Traumatic Brain Injuries at Construction Site

Traumatic brain injuries seem to have become a more common form of brain injury. Concussions, being a more common form of traumatic brain injury, are a risk for many labor-intensive jobs like construction. The CDC reported that between 2003 and 2010, 25 percent of construction-related deaths were due to traumatic brain injuries. Wearing a hard hat at all times is a necessary precaution. However, hard hats don’t always protect the brain from injuries that can cause permanent or long-term damage. 

Additionally, the CDC has reported that between 2006 and 2014, traumatic brain injury-related hospitalizations and deaths rose 53%. Not only are these injuries occurring more often, but the severity of these injuries can end lives.


What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?

A traumatic brain injury, or TBI, is an injury caused by an outside force that severely damages the brain. This could range from a blow to the head to an object penetrating the skull. What differentiates traumatic and non-traumatic brain injuries is evidence of altered brain functioning. When a person has a TBI, their brain’s pathways and functions may drastically change.

Some of the common side effects of those suffering from a traumatic brain injury are:

  • Loss of consciousness
  • Constant headaches
  • Vomiting or nausea 
  • Disorientation, including dizziness and issues with balance 
  • Confusion or “brain fog”
  • Mood changes
  • Fatigue

These symptoms should come to an end up to 2 weeks after the initial injury. If they do not, it could be a sign that neurovascular coupling is not working correctly and needs to be treated.  A neurovascular coupling connects neurons, or brain cells, with a vascular or blood supply. If there is a disruption in this process caused by a TBI, the brain cells aren’t receiving the blood supply that they need to perform at their peak. This is what can cause prolonged TBI symptoms. These symptoms can take two forms, physical symptoms and cognitive symptoms.

Some physical symptoms may include:

  • Fatigue 
  • Headaches or migraines
  • Dizziness
  • Differences in vision
  • Oversensitivity to light

Some cognitive symptoms may include:

  • Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
  • Mood or behavioral changes
  • Difficulty concentrating

If you or a loved one believes that you have suffered a traumatic brain injury, seek medical help immediately. Do not wait for the injury to get worse.

Common Traumatic Brain Injuries in Construction Work

As of March of 2021, over 11 million Americans work in construction. Construction work pays well, and jobs are typically easy to come by. Unfortunately, this kind of work is rated the highest for suffering from TBIs. Even though construction workers wear helmets when on the field dealing with machinery, accidents still occur.

These accidents can happen in a variety of ways. Some of the most common injuries on construction sites happen from malfunctions with the machines, slip and falls, collapsing structures, and falling debris. Any of these could cause irreparable damage to a construction worker’s brain. TBIs that construction workers get the most are concussions, penetrative head wounds, and brain hemorrhaging.

Company Liability

The responsible party for your injuries depends on what caused the harm you have sustained. For example, if a malfunctioning machine caused your TBI, the company that manufactured the machine could be held liable for your injuries. For the most part, however, any employer in the construction industry has a standard of safety that they must follow. If that standard is not met and someone on the construction site sustains a severe injury, they could be held liable for it. 

Construction liability cases can be complicated. Because so much goes on at a construction site, the type of accident determines the liability. Sometimes multiple people can be liable for your injury. Your lawyer’s first job will be to determine any liable party. The litigation between you, the plaintiff, and the defendant or defendants can often become difficult so having a trained attorney to navigate the litigation process is ideal. 

There are many people and companies that could be held responsible for your traumatic brain injury. If you have questions about who these people and companies may be, contact the Eichholz Law firm. 

Getting Help From a Personal Injury Lawyer

You may be feeling a significant amount of stress after your injury. Not only do you have medical expenses to worry about, but also your lost wages from the time you took off of work to heal. If you’re feeling overwhelmed with your case, it might be time to contact a reputable personal injury lawyer.

Before meeting with your personal injury lawyer, you will need copies of your medical bills and lost wages. These will provide a stable basis for your claim. From there, you and your lawyer can calculate additional damages that need to be accounted for. Some of these damages could include:

  • Future lost wages
  • Future complications associated with your injuries
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress

It is vital to communicate how your injury has altered your life. In the case of a TBI, the plaintiff may have undergone permanent personality and mood changes after their accident. This is an alteration that probably cannot be undone. It may also be practical to have the medical professionals who tended to your injuries and family members express how this injury has altered the plaintiff’s life.

Your attorney will compile all of your claims and build a strong case. The goal of your lawyer is to get you and your family the compensation that you need. They will not let you and your family take a settlement that doesn’t do your case justice.

Contact The Eichholz Law Firm

If your loved one suffered from a traumatic brain injury due to their job in construction, contact the Eichholz Law Firm. Our workplace injury lawyers help families take legal action against the negligent party responsible for the injuries caused to their loved ones. Our lawyers are dedicated to serving victims and fighting for justice. Call the Eichholz Law Firm today at (855) 551-1019 or fill out an online form for a free consultation.

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