Traumatic brain damage is one of the most common workplace injuries. From warehouses and construction sites to office buildings and medical facilities, brain damage can occur at work sites in Arizona and across the country.
In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that in one year, 2.87 million people suffered from traumatic brain injuries and subsequently visited the emergency room, died or were hospitalized.
How can TBIs occur?
According to the CDC, falls are to blame for nearly half of all emergency room visits related to brain injuries. Falls from scaffolding, forklifts, ladders and other heights can cause the soft tissue of the brain to hit into the hard skull bone. This can cause brain inflammation, bleeding and bruising.
Brain injuries can also occur if someone is hit by a falling object. Although protective head coverings are required in certain industries, falling objects may cause significant damage if they hit someone. Slip-and-fall accidents can cause someone to hit their head and also cause brain injuries.
What are the signs of brain injuries?
The symptoms of brain injuries can take days or even weeks to make themselves known. Yet, immediate medical attention can help to minimize injuries and long-term brain damage. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association report the following signs of TBI:
- Confusion, memory loss and difficulty focusing
- Anxiety, depression, fatigue and trouble sleeping
- Sensory deficiencies, such as decreased visual and hearing abilities
- Consistent headaches, dizziness and nausea and vomiting
- Seizures, convulsions, muscle weakness and tingling in the extremities
- Trouble speaking
The exact signs of the brain injury depends on what part of the brain is injured. Medical professionals can help to identify exactly where the damage occurred and help to rehabilitate the injured brain tissue.