Psychological Effects of a Work Injury Can Remain, Long After Physical Injury Heals

All too often, it is assumed that an employee needs only to heal from their physical ailments to return to work after an injury. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Some may experience psychological effects, such post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety, long after their physical injuries have healed. The lingering effects may be so severe, in fact, that they may affect an employee’s ability to return to their “normal” life. If you have physically healed from a traumatic injury but are still struggling from long-term psychological effects, the following information may help you understand your options.

The brain is an interesting and highly capable organ, but it also has its limitations and downfalls. For example, research shows that the brain’s structure may change in those that suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. The victim’s hippocampus (involved in memory and memory consolidation) can shrink, and the victim may suffer from memory loss or short-term memory problems. Likewise, victims of traumatic brain injury may never fully heal from their injuries. They may struggle with bright lights, loud noises, memory retention, and/or reading long after the initial injury. This can remain true, even if the injury was deemed as either mild or moderate at the time of the injury.

Most employees want to return to work, even after they have suffered an injury. Staying home, secluded from their co-workers and the world around them, dealing with the aftereffects of their injuries is not something they desire. Yet insurance companies will typically look for any and every reason they can to reduce or deny a claim. For them, it is all about the money – the less they pay out, the more they make.

Of course, the denial or reduction of a claim means that the victim and their family suffers. They may be unable to pay for their basic living expenses and may suffer from serious mental health complications because of it, and their injury. To help prevent such issues, work injury victims need to seek an advocate that can help them understand their options, particularly when it comes to their right to pursue fair compensation for any losses they may have experienced, including long-term or permanent disability.

At Corsiglia, McMahon & Allard, LLP, we understand the impact that a work injury can have on your life, and the lives of those you love. Dedicated to your best interests, we will fight to ensure you get the settlement and compensation that you deserve. We can protect your rights and provide you with quality representation. Learn more about how our seasoned San Jose workplace injury attorneys can assist with your claim. Call (408) 289-1417 and schedule your consultation today.

• Effects of traumatic accident last long after physical wounds heal
• Hippocampal volume and resilience in posttramatic stress disorder