Brain injuries often go undetected until survivors begin noticing symptoms such as memory loss, difficulty communicating and confusion. According to the Center for Disease Control, the number of people in the U.S. who experience traumatic brain injuries each year may be as high as 1.7 million. These injuries can happen in various ways, but many of them occur on job sites as a result of work-related risks workers face.
Liabilities exist nearly everywhere, but some jobs put workers at a greater risk than others. If you suffered a brain injury at work, you should learn about the legal recourse that is available. This is especially true if your injury occurred while you worked in any of the following positions.
1. Working on a construction site
Construction sites are some of the most dangerous workplaces. A missing toe guard or haphazard scaffolding can quickly create the perfect storm for disaster. Falls are a particularly common accident which can precede a brain injury. Falling objects, too, put workers at risk of severe injury while they are present on a construction site. Safety precautions are essential to prevent accidents such as these.
2. Driving for a trucking company
Any position involving driving puts you at an increased risk. Truck driving is particularly dangerous because 18-wheelers’ size often demands a higher level of skill to operate. Other conditions of the job — long hours and minimal breaks — mean trucking can put drivers at an increased risk of accidents and therefore vulnerable to traumatic brain injuries.
3. Athletic professionals
Athletic professionals — such as football or hockey players — are yet another group of professionals who experience an increased risk of traumatic brain injuries. There are many parts of the job that can contribute to this vulnerability, but players often experience impact on the field that can result in head and brain trauma that has lasting consequences. Protective gear may be insufficient protection against such injuries.