How to Identify Head Injury After a Construction Site Accident
A construction site is a place with lots of noise, people working on various things, tools, lots of noise, and risks of injuries. Working in such a place is dangerous and no matter how careful you are, things may not go as you hoped for.
Even if the construction site owner took all measures to keep the place safe, even if the workers are completely careful, injuries happen.
The most dangerous ones are head injuries. Tripping and falling because of tools or debris, falling several stories down, hitting on things, can lead to severe head and brain injuries.
And while at the moment it may seem like it’s not a big deal and you feel well, make sure that you get a medical examination.
Seek legal assistance from a New York personal injury attorney as soon as possible.
Symptoms of a Brain Injury
You may experience a blow to the head as a result of falling or being hit by falling materials or tools. This may result in a traumatic brain injury that includes various injuries such as open head wounds, brain bleeds, and concussions. Traumatic brain injury must be taken very seriously as it can be a reason for long-term disabilities, seizures, speech impairment, vision loss, and death.
If you suffered a hit in your head while working on a construction site, watch out for the following symptoms:
- Confusion
- Disorientation
- Blurry vision
- Short-term memory loss
- Headaches or migraines
- Problems remembering important details such as names, location, dates
- Dizziness
- Vertigo
- Nausea
- Mood swings
- Drowsiness or troubles sleeping
- Hearing problems
- A lack of coordination
- Trouble speaking or forming sentences
If after the accident, you experience any, some, or all of these symptoms, make sure to see your doctor and report them, along with the details of the accident.
Types of Construction Accidents Тhat Cause Head Wounds
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has outlined strict regulations to reduce construction site injuries and deaths. Among these regulations is the obligation to wear a hard hat at certain construction sites. OSHA also requires other rules to protect workers. Depending on how heavy machinery should be operated to provide fall safety equipment, all employers and workers must follow OSHA standards.
Accidents happen every day in New York construction sites and the following may easily lead to traumatic brain injuries:
Falls – Usually happen from great heights. However, even shortfalls on hard concrete can cause devastating head and traumatic brain injuries.
Falling objects – Falling power tools, debris, building materials, and other equipment. Even if you wear a helmet, you can easily experience head injuries.
Trench collapse – Loose material and equipment can fall onto workers, and cause head and brain injuries, and it’s not uncommon for workers to get killed this way.
Demolitions – Tunnel collapses for instance can be dangerous when collapsing onto workers.
Vehicle crashes – Forklifts, bulldozers, and scraper accidents are far more dangerous than auto accidents.
Exposure to toxic chemicals – Breathing vapors, burns, or explosions of toxic chemicals can also be a reason for head and traumatic brain injuries.
What to Do If You Hit Your Head At a Construction Site
If you’re a construction worker who got a head injury while working on the site it’s important to seek medical help as soon as possible. If you aren’t conscious, your co-workers must seek paramedics to transport you safely to the hospital. If you’re capable of walking, be sure to have someone else drive you to the hospital. Do not sit behind the wheel no matter how well you feel (even if you have no visible head injuries).
Your supervisor should be informed about the accident. This way you will be sure that you will get a workers’ compensation claim. In case you’re an independent contractor, and your injuries resulted from someone else’s act of negligence, you might be able to file for a personal injury claim against the person who caused your injury (contractor, property owner) or a group (construction company, third party).
Be sure to get help from a personal injury attorney. These types of cases may get complex. If you’re an independent worker, your attorney will have to gather evidence that your accident happened because of someone else’s negligence (poor safety on-site, lack of safety nets or equipment).
Traumatic brain injuries may lead to dangerous changes in your life and future earning. Don’t risk your claim; get help from our team of attorneys. Schedule your first consultation today.
Content checked by the personal injury attorney Timothy Cellino
Timothy Cellino
As a family man and a trial attorney, I pride myself on winning cases and serving the community.
I understand the function of a jury, how juries arrive at conclusions, and the role that the jury plays in administering justice. I know how to win cases. You can find us in Manhattan, Buffalo, Melville, Rochester, Brooklyn, The Bronx, Queens and other locations throughout New York.
