Pennsylvania Head Injury Attorney Helps Professionals Recover Disability Insurance Benefits
Head injuries are often misunderstood, and for that reason, the effects of these injuries are underestimated by disability insurance companies. Even some serious traumatic brain injuries with life-threatening consequences often leave minimal or no obvious signs of lasting injury. Damage to the brain can be severe, permanent and steadily worsen over time.
Brain injuries can affect mental, physical, and cognitive functioning. Yet these injuries can be difficult to detect and to effectively treat. This can make it challenging for professionals to demonstrate the extent of their head injuries, the severity of their symptoms and the impact those injuries have on their ability to perform essential functions of their occupation.
At Seltzer & Associates, we focus our practice on helping professionals receive the benefits they deserve from their disability insurance policies, and we know how to help clients overcome the challenges of filing group and/or individual disability claims while suffering from a disabling head injury.
Causes of Head Injuries
Injuries to the brain and other parts of the head are often caused by an external force that creates a traumatic impact on the head. These are traumatic brain injuries. However, injuries can also result from forces that are not the result of traumatic impact. A stroke, disease, brain tumor, exposure to toxins, or any episode that deprives the brain of oxygen can also cause serious injuries to the brain.
Traumatic brain injuries can often result from falls and traffic accidents, but they are also frequently caused by impacts that occur during sporting and recreation events and intentional assaults and other attacks. For all types of brain injuries, damage may occur rapidly due to a significant event or it may develop gradually over time.
Symptoms and Effects of Head Injuries
Injuries to the brain often manifest a wide range of symptoms, many of which are often initially ignored or dismissed, and that frequently leads to misdiagnosis. Some of the more common symptoms include:
- Headaches
- Blurry or double vision
- Hearing problems, including ringing in the ears
- Seizures and convulsions
- Weakness of limbs
- Lack of balance
- Slurred speech
- Agitation, irritability, or sudden mood swings
- Anxiety or depression
- Drowsiness, fatigue, or changes in sleep patterns
- Disorientation
- Difficulty with memory or the ability to concentrate
Symptoms may be episodic or constant. Often, they will worsen over time as fluid accumulates in the brain, impacting more and more tissue. Treatment options may be extremely limited. Doctors may try to stabilize patients and manage symptoms such as difficulty with breathing, but they may be able to do little to actually repair the damage itself. Sometimes surgery can stop bleeding, reduce pressure in the skull, or remove blood clots. Many times, however, doctors can do little more than prescribe rest and hope that the brain will heal itself, at least to a degree.
How Brain Injuries Impact the Work Abilities of Professionals
Traumatic brain injuries and other forms of brain damage can significantly impair physical and mental abilities, making it impossible for professionals to perform the complex tasks necessary to engage in their professions with the required degree of skill and safety.
Cognitive Impairment
Damage to the brain often causes difficulty in concentration, which is essential for problem-solving, organization, memory, judgment and planning. These skills and abilities are necessary in every occupation, but they are particularly important for doctors, dentists and other professionals who are expected to make precise and accurate decisions in stressful situations based on years of education and experience.
Brain injuries frequently interfere with the ability to recall and analyze information necessary to make sound decisions. An accountant or attorney who appears otherwise healthy may be incapable of performing the crucial professional duties and may risk professional liability by attempting to do so. Disability insurance companies will likely minimize any cognitive dysfunction or inefficiencies resulting in disability preventing these professionals from working. This is a situation where an experienced Pennsylvania head injury attorney can help prove eligibility for insurance benefits.
Physical Limitations
Injuries to the brain frequently impact the body in ways that are impactful yet difficult to quantify. Those suffering from head injuries may experience chronic fatigue that can reduce their stamina so drastically that it becomes impossible to perform critical professional functions. Dentists may not be able to perform root canals, or surgeons may not be capable of safely performing procedures. Other physical symptoms that impact professional abilities include loss of balance, sensitivity to light, and frequent episodes of dizziness or vertigo.
Behavioral and Emotional Changes
In addition to physical and cognitive impairments, brain injuries also frequently lead to behavioral and emotional changes that interfere with professional performance. Crippling anxiety can prevent anexecutive from making sound or timely business decisions or collaborating with other leaders and colleagues. A psychologist may experience bouts of irritability or impulsivity interfering with the ability to successfully interact with and treat patients in accordance with accepted professional standards.
When these invisible symptoms prevent a professional from practicing their profession, a Pennsylvania head injury attorney at Seltzer & Associates can work to recover disability insurance benefits helping to minimize the effect of lost earnings.
FAQs About Head Injuries and Disability Insurance Claims
How is “Lost Earning Capacity” calculated for a high-earning professional?
Income earned by professionals is often much more complicated to calculate than the incomes of other workers, which is one reason it is beneficial to work with an attorney who understands disability insurance. Depending on the policy terms, earnings may be calculated based on an analysis of salary, bonuses, commissions, retirement contributions, ownership and equity interests, and other factors over a specified period of time.
Will filing a claim impact my professional license?
Filing a claim should not directly impact a professional license. However, it is important to note that the loss of a required professional license alone does not constitute a disability. It is critical to work with a Pennsylvania head injury attorney to file a claim and to address any potential issues that might be associated with adverse licensure actions.
Can I settle my disability claim and return to work later?
The terms of a lump settlement offer and agreement will have intricate and lasting terms. Your attorney can explain the consequences of settlement before you execute any agreement so that you can make an informed decision in your best interest.
Seltzer & Associates Helps Professionals Obtain the Benefits They Need
When a disability disrupts your life, struggling with your disability insurance provider only adds insult to injury. Allow an experienced Pennsylvania head injury attorney at Seltzer & Associates to manage the claims process on your behalf so you can focus on healing and rebuilding your life. We limit our practice to group and individual disability insurance claims, so we understand the claims process in ways few law firms can match. For a free consultation to learn more about the assistance our team can provide, call us at 888-699-4222 or contact us online now.