Concussions in the Workplace: Why Mild Doesn’t Mean Minor

Why Mild Concussions in the Workplace Aren’t Always Minor

Head injuries are no joke. A workplace head injury labeled as "mild" can be dangerously misleading. Even minor concussions sustained on the job can result in significant health consequences that affect your cognitive function, emotional well-being, and ability to work safely.

Common Symptoms of Mild Concussions

Workplace concussions can cause a range of debilitating symptoms, including:

• Cognitive impairment and difficulty concentrating
• Persistent fatigue and exhaustion
• Dizziness and balance problems
• Emotional changes, including irritability and depression
• Reduced focus and memory issues

Delayed or Worsening Symptoms

One of the most concerning aspects of workplace concussions is that symptoms don't always appear immediately after the injury. Many injured workers feel pressure to return to their duties before symptoms fully develop. Without immediate signs of injury, employees may continue working, unknowingly worsening their condition. This premature return to work can result in long-term or even permanent brain damage that could have been prevented with proper medical evaluation and rest.

Medical research shows that concussion symptoms often intensify in the hours and days following a head injury. Three key factors explain this dangerous progression:

• Brain Swelling: Inflammation/brain swelling can occur slowly after impact, leading to serious complications and increased pressure inside the skull down the line if not caught and promptly treated.
• Chemical Imbalances: Forceful impact to the brain can lead to an interruption in brain communication, which can lead to chemical imbalances. These chemical imbalances don't occur immediately but develop over time as the brain struggles to restore normal function. This process can manifest as worsening cognitive symptoms, mood changes, and physical discomfort.
• Adrenaline and Stress: Adrenaline is a natural bodily response to injuries and stress. This hormonal surge can often mask the severity of an injury until much later, which is why it is important to get looked at by a doctor even if you feel fine. 

Medical Evaluation Is Critical After a Head Injury at Work

Given these delayed and progressive symptoms, seeking immediate medical attention after any workplace head injury is essential. A healthcare professional can properly assess your injury, establish a baseline for your condition, and provide guidance on safe recovery protocols.

Skipping this critical step puts you at risk for second-impact syndrome, prolonged recovery times, and permanent neurological damage. When it comes to workplace head injuries, the safest approach is to get checked out by a medical professional. Your long-term brain health depends on it.

Are Workplace Concussions Covered by Workers' Comp?

If you sustained a concussion while performing job-related duties, you're entitled to workers' compensation benefits regardless of who was at fault for the accident. Almost every employer in Illinois is required to carry workers’ compensation insurance to cover injuries like this, with limited exceptions for independent contractors, some farmworkers, and sole proprietors. Employers who knowingly and willfully fail to provide workers’ compensation insurance can face substantial penalties, and in some cases, can be held directly liable for injuries on the workplace.

What Benefits Does Workers’ Compensation Offer for Concussion Injuries?

The following benefits are available to individuals suffering from concussions in the workplace:

• Medical Treatment: Workers’ Compensation benefits cover necessary medical treatments for concussion injuries obtained in the workplace. This includes doctor visits, hospital stays, and rehabilitation, as well as medications related to your injury treatment.
• Lost Wages: In the event your injury leaves you unable to work for an amount of time, workers’ compensation will compensate you for the wages you lost during your recovery.
• Disability Benefits: Workers’ Compensation also offers disability benefits for your concussion, whether the disability is temporary or permanent. 

Workers’ comp in Illinois is not fault based. Even if the concussion was your fault, you can still receive compensation for your injury through workers’ compensation benefits.

FAQs About Mild Concussions in the Workplace

Is it Okay to Go Back to Work With a Mild Concussion?

It is not recommended that you go right back to work with a mild concussion, even if you feel fine. Working after a head injury can worsen the effects of your injury and make recovery more difficult for you down the road. Additionally, returning to work after a concussion can lead others, including the insurance adjusters, to believe your condition is not as bad as you say it is, which may reduce the compensation you receive.

Why Are Mild Concussions Often Overlooked?

Mild concussions frequently go unreported because a mild concussion can often seem like no big deal, especially when symptoms do not manifest right away. This mindset is dangerous. Any head injury has the potential to become serious without proper medical monitoring and care. What begins as a seemingly minor bump can escalate into a debilitating condition if left untreated. Never assume a head injury is too minor for medical evaluation.

How Do You Know if You Have a Concussion?

The best way to determine whether you have a concussion is to get evaluated by a medical professional. Only a professional can accurately diagnose you with a concussion and determine how serious your injuries are. While you may experience obvious symptoms like headaches or confusion, many concussion symptoms are subtle or delayed. Self-diagnosis is unreliable and potentially dangerous.

A healthcare provider will conduct appropriate neurological assessments, may order diagnostic imaging if necessary, and can establish a treatment plan tailored to your specific injury. Without professional medical evaluation, you risk missing critical symptoms or failing to receive necessary treatment that could prevent long-term complications.

Contact an Experienced Workers’ Compensation Attorney to Protect Your Rights After a Workplace Concussion

If your workers’ compensation claim has been delayed, denied, or undervalued, an experienced workplace injury attorney can make the difference in securing the benefits you deserve. A skilled lawyer will help you:

• File and structure your workers’ compensation claim correctly.
  
• Gather medical records and workplace evidence to support your case.
  
• Negotiate with insurance companies for fair compensation.
  
• Represent you in hearings or court if your case is contested.
  
• Hold your employer accountable if they failed to maintain required workers’ compensation coverage.

At Strong Law Offices, we fight for injured workers. With more than 25 years of experience, our attorneys offer 24/7 availability, free consultations, and no fees unless we win your case. We proudly represent the working people of Illinois, helping employees and their families rebuild after serious injuries like workplace concussions. 

Contact our Peoria work injury lawyers today at 309-393-2928.