Slip and Fall and Traumatic Brain Injury

A traumatic brain injury can be a serious complication resulting from a slip and fall accident. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), falls are the leading cause of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Approximately 47% of all TBI-related emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and deaths were the result of falls. TBIs caused by falls are most often found in children under 14 years of age and adults over 65. Many falls result from someone’s negligence.

Traumatic Brain Injury

TBIs are caused by a bump, jolt, blow to the head, or some type of penetrating injury. Types of TBIs include:

• Hematoma—clotting that forms when a blood vessel ruptures
• Hemorrhage—uncontrolled bleeding either in the space around the brain (subarachnoid) or within the brain tissue (intracerebral)
• Skull Fracture—forces strong enough to fracture a skull may also cause damage to the brain. Skull fragments can also penetrate the brain and cause serious injury.
• Concussion—typically a mild head injury that can lead to a loss of consciousness. Some concussions can be more severe.
• Contusion—a bruise to an area of the brain
• Diffuse Axonal Injury—a shearing or stretching of the nerve cells that can occur when the brain quickly moves back and forth inside the skull damaging the nerve axons.

Slip and Fall

Falls are the most common cause of TBI, and this includes falls that result from someone’s negligence. Most Florida slip and fall accidents are preventable if proper safety measures and precautions are taken. Property owners and business owners are responsible for making sure that their premises are reasonably safe from danger for those who enter the property. Slips and falls that result in a TBI could be caused by:

• Broken curbs
• Broken or uneven sidewalks
• Loose or torn carpeting
• Spills
• Loose flooring
• Defective or broken staircases
• Misplaced electrical cords and equipment
• Broken ladders or step stools

Even though a slip and fall may not be from a significant height, it can still have the potential to cause serious injuries. 

Contact a Trusted Attorney

If you have sustained a traumatic brain injury as the result of a slip and fall accident, you should consult with a proven personal injury lawyer in South/Central Florida. Contact the trusted lawyers at Abrahamson & Uiterwyk online or call us at 1-800-538-4878 to schedule your free consultation.