Workers may be at high risk of severe injuries in the construction industry, particularly when project managers do not comply with safety regulations.
According to the CDC, construction workers have one of the highest risks of TBI compared to workers in other industries.
Symptoms of TBI
After a severe head injury, various symptoms may indicate a traumatic brain injury. Some of the symptoms may occur directly following the incident or may not show up for days. One of the significant symptoms of a TBI is loss of consciousness. Loss of consciousness may last from a few minutes to several hours. Some patients may have difficulty waking up after the injury.
Other severe symptoms include clear fluids draining from the ears or nose, repeated vomiting, seizures, pupil dilation and severe, persistent headaches.
Complications of TBI
Severe complications of a TBI can include the following:
- Coma
- Brain death
- Vegetative state
For some victims of TBI, seizures may occur early on, whereas others may have ongoing seizures for the rest of their life. Most patients develop stages in the early days or years following, whereas others develop post-traumatic epilepsy.
Those who suffer from a fracture or penetrating wound may create the perfect environment for bacteria to enter and spread. When an infection spreads to the tissues surrounding the brain, it can continue through the rest of the nervous system and have severe, if not fatal results.
A worker who suffers from a TBI may have difficulty processing information, staying focused or retaining information. Many TBI patients suffer from cognitive problems and executive functioning problems.
When it comes to TBI complications, some workers do not know the full effect of the injury for years. Symptoms can last for weeks or years and new symptoms can develop over time.