If you are a Home Depot employee who was involved in a workplace accident that resulted in a concussion, you can file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits. Workers’ compensation is a no-fault insurance program, so even if you were to blame for your accident, you are covered if it happened in the capacity of your employment. Each state sets its own laws regarding workers’ comp, but the coverage is pretty much the same. You will be provided with medical benefits to cover the cost of treating your injury and you will be entitled to recover part of your lost wages while you are unable to work. What Symptoms Can I Expect if I Suffered a Concussion While Working at Home Depot? Concussions result from a hard blow to the body or head, so they are mild forms of brain injuries. They can interfere with your regular activities and your daily life. Concussions range from a Level 1, which is the mildest, to Level 3, which is the most severe. The severity of the head injury can impact the kinds of symptoms and their severity. Here are some common symptoms that a concussion victim might encounter: Unconsciousness Blurred vision Dizziness Sleep disturbances Headaches Amnesia Confusion Coordination and balance problems Communication problems A physician from the approved list of workers’ compensation providers will need to diagnose your concussion. You will be told to rest, so you may miss work for anywhere from a few days to a few months. You will require follow-up visits to continue your medical care. Workers’ compensation medical benefits will cover the cost of your care. You will then receive about two-thirds of your lost wages, but can not exceed the maximum allowable amount in your state. Seeking Workers’ Compensation for a Concussion While Working at Home Depot You were working your shift at Home Depot when you were loading building supplies in a truck for a customer. You slipped and fell back off the tailgate, hitting your head on the tailgate before you landed face down on the pavement. You were not knocked unconscious, but you had blurred vision, a severe headache, and you were confused. You were taken to a local emergency room, where the physician diagnosed you with a concussion. There are different levels of disability benefits that you can receive through a workers’ compensation claim. Your initial award may be temporary total disability benefits, which are for individuals who are unable to work at all while they recover. When you return to work, you might be eligible for temporary partial disability benefits, which are for those who can return to work, but still have some disabilities and are not back to full abilities. Individuals who suffer permanent partial disabilities but who can return to work can receive permanent partial disability benefits. In rare cases, you would be eligible for permanent total disability, which means you could never return to work because your injury was so severe. Consult With a Workers’ Compensation Attorney About Your Workers’ Compensation If you were in an accident while working at Home Depot that led to a concussion, you should consult with a workers’ compensation attorney. These claims can be complicated, and you want to ensure you get access to the benefits that you deserve in such situations. Additional Resources Concussions and Workers' Compensation Claims Do I Need an Attorney if I Was Concussed at Work? *The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be construed as legal advice. If you file a claim against Home Depot, or any other party, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
