Whether you’re at work or not, it’s most likely that your traumatic brain injury will stem from a fall. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that around 48% of all traumatic brain injury-related emergency department visits were caused by falls.
What kind of damage comes with a TBI?
A traumatic brain injury can have life-altering effects. The effects of a traumatic brain injury may include:
- Impairment of memory
- Trouble with movement
- Changes in bodily sensations
- Personality changes or mental health problems
Additionally, those effects have an impact not only on the patient but also on the people around them and their loved ones.
What can be done to prevent TBIs at work?
One way to help minimize the number of people who suffer from these injuries is by preventing falls in the workplace. There are a few ways to do so, including:
- Providing hazard training for all employees
- Using the correct type of ladder for every job
- Working in buddy systems to make jobs safer
- Using guardrails or tethers to prevent falls from high places
Falls on the same level or from different levels can both lead to significant injuries, so it’s important that anyone who suffers a blow to the head is taken to the emergency room right away. Early intervention is key to preventing brain injuries from worsening.
What happens if you fall and hit your head at work?
If you fall and hit your head at work, then it’s important to make a workers’ compensation claim after you get the medical care you need. Workers’ compensation should help cover your financial losses from this incident since it happened while you were on the job. It’s your employer’s responsibility to keep your workplace safe, so workers’ compensation is there to provide for you if you are hurt while working.