Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can be very serious injuries and are believed to account for about 30% of all injury-related deaths in the U.S.
They are commonly divided into three categories:
– Open brain injury – When an object penetrates the skull and damages the brain;
– Closed brain injury – When the head collides with an object or “snaps” back and forth, causing damage to brain tissue or nerve-endings;
– Acquired brain injuries – These describe brain injuries which occur by “unnatural means,” such as anoxia (injuries involving lost oxygen) and diffuse axonal injuries.
Among the most common dangers that construction workers face are blunt trauma and falls, which are also the two leading causes of traumatic brain injuries.
Here are the top causes of fatalities in construction zones, according to the Department of Labor:
– Falls – Falls can occur when floor-openings are unsecured or improperly labeled, ladders/scaffolds are unsecured, or personal fall equipment is not used or was not provided.
– “Struck-by” accidents – This occurs when a worker is struck on the head by a falling object, such as any loose/unsecured material falling from higher levels, or a moving object such as a crane or the heavy material it carries.
– “Caught-between” accidents – These occur when a worker is caught between a building’s levels, in a trench, or between a wall and moving equipment, and can also result in broken bones or damage to internal organs.
– Electrocution – High-voltage electrical shocks can result in TBIs, burns/lesions in the brain, or serious damage to nerves in the brain which help it communicate with the rest of the body.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a workplace accident due to negligence, contact America’s Consumer Lawyer for a free consultation. We are a Chicago-based injury law firm representing individuals (and their families) who have suffered an injury in an accident. We will handle your case quickly and advise you every step of the way, and we will not hesitate to go to trial for you.
Lastly, America’s Consumer Lawyer is not paid attorneys’ fees unless we win your case. Our no-fee promise is that simple. You have nothing to risk when you hire us – only the opportunity to seek justice.
