Work-related head injuries can lead to physical, mental, and financial hardships for an employee. A work injury attorney can file a workers compensation claim and ensure that fair benefits are received.
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Common Workplace Head Injuries
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, over three million workers suffered non-fatal head injuries while on the job in 2014. Work-related head injuries are among the most serious type of non-fatal injury that a person can sustain, because they often have the potential to lead to long-term physical, mental, and financial problems. A variety of accidents can cause work-related head injuries:
- Slip and Fall Accidents – Slip and fall accidents are consistently among the most common causes of serious work-related head injuries. There are often caused by liquid spills, cracked pavement, torn carpet, inadequate lighting, and snow and ice.
- Motor Vehicle Accidents – Many employment positions require employees to drive motor vehicles as part of their daily duties. Truckers, delivery drivers and construction workers are especially vulnerable to accidents that can result in serious head injuries.
- Defective Work Equipment – In many cases, work-related head injuries are caused by defective work tools and equipment used in the workplace. When such injuries occur, a work injury attorney can file a lawsuit against the equipment manufacturer, as well as the employer.
- Explosions – Certain industries such as industrial manufacturing and construction often use materials that have the potential to explode under certain conditions. Flying debris and falls due to the impact of the blast often cause head injuries.
Complications From Head Injuries
Work-related head injuries can result in a variety of complications, their severity is proportionate to the severity of the accident. Some of the more common complications associated with severe head injuries include: headaches and dizziness; difficulty concentrating; sensitivity to light and sound; speech and vision impairments; balance problems; sleep disturbances; changes in behavior; depression; and seizures. Subdural hematomas, common in serious head injuries, result in bleeding between the brain and the inside of the skull. The increased accumulation of blood increases pressure on the brain and puts the injury victim at a higher risk of losing consciousness or death.
Work-related head injuries are often serious or fatal. Many injured employees require physical or mental rehabilitation before returning to work. With severe injuries, months or years may pass before the injured employee is able to fully recover from his/her injuries, and some injuries result in partial or total permanent disability.