When proper precautions are not taken, a construction site has the potential to be a dangerous place. Head injuries remain a serious problem in the construction industry. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that approximately 315 construction workers are killed as the result of job-related head injuries each year. Many tens of thousands more suffer severe harm.
A head injury should always be taken seriously. As concussions can sometimes manifest with a delayed onset, it is crucial that employers and employees in the construction industry know how to identify a head injury. In this blog post, our Rochester construction accident lawyers explain how you can spot a brain injury at a construction site.
Identifying A Head Injury: Know The Symptoms Of A TBI
Construction sites are often messy, fast-moving, and even chaotic places. Contractors, subcontractors, and property owners must take due care to reduce the risk of worker injuries. If a construction worker does sustain a blow to the head, it is crucial that they receive immediate assistance. You should know the signs that suggest a concussion/traumatic brain injury (TBI). A worker may have suffered a traumatic brain injury if they are exhibiting any of the following signs:
- Confusion;
- Disorientation;
- Short-term memory loss;
- Headaches;
- Dizziness;
- Nausea;
- Dilation of the pupils;
- Sensitivity to light;
- Blurred vision;
- Reduced coordination;
- A sudden change in mood;
- Difficulty with speech; or
- Loss of consciousness.
Every head injury is different. The signs/symptoms of a TBI depend on the force of the impact and the precise area of the brain that was affected. In many cases, people experience only some of the aforementioned symptoms. That being said, if any of them occur after a blow to the head, it is possible that the construction worker suffered a concussion.
All Head Injuries Require Immediate Medical Attention
With head injuries, it is imperative that you seek immediate medical attention. The sooner you get the proper care, the better position you will be in to make a complete physical and mental recovery. As brain injuries can take between 24 hours and 72 hours to fully manifest, you may be far more seriously injured than you initially recognize. Protect your health, well-being, and legal rights by seeing a doctor as soon as possible after a construction site accident.
Know Your Legal Options After A Construction Accident
In New York, construction workers who were hurt on the job have the right to medical care. A person who suffered a head injury while working in the construction industry has a right to seek medical coverage and partial wage loss benefits through a workers’ compensation claim. Any person who was hurt on the job in New York should file for workers’ comp benefits. These are no-fault claims—you can get compensation even if your employer did not cause your accident.
Beyond that, an injured construction worker might have the right to obtain additional financial compensation through a claim under New York labor law section 240(10 and 241(6). In effect, these sections of New York law allows a construction worker to recover the full extent of damages from the owners of the site, their contractors and or their agents for unsafe practices on the job site. This legal right is in addition to what may be provided through Worker’s Compensation laws. To learn more about your legal rights, call an experienced Rochester construction accident lawyer for immediate help.
Call Our Rochester, NY Construction Accident Attorneys For Immediate Help
At Powers & Santola, LLP, our New York construction accident lawyers are committed to fighting for justice for injured victims and their families. If you or your loved one suffered a traumatic brain injury in a construction accident, we can help. Contact us today to arrange your no cost, no obligation initial case evaluation. With offices in Rochester, Albany, and Syracuse, we handle construction accident claims throughout all of Upstate New York, including in Onondaga County, Monroe County, Herkimer County, Seneca County, Oswego County, and Washington County.
