Head Injuries at Work
Work-Related Head Injury Lawyer
Are you trying to figure out what to do after an on-the-job head injury in Houston, Texas? Maybe you’re worried that your workers’ comp checks won’t be enough, or you’re wondering whether someone else might have been at fault for the accident. You don’t have to guess your way through it, nor should you. At The Callahan Law Firm, we’ve been helping injured workers in Houston for over 30 years. We can dig into what caused your injury, find out who’s responsible, and fight for the full compensation you deserve.
Contact us today to get started with your free consultation with a work-related head injury lawyer in Houston. We’re ready to talk when you are, and you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for your claim.
What a Work-Related Head Injury Lawyer in Houston Can Do for Your Case
If you suffered a head injury at work in Houston, a lawyer can help you understand your legal options and handle the entire claims process on your behalf. You might have a workers’ compensation claim, a personal injury claim, or both. A work-related head injury attorney in Houston can review the details of your injury, gather the right evidence, and file your workers’ comp claim.
If someone besides your employer caused your injury, such as a subcontractor or equipment manufacturer, you might have the right to pursue additional compensation through a third-party personal injury claim. A lawyer can determine whether you have this type of claim and handle all the legal details while you focus on recovery.
At The Callahan Law Firm, we have spent more than 30 years helping people and families in Houston with personal injury claims. Our law practice only handles personal injury cases, and we purposely take on a limited number of clients so we can devote our full attention to each one. We listen, stay in contact, and work to make the legal process less stressful for you and your loved ones.
When you work with The Callahan Law Firm, you get a team that prepares every case for trial and fights to hold insurance companies and big corporations accountable. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help in a free consultation. We are available by phone, text, email, video chat, or in person.
What Compensation Could I Pursue After a Work-Related Head Injury?
If you file a workers’ compensation claim after a head injury at work, you could receive medical care for your injury and partial wage replacement while you recover. Workers’ comp can also cover travel costs for medical appointments and provide long-term income benefits if your injury causes lasting problems.
If someone other than your employer causes your injury, you might have a third-party personal injury claim. In that case, you could pursue compensation for the full value of your lost wages, medical bills, pain and suffering, and other out-of-pocket costs. You can also seek compensation for the estimated value of future income losses and ongoing medical care costs if your head injury affects your ability to work long-term. A personal injury claim could compensate you for a broader range of losses than a workers’ comp claim, depending on the facts of your case.
Who Could Be Liable for a Work-Related Head Injury?
The following are some examples of third parties that could be responsible for a work-related head injury:
- Subcontractors – If a subcontractor created a dangerous condition on a shared job site and failed to fix the problem or warn others, they could be liable for subsequent injuries.
- Property Owners – If you got hurt while working on someone else’s property, and a hazard on that property caused the injury, the owner could be at fault.
- Equipment Manufacturers – If faulty tools or machinery contributed to your head injury, the company that made or sold the equipment could face a product liability claim.
- Vendors or Delivery Drivers – A third-party driver or vendor who created a hazard at your worksite could be responsible for the harm you suffered.
- Maintenance Companies – If a company hired to maintain or inspect a site failed to do its job correctly and you got hurt as a result, that company could be legally responsible.
What’s the Difference Between a Workers’ Compensation Claim and a Third-Party Claim?
A workers’ compensation claim gives you access to benefits through your employer’s insurance after a work injury. You do not have to prove who caused the injury. You can still get benefits even if the accident was your fault. Workman’s comp usually covers medical treatment, a portion of your lost wages, and possibly long-term income benefits if your injuries cause permanent disability. However, it does not compensate you for pain and suffering or the full value of your lost income.
A third-party claim for your injury is different. You file it against someone other than your employer, like a subcontractor, property owner, or equipment manufacturer. You must show that this other party caused your injury through carelessness or unsafe actions. If you can prove your claim, you can seek full compensation for lost wages, medical bills, pain and suffering, and more. Sometimes, you can file both types of claims. A lawyer from The Callahan Law Firm can look at the facts and help you figure out which claims you might have.
