New Jersey records about 12,000 new traumatic brain injuries every year, and many of the victims work in the construction industry.
Falling from heights such as roofs, ladders, or scaffolding, being struck by falling objects like tools, materials, or debris, and accidental explosions or fires while working with hazardous materials — these are just a few instances illustrating why construction workers are at such a high risk for head and brain Injuries.
Head and brain injuries are common
Falls are the top reason for TBIs on New Jersey construction sites. While a brain injury can happen to anyone, some workers are at a higher risk than others. For example, structural iron and steel workers and roofers have the highest fatal TBI rates in construction.
Suffering a severe head or brain injury on the job site can have a profound impact on the injured worker's health, wellness, and overall quality of life. As such, it's crucial for brain injury victims to have a clear understanding of their legal rights and options after an on-the-job injury. If you or a loved one sustained a work-related traumatic brain injury, an experienced construction accident lawyer can help you fight for the maximum compensation you deserve. Contact Shebell & Shebell, LLC in New Jersey today for a free case evaluation.
Brain injuries in construction
A traumatic brain injury is an injury to the brain caused by a sudden external force disrupting normal brain function. Injury severity ranges from mild (concussion) to moderate or severe. Symptoms vary: Mild TBIs can cause headaches and nausea. Moderate to severe TBIs can result in loss of consciousness, persistent headaches, confusion, seizures, coma, and long-term health effects.
TBIs are common in the construction industry due to the high incidence of accidents involving falls, machinery accidents, and falling objects. Overall, construction workers make up nearly 25 percent of work-related TBI deaths. In New Jersey, other high-risk industries include freight trucking, food services, agriculture, forestry, mining, and excavating.
Construction site hazards
Identifying the risk factors for work-related head injuries can help prevent future accidents. Some of the top hazards workers face on construction sites in New Jersey include:
- Falls from height. Workers falling from scaffolding, rooftops, or ladders can sustain severe injuries upon landing. Poorly constructed or maintained scaffolding can collapse, leading to falls and head injuries.
- Slips, trips, and falls. Environmental hazards like slippery surfaces or open holes can cause slips and trips, resulting in traumatic brain injuries.
- Falling objects. Tools, materials, and debris falling and striking workers' heads pose a significant risk of traumatic brain injuries, even when workers are wearing protective hard hats.
- Forklift, crane, mixer, truck, and other commercial vehicle accidents. High vehicular traffic on construction sites increases the risk of collisions, leading to traumatic brain injuries for workers.
- Physical violence. Stressful environments may lead to altercations among workers or outsiders, resulting in physical violence and potential head injuries.
- Electrical problems, explosions, fires.
- Loss of control of machinery, tools, or materials. Workers may inadvertently lose control of heavy machinery, tools, or materials, resulting in accidents where these objects strike workers, causing severe head injuries. Defective and malfunctioning equipment are also common factors in this type of TBI accident. If the negligence of an employer or manufacturer contributed to a worker's TBI, they may be entitled to file for workers' compensation benefits and a personal injury claim or lawsuit.
- Lack of safety gear and preparation. The absence of essential safety gear like hard hats increases vulnerability to head injuries from falling objects. Insufficient safety training raises the risk of accidents and resulting head injuries among workers.
In the event of a TBI-related accident at work, immediate medical attention is critical. Even seemingly mild TBIs should be treated seriously, requiring an urgent evaluation by medical professionals.
Contact a construction accident lawyer in New Jersey
Proper safety precautions, risk mitigation, and training can prevent many injuries, but a head or brain injury on the job site can happen to even the most careful construction worker. At Shebell & Shebell, LLC, we fight to make sure workers with serious head and brain injuries get the medical care and financial compensation they deserve. We know how these injuries can devastate workers and their loved ones, which is why we're here to help you navigate the legal process, protect your rights, and aggressively advocate for your best interests. Learn more about how we can help. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.