Brain Injury Awareness Month Highlights the Dangers Workers Face
The Brain Injury Association of America hopes more people become aware of the seriousness and the severity of brain injuries. That’s why this month the association is promoting its #MoreThanMyBrainInjury campaign.
“Many people with disabilities have their lives defined for them,” the association’s website says. “The #MoreThanMyBrainInjury campaign gives individuals a chance to overcome those definitions, allowing them to tell their own stories and change the narrative of their lives.”
In addition, many people might not be aware of just how common brain injuries are when it comes to work-related injuries.
How common are brain injuries at work?
Nearly 1 in 4 (approximately 24 percent) of brain injuries are work-related injuries, according to a 2016 scientific study cited by the National Library of Medicine.
Each year, an estimated 2.8 million people nationwide sustain a brain injury, according to the Brain Injury Association of America. Based on such statistics and the 2016 study, that means that an estimated 672,000 people sustain a work-related brain injury every year.
What are common brain injuries?
According to the Brain Injury Association of America, there are two main types of brain injuries that occur in adults – traumatic brain injury (TBI) and non-traumatic brain injury.
A TBI is any type of injury to the brain caused by external trauma or force. Perhaps the most common TBI is a concussion, in which the brain is injured due to a blow or bump to the head. Moving the head rapidly back and forth can also cause a concussion, which is technically a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI).
TBIs are classified as either a closed head injury or an open head injury. A closed TBI means the brain sustained a non-penetrating injury. An open TBI means the brain was injured due to an object penetrating the skull.
A non-traumatic brain injury (also referred to as an acquired brain injury) refers to a brain injury caused by internal factors, including exposure from toxins or lack of oxygen.
Why do workplace TBIs happen?
Work-related brain injuries often occur due to:
- Slip and fall accidents
- Falling from a height, including falls from scaffolding or a ladder
- Work-related motor vehicle accidents
- Falling objects striking the head
In addition, it’s important to note that many work-related TBIs occur due to unsafe working conditions, lack of safety training, and other forms of workplace negligence. When this happens, it’s critical that you have an experienced brain injury attorney on your side, fighting for your rights.
We can handle your brain injury case
Don’t underestimate the complexity or the seriousness of your brain injury claim. Even if you’re eligible to receive workers’ compensation benefits for your TBI, don’t simply assume you will get the money you need and deserve to cover your losses and future expenses. Make sure you have an experienced legal team on your side so you get the compensation you’re entitled to.
At the Law Offices of Pasternack Tilker Ziegler Walsh Stanton & Romano, LLP, our brain injury attorneys have decades of experience and can help you maximize the value of your claim. Discover what we can do for you.
Contact us today for a free case consultation. We have five offices in New York City and 12 offices located throughout the state.