By Anthony I. Shin, Esq. | Personal Injury Attorney | Shin Law Office
Tysons Corner is one of the fastest-growing urban centers in Virginia.
New high-rise office towers, luxury residential buildings, hotel expansions, and commercial complexes rise above the skyline every year.
These projects require elevated platforms, multi-level scaffolding, and industrial lift systems that elevate workers above ground.
When something goes wrong during these operations, the resulting fall can cause a traumatic brain injury that changes a person’s life forever.
I represent workers and contractors who suffered severe brain trauma while working on Tysons Corner high-rise projects, and I understand how these incidents happen and the long-term impact they create.
Why High Rise Construction in Tysons Corner Creates Extreme Fall Risks
High-rise construction is one of the most dangerous environments in Fairfax County. Workers often stand on scaffolding that spans multiple floors. Lift systems carry personnel and materials dozens of feet in the air. Platforms shift as structural elements are installed. Even a slight misstep, equipment glitch, or structural defect can lead to a sudden fall that can cause violent force to the brain.
I have handled cases where a worker stepped onto an insecure platform, a lift rose too quickly, throwing someone off balance, or scaffolding collapsed because it was assembled without proper anchoring. These accidents are preventable when contractors follow safety rules, maintain equipment, and enforce communication protocols.
How Traumatic Brain Injuries Occur in Tysons Corner Construction Falls
Falls in high-rise environments cause traumatic brain injuries in several ways. A worker may strike their head on a beam, slab, or floor below. The fall may cause the brain to move violently within the skull, leading to internal bleeding or swelling. Some clients lose consciousness at the time of the fall, while others feel confused or disoriented and only realize the severity of the injury later.
Common brain injuries include concussion, diffuse axonal injury, cerebral contusion, skull fractures, and intracranial bleeding. Even so-called mild injuries can create significant cognitive problems when the force of the fall is high.
Where These Injuries Commonly Occur in Tysons Corner
Falls often happen along the major construction corridors surrounding Tysons Boulevard, Route 7, Galleria Drive, Jones Branch Drive, and International Drive. These areas host massive mixed use developments, high rise office towers, and commercial construction projects with constant vertical movement of workers and materials.
I frequently see traumatic brain injuries in the following areas:
• Multi level scaffolding installed around the exterior of high rises
• Elevated platforms inside interior buildouts
• Material lifts and personnel lifts
• Rooftop construction areas
• Stairwell voids and mechanical shafts
• Temporary walkways and elevated framing zones
Each of these environments requires intense planning and safety oversight. When that oversight fails, catastrophic injuries follow.
Understanding the Impact of a Traumatic Brain Injury
A traumatic brain injury affects far more than a person’s memory or concentration. Many clients experience headaches, blurred vision, difficulty speaking, memory loss, dizziness, mood changes, sleep disruption, noise sensitivity, and problems with focus. Some cannot drive, work, or tolerate bright lights. Others struggle with balance and coordination.
Construction workers rely on quick reactions, strong coordination, and physical mobility. After a traumatic brain injury, many cannot return to the work they performed for years. I work with neurologists, neuropsychologists, and cognitive specialists to evaluate the injury and document its effects on every part of your life.
How I Investigate Brain Injury Falls in High Rise Projects
High rise incidents require immediate investigation before evidence disappears. I identify the general contractor, subcontractors, safety managers, and equipment suppliers involved in the job. I review safety logs, lift operation records, scaffolding inspection reports, structural plans, communication logs, and all contractor-written safety procedures.
Many Tysons Corner construction sites use surveillance cameras and lift monitoring systems. I request footage and equipment data immediately. I also interview witnesses, photograph the site conditions, and work with engineering and safety experts who can explain why the fall occurred and who failed to follow required safety measures.
Who May Be Responsible for the Injury
Responsibility in a high-rise fall can involve many parties. Potentially liable groups include:
• The general contractor is responsible for site safety
• A subcontractor who assembled scaffolding or platforms
• A lift company that failed to maintain or inspect equipment
• A property owner who required unsafe scheduling or work conditions
• A staffing company that placed untrained workers in hazardous tasks
• An equipment manufacturer if lifts or components were defective
My role is to determine exactly which parties contributed to the unsafe conditions that caused the traumatic brain injury.
Compensation for Traumatic Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries often involve long-term care and major financial consequences. I pursue compensation for hospital treatment, neurologic care, imaging studies, therapy, lost wages, reduced earning ability, pain and suffering, cognitive limitations, and emotional harm. In severe cases, I also seek compensation for long-term care needs, assistance services, and future medical costs.
What You Should Do After a Fall on a Tysons Corner Construction Site
Seek immediate medical care. Report the incident to your supervisor. Request a written incident report. If you are able, take photos of the equipment, scaffolding, or platform involved. Identify the names of coworkers who witnessed the fall. Do not speak with insurance companies or company investigators until you speak with me.
My Commitment to Injured Workers in Tysons Corner
High-rise construction is essential to Tysons Corner’s growth, but workers deserve safe conditions, reliable equipment, and proper oversight.
When a fall causes traumatic brain injury, I move quickly to preserve evidence, investigate the incident, and build a strong case for full compensation.
If you suffered brain trauma while working on a Tysons Corner high-rise project, I will stand with you and fight for your recovery and your future.
Call 571-445-6565 or book a consultation online today.
— Anthony I. Shin, Esq.
Principal Attorney | Shin Law Office
