or support services.
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Familiarize yourself with your employer's policies on rehabilitation,
re-employment and assistance for job re-entry.
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Federal law requires that disabled workers be given reasonable accommodations
concerning re-employment.
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Educate your employer concerning the types of accommodations you
need to help make your return to work efficient, and productive for all
parties.
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Talk to your friends, family, and co-workers. Discuss the types
of support and assistance that they can offer to assist you in your
return to work
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Help your union promote a "Return-to-Work" policy for injured workers.
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If you are a member of a union, help them to help you. You can make
a difference not only for yourself and your co-workers, but for future
generations.
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Work together and adhere to Occupational Health and Safety practices.
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Make workplace safety foremost in the minds of your co-workers.
Join with them in sticking to the practices.
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| Fatigue After
Brain Injury: |
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Fatigue is one of the leading complaints of head injury patients.
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It can have a substantial impact on the ability to resume normal work,
school and social activities.
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Yet, its impact is rarely given adequate consideration.
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A study published in the May 2000 issue of the Journal
of Neurotrauma, by M. Bergsneider, et al, showed that
a head injury can interfere with the brain's ability to uptake and process
glucose and oxygen. (http://www.edc.gsph.pitt.edu/neurotrauma/index.html)
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Following a brain injury, activities that were familiar and routine may
require great amounts of energy, and effort.
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This problem might produce a sense of overwhelming tiredness.
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This fatigue might directly impact work, classroom and social relations.
Fatigue can undermine concentration, attention, memory and communication.
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When returning to work or school, after a brain injury it is difficult
to know how much you should do and for how long.
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Taking on too much too soon can lead to demoralizing setbacks. For that
reason, a successful return to work and school is usually accomplished
through trial and error.
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A gradual return to work or the classroom will allow for a a more
successful adjustment.
In time, stamina and energy level will improve and activity level and
responsibilities may be increased.
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The course of recovery from brain injury, such as it is, is painstakingly
slow.
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The injured brain needs regular rest breaks.
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Practice good nutrition to keep your energy levels up.
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Regular exercise will prevent atrophy -- check with your doctors concerning
exercise.
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Set a cut-off time for ending daily activities.
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Set a regular bedtime, and stick to it.
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Practice good sleep hygiene.
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Consider an evaluation at a sleep clinic.
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Become more mindful of energy cycles.
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When extraordinary effort is required to start or engage in an activity
postpone it until you feel refreshed.
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READ our
Disclaimer
and Privacy notice before proceeding!
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This
site was created and maintained by:
Brain
Injury Resource Center
PO Box 84151
Seattle, WA 98124-5451
206-621-8558
http://www.headinjury.org
brain@headinjury.org |
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