How Can I Prove Fault in a Work-Related Head Injury?
You shouldn’t have to worry about proving fault on your own after a work-related head injury. You can hire a lawyer from The Callahan Law Firm to handle this task and all of the other legal details while you focus on healing. An attorney can gather evidence, build your case, and deal with the other parties involved.
Your lawyer will begin the process of proving fault by investigating the scene of the accident. They might collect photos, video footage, and any available incident reports. If any witnesses saw what happened, the attorney can interview them and get written statements. They might also review company records, training logs, inspection reports, and maintenance records to identify any signs of neglect.
In some cases, your lawyer might consult with workplace safety experts, engineers, or medical professionals to determine how the injury happened and who should have prevented it. They can also look at the design or condition of tools, machines, or materials that played a role in the injury. After putting the facts together, your lawyer can present a clear case showing who caused your injury and why they should pay for the harm you suffered.
How Long Do I Have to File a Work-Related Head Injury Lawsuit in Texas?
If you plan to file a workers’ compensation claim in Texas, you must report your injury to your employer within 30 days of the accident. After that, you have up to one year to file the official claim with the Division of Workers’ Compensation. If you want to file a personal injury lawsuit against someone other than your employer, you usually have two years from the date of your injury to take legal action. If you miss any of these deadlines, you could lose your chance to recover compensation.
This is why you should contact a lawyer right away after a work-related head injury. Your attorney can identify relevant deadlines, gather the right evidence, and move your case forward on time. Waiting can cause problems, so it’s best to get legal help as soon as possible. Prompt action on your part gives your lawyer plenty of time to build a strong case and protect your rights.
What Occupations Have the Highest Risk for Head Injuries?
Some jobs come with a much higher chance of severe injuries, especially head injuries. Hard hats and safety rules can help, but accidents can still happen due to unsafe conditions or dangerous tasks. The following are some of the occupations with the highest risk of work-related head injuries:
- Construction workers
- Roofers
- Electricians
- Carpenters
- Demolition workers
- Heavy equipment operators
- Oil and gas workers
- Warehouse workers
- Delivery drivers
- Truck drivers
- Factory workers
- Dock workers
- Utility workers
- Maintenance and repair workers
- Tree trimmers and landscapers
- Firefighters
- Law enforcement officers
- Sanitation workers
- Agricultural workers
- Miners
What Are the Common Causes and Types of Work-Related Head Injuries?
Head injuries can happen on all kinds of job sites, from construction zones and offices to warehouses and delivery routes. The following are some of the most common causes of head injuries at work:
- Falls from ladders, roofs, or scaffolding
- Slips or trips on wet or uneven surfaces
- Falling tools, materials, or debris
- Collisions with moving equipment
- On-the-job motor vehicle crashes
- Faulty or missing safety gear
- Unsafe lifting or handling of heavy objects
- Explosions or blasts
- Getting caught between machines or objects
- Electrical shocks or burns
- Unsafe work procedures or lack of training
- Poor lighting or visibility
- Unmarked or unsecured overhead hazards
All head injuries are serious. They can affect how you think, move, and live day to day. Some injuries heal with time and treatment, while others lead to long-term health problems or permanent disability. Examples of the most common types of work-related head injuries include the following:
- Concussions
- Skull fractures
- Contusions (bruises on the brain)
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Penetrating head injuries
- Intracranial hematomas (bleeding in the brain)
- Edema (swelling in the brain)
- Diffuse axonal injuries
- Hypoxic or anoxic brain injuries (from lack of oxygen)
- Coup-contrecoup injuries
- Second impact syndrome
Speak with a Work-Related Head Injury Lawyer in Houston Today
If you suffered a head injury at work, don’t wait to get legal help. The sooner you reach out to The Callahan Law Firm, the sooner we can start preparing your case and protecting your rights. Contact us now to arrange your free, no-obligation consultation. We’re here to answer your questions and help you move forward.