If it just happened
Emergency? Call 911- 1Call 911 for loss of consciousness, seizures, repeated vomiting, a severe or worsening headache, confusion, unequal pupils, weakness or numbness, or clear fluid from the nose or ears.
- 2Do not get up quickly or keep working. Stop and get evaluated.
- 3Don't drive yourself to care. Have someone take you.
- 4Have someone stay with you for the next several hours and watch for changes.
- 5Tell your supervisor and report the fall in writing, or have a coworker help if you're foggy.
- 6Write down — or ask someone to write down — where you fell, what you hit your head on, and who saw it.
- 7Photograph the wet floor, cord, step or ladder if it is safe.
General information only — not medical or legal advice.
Reporting it and the claim process
Head injuries can make it hard to remember details, so get them down early or ask a coworker to help. Include what caused the fall — a wet floor, a cluttered aisle, a missed step, a ladder that shifted — and whether you lost consciousness, even briefly.
Many people with a concussion feel 'mostly fine' and skip reporting, then struggle with headaches, light sensitivity or concentration a week later. A written report made right away helps connect those later symptoms to the fall.
Your employer generally sends the report to its insurer or claims administrator. Deadlines to report and file vary by state, so check with your state's workers' compensation agency as soon as possible.
Keep a symptom diary: headaches, dizziness, sleep changes, mood, noise and light sensitivity, and trouble reading or focusing. Note dates and what made symptoms worse.
Getting medical care
Urgent care, an emergency department or occupational medicine can evaluate a head injury; a clinician may decide imaging is needed. Ongoing symptoms are sometimes referred to neurology or a concussion clinic. A licensed clinician decides what is appropriate after an evaluation.
Tell the clinician you fell at work and hit your head, and mention any other pain — neck, wrist, back — since falls often cause more than one injury. Some states and employers have rules about which provider you see first, so ask your employer or adjuster, but get emergency care first if you need it.
If you are prescribed medication, ask the pharmacy and adjuster how work-injury prescriptions are handled. Home delivery can help when you shouldn't drive. Don't take anything new without checking with your clinician.
Prescribed medication? Learn about prescription home delivery, common medications after work injuries, or find pharmacies near you. Your doctor and pharmacist decide what is right for you.
When people often talk to an attorney
- Your concussion symptoms last for weeks or months and affect your work.
- Your claim is denied because a head injury doesn't show on imaging.
- You're pushed to return before your clinician clears you.
- The fall happened on property owned or maintained by another company.
- There are disputes about concussion specialist care or therapy.
- You notice memory, mood or personality changes and your claim doesn't address them.
Learn more: what a workers' comp attorney does. Many offer a free first consultation; fees in workers' comp are often regulated by the state.
Recovery and going back to work
Concussion recovery often involves a period of relative rest followed by a gradual return to activity, guided by your clinician. Pushing too hard can bring symptoms back.
Ask your doctor for specific restrictions: screen time, driving, heights, noisy areas, and shift length. Ask your employer about a gradual return, quieter tasks or reduced hours.
Keep your supervisor and adjuster updated after every appointment, and keep your symptom diary going. If irritability, low mood or anxiety show up, tell your clinician; those can be part of a concussion too.
Questions to ask
- Doctor: What warning signs mean I should go to the emergency room?
- Doctor: When can I drive, use screens or return to work?
- Doctor: Should I see a concussion specialist?
- Employer: Can I get a copy of my injury report?
- Employer: Can I return gradually or work reduced hours?
- Adjuster: What is my claim number, and does my claim cover concussion follow-up?
- Attorney: My scan was normal but I still have symptoms. What does that mean for my claim?
Frequently asked questions
What should I do after a concussion from a fall at work?
Get checked by a clinician the same day, and call 911 for loss of consciousness, vomiting, a worsening headache or confusion. Don't drive yourself and don't be alone. Report the fall in writing.
Can concussion symptoms start later?
Yes, symptoms like headache, dizziness, nausea, light sensitivity or trouble concentrating can appear or worsen hours to days after a fall. Watch for changes and tell your clinician. Keep a symptom diary.
Do I have a concussion if I didn't pass out?
You can have a concussion without losing consciousness. Only a licensed clinician can evaluate it. Get checked if you hit your head.
Is a concussion from a fall at work covered by workers' comp?
Concussions from falls on the job are often handled through workers' compensation, depending on your state and situation. Report it in writing right away. Check deadlines with your state's agency.
My scan was normal but I still have symptoms — is that possible?
Yes, concussions often do not show on standard imaging. Your clinician evaluates symptoms, history and exam findings. Tell them everything you notice.
When can I go back to work after a concussion?
Your clinician decides, often with a gradual return. Ask for written restrictions on screens, driving, heights and hours. Share them with your employer.
Related situations
Industries where this often happens
Prescriptions.plus is an educational portal. We are not a pharmacy, law firm, medical provider, insurer or claims administrator, and nothing here is medical or legal advice. Educational purposes only. Workers' compensation rules and deadlines vary by state — check with your state's workers' compensation agency. Medical emergency? Call 911. Hurt outside of work? Personal-injury legal help: attorneys.plus (coming soon).