People who suffer from a traumatic brain injury will often wonder how they’re going to be able to continue working so they can support themselves. There isn’t one answer that will apply to everyone in this position. Instead, the needs of the individual have to be considered so they can determine what types of reasonable accommodations can help them to do their job duties.
Traumatic brain injuries often qualify as disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act if the injury substantially limits at least one major life activity. This law requires that employers provide reasonable accommodations to those in this position.
What types of difficulties might a person experience with a brain injury?
The exact difficulties a person faces depend on the type and location of the injury. Many of these have to do with short-term memory and decision-making. It’s possible to have physical limitations, including sensitivity to light and sound. In some cases, the effects of a traumatic brain injury make it difficult to impossible to multitask, which is often required to function at work.
In order to determine the exact accommodations that a person needs, their functional abilities must be evaluated at least once. The reasonable accommodations that a worker with a brain injury asks for at work should directly improve their ability to do their job duties. Some possible accommodations include having written instructions, a quieter work environment, flexible work scheduling, more frequent breaks or extended time to complete tasks.
The effects a traumatic brain injury has on a person’s ability to work are only part of the challenges they have to face. Victims may choose to seek compensation from the negligent party that contributed to the incident that led to the injury.