Common Types of Head & Brain Injuries That Occur in Slip and Falls

Brain Injury Awareness Month

Head and brain injuries can have serious consequences.

Brain Injury Awareness Month occurs every March. This designation provides an opportunity to shed light on the frequently underestimated consequences of slip and fall accidents where there is a head trauma.

At the Law Offices of Stuart L. Plotnick, LLC, we recognize that traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) often occur as a result of slips and trips, resulting in falls. From concussions to more severe forms of head trauma such as hematoma and skull fractures, individuals in the DMV area deserve not only justice, but also compensation for the significant toll on their health and quality of life that may come from the result of a brain injury sustained in one of these events.

It's crucial for brain injury victims to understand their legal rights and options. Our dedicated legal team is here to advocate for those who have suffered brain injuries due to slip and fall accidents, guiding them through the legal process and fighting for the compensation they deserve.

Common head injuries

There is no such thing as "minor" brain damage; every brain injury is serious and requires careful treatment. The potential for long-term consequences related to TBIs is significant. Brain injuries can develop into chronic and irreversible cognitive impairments, memory loss, mood changes, and even permanent disability and psychological disorders, such as paralysis, depression, and lack of what is known as executive decision function. Here are some of the most common types of TBIs resulting from slip and fall accidents:

Concussion: Common in slip and fall accidents, concussions occur when the brain strikes the skull due to sudden impact. Symptoms include headache, dizziness, confusion, memory problems, nausea, and sensitivity to light and noise. Severe cases can lead to long-term cognitive issues or permanent disability.
Contusion: Brain contusions, or bruises, result from the brain hitting the skull during a fall. Symptoms may include headache, vomiting, drowsiness, confusion, and loss of consciousness. Severe cases can lead to intracranial bleeding or swelling, requiring surgical intervention and potentially resulting in permanent loss of some physical and mental functions.
Diffuse Axonal Injury (DAI): DAI occurs from rapid acceleration or deceleration forces during a fall, causing widespread damage to the brain's white matter fibers. Symptoms range from loss of consciousness to coma, cognitive impairment, and motor deficits. DAI often leads to permanent disabilities such as cognitive deficits and motor impairments, necessitating rehabilitation efforts.
Skull fracture: In slip and fall accidents, the impact can lead to skull fractures. Symptoms can include bleeding from the ears or nose. Surgical intervention may be necessary depending on the severity and location.
Hematoma: Hematomas occur when the head sustains a direct impact or sudden jolt, causing blood vessels to rupture and blood to pool in the surrounding tissue. Symptoms may include swelling, tenderness, bruising, and localized pain at the site of the injury. Long-term effects can include chronic pain, nerve damage, and impaired mobility.
Intracranial hemorrhage: Similar to a hematoma, intracranial hemorrhage can lead to symptoms like severe headache, confusion, limb weakness, and loss of consciousness. If not treated, this can be a debilitating or fatal injury.

Remember: It's crucial to seek immediate medical attention and legal guidance after a slip and fall accident, especially if it results in injuries as severe as TBIs. Knowing the warning signs is key: disorientation, memory loss, ringing in the ears, headaches, light sensitivity, and even vomiting. MRIs and other scans can also be crucial to identifying these injuries, but remember, just because nothing shows up on a scan, does not mean that no injury may have occurred. Brain injuries can lead to long-term consequences, so it's critical to understand the importance of pursuing fair and full compensation to cover the victim's medical expenses, rehabilitation, and other related costs.

Seeking legal help

At the Law Offices of Stuart L. Plotnick, LLC, we understand the challenges accident victims face when dealing with insurance companies after sustaining traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and have handled hundreds of such cases. Our goal is to empower the community by providing crucial information to navigate these complex situations effectively. We also prioritize educating individuals about TBI symptoms to ensure they recognize potential issues and seek urgent medical care. Prompt evaluation is vital to assess the severity of TBIs and prevent complications.

If you've been injured in a slip and fall accident in the DMV, and sustained a head or other type of injury, our law firm is here to help. Contact us to schedule a free case evaluation with our experienced slip and fall lawyers. We can guide you through the process of dealing with insurance companies, explain your potential legal options, and help you in pursuing the compensation you deserve for your injuries.