Head Injury Prevention in the Workplace
February 28, 2020
Serious head injuries in the workplace are more common than expected, particularly in construction, manufacturing, at a warehouse facility, or as a first responder. Whereas some head injuries are relatively minor, and the worker can expect to recover fully, others can cause permanent brain damage. March is Brain Injury Awareness Month, which raises awareness of brain injuries, helps empower brain injury survivors, and offers support to those living with brain injuries.
Brain injuries are classified in three categories: mild, moderate, and severe. Depending on the severity of the injury, they can cause a range of physical, mental, and emotional impairments that can have a major impact on the victim and their family. A traumatic brain injury is a type of severe brain injury that is often caused by a fall, a car accident, or some other type of devastating event.
Common Causes of Head Injuries at Work
The following are examples of common causes of head injuries in the workplace:
- Walking into Objects: A worker can suffer a head injury from walking into a hard, solid object, such as a wall, cabinet, or glass window.
- Being Underneath a Falling Object: If a heavy object falls from an elevated surface, or a worker drops something, it can hit a worker on the head. Depending on how heavy the object is, it can cause a serious head injury.
- Slip and Falls: Workers can easily slip and fall on wet or slick surfaces. If they hit their head when they fall, it can cause a serious head or brain injury. This is the second most common cause of workplace injuries.
- Falls from Above: Workers can suffer serious head injuries from falling off ladders or tumbling downstairs. The higher the surface from which the worker fell, the more serious the injury is likely to be. Thirty-five percent of traumatic brain injuries in the United States are caused by falls.
Impact of Head Injuries
Head injuries can have external effects, involving damage to the outside of the head, or internal effects, including damage to the skull or the brain:
- External Effects: Examples include cuts, lacerations, bruising, swelling, and damage to the skull. Symptoms of external head injuries include dizziness, nausea, and memory loss. In extreme cases, the worker may have seizures.
- Internal Effects: Examples include blood clots forming in the brain, bruising to the brain, and hemorrhaging. A diffuse axonal injury (DAI) occurs when the brain’s connective nerve fibers are torn. It happens when the force of impact causes the brain to hit the inside of the skull. This is a serious injury and can cause the worker to go into a coma.
Baltimore Workers’ Compensation Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Represent Victims of Head Injuries
If you suffered a head injury while on the job, contact the Baltimore Workers’ Compensation lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton as soon as possible. Head injuries that result in serious brain injuries can cause permanent impairments and impact your ability to return to work. We will walk you through the claims process and ensure that you receive the full financial benefits you deserve for your injuries. Protecting your rights is our top priority. To schedule a free consultation, call us today at 844-556-4LAW (4529) or contact us online. Located in Baltimore, we serve clients throughout Maryland.
