A concussion is a common workplace injury that should be taken seriously, even though it is technically considered a "mild" traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Of course, it's easy to say something is "mild" when you're not the one suffering.
Make no mistake about it, a concussion is a traumatic brain injury (TBI), and all brain injuries suffered while on the job are serious.
Construction workers are more likely to experience workplace accidents that result in head injuries and brain damage than other employees, despite improvements in employee safety equipment and standards.
However, designers of a new style of hard hat claim to have the technology to help prevent concussions, skull fractures, and other serious head injuries.
At The Herrera Law Firm, our experienced San Antonio work injury lawyers can help you pursue a third-party claim against a negligent third party (e.g., a subcontractor, defective equipment manufacturer, ) if they caused your workplace accident.
In addition, some Texas employers “opt-out” of workers’ compensation. That means if you’re injured in a workplace accident while working for a non-subscribing employer, you can pursue compensation from your employer the same way you would file a lawsuit against a negligent third party.
The key is to talk to an attorney as soon as possible to review your legal rights and options. To learn more about how our law firm can help you, contact us today for a free consultation.
New hard hats
Unfortunately, the hard hats used by some construction workers are very outdated. Some are over a decade old. These types of hard hats have a plastic outer shell with an inner suspension system made from webbing.
Some may include foam padding on the inside and a chin strap. This design is very good at protecting the brain from a direct hit, but that isn’t the only way a worker can sustain a blow to the head. According to National Public Radio (NPR), new hard hat designs are focused less on what impacts the brain and more on how the impact forces the head to move.
A new hard hat from MIPS, a Swedish company, and another made by WaveCel, are designed to protect the brain from rotating after a glancing blow. The brain is easily injured by rotational forces, but these new hard hat designs were created to absorb that force and protect the brain.
Like an egg yolk surrounded by an eggshell, the brain is surrounded by the skull. Spinning an egg can break the yolk but not the shell, and the same is true for the brain when a worker's head is sent spinning after a glancing blow.
Signs and symptoms of concussions
Slips, trips, and falls can all cause concussions, as can falling objects on a construction site. According to NPR, about one-fourth of all concussions are from adults who got them at work, especially at construction sites.
Many don’t even know they have a concussion and think their symptoms will go away naturally. However, it's always important to get checked out by a doctor after any work accident, even if you feel fine.
If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, you should seek immediate medical treatment:
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Difficulty balancing
- Difficulty concentration
- Blurred vision
- Bothered by light or noise
Concussions and other traumatic brain injuries can lead to short and long-term health problems, which is why it’s crucial to catch them fast. Short-term effects are usually the same as the symptoms, they just carry on longer.
Long-term effects like memory loss and personality changes are usually seen in people who have suffered an untreated concussion or multiple concussions.
We fight for injured Texas workers
The cost of treating work-related concussions and head injuries can be high, but you shouldn't have to pay out of pocket for an injury that happened while you were on the job. And while you may think you don't need a lawyer if you suffered a concussion at work, third-party lawsuits and non-subscriber claims can quickly become complicated legal cases.
At The Herrera Law Firm, we fight for our clients' best interests and understand how to advocate for maximum compensation. We know how to build strong cases and fight hard so that you get the outcome your case deserves.
If you've sustained a concussion or another type of head injury at work in Texas, contact us today for a free consultation.
