Traumatic brain injuries are one of the most common types of workplace injuries in the United States. Whether you work in a busy office, on a loading dock or at a construction site or warehouse, you run the risk of receiving traumatic brain damage. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, falls were the leading cause of hospitalizations involving traumatic brain injuries, while being struck by a falling object was the second leading cause of emergency room visits involving TBIs.
Brain injuries occur when a sudden jolt causes the head to snap back and forth, or when an object strikes the head. The soft tissue of the brain sits suspended in fluid within the skull cavity. Yet, an impact causes the soft tissue of the brain to bounce into the hard bony skull bone, resulting in brain bleeding, bruising and inflammation.
The signs of brain injury can mimic other ailments and may go unnoticed for several days after the injury occurred. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, symptoms of mild brain injuries include the following:
- Lightheadedness and dizziness
- Ringing in the ears and blurred vision
- Fatigue or a change in sleeping patterns
- Loss of memory and confusion
Moderate to severe brain injuries may cause seizures, loss of consciousness, persistent nausea and vomiting, tingling in the muscles, sensory deficiencies and slurred speech. Some symptoms can make it difficult to return to work and perform the same duties that you did before becoming injured.
It is important to seek immediate medical attention after being involved in an accident to maximize your chance of recovery. This information is intended to educate and should not be taken as legal advice.