How Does a Brain Injury Affect Future Employment Prospects?

Have You Received a Brain Injury?

Brain injuries are traumatic events that have obvious and not-so-obvious impacts on your life. What’s worse is that many of the lasting side effects of a brain injury don’t always make themselves known ahead of time.

If you feel like you are ready to reenter the workforce after recovering from your brain injury, you may be worried about how to explain your brain injury or how your injury may impact your employment.

Can You Return to Your Old Job?

If your injury forced you to take a break from or even leave your last job, you may be wondering if it will be possible for you to get your job back once you are in a position where you feel well enough to work again.

When it comes to brain injuries, returning to a job you are familiar with is almost always the best option available for you. Being able to follow a routine you already know in an environment you are comfortable with instead of trying to learn a new routine and space is ideal.

Also, an employer who knows you, your work ethic, and what you have been through may be more understanding of your situation. They may be able to work with you in a way a new employer may be unwilling to.

Things like a gradual start with limited hours or the ability to work from home may help you get back in the groove of things without getting too overwhelmed.

They may also be okay with you taking more breaks, which can give you a chance to recenter and ground yourself.

A former employer may have ideas on how they can help you get started. They can give you the same job with a reduced workload and allow you to work your way back to a higher workload. If they don’t think that is a good idea, they may be able to find you a new position where the work may be more suited to your current ability.

When working with a previous or new employer, it is imperative that communication is open and honest. If you are struggling, let your employer know. You can request frequent employer meetings where your boss can help keep you informed.

Can You Find a New Job?

If you are looking for new employment and returning to your previous job is not an option, then you may have to rely on a few resources.

If you live in a city that has a job center, then you may be able to work with them. They may have resources you can use to find employment somewhere where your brain injury will have minimal impact on your job. They may have disability employment advisors who can offer advice about returning to work with a disability.

You can also seek help from a work coach. Disability employment advisors and work coaches can perform an employment assessment. These assessments can help you identify suitable types of employment, considering your skills, abilities, and previous employment.

What if You’re Struggling to Return to Work?

Even with all of these options and opportunities, you may still find yourself struggling to return to work.

You can choose to start your own business. This may seem impossible when employers are refusing to hire you. You can turn to friends and family for advice on how you should start a business. These same people may even be interested in investing in you and your new business.

You could also enroll in a community or vocational school. Sometimes, learning a new trade can be significantly easier than trying to return to the same type of work, especially for someone who has suffered a brain injury. Enrolling in classes can also put you in contact with prospective employers. Networking is a valuable resource!

You may find that you are simply not ready to return to work. If you are struggling to find employment and you are positive it is because of your brain injury; then you may still have some recovery ahead of you. Forcing the issue can lead to frustration and setbacks. Listen to your body and the advice of professionals; if you are not ready to return to work, take time to recover.

It may also be time to consider hiring an attorney to help you deal with the legal situation of employer negligence, employer discrimination, and personal injury claims.

Why Should You Hire a Lawyer?

If your brain injury was a result of employer negligence, a car accident, or someone else’s negligence, then you may have legal options. A skilled personal injury lawyer can help walk you through the process of holding negligent people accountable for their actions.

Likewise, if you are unlawfully let go from your job, a job you know you are capable of doing, you may have legal options that hold those people legally accountable. It is illegal to discriminate against people with a disability, and an employer that has discriminated against you because of your brain injury may be breaking the law.

Call 310-356-0074 to speak with the team experienced in both personal injury and employment law. Call Skinner Law Corp to get someone on your side. If your last employer did you wrong, I can help. If someone’s negligence led to your brain injury, I can help, and if an employer is treating you wrong, I can help!

Call or click today to find out how we can help you get back on track to employment and a full life!