In a dangerous work environment, an accident can injure just about any part of your body. However, injuries to some body parts are more serious than others. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are some of the most severe and life-changing injuries happening to workers in California today.
A blow to the head can cause a range of effects, from relatively minor concussions to permanent brain damage. The severity of the injury depends on where on the head the impact happens, the force of the blow and other factors. But even a “minor” TBI can force you to miss work for weeks, if not longer, while you recover. In fact, you might not fully heal from a concussion for years.
Troubling report about brain injury at work
A 2019 report published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Library of Medicine shows a scary trend. The authors say that the number of work-related TBIs are going up in Ontario, where they are located, while the overall rate of work injuries is going down nationwide. The study also found that half of workers who suffered a TBI said they did not receive enough job safety training before their injury.
The study does not address brain injury rates among workers in California or the U.S. Still, it would not be surprising if American workers in certain industries are not dealing with the same problem. Construction workers, warehouse employees, and anyone else who works a physically demanding job that can require them to work high off the ground with heavy equipment can be especially vulnerable.
Effects of a TBI
A head injury can cause many different symptoms, including chronic headaches, sensitivity to light, nausea, confusion and mood swings. If you have any of these symptoms, you may not be able to do your job until you start feeling better. Until then, workers’ compensation can help you pay your medical bills and other expenses. To learn more, contact a workers’ compensation attorney.
