Thanks for the quick and great responses. Yes I'm currently on workers comp. I didn't know or still don't know if I need to talk to a attorny. I'm not looking to cash in on this at all that bit I want is for them to treat me fairly and be patient with me when I return to work. Again, they were clearly negligent here, we are in the middle of moving offices around and things were left strewn on the floor over a number of days, but my intent is just get back to work. Many of my co workers say to pursue this route but that's not me. Personally, I actually feel embarrassed about falling and having to face my co workers again.

I also may have jumped the gun in stating they may pressure me back to work. Most of the senior leaders but I do have a few jerks right above me.l

I've been through the work comp system for repetitive motion injuries that eventually became chronic.
I've learned a few things from my own experience as well as reading on our wc forum...

1- your first injury was private and not comp related. It sounds like you still had some residual symptoms from that at the time of the second fall at work. "during the past 10 months I've experienced headaches and some dizziness"

2 - wc may likely try to put some of the blame, and a % the recent injuries as related to your first fall. Nothing personal , but it's how big companies & their lawyers do things.

what they will do is look back at your health history and see the other incident, what the symptoms were, and the amount of time you missed back then.

If it gets to a wc hearing, or claim is disputed, they will be playing to win.

I could be totally wrong, but don't assume anything, and don't neglect your health to prove a point that doesn't need to be proved.

Your health is the most important thing of all, so be honest with your dr and don't deny or minimize any symptoms that need to documented..

It might be good to talk with "interview" some good wc attys , just in case you end up needing one.
With the complications of the 1st fall it will be more difficult to prove all new injuries are really new, unless your dr has been taking wonderful notes all this time.

Army Vet,

Work Comp never ends in a windfall. It is the poorest paying system which is why you need to seek good advice from a WC attorney who understands mTBI. Do not think you are after the money because even in the best cases, you end up with a measly sum for your injuries. You don't say what state you are in. Some states have strong WC regulations that prevent prior medical history from reducing your benefits.

California looks at it as simply an injury that caused problems. If you had not suffered the workplace injury, you would not be facing the injury and job losses.

Consider WC as a safety net that pays very little but can help you if your injury causes lasting symptoms that prevent work. As my signature says, I am on full time, permanent disability for my injury that happened on the job. The Work Comp people were very good at denying me benefits. I qualified for Social Security Disability Income even though it has a much higher disability standard than Work Comp.

Work Comp claims are a tough fight when the injury is mTBI. Get an attorney's advice. Your Multiple Impact Syndrome may very likely leave you with long term or even permanent disabilities.

Were you exposed to explosions or other loud and shocking noises during Desert Storm? They can injure your brain even when you don't notice any immediate symptoms. The accumulation of impacts can be rough on the older brain. Your recent impacts might have pushed your brain past the recovery point.

Check out http://www.subtlebraininjury.com/ so you understand the WC process for mTBI.

My best to you.

Just got back from family doc. Daughter took me and told him everything from headaches, stuttering, slurred speech and dizziness. Doctor also said he recgonized the speech issues. He has set me up with a neurophsycologist and that has me wondering why. Does he think I'm crazy? What can he do for me or to help me.

Someone asked earlier where I'm from and it's Virginia.

I saw a neuropsych for a neuropsych test. It helps pinpoint deficiencies like memory, verbal and auditory processing, etc and then give resources to try to improve. It's not a crazy thing!

It probably is just for an evaluation. You could call the drs office and ask, it might be good to know due to the comp claim involved.

I don't know how Virginia comp is, but Oregon wc - when I was in it anyway , generally we could choose a dr of our choice or make a change a few times - but had to be approved by wc.

Does your family dr know of the wc claim and is billing under it or your private medical?
It can get confusing with the previous personal injury follow ups as well as the new work injury.

I do suggest searching out some of the better work comp attys, and some are better than others, check out the offices/staff - do they look/act professional or not organized...? big flag right there.

I learned that after the fact.
Generally same with PT, and other treatment providers, if they seem disorganized/not professional - look elsewhere.

Army Vet,

As others have said, a NeuroPsych is to quantify your level of symptoms. It is VERY important that any NeuroPsych who sees you be knowlwdgeable in mTBI. Many are biased against organic causation and will diagnose psychological or psychiatric causation. This can be the kiss of death to a Workers comp claim and then follow you for years. As Jo*Mar said, she learned After the Fact about NeuroPsychologists.

Go to the links I recommended earlier. www.tbilaw.com
and www.subtlebraininjury.com

You need a competent mTBI Work Comp attorney BEFORE your are seen by a NeuroPsych for an assessment.

