As a new construction worker, you may think that all of the personal safety gear you wear will protect you from every accident. Unfortunately, this is not the case. If you do not wear your gear properly, it can fail. If your gear is defective, it can fail. And sometimes, the accident is so severe that your gear cannot completely protect you.
You wear your hardhat every day, as per company policy, to guard against falling objects. Although you feel like you are safe when you wear it, hardhats cannot always prevent accidents that result in traumatic brain injuries.
This type of injury is caused by a blow or bump to the head, or from an object that penetrates your brain. A traumatic brain injury is one that disrupts the way your brain normally functions. Even minor concussions are considered to be traumatic brain injuries. Sometimes these injuries can completely heal over time and sometimes they can affect a person for the rest of his or her life.
Injuries caused by falling objects are some of the most common that you can experience while on a job site. This is one of the reasons regulations require that you wear a hardhat at all times. Fortunately, if you are injured on the job, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation. A New York attorney can help you file a claim to receive compensation for medical expenses and lost wages due to your injury.
While your hardhat usually provides the best form of protection from falling objects, an inferior or damaged one will not do you much good. Even proper head protection can fail sometimes. For example, an I-beam falling from 10 stories above will more than likely cause serious damage regardless of the condition of your hardhat. However, wearing high-grade, non-defective headgear can mean the difference between life and death in some accidents.
In addition to falling objects, your hardhat can also provide you with protection in case of falls, bumps on the head from fixed objects, and contact with live electrical wires. Since your hardhat cannot always provide 100 percent protection from injuries, you should approach each workday on the job site with caution. Always wear personal protective gear and pay close attention to what is going on around you. Losing focus while on a construction site can end with very serious consequences.
If you have been injured while on the job it is important that you understand your rights and options. You may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, including money for medical expenses and lost wages.
