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Traumatic brain injuries are prevalent in many occupations

On Behalf of | Jun 10, 2017 | Brain Injury, Workers' Compensation

How safe is your workplace? Safe work environments are an often-unrecognized contributor to the bottom line, but many Pennsylvania employers fail to prioritize employee health and safety. For this reason, you might be responsible for keeping a lookout for hazards that could cause you life-changing injuries or worse.

Did you know that there are risks of suffering traumatic brain injuries in any occupation? Whether you earn your income in an office, on a construction site, driving a big rig or any other workplace, a fall in which you strike your head could have devastating consequences.

Common causes of falls in the workplace

Many of the hazards that cause falls involve carelessness or negligence by co-workers and employers. Good housekeeping is as important as wearing fall protection. Walking through wet areas, even if it is something as simple as a coffee spill, can cause a fall. Safety authorities say a significant percentage of TBI cases follow falls on uneven or wet surfaces.

Another hazard involves randomly placed objects that could cause trips. Any of these falls can cause a head injury that may result in concussion or TBI. A further concern of safety authorities is the growing number of older workers who continue working after they turn 65 years old. Reportedly, this age group now makes up a significant percentage of the U.S. workforce.

Dangerous occupations

While anybody can slip or trip and fall anywhere, traumatic brain injuries appear to occur more often in certain industries. If you are employed in any one of the following, you might want to take extra care:

  • Construction
  • Agriculture
  • Transportation
  • Emergency medical services
  • Fishing
  • Forestry

Precaution and prevention

Along with typical hazards as mentioned above, each industry has unique dangers that could cause traumatic brain injuries. Potential TBI hazards include truck accidents, falling objects, machinery and equipment accidents, and even exposure to toxic chemicals. If your job involves working in confined spaces, oxygen deprivation can cause brain damage. You are entitled to insist on appropriate personal protective equipment, and you have the right to report any potential hazards to your supervisor.

After any bump to your head, it is important to seek a thorough medical examination. Traumatic brain injuries could go unnoticed immediately after the incident, but symptoms could become evident later. If such an incident happens while you are at work, you will be entitled to pursue recovery or medical expenses and lost wages. You may also seek the support and guidance of an experienced workers’ compensation attorney. A lawyer can navigate the administrative and legal processes of benefits claims on your behalf.

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