rehabilitation

Published on: January 16, 2023

Three Workers’ Compensation Trends That Harm Workers And Cost Communities

Several months ago, a Department of Labor (DOL) official published an article on the agency’s website discussing three troubling trends with workers’ compensation benefits. You can read that article at Trends In Workers’ Comp. These trends are certainly true in Alabama. I’ll discuss each of these harmful trends below:

1. The Number Of Workers Covered By Workers Compensation Has Decreased

We need to remember the purposes of workers’ compensation. Our work comp systems were originally implemented to provide a couple basic benefits — Medical care and a basic disability benefit. These are essential benefits for injured workers.

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Published on: March 16, 2020

The Importance Of Early Treatment For Traumatic Brain Injury

By Jeff Blackwell

Research reveals early treatment for traumatic brain injury is an important factor in patient recovery. I’ve represented many individuals suffering from traumatic brain injury (TBI) over the years. In helping these clients, I’ve long encouraged their families to help in the process of recovery. Family members can advocate for their loved ones with medical professionals and also participate in recovery within the home.

Unfortunately, our medical and legal systems often delay or prevent TBI victims from quickly obtaining the rehabilitation needed for their recovery. What issues can delay or prevent needed rehabilitation? How can a victim’s family and legal counsel help with these issues? Here are three issues which often prevent personal injury victims from obtaining needed TBI care quickly:

Personal Denial. Before an injury, the patient served many important roles — valued employee, devoted parent, loyal spouse. Suddenly, the patient is suffering symptoms of a brain injury that impact all these important roles. Many times, the patient does not even realize or fully understand what is happening. If the patient does understand, he or she may be embarrassed or depressed due to their problems. For many reasons, patients deny TBI injuries issues. Many TBI victims suffer in silence. Family involvement is so important.

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Published on: April 18, 2016

Can Traumatic Brain Injury Victims Suffer Lasting Problems With Decision-Making And Judgment?

By Jeff Blackwell

People suffering traumatic brain injury (TBI) can appear normal. TBI victims may look perfectly fine. That’s why this condition is often called the “invisible injury.” Because TBI victims can look fine on the outside, these injuries present many special challenges. Because TBI is an “invisible injury,” friends, family and even medical professionals often fail to understand the injury or support the victim. This leaves many TBI victims suffering largely in silence.

Brain injuries can cause many different cognitive, emotional and behavioral problems affecting relationships and work. In our law practice, we have seen many of these impacts on individuals, families and jobs. One ability sometimes impacted by brain injury is referred to as “Impartial third-party punishment (TPP).” TPP is the ability to judge the severity of conduct and assess reasonable punishment. People suffering this problem — are more prone to misjudge when faced with situations involving disputes or requiring discipline.

In the larger context, patients suffering an impairment in TPP may also struggle with evaluating the intentions of others around them as well as with making other rational judgments. As humans, we are required to make these rational judgments throughout the day. This ability is necessary to function in every family and in many jobs. That’s what makes this injury very serious. As the director of brain research at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago says:

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