Can You Get a Traumatic Brain Injury from a Slip and Fall Accident?
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can result from any quick, sudden blow to the skull. It’s important to seek medical care immediately after an accident that involves head trauma. Then you should make an appointment with our New York City personal injury lawyers to discuss your legal options.
Call our experienced slip and fall attorneys for a free consultation!
The disturbing relationship between TBI and slip and fall accidents
The incredible complexity of the brain comes with a price. It is extremely fragile, so much so that the body devotes a considerable portion of its resources to keep it functioning properly.
The job of your skull is to act as a housing for the brain. But, like any part of the body, your skull can only offer so much protection. Any sudden impact to its surface can transfer the force of the blow to the brain itself. When this happens, a TBI is a likely result.
A slip and fall can lead to a TBI. A person in the act of falling has little or no control over the trajectory the body takes. The part of the body that breaks the fall is especially vulnerable since it absorbs most of the impact.
When a slip and fall accident results in a blow to the skull, the brain is in danger.
Levels of TBI
A TBI is rated on one of three levels, depending upon the severity of the blow and its point of impact. These levels include:
- Mild: The victim may lose consciousness for a brief time. They are confused and may suffer from short-term memory loss. Headache and neck pain are a common result.
- Moderate: The victim is likely to lose consciousness for several minutes or longer. They are groggy, but if awake, they can usually respond to stimuli. The brain may begin to swell, causing a verity of cognitive problems.
- Severe: The victim experiences a prolonged loss of consciousness and is unable to respond to stimuli. Permanent brain damage is likely unless immediate medical care is administered.
Types of TBI
TBI is an umbrella term that covers a wide range of brain-related injuries. The injury itself can take many forms, including:
- Contusion: This is a bruise to a specific area of the brain. It can impair thinking, emotional control, motor skills, or the ability to communicate.
- Concussion: In its mild to moderate forms, a concussion can cause confusion, loss of consciousness, and short-term cognitive impairment.
- Hematoma: This is an extremely dangerous form of TBI in which blood clots form in the brain. Treating a hematoma may require emergency surgery.
Not all cases of TBI take a single form. Often, the victim suffers trauma to multiple parts of the brain at the same time. This can result in prolonged discomfort, confusion, seizures, mood disorders, memory loss, and impairment of learning, intelligence, or motor skills.
Tips for avoiding a slip and fall accident
The best way to treat a TBI is to prevent it from happening in the first place. This includes taking care to avoid slip and fall accidents. Here are some tips with that in mind:
- Watch where you step: Most slip and fall hazards are easy to spot if you’re looking out for them ahead of time.
- Wear the right kind of footwear: Heels and leather-soled shoes are great for fashion. But they can lead to injury when worn in wet or icy weather.
- Use care when ascending and descending stairways: Take your time, use the railing, and watch out for obstructions.
- Use head protection during physical activities: This is especially important when riding a bike or motorcycle. Make sure the helmet you choose is rated for the activity you have in mind.
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Contact us at Douglas and London today
If you find yourself in this situation, then remember that Douglas and London are here for you. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation with our New York slip and fall lawyers.
