Every member of the New Jersey workforce could be a potential victim of traumatic brain injury. Whether a person works on an oil rig, in an office or on a construction site, a fall could cause head trauma, which may result in TBI. Workplace accidents that frequently lead to workers' compensation claims for brain injuries include machinery and equipment accidents, truck or other vehicle accidents, toxic substance exposure, slip-and-fall accidents, and being struck by falling objects.
Authorities say one in five work-related TBIs result from falls on the same level, meaning falls from slips on wet or slippery floor surfaces or trips over randomly placed objects. Reportedly, falls are now the primary cause of brain injuries, replacing motor vehicle accidents as number one on the list. It is suspected that the increase in the number of people who remain in the workforce past retirement age may play a role in these statistics.
Although deaths caused by occupational TBIs are declining, fatalities happen most frequently in specific industries. Workers at the highest risk of losing their lives in the line of work include those working in construction, agriculture and transportation. Fishing, forestry and emergency medical services are also part of the highest risk industries.
Victims of occupational brain injuries in New Jersey can claim workers' compensation benefits to cover medical expenses and lost wages. Similarly, families who have lost loved ones to work-related TBIs may seek financial assistance from the workers' compensation insurance program. Death benefits typically cover the costs of a funeral and burial along with wage-replacement for a predetermined period after the employee's death.
Source: braininjuryinstitute.org, "Workplace Accident", Accessed on Nov. 10, 2017
No Comments
Leave a comment