Traumatic Brain Injury Statistics: National And Workplace Data

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Quick Answer

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) caused more than 69,000 deaths in the United States in 2021, about 190 every day, according to the CDC. Falls cause nearly half of TBI-related hospitalizations. At work, TBI makes up an estimated 20% to 25% of work-related trauma, and construction leads all industries. From 2003 to 2010, TBIs caused 25% of all construction worker deaths.

What Is A Traumatic Brain Injury?

The CDC defines a TBI as an injury that affects how the brain works. It can be caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head, or by a penetrating head injury. TBIs are grouped into three levels:

• Mild TBI or concussion: the most common type. Symptoms often improve within weeks or months, but repeated concussions add up.
• Moderate TBI: may require hospital care and rehabilitation.
• Severe TBI: can cause lifelong disability or death.

A worker does not have to lose consciousness or crack a helmet to have a TBI. A hard jolt, such as a fall that whips the head, can injure the brain without a visible wound.

National TBI Statistics

• 69,000+ TBI-related deaths in the U.S. in 2021 (CDC).
• About 190 TBI-related deaths every day (CDC).
• Nearly half of TBI-related hospitalizations are caused by falls (CDC).
• Older adults are more likely than any other age group to be hospitalized for or die from a TBI (CDC).
• Service members and veterans are among the groups more likely to be affected by TBI (CDC).

The most common causes of TBI overall are falls, firearm-related injuries, motor vehicle crashes, and assaults. For the workforce, falls and struck-by incidents are the causes employers can do the most about.

Work-Related TBI Statistics

• 20% to 25% of work-related trauma involves TBI (NIOSH).
• 50,000+ nonfatal work-related TBIs treated in U.S. emergency departments each year on average (CPWR).
• More than one-third of nonfatal work-related TBIs are caused by falls. For workers 55 and older, most come from same-level falls (CPWR).
• More than half of fatal work-related TBIs are caused by falls, especially from roofs, ladders, and scaffolds (NIOSH).
• 43% of hospital patients treated for a TBI were not in ordinary work five years later, in one study cited by CPWR (CPWR).

TBI In Construction

Construction has the highest number of both fatal and nonfatal work-related TBIs of any U.S. industry. NIOSH's study of 2003 to 2010 found:

• 2,210 construction workers died from a TBI, a rate of 2.6 per 100,000 full-time workers.
• Those deaths were 25% of all construction fatalities and 24% of all work-related TBI deaths across industries.
• The fatal TBI rate in construction dropped about 6.2% per year over the period, partly because of the recession.
• Small companies, workers 65 and older, men, and foreign-born workers had higher fatal TBI rates.
• Ironworkers and roofers had the highest fatal TBI rates, mostly from falls.

More recent data shows the problem has not gone away. CPWR reports 2,297 fatal intracranial injuries in construction from 2015 to 2022, a similar pattern to the earlier study.

Why Falls And Side Impacts Matter

NIOSH notes that impacts from the side, such as those in some falls, are likely to cause rotational acceleration of the brain, a key mechanism behind concussion. Traditional Type I hard hats are designed to reduce force from blows to the top of the head. Type II helmets are designed to reduce force from blows to the top or sides of the head. When Type II helmets come with chin straps, ANSI/ISEA Z89.1 sets width, retention, and elongation requirements for those straps, which help keep the helmet on during a fall.

That is the reasoning behind the shift to safety helmets across construction and federal agencies, including OSHA's own staff and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. For the full comparison, see Type I vs. Type II safety helmets.

Recognizing A Possible TBI On The Job

Any worker who takes a hit to the head or a hard fall should be checked, even if they say they feel fine. Watch for:

• Headache that gets worse or does not go away
• Confusion, memory problems, or slowed thinking
• Dizziness, balance problems, or blurred vision
• Nausea or vomiting
• Unusual drowsiness, or one pupil larger than the other
• Slurred speech, weakness, numbness, or seizures (call 911)

The CDC says anyone with a possible TBI should be seen by a healthcare provider. Remove the worker from duty, do not let them drive, and retire the helmet they were wearing.

How To Reduce TBI Risk At Work

1. Prevent falls with guardrails, covers, and fall arrest at the required heights.
2. Prevent slips and trips with housekeeping, lighting, and good footwear.
3. Stop dropped objects with tool tethers, toeboards, and barricaded drop zones.
4. Use Type II helmets with chin straps for work at height, on ladders, and near equipment.
5. Train crews to report head hits and make evaluation routine, not optional.

TBI Key Facts

69,000+: TBI-related deaths in the U.S. in 2021 (CDC).

20% to 25%: share of work-related trauma involving TBI (NIOSH).

25%: share of construction deaths caused by TBI, 2003 to 2010 (NIOSH).

2,297: fatal intracranial injuries in construction, 2015 to 2022 (CPWR).

More than half: fatal work-related TBIs caused by falls (NIOSH).

Type II Helmets And Head Protection From BDG Safety

Type II safety helmets. Studson SHK-1 vented Type II helmet | Hardknock Resolve full brim Type II helmet | Hardknock Resolve Type II helmet, USACE | PIP Type II full brim helmet with MIPS | Pyramex SL T2 Type II helmet

Chin straps. Hardknock chinstrap for Resolve helmets | Studson replacement chin straps | PIP 4-point chin strap

Dropped object prevention. Radians RRT-1648 1 lb tool tether | PIP hard hat lanyard

Related Head Protection Resources

Workplace head injury statistics. Causes, high-risk groups, and costs.

Preventing traumatic brain injuries. Practical prevention for crews.

What is a Type II safety helmet? How side impact protection works.

Chin straps: when are they required? Keeping the helmet on.

Frequently Asked Questions About TBI Statistics

Q: How many people die from traumatic brain injury each year?

A: The CDC reports more than 69,000 TBI-related deaths in the U.S. in 2021, about 190 per day.

Q: What is the most common cause of TBI?

A: Falls cause nearly half of TBI-related hospitalizations. At work, falls cause more than half of fatal TBIs.

Q: How many work-related TBIs happen each year?

A: More than 50,000 nonfatal work-related TBIs are treated in U.S. emergency departments each year on average, according to CPWR.

Q: Is a concussion a TBI?

A: Yes. A concussion is a mild TBI. It still needs medical evaluation, and repeated concussions can have lasting effects.

Protect Your Crew From Brain Injuries

BDG Safety helps contractors, safety managers, and contracting officers move crews to Type II safety helmets with chin straps. Call (619) 992-7621 or email info@bulldoggroup.net. BDG Safety is a Navy-veteran-founded, certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) that supplies Type II safety helmets and PPE to contractors, agencies, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Real people who know the gear, no phone menus. Open a B2B account or see how to buy.

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