If a workplace accident left you dealing with headaches, confusion, or memory gaps, you’re not alone. As a head injury workers’ comp lawyer in Bolingbrook, we help injured employees pursue medical care and wage benefits after concussions, skull fractures, and traumatic brain injuries under Illinois law. Choose Charlie after you’ve been injured.
You may be unsure what to report, which doctor to see, or how to respond when an insurer questions your symptoms. Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C., walks through timelines, benefits, medical evidence, and common disputes so you can make informed choices.
Our workers’ compensation lawyer in Bolingbrook can help you build a case.
Signs and Symptoms After a Workplace Head Injury
Not every head injury is obvious. Some signs appear hours or days later. Watch for headaches, dizziness, sensitivity to light or noise, memory problems, confusion, slowed thinking, sleep changes, mood swings, and nausea. If your symptoms are getting worse, seek immediate medical care.
Tell every provider that this happened at work. Consistent reporting helps connect your condition to the job. Keep a symptom journal and share it with your doctor; it can help document fluctuating issues that are common after a concussion or TBI.
If you’re on light duty but still symptomatic, talk with your physician about restrictions. Attempting tasks beyond your limits can prolong recovery and complicate your claim. Our personal injury lawyer in Bolingbrook can help you start building a case; Choose Charlie.
Filing a Head Injury Claim in Bolingbrook
Report your injury to a supervisor as soon as you can. Illinois law requires you to give notice within 45 days, but early reporting reduces disputes. Use written incident forms if available and keep copies. If symptoms began later, explain when you first noticed them and why you connect them to the event at work.
You may choose your treating doctors, subject to Illinois’ two-choice rule and any employer preferred provider program. Follow referrals to specialists such as neurologists or neuropsychologists. Our head injury workers’ comp lawyers in Bolingbrook can help coordinate records so your providers clearly link the head injury to your job duties.
File an Application for Adjustment of Claim with the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission within three years of the injury, or within two years of the last payment of compensation, whichever is later. We handle filings, schedule hearings, and pursue benefits at arbitration if the insurer disputes your case.
Benefits You May Receive Under Illinois Law
Illinois law covers all reasonable and necessary medical care for a job-related head injury, including ER visits, imaging, specialist care, therapy, and medications. You may also qualify for wage and disability benefits if you miss work or have a lasting impairment.
Common benefits in a head injury case include:
- Medical treatment with no co-pays or deductibles, including specialists and therapy
- Temporary total disability (TTD) if a doctor takes you off work
- Temporary partial disability (TPD) if you work reduced hours or duties at lower pay
- Permanent partial disability (PPD) for lasting impairment from a concussion or TBI
- Wage differential or permanent total disability (PTD) if you can’t return to your prior job or any work
- Vocational rehabilitation and maintenance benefits to help you retrain or find suitable work
If you suffer disfigurement or lose normal use of a body part, additional awards may apply. Families may also recover death benefits after a fatal workplace brain injury. Our team has recovered a total of over $100 million in compensation for our clients.
Evidence Our Head Injury Workers’ Comp Lawyer in Bolingbrook Can Recover
Head injury cases often depend on clear, consistent documentation. Strong evidence starts with a timely notice to your employer and medical records that tie symptoms to the work event.
Imaging (CT/MRI), neurocognitive testing, balance evaluations, and vestibular assessments can all help show the nature and severity of your condition.
Witness statements matter too. Co-workers who saw the incident or noticed changes in your behavior, concentration, or speech can make a difference. Keep copies of work restrictions, off-work slips, and any employer communications about light duty or modified tasks.
Independent Medical Examinations in Illinois
Insurers may send you to an independent medical examination (IME). Attend respectfully and describe your symptoms accurately. Afterward, write down what was asked and how long the exam lasted.
We compare IME opinions to your treating physician’s records and cross-check for errors or omissions when advocating for your benefits.
Common Disputes and How We Respond in Bolingbrook
Insurers often argue that there was no head strike or that symptoms are “subjective.” They may claim the condition is unrelated to work, point to normal imaging, or blame a preexisting issue. We counter with detailed medical narratives, neurocognitive testing, and before-and-after testimony from family and co-workers.
Late notice is another common defense. If you reported the injury after symptoms emerged, we present a clear timeline that ties the onset to the work event or repetitive exposures. Where the insurer alleges non-work causes, we obtain treating doctor opinions addressing differential diagnoses and causation.
When light duty is offered, disputes may arise over whether it’s suitable for your restrictions. Our head injury workers’ comp lawyers in Bolingbrook use physician statements, job descriptions, and employer communications to show whether the assignment is safe and appropriate for your recovery.
When a Third Party May Also Be Liable
If a negligent driver caused a crash while you were working, or defective equipment contributed to a head injury, you may have a separate third-party claim in addition to workers’ compensation. A third-party settlement can cover damages not available through workers’ comp, such as pain and suffering.
Your employer’s insurer may have a lien on third-party recoveries. We track benefits paid, negotiate lien reductions where appropriate, and coordinate both cases to protect your net recovery. Comparative fault rules may apply, so prompt investigation and preservation of evidence are important.
We handle cases involving subcontractors, property owners, product manufacturers, and at-fault motorists. While you receive workers’ compensation regardless of fault, a third-party lawsuit requires proving negligence against someone other than your employer.
Contact Our Head Injury Workers’ Comp Lawyer in Bolingbrook
You don’t have to manage a job-related head injury alone. Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C., helps injured workers in Bolingbrook pursue medical care, wage benefits, and fair settlements under Illinois workers’ compensation.
Reach out today to schedule a free consultation. Let us assess your timeline, coordinate your medical proof, and move your workers’ comp case forward.
