Traumatic Brain Injuries At Work
A worker can suffer a wide range of head injuries on the job, from skull fractures in serious slips and falls or falls from heights, for example, or scalp lacerations that result from contact with a dangerous machine part or tool. One major type of brain injury that workers should know about is the traumatic brain injury (TBI). What is the difference between a TBI and another form of head trauma? According to the Mayo Clinic, traumatic brain injuries typically happen when a person sustains a “violent blow or jolt to the head or body,” or when an object “goes through brain tissue, such as a bullet or a shattered piece of skull.” There are different types of TBIs, and they range from mild to moderate to severe. Even a mild TBI, known as a concussion, can be severe and can result in many missed workdays.
If you suffered a TBI on the job, it is important to get in touch with a West Palm Beach workers’ compensation attorney to find out more about seeking financial compensation for your injuries and obtaining the medical benefits you need in order to recover. In the meantime, we can provide you with more information about work-related traumatic brain injuries.
Common Causes of Traumatic Brain Injuries on the Job
What causes most traumatic brain injuries in workplaces? Some causal factors depend upon the type of job or industry, while other risk factors exist at most workplaces. The following are some of the more common types of workplace accidents in which employees sustain TBIs on the job:
- Slips and falls;
- Trips and falls;
- Falls from heights; and
- Being hit with a falling object or by a moving tool or vehicle, or a struck-by accident.
In some workplaces, such as in the construction industry, the risk of a TBI caused by a fall from a high surface such as a roof or scaffolding may be more common. Slips and falls, or trips and falls, can occur in almost any industry, from health care jobs to white-collar office jobs. Whenever workers are required to work with moving equipment or transportation equipment, or to work in warehousing or loading and unloading, the risk of a struck-by accident may increase. According to a study from the National Center for Biotechnology Information, about 80 percent of traumatic brain injuries sustained at workplaces could have been prevented. In preventable TBI cases, about 50 percent of workers say that they did not receive appropriate safety training in order to prevent an accident.
What to Do After a TBI at Work
If you experience any symptoms of a TBI at work after an accident, it is critical to report the injury to your employer as quickly as possible, but at least within 30 days from the date of the injury as required by Florida law. You will also need to seek immediate medical attention. While Florida workers must see an approved provider, an initial emergency visit can be with any health care provider.
Symptoms of TBIs to look for include, for example:
- Physical symptoms that may include a headache, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, or dizziness;
- Sensory symptoms like blurry vision or ringing in the ears; and
- Cognitive symptoms, like a loss of consciousness, memory issues, mood changes, and sleeping disturbances.
Contact a West Palm Beach Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
If you need assistance with your workers’ compensation case, you should get in touch with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney in West Palm Beach at the Law Offices of David M. Benenfeld, P.A. who can assist you.
Sources:
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30829642/
mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/traumatic-brain-injury/symptoms-causes/syc-20378557
leg.state.fl.us/STATUTeS/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0440/0440ContentsIndex.html
