Spokane has new construction going up all year long and it’s the construction workers who power that expansion across the city. Workers show up every day and put stress and strain on their bodies to get the project done.
Their work environment can be one of the most dangerous of any job in the U.S. and that can easily lead to workplace accidents. They range from aches and pains all the way up to life-threatening hazards like head injuries. Other injuries can eventually heal, but head injuries, often involving the brain, leave behind life-long effects and can cause permanent disruption.
The Deadly Statistics on Construction Brain Injury
The head injuries of most concern to construction workers are traumatic brain injuries (TBI). In fact, construction jobs lead to more TBI injuries than any other type of work.
The National Safety Council cites a 7-year study that found 2,200 workers died of a traumatic brain injury during that period. The study revealed that one-quarter of all construction fatalities were due to Traumatic Brain Injury.
The Fatal Four Construction Accidents and Head Injuries
OSHA lists the most common and most dangerous threats on a construction site as the “fatal four.” These four hazards are the focus of many safety campaigns each year, yet construction companies still allow preventable accidents to happen.
They can leave workers with debilitating injuries to the head, spine, and brain. The “fatal four” hazards that can all target the head and brain are detailed here:
- Falls from roofs, ladders, and scaffolds, led to over 50% of fatal work-related TBIs.
- Struck by an object.
- Caught-in/between. These accidents include workers killed when caught-in or compressed by equipment or crushed in a collapsing structure.
The Common Long Term Symptoms of TBI
Immediately after a head injury workers may lose consciousness. Alternatively, they may stay conscious but feel dazed and disorientated. Headaches, nausea, or vomiting may occur. Drowsiness, difficulty sleeping, problems with speech are all symptoms.
In the coming days and weeks, some of these problems remain but new issues may arise longterm:
- Difficulty thinking clearly. Persistent headaches.
- Sensitivity to noise and light.
- Trouble with sleep.
- Experiencing ongoing anxiety or becoming emotional.
Construction Site Injury Compensation
A construction site owner and project manager are bound by state law to provide a reasonably safe job site. They are required to fix potential hazards in a timely manner. They are also required to communicate and educate workers on potential hazards in a language the worker understands. If they are found at fault, state law allows for compensation for the injured person. A worker can be awarded financial compensation for many of the losses and hardships suffered during recovery:
- Medical Bills
- Rehab treatment/equipment
- Travel
- Lost time from work (Including the expected future lost time)
- Permanent disability/disfigurement
- Pain and mental anguish
- Loss of consortium (Being without the support of a spouse, partner, family member, etc.)
Who Can Be Held Responsible in a Construction Accident?
A head or brain injury on a construction site can make for a complex case when determining who is liable for your accident and responsible for your hospital bills and recovery. There can be many parties at-fault in a claim for damages. Anyone involved in the construction project including sub-contractors, property owners, developers, and even the manufacturer of malfunctioning equipment can share in the blame.
It’s important to remember that Workers’ Compensation only goes so far. It can sometimes cover medical bills and lost wages but doesn’t consider mental anguish, one of the common symptoms with brain injury. An experienced attorney can help navigate these questions with you.
Contact a Spokane Construction Accident Lawyer
After a construction accident, you’ll need to build a strong case against the owners and managers of a project to prove they were liable for your injury. A local construction accident lawyer can help you recover compensation to pay for your medical treatments now and years down the road if necessary.
Established in Spokane in 1948, Crary & Domanico, P.S. is committed to providing our clients with the absolute highest quality legal representation. If our Personal Injury Lawyers represent you for your accident case, you have our assurance that we will use our absolute best efforts to win your case. Contact us after any accident resulting in a serious injury for a free, confidential consultation and case evaluation. We will only offer you advice which is in your best interest.
