How to Document a Head Injury for Your Workers' Compensation Claim

A head injury at work might stem from a falling object, a slip-and-fall, or a collision with machinery. If an injury goes underreported, or if the documentation is incomplete, employees might face disputes over how and when the incident happened. 

Many times, mild symptoms initially appear, only for further problems to arise down the line. Building a strong claim means noting everything from the location of the accident to medical visits and changes in symptoms. 

We at the Law Offices of Slape & Howard in Wichita, Kansas, often speak with employees who have suffered head injuries at their jobs. Because head trauma carries serious risks and may not always show symptoms right away, documenting each step thoroughly is vital for a workers compensation claim. 

Being cautious can protect long-term health, help secure medical assistance, and get fair wage replacement if the injury leads to time away from work. Here, we'll show you how you can record the incident, gather medical details, and build a solid case. 

Begin Documenting Immediately

The sooner you start writing down incident details, the less likely you’ll forget crucial points. Right after a head injury—assuming you can do so safely—record the environment, people present, and any events leading up to the incident. Quick reporting helps strengthen your workers compensation claim.

• Notify your supervisor: Promptly telling a manager or safety official that you’ve been hurt, and describing how it happened, sets a foundation for the claim.

• Gather witness names: If coworkers saw the event or any immediate symptoms, list their contact info. Their statements can confirm key details about the accident.

• Note date and time: Accuracy is central. A timeline prevents confusion about whether the head injury took place on the job.

Written documentation offers a first step in illustrating that your head injury truly arose from workplace conditions or tasks, rather than unrelated incidents.

Seek Immediate Medical Evaluation

Head injuries, even when mild, need thorough medical attention. Delaying can jeopardize both your health and the credibility of your workers compensation claim.

• Consult an approved medical provider: Under Kansas law, your employer’s insurance often designates which clinic or doctor employees must visit for job-related injuries.

• Describe all symptoms: Even if they appear minor—like dizziness or mild headaches—mention them to the doctor so everything gets entered into the record.

• Ask for copies: Keep any test results, imaging records, or doctor’s notes that specify the diagnosis and recommended treatments.

Early assessment helps demonstrate the seriousness of the injury, and these records often become the bedrock of a workers compensation claim if complications arise in the future.

Maintain a Personal Injury Journal

A diary or daily log detailing symptom progression and how the injury disrupts your ability to work can be invaluable. This consistent record can reinforce that the aftermath of a head injury is both real and ongoing.

• Record changes in pain or cognition: Note severity levels, frequencies, and any new symptoms such as insomnia or memory trouble.

• Include medication details: Track dosage, side effects, and whether it helps alleviate the issue.

• Relate your ability to function at work: If focusing on tasks becomes harder or you have to take more breaks than usual, write that down.

These personal notes can tie directly into your workers compensation claim by providing day-to-day examples of how you’re impacted, which might not show up in a quick doctor’s exam.

Collect Workplace Incident Reports

We recommend that injured employees request copies of any official reports filed with the employer’s HR or safety department. These internal documents can form a critical link between the incident and the workers compensation claim.

• Verify accuracy: Check that the company’s accident report lines up with your account and clarifies that a head injury occurred on company property or during company tasks.

• Add further details if lacking: If the report misses certain facts—like witness statements or initial symptoms—submit a written addendum.

• Secure employer acknowledgment: Make sure management or HR signs or acknowledges receipt of your statement, indicating the company is aware of the event.

An official record from your employer often carries weight with insurers because it reflects the immediate perspective on how the accident happened.

Follow Up With Recommended Treatments

A big element in receiving workers compensation coverage is showing that you’re committed to healing. Courts or insurers might question claims if employees skip rehab appointments or ignore doctor suggestions.

• Attend all therapy sessions: Missing or canceling appointments can raise skepticism about how severe the head injury is.

• Comply with rest protocols: Head trauma sometimes demands extended rest or avoiding heavy-lifting tasks. Note how your compliance helps or doesn't help your symptoms.

• Stay in contact with medical staff: If something worsens or changes unexpectedly, letting your provider know quickly further documents the injury’s progression.

When employees adhere to the prescribed treatments, it’s easier to demonstrate that the head injury is legitimate and ongoing, thereby strengthening the workers compensation case.

Preserve Evidence From the Accident Scene

Even if you leave the job site to get medical care, gather or request any items that might prove the conditions leading to your injury. These might include broken safety equipment or pictures of slippery floors, depending on how your head injury occurred.

• Capture photos or video: If feasible, take images of equipment that malfunctioned or the area where you fell.

• Keep damaged protective gear: If a hard hat or goggles were involved, holding onto them can illustrate the severity or the nature of impact.

• Check for surveillance cameras: If the workspace is monitored, ask if the relevant footage is saved for future reference in your claim.

Evidence from the accident scene can serve as physical proof that helps link the hazard to the head injury, making the claim more convincing in a workers compensation setting.

Communicate With Insurers Cautiously

An insurance adjuster might reach out, requesting a recorded statement or quick settlement. Though polite cooperation matters, I recommend employees tread carefully to avoid self-incrimination or diminishing the seriousness of the injury.

• Limit recorded statements: Don’t volunteer guesses about fault or downplay the head injury. Provide the basic facts in a concise manner.

• Decline early settlement offers: Insurers may offer a small sum upfront hoping to close the case before complications emerge. Waiting to see the full extent of the injury is often wiser.

• Keep records of all communications: Jot down dates, times, and the content of every phone call or email with the insurer or employer about the accident.

Staying consistent in these communications makes sure your stance remains clear and free from contradictions that might weaken your workers compensation claim.

Watch for Delayed Symptoms

Head injuries can produce delayed symptoms, such as persistent headaches, concentration lapses, or mood swings. We remind employees to watch their health closely in the weeks following the incident.

• Include updates in your journal: If headaches intensify or new problems like insomnia appear, documenting them promptly can help doctors connect them to the workplace accident.

• Consult specialists: Neurologists or ophthalmologists might catch issues that a general practitioner could miss.

• Adjust your claim if needed: If new findings extend treatment beyond initial estimates, you might need to revise the claim to cover added medical expenses.

Being proactive about delayed symptoms can prevent an abrupt denial if the insurer believes the newly reported concerns are unrelated or fabricated.

Contact Us

We at the Law Offices of Slape & Howard serve employees throughout all of Kansas who’ve sustained head injuries on the job. Prompt medical care, consistent recordkeeping, and a well-prepared workers compensation claim all help secure the support employees need when recovering. Reach out today.