Head Injuries Caused by Slip and Falls
Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere, at any time. They can happen at work, grocery stores, malls, restaurants, and even private residences. Many slip and fall accidents result in severe injuries, like damage to the head. Head injuries can have long-term effects on a person’s quality of life and should be taken seriously and looked at immediately by a medical professional as soon as possible.
March is Brain Injury Awareness Month, so we're taking a close look at head and brain injuries caused by slip and fall accidents. The key takeaway: if you hit your head, you need to see a doctor right away, even if you feel fine.
Common types of head injuries that occur in slip and fall accidents
Falls are one of the leading causes of head and brain injuries, especially among children and older adults. Common types of head injuries caused by slip and fall accidents include:
Concussions and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
A TBI occurs when the brain moves around the skull, causing the brain to bruise, swell and bleed. TBIs can be minor or severe, and in the most severe cases, they can result in fatalities. However, many brain injuries are less obvious. You may not know you have a TBI immediately following your slip and fall because the symptoms are sometimes delayed. That’s why it is important to seek medical care right away.
Concussions are a minor type of TBI, but there is no such thing as a minor brain injury. Although they are not usually life-threatening, they can have long-term effects on a person's cognitive and physical abilities.
Hematoma
Another head injury that can occur as a result of a slip-and-fall accident is a hematoma. A hematoma is a collection of blood that results from internal bleeding. The impact from a slip and fall can cause a blood vessel to rupture and leak, resulting in a hematoma. As the bleeding continues, the pressure build-up can lead to permanent brain damage.
Skull fractures
Although the skull is quite strong, significant trauma to the head can force it to break. The skull can partially crack or completely break, exposing the brain to harm. With a skull fracture, tiny pieces of the skull can lodge themselves into the brain tissue. This can result in neurological problems, disabilities, and sometimes death.
Symptoms to look out for after your slip and fall accident
It is important to be aware of the symptoms and signs of a head injury. Some symptoms appear right away, while others may take hours or days to emerge. Signs that you may be suffering from a head injury include:
- Headaches that worsen over time
- Nausea and vomiting
- Seizures
- Loss of consciousness
- Fluid leaking from the nose
- Slurred speech
- Different-sized pupils
- Ringing in ears
- Memory loss
- Loss of balance
- Changes in mood, behavior, and personality
To protect your health, seek medical treatment immediately after your slip and fall accident. These symptoms may be a sign of a serious head injury, but having no immediate symptoms doesn't mean you are unharmed.
Legal help is available after your slip and fall accident
As a victim of a slip and fall accident, you have the right to pursue compensation. Head injuries are serious and require significant medical care, which can be costly. Your head injury may also force you to miss work and lose income. With the help of a slip and fall accident lawyer, you can pursue the compensation you need and deserve to move on past your injury.
At Lasso Injury Law LLC, we understand the effects a head injury can have. That's why we go above and beyond to care for our clients. To learn more about how we can help you after your slip and fall accident, contact us today for a free consultation.
