Serious Head Injury

Types of Serious Head Injury

A serious head injury is defined as one which requires immediate medical care as there is a high risk of brain damage.

Examples of serious head injuries are:

• Fractured Skull
• Concussion
• Unconsciousness

Unfortunately, the most serious of head injuries may lead to brain damage or in some cases it could be fatal.

Those more at increased risk could be individuals who:

• Operate heavy machinery or vehicles
• Work at height
• Work with heavy materials

Accidents can occur in any workplace but there is an increased risk for those who work on construction sites, factories and industrial plants.

Employees Responsibilities

All employees have a responsibility to take reasonable care of themselves in the workplace and others who may be affected by their actions. This means adhering to any training given, wearing any personal protective equipment provided, taking note of any warning signs around the workplace, and reporting anything they find to be dangerous to the appropriate staff member.

Employers should

1. Provide suitable Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Employees undertaking tasks which put them at a greater exposure to danger should wear mandatory PPE to protect them
• Examples of PPE for the protection of serious head injuries are hard hats, harnesses when working from heights and high visibility jackets at all times in hazardous areas

2. Provide a safe working environment

• This involves ensuring the workplace is a safe place in which dangers are clearly marked with clear warning signs
• Risk assessments should be regularly carried to identify potential risks and then these findings should be acted upon as quickly as possible
• Where risks can be eliminated or reduced, they should be. An example would be creating exclusion zones where there could be a risk of falling objects so that nobody would be in the area that an object may fall on to
• The safe storage of heavy materials
• Areas should be well lit so that hazards are visible
• Workflow processes should keep employees safe e.g. a workplace traffic route ensuring pedestrians and vehicles are kept safely apart
• Weather conditions are considered when deciding whether to work outside or from a height

3. Provide adequate training

• Staff should be fully trained in emergency and evacuation procedures
• Only those full trained and qualified should drive workplace vehicles or operate dangerous machinery
• Full training should be given on safety procedures for any staff who may be exposed to hazards

How Can Injury Lawyers UK Help?

We are a team of qualified lawyers with over 20 years of experience dealing with claims against employers. Putting people and their families at the heart of what we do, we always aim to get you the full amount of compensation you are entitled to, all on a no win, no fee basis. We believe in getting justice for those who have suffered through no fault of their own.

At what already has been a stressful time for you, we take the hassle away and make sure you understand the process all the way through. We only ever use clear and plain English so you never feel overwhelmed by confusing legal jargon.