Slip-and-falls at work can cause career-ending injuries

Many businesses, including retail and manufacturing companies, require that employees wear non-slip shoes. Non-slip work shoes may not be particularly attractive, but they help minimize the risk of a slip-and-fall on the job. Workers may not realize how dangerous it can be to lose their balance.

Those working at an elevation understand that falls are a hazard, but people don’t have to fall a significant distance to sustain major injuries. Same-level falls, including slip-and-falls, can cause major medical issues. In some cases, people suffer soft tissue injuries if they overexert themselves when they fall. Other times, they could break bones attempting to catch themselves.

Soft tissue injuries and fractures can force people to take weeks away from their jobs. However, another, more serious injury could permanently alter their ability to continue working. How could a slip-and-fall affect a worker’s career prospects?

Falls can lead to brain injuries

Most people subconsciously react to try to brace themselves or catch themselves as they fall. However, not everyone is strong enough to slow their descent. Other times, they fall so abruptly that they do not have time to react.

People may hit their heads on the floor. They could also hit their heads on objects nearby, ranging from desks and shelving to walls. Blunt-force trauma to the head during a same-level fall can cause bleeding or inflammation of the brain. Those injuries can cause permanent damage to the structure of the brain.

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can cause significant impairment for the injured person. People may notice issues with their fine motor function or their sense of balance. Their sensory perception may change. They may develop issues with their memory. Shifts in mood and personality are also common symptoms.

The more severe the symptoms are and the more challenging the individual’s profession is, the greater the likelihood that their injuries could leave them unable to continue their career. Some people may be able to move into lower-paid, less-demanding jobs. Others may not be able to work at all. Thankfully, workers who sustain major injuries on the job are typically eligible for workers’ compensation benefits.

Filing a claim can help injured employees pay for their medical treatment and replace their lost wages. Workers adapting to life with the TBI may need help navigating the application process and optimizing the benefits that they receive.