Major Head Injuries and Workers’ Comp.

Protecting your head is one of the most important parts of workplace safety. If you suffer a traumatic brain injury at work, you could suffer lifelong consequences depending on the type and severity of the injury.

A traumatic brain injury, or TBI, is an injury that affects how the brain works. TBI is a major cause of death and disability in the United States with the CDC reporting more than 223,000 TBI related hospitalizations in 2018 alone. 

The workplace is a common place for people to get TBIs with those in the fields of forestry, agriculture, fishing, medical service, emergency response and transportation being highly susceptible. The more knowledge you have about these injuries, the more you can do in case one happens in the workplace. 

Leading Causes of TBI in the workplace

1.Slips, trips, and falls

If the floor is wet or cluttered with any kind of debris that may impede the normal walk path, a worker can easily slip and injure their head leading to a potentially life changing TBI. 

2.Falling objects

In many cases, a workplace functions on multiple levels, whether it be a construction project building the various floors of a structure or a warehouse stacking items at numerous heights. There can be a variety of things that cause objects to fall, but if one of those items hits a worker, there can be serious damage done. 

3.Falls from heights 

Many times, workers have to operate from scaffolding or ladders that elevate them high off the ground. A fall from heights as low as 10 feet can prove to be fatal, so being extra careful can save lives. 

Prevention of TBI

1.Plan Ahead 

Take time to consider the risk your specific workplace may have. Every worksite is different, so each one possesses a different array of potential head injury hazards. By taking the time upfront to plan and act in ways that will help eliminate the chance for an injury to occur, you will save time and most importantly, people’s health in the long run.

2.Inspect ladders and scaffolding 

Making sure the equipment workers use to get to high areas of the workplace follows proper safety standards is a crucial component to avoiding common accidents that lead to head injuries. Any broken or unstable equipment should be replaced immediately with a structurally sound alternative.

3.Have protective headgear 

There’s a reason helmets and hard hats were designed. They help cushion the impact of an object or a blow to the head. While they can’t outright prevent brain damage if you are in an accident, they significantly improve your likelihood for sustaining a less severe head injury.

4.Wear harnesses 

A worker should wear a harness whenever scaling a structure or going up on scaffolding. This allows for a fail safe in the system and can prevent someone from taking a fall that could have resulted in a catastrophic TBI or even death. 

5.Be aware of your surroundings 

Staying alert and wary of the things happening in the workplace is a great way to protect you and other coworkers from succumbing to an accident. Whether you’re on a construction site where falling objects can severely damage someone’s brain or in the office where you can hit your head looking for something under your desk, accidents can happen that lead to TBIs. Being aware of the situations and spaces around you can eliminate these preventable accidents.    

Symptoms of TBI

From your perspective:

1. Headache

2. Ringing in the ears

3. Nausea and vomiting

4. Fatigue or drowsiness

5. Blurry vision

6. Sensitivity to light

7. Loss of balance   

From a bystanders perspective:

1. Temporary loss of consciousness (though this doesn't always occur)

2. Slurred speech

3. Delayed response to questions

4. Dazed appearance

5. Forgetfulness, such as repeatedly asking the same question

What to do if you suspect a TBI has occurred

If you or someone else has suffered a TBI, get them to a hospital or urgent care as soon as possible. The faster you act, the better because urgency is crucial in responding and treating a TBI. Seeing a doctor also starts a paper trail for if you wish to file a workers’ compensation claim about that TBI. 

If you or a coworker feel fine after an accident or you’re worried it may not be covered, go to the hospital anyway since a TBI may not present visible symptoms right away. A medical professional will know what to look for and will give you steps to evaluate the progress of any potential TBI. Likewise, if your accident occurred in the workplace, your visit and any treatment should be covered under workers’ comp. benefits.  

Getting workers’ comp. for a head injury may be a difficult process since the costs associated with it can be quite significant. Many insurance companies will do their best to avoid paying as much as possible, but with the right team of qualified workers’ compensation attorneys, you can be sure that your rights will be fought for. Contact the experienced workers’ compensation specialists at Cole, Fisher, Cole, O’Keefe + Mahoney. When it comes to your workers’ comp. needs, they have your back.

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Cole, Fisher, Cole, O’Keefe + Mahoney is Central California’s leading workers’ compensation and social security disability law firm. With over 30 years of successful experience, we are committed to securing maximum benefits for our clients in the Fresno, California area. Schedule a free consultation today.