Accidents that result in brain injuries in the workplace happen all the time. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) result in approximately 61,000 annual deaths in the U.S – and many more victims are seriously injured.
Here are two common events that are likely to result in traumatic brain injuries:
Slips, trips and falls
Workers may fall from scaffolding, a ladder or a roof. Depending on the severity of the fall, the worker can sustain serious head injuries, especially if they do not have the right protective gear. For instance, a fall from a height of more than 20 feet can result in a fatal brain injury.
Besides falling from elevated spots, it is not uncommon for workers, especially in warehousing and industrial environments to suffer traumatic head injuries following a slip and fall accident on ground level. Slippery floors, torn carpets, poorly lit areas, unprotected cables, ripped carpets and uneven floors can cause a worker to tumble and hit their head on concrete, conveyor belts, boxed materials and other hard objects.
Being struck by objects
Rolling objects, flying objects, swinging objects and falling objects all can cause traumatic brain injuries to workers. These can include construction workers being hit by debris or an industry worker being struck by part of the machinery they are operating. Even a dropped tool from above can cause a life-altering injury to someone.
A traumatic brain injury can cause devastating changes to the worker’s life. If you or someone you love has sustained a traumatic brain injury in the workplace, it is important that you explore your legal options as soon as possible so you can pursue the benefits you need.