Maison Law helps Glendale workers through the workers’ compensation claims process when they’re injured at work. No matter where you work or what your job is, you might face a brain or head injury. A fall from a ladder, a hit to the head on a construction site, or even a sudden jolt in a delivery van can lead to these injuries and the problems that come with them.
If your injury happened on the job, you may be able to use workers’ compensation benefits–but getting them isn’t always as straightforward as it should be. We can help you. Reach out today for a free consultation.
Do I Need a Lawyer for a Workers’ Compensation Claim After a Brain or Head Injury?
You’re not required to hire a lawyer to file a workers’ compensation claim in California. But with a TBI, the stakes are higher. Symptoms can be invisible to others but deeply impactful to you. What’s worse, your boss or the insurance company may question the severity of your injury—or even whether it’s work-related. That’s why many workers in Glendale come to Maison Law for help when they’re in this situation. We can help by:
- Breaking down your rights and options in plain English
- Investigating what caused your head injury and whether safety rules were ignored
- Helping you document your symptoms and medical care
- Handling communication with the insurance company so you’re not stuck chasing down paperwork or fighting denials
Even with workers’ comp, a TBI can leave you feeling overwhelmed—physically, emotionally, and financially. Our role is to lift some of that weight off your shoulders and make sure you’re treated fairly.
What Should I Do If I Get a Head Injury on the Job in Glendale?
Getting hurt on the job is certainly overwhelming—but when it involves an injury to your head or brain, it changes things. Whether you slipped on a warehouse floor in Glendale or took a fall while working construction on the 134, knowing what to do next can make a big difference in how your workers’ comp claim plays out. Here’s what you need to do:
- Get medical help right away – Don’t brush it off or try to power through it. Even a mild concussion can get worse without treatment. Going to a doctor as soon as possible not only protects your health but also documents that the injury happened on the job—which is essential for workers’ comp.
- Report the injury to your employer – California law gives you 30 days to report a work-related injury, but sooner is better. Letting your employer know right away keeps your claim on track and may even help fix whatever caused the incident in the first place—whether it was unsafe equipment, a fall hazard, or lack of safety gear.
- Keep track of what happened – If you’re able (or someone can help you), take photos of the scene, your helmet or equipment, or anything else tied to the accident. TBIs are often invisible on the outside, so documentation is your ally.
- Watch any statements you make – When you talk to your boss or HR, just stick to the basics of what happened. Don’t say it was your fault. Don’t downplay what happened. Don’t exaggerate either. Just focus on what happened and how you’re feeling.
- Save everything – Keep all your paperwork in one place: doctor’s notes, imaging results (like CT or MRI scans), receipts for prescriptions, any time-off requests, and emails or texts with your employer. These will matter if your claim is denied or disputed.
Above all, focus on getting better. Traumatic brain injuries often require rest, patience, and follow-up care. And if you’re not sure what happens next, we’re here to guide you through the next steps.
What Are Your Options for Filing a Claim After a TBI at Work?
Head injuries on the job are more common than many people think—and they’re often more complicated because of the very nature of TBIs. But in terms of your options for filing a claim, you can do two things:
- Workers’ compensation – Every employer in California is required to carry workers’ comp insurance. If you were injured while doing your job—even if no one else caused it—you should be eligible for benefits. After reporting the injury, your employer should provide you with a DWC-1 claim form. Once your claim is accepted, you could receive:
- Medical treatment paid for by your employer’s insurance
- Temporary disability payments while you’re unable to work
- Permanent disability payments if you have lasting symptoms (fairly common with TBIs)
- Job retraining if you can’t return to your former position
The key benefit of workers’ comp is that you don’t have to prove someone was at fault. That said, workers’ comp has limits. It may not cover all your lost wages or future care, and it doesn’t account for pain and suffering. Also, these benefits run out after 104 weeks (under most circumstances.) Injuries like TBIs could have lifelong affects, which means you might need to look at other options.
- Filing a civil claim – If your TBI was caused by negligence—say, a subcontractor dropped tools from a scaffold or your employer ignored safety protocols—you might also have a civil claim. That could involve a third-party lawsuit or an insurance claim separate from workers’ comp. With a civil claim, you may be able to recover damages for:
- Medical expenses (current and future)
- Lost income and earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Reduced of quality of life
- In fatal cases, wrongful death damages
Civil claims do require more proof, and the timelines matter. In California:
- You have two years from the date of the injury to file a civil claim or lawsuit
- You have one year to file a workers’ comp claim—but only if you reported the injury within 30 days
Don’t wait too long to weigh your options. With TBIs, your memory could fade, along with any evidence. The earlier you take action, the stronger your claim will usually be.
How Do TBIs Happen on the Job in Glendale?
You might not think about it right away, but a TBI or some other head injury can happen anywhere. You don’t have to be in a high-risk industry to get a TBI, but it commonly happens on construction sites off San Fernando Road, in restaurants on Brand Boulevard, or even inside a quiet office building. Here’s how they usually happen:
- Falls – Slipping on wet floors, falling from ladders, or tripping over equipment
- Blunt force trauma – Getting struck by falling tools, boxes, or machinery
- Vehicle accidents – Whether you’re driving a delivery truck or just walking through a busy loading area
- Workplace violence – Physical altercations or being assaulted by a customer, client, or coworker
- Explosions or blasts – More rare, but can happen on industrial or film production sets
- Equipment accidents – Being hit by malfunctioning machinery or getting caught in moving parts
One of the toughest things about TBIs is that the symptoms are different for everybody. Your symptoms might not show up right away.. You might feel “off,” dizzy, forgetful, or overly tired—and brush it off as stress. But the earlier you get checked out, the more likely you are to prevent long-term damage and strengthen your claim with records.
Contact Maison Law For Workers’ Compensation Help After a Brain or Head Injury at Work in Glendale
At Maison Law, we’ve helped workers across Glendale—whether in construction, warehouses, or healthcare—navigate life after a traumatic brain injury. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, unsure about your next step, or just need straight answers, we’re here to help. Your consultation is free, and we’ll walk through your options at your pace.
