Job injuries range from lacerations that require stitches and broken bones to spinal cord injuries. Employees in a variety of different professions could end up hurt on the job and may have catastrophic injuries that affect their daily lives and future work opportunities.
Certain types of injuries are more likely than others to cause lasting employment challenges and financial issues for workers. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are particularly difficult for workers to overcome. TBIs tend to produce permanent symptoms if the injury causes damage to the structure of the brain.
The symptoms can vary from motor function issues to memory challenges. TBIs can force workers to end their careers and may saddle them with tens of thousands of dollars or more in lifetime medical costs. There are many different ways for workers to hurt their brains in a variety of different industries. The following are three brain injury scenarios that are more common than many others.
Traffic collisions
Quite a few professionals drive as part of their professional responsibilities. Some people drive all day while on the job. Delivery drivers, bus drivers and semi-truck drivers spend almost the entirety of their professional careers behind the wheel. Crashes can cause brain injuries in a variety of different manners. Collision-related TBIs are typically eligible for workers’ compensation benefits as long as someone was on the clock at the time of their injury.
Falls while working
Some people perform job functions at a significant elevation. Construction workers, window washers and many other blue-collar workers may find themselves high above the ground while fulfilling job responsibilities. A fall from a significant elevation can cause a TBI and a host of other significant injuries. However, a worker doesn’t need to be far above the ground for a fall to lead to a brain injury. TBIs are also a concern in a same-level fall. A slip-and-fall scenario where someone hits their head on the floor or other objects nearby could also result in a brain injury that changes the course of someone’s life.
Interpersonal violence
Violence in the workplace has become a much more concerning issue in recent years. Environments ranging from retail establishments to hospitals have seen a significant increase in the number of incidents involving interpersonal violence. The use of a deadly weapon or even a punch to the head could lead to someone developing a TBI. Regardless of how someone acquires a TBI, they may need assistance accessing medical support and replacing their lost income.
Workers’ compensation coverage can potentially help those with brain injuries overcome the financial challenges related to their conditions. Those with TBIs may need help pursuing benefits after getting hurt on the job.