Here is a link to a Virginia attorney who may be helpful. His web site shows that he understands mTBI and Work Comp. http://www.brain-injury-law-center.com/contact-us.html
This statement from his web site tells the truth <Because insurance companies must be suspect of every WC claim, you may find it difficult to secure compensation for your injuries, despite having a valid claim. Even if your physician documents your disability, the IME doctor may offer a differing opinion. If you are denied treatment or disability payments from your WC insurer, you should talk to an experienced attorney that knows both the complexity of TBI and the WC system.>

I want to scare some attention into you. A biased NeuroPsych killed my chances at a Work Comp settlement. That bias likely cost me $10,000 to $15,000 a year for the next 20 years and the past 10 years. Now, I have to survive on $1284 per month rather than almost $3000 per month.

Please, find a good WC attorney.
And, bring your wife and daughter into this information loop. You need their assistance.

My best to you.

hi army vet
going back to work really complicated things for me. I did not know how badly I was functioning thinking I would get better, I worked as a project manager working with life safety systems my employers were good at first

but when they realized I was not getting better and was being totally overwhelmed I was asked to leave I was being payed by the company my boss said take as long as you need so was not officially off sick, the pressure to go back to work was there ,I have since been diagnosed with an ABI and medically retired
in fact it made my injury worse by trying to use a damaged and healing brain

so although we all wish to get back to normal, for me at least its a new normal
rest and time we have said here many times are the best thing for ABI
talk with a lawyer you may recover but until you do going back to work may not be a good thing for your health

best wishes

Hi Army Vet...I cant stress enough for you to listen to the advice posted by all those before me. I too fell, hit my head on a sidewalk...thought it would heal and didn't want to sue - wasn't looking for money...just wanted to get back to my life. Unfortunately, I Was diagnosed with PCS, mTBI and too numerous other things related to the accident. All I can say is THANK GOODNESS I LISTENED TO FRIENDS ADVICE TO SPEAK TO AN ATTORNEY before it was too late (BECAUSE THERE ARE STATUTES OF LIMITATIONS INVOLVED).

Finally found one who understands mTBI and he is affiliated with the brain injury association of my state - so he "gets it". My recommendation...check your state BIA(brain injury association) site...there are attorneys there that you can have a free consult with and yes...make sure they're familiar with WC. Their site may also give you recommendations as to places for treatment to help with your issues. Also the neuropsyc is a really good thing to do. It's not because you're nuts - you're not, you're injured...it's needed to help you understand what's been affected and course of treatment suggestions.

I thought my injury would just take a little while for me to heal but I'm now
2 years/4 months into this, and unfortunately with no real end in sight of recovery. I had to close my childcare business that I ran for 25 years and never in my wildest dreams thought this would be my outcome...let alone the 10's of thousands of dollars we've spent looking for the right treatments - and we're not done yet. So before you make the blanket statement ...you're not looking for money - and while your intentions are good to take care of yourself (as were mine)...Reality dictates this and You need to protect yourself & family financially.. Check out all the links Mark in Idaho gave you...his info is good and he's obviously been through all the tough times with his injury.

Good luck to you...and God Bless you for serving! I hope you have a good outcome.
Regards,
Anneteaem

Hey guys I'm sorry I haven't post in a while but my world seems almost turned upside down. I thank all you and especially Mark in Idaho for the support and great advice. I don't want to repeat everyhing but you can read my original post to get up to speed.

Here's where I'm at now after I guess is just over one month aver having my concussion. I've been back to work for half days. I don't know if that helped or not. Just got back from dr. and the will keep me on half days for the next two weeks. I just don't know what going to my family dr. does because I basically tell them my problems and that's it.

At this time I'm still getting 3 or 4 headaches a day along with getting dizzy. It seems I get dizzy when the headache begin but perhaps I'm imagining that. Three times during the past 2 weeks I woke in the middle of the night with severe headaches along with vommitting. Is that normal? My memory and speech seem to be better but since returning to work I've notice my reaction time isn't what it used to be. My wife and daughter also believe I'm suffering from depression and they've said I've developed anger issues also. I just tell them I don't want to hear any of that. Am I in denial?

Also next Tuesday I go to the nuero psych. I've asked everyone what is a neuro psych going to be able to do to make me better and I don't belive anyone knows. Can anyone tell me?

I've always been positive but I must admit that I'm getting tired of this whole process and at times I just want to say the hell with it and give up and just deal with this on my own. I know that sounds selfish because many of you have and are dealing with much worse than me.

One other thing. I was given medication for the headache pain and I'm also suffering from insomnia. I was given Lunesta and it worked the first night but after that it didn't help so I quit taking them. I also didn't take the pain medication because it seems my headaches only last a hour or so.