The construction industry is infamous for the high risk of injury that workers face on the job. Many injuries are relatively minor, such as small cuts, bruises and sprains
However, workers also suffer very serious injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries. These can be fatal. To help show the scope of the issue, here are a few key facts from the American Journal of Industrial Medicine:
- Men face greater fatality risks than women. They are seven times as likely to pass away as the result of a traumatic brain injury (TBI).
- Small construction companies saw 2.5 times the fatality rate as large corporations.
- Workers who were 65 years old and older were about four times as likely to pass away after a TBI, when compared to younger employees.
- Native-born workers seem to be in less danger, as their fatality rate was “significantly” lower than that observed for foreign-born workers.
- More than 50 percent of the fatal brain injuries, as you may expect, came from falls. These falls occurred while workers were on ladders, roofs and scaffolds.
- The highest rate of deadly brain injuries was found among steel workers, structural iron workers and roofers. In fact, fall-related TBIs were the leading cause of accidental on-the-job death for these groups.
Even those who survive a TBI may find that their lives are changed forever. Some brain injuries will not ever completely heal.
Medical bills, funeral costs and lost wages can really take a financial toll on a family. It is important for people to know all of their legal rights after a serious accident.
Source: Industrial Safety and Hygiene News, “Traumatic brain injuries in construction,” Srinivas Konda, accessed April 05, 2018
