The impact of a brain injury can be life-changing. Even a small bump on the head could lead to a minor traumatic brain injury, which in turn could temporarily impair brain function (concussion). Although the symptoms of concussion may subside within two weeks, some individuals can have lasting problems for months or years after.

Survivors of a more severe brain injury are likely to have more acute long-term physical and emotional effects, which can severely affect their relationships and personality and may impede their independence. Therefore, it is essential to understand the nature and effect of a head injury to determine how it will impact someone’s future and what measures (such as care and rehabilitation) are required to ensure they are able to continue to live their life.

Construction, by its very nature, can be a dangerous place to work, and even a seemingly insignificant bump to the head may result in a significant injury later on. Although there are regulations and other control mechanisms already in place to ensure the safety of individuals on construction sites, there is always a continued risk of a head injury being sustained, particularly if the correct protection is not provided or used.

What can be done to reduce the likelihood of a brain injury whilst working in the construction industry?

1. Comply

All construction workers, with the exception of turban-wearing Sikhs, must be provided with and should wear suitable head protection.

Head protection provided to construction workers must:

• Be in good condition
• Fit and be worn properly
• Not stop you also wearing hearing protectors when needed
• Only be obtained from a reputable supplier
• Be stored correctly
• Be CE marked (which confirms that it meets the basic safety requirements)

2. Know what to do

If you think you have a concussion there are three steps that must be taken:

• Stop to recognise how you feel
• Report it to your line manager
• Recover before you go back to your usual activities

Sadly, failings in medical treatment can sometimes lead to patients suffering a serious brain injury.

In some circumstances, patients can suffer brain injuries when undergoing complex neurological procedures. Brain injuries can also arise as a result of pre and post-operative shortcomings in treatment, such as a failure to monitor the patient’s temperature in the recovery toom or a failure to administer appropriate blood thinning medication prior to a routine cardiac procedure.

It is important to obtain legal advice to determine whether the injury is likely to have been caused by substandard treatment.