Head injuries are some of the most serious injuries that any individual can experience. Sadly, in the construction industry, head injuries are all too common. In fact, construction workers are at the highest risk of traumatic brain injuries compared to any other type of employment. The men and women who support our infrastructure deserve a safe working environment, and when someone suffers a construction accident head injury there are often legal consequences for their employer.Common Causes of Construction Accident Head Injuries
Falls and being struck by moving equipment often are the cause. Employees are reported falling from roofs, ladders, and scaffolds, leading to more than half of all the fatal work-related traumatic brain injuries.
Some of the most serious head injuries include brain damage. Brain damage is the result of a forceful blow to the head, or a whiplash to the head, neck, or body. Often, it results in a disability, although in some instances a brain injury victim can recover and resume normal functionalities. In these cases, the physical, emotional, and financial toll of recovery can be great.
How to Know if You’ve Suffered a Brain Injury
Symptoms include headache, confusion, loss of memory, slow thinking or speaking, in ability to sleep or constant fatigue, sensitivity to light and sounds, moodiness, and more. Sometimes, the symptoms of brain damage are clear immediately after a construction accident head injury. In other cases, symptoms are delayed anywhere from a couple of days to up to weeks after an injury occurred.
Addressing the Risk of Construction Accident Head Injuries
Employers can and should take every appropriate precaution to minimize workplace exposure to potential head injuries or, better yet, avoid them altogether. Employers can require, educate about, and enforce the use of protective equipment, like hardhats and safety protocols. However, it is crucial that any damaged equipment be replaced, as damaged equipment will not continue to properly protect an individual.
Employers can also ensure a safe working environment for employees like building guardrails, installing safety netting, and appropriately fitting harness. Employees should also avoid taking shortcuts and fully familiarize themselves with the job site rules and always follow them.
If You’ve Been Hurt At Work, Your Employer May Be Responsible
If these precautions are not provided at a workplace and an injury occurs as a result, a worker may be eligible to file a lawsuit against an employer for compensation of an injury. Worker’s compensation is usually insufficient to pay for an injured worker full medical, mental, lost wages, pain, suffering, and trauma.
A knowledgeable Houston construction accident attorney will know how to best defend and fight for a workers’ full rights and help them receive the complete financial help they need to recover from a head injury. They will evaluate your specific situation and determine which possible claims you are entitled against both your employers and third parties. At Williams Hart & Boundas, we do just that. Let us help you understand your rights and fight to defend them. Call us today for a free initial consultation to discuss your legal options.
