The front man for a popular New York Irish rock band died recently after receiving a blow to the head while working his day job in construction. The singer, songwriter and guitar player for the band Mickey Finns was apparently hit in the head while at work January 9. Instead of seeking immediate medical attention, the singer went home where he died later that night. The exact circumstances surrounding the construction accident were not immediately clear.
Sadly, the death illustrates why it is so important to seek immediate attention after you have been injured in a construction accident. Construction workers are typically a hardy bunch who are accustomed to getting scraped and bruised on the job; however, no matter how inconsequential an accident may seem at the moment, you should seek an evaluation by a physician.
Construction workers often work around heavy machinery or heavy materials. As a result, injuries from falling objects are commonplace on a construction site. In addition, the very nature of the construction industry makes falls another common cause of injuries. In both cases, workers can suffer serious, life-threatening, internal injuries that are not immediately apparent. Internal bleeding, for example, cannot be detected without a thorough physical examination by a doctor.
Likewise, brain injuries from a blow to the head often show no immediate symptoms. A traumatic brain injury can be relatively mild or can be life-threatening. Unfortunately, the symptoms of a TBI frequently do not show up until hours, even days, after the initial injury. In the meantime, your brain can swell, causing further damage to your cognitive and motor functions.
If you have been injured in a workplace accident, it is imperative that you seek immediate medical attention to rule out any life-threatening internal injuries. In addition, as the victim of a construction site accident, you could be entitled to third-party compensation in lieu of, or in addition to, workers’ compensation. Contact the New York/New Jersey accident attorneys at Ginarte Gonzalez Winograd L.L.P., to find out what legal options you may have.