If you’re injured at work, it’s important to remember as many details of the incident as possible. But that’s tough to do when the injury – or something else – causes you to black out. The case of Rudolph Knight is instructive in this regard.
Knight was a claims adjuster working out of Seattle for State Farm Insurance. In 2008, State Farm sent Knight to Galveston, Texas, after Hurricane Ike ravaged the region. Knight stayed in a hotel near Houston and drove a company van. He saw his family in Seattle over the Thanksgiving 2008 weekend, and he returned to South Texas on December 1, 2008. Knight wasn’t scheduled to work the next day, but he drove 30 miles to Galveston Island anyway, to survey damage there.
While returning to his hotel, Knight pulled onto a beach, parked, and called his wife about 1:00 p.m. At 5:30 p.m., Knight was found disoriented on the beach. Police and paramedics noted that he smelled strongly of alcohol, and he admitted to drinking. At the nearest emergency room, Dr. Blake Chamberlain treated Knight; the initial diagnosis was alcohol intoxication. Nevertheless, Dr. Chamberlain ordered brain scans which revealed a subarachnoid hemorrhage. Testing indicated the hemorrhage was probably caused by a brain injury. Bruising on Knight’s face indicated blunt trauma to the head that caused his brain to knock against the other side of his skull, causing the hemorrhage.
How an Attorney Can Help If You Struggle to Recall Details
In some cases, injuries can make it difficult to recall the details of an incident. For example, Knight lost the ability to speak clearly and developed vision problems. He filed for workers’ compensation in Washington State, but his claim, and subsequent appeals, were denied. The state argued that he had abandoned work due to intoxication, and because Knight had blacked out, he could not challenge this interpretation of the facts.
If you are injured at work, having an experienced workers’ compensation attorney can make a significant difference in obtaining benefits. You will need to compile as much documentation as possible:
- Write down everything you remember about the incident
- Take photos if applicable
- Keep medical records and any other supporting evidence
Even if your case is not as complex as Knight’s, a skilled workers’ compensation lawyer can guide you through applications, deadlines, hearings, and appeals. Protect your rights, pursue the benefits you deserve, and contact an experienced workers’ compensation attorney promptly.