Falls are a leading cause of unintentional injury and death across the nation. When you fall, the chances of sustaining an injury are high. While your internal organs will likely be protected, your head is quite vulnerable. Victims of falling accidents often suffer from traumatic brain injuries, also known as TBI.

Brain injuries often occur when a victim sustains a blow to the head or a severe impact on the body. In the immediate aftermath of a falling accident, the effects of a brain injury may not be noticeable. TBI victims often experience a lag in between the time of the event that caused their injury and the symptoms of that injury.

If you break a bone, you will probably know it. Unlike other physical injuries, however, a traumatic brain injury can create incredibly serious problems that can go undetected. Seeking medical attention immediately after a fall can help to catch any of these underlying issues early on.

Assessing Personal Damage After a Fall

More obvious physical injuries might prompt a person to seek immediate care, but brain injuries often go untreated until suffering becomes unbearable. If a person only experiences mild symptoms, they may try a “wait and see” approach instead of going directly to the hospital. This can be a deadly mistake.

It is crucial to discuss the possibility of a brain injury with your medical care provider after you’ve had a fall. If the signs of a brain injury are not immediately obvious, speaking with a physician can help to ensure that you get the testing that you need. 

Recent research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has shown that deaths from fall-related traumatic brain injuries are on the rise. One in ten people in the U.S. report suffering a fall each year. Deaths from fall-related brain injuries have increased by 17% since 2008. If you have been involved in a falling accident, it is important to consider the possibility that you have sustained a brain injury.

Most people feel embarrassed after a fall. Even in the case of a minor slip and fall, it is important to make sure that you are not hurt, especially when the effects of your injuries may not be immediately apparent. 

Be Mindful of These Signs of a Brain Injury After a Fall

After you have slipped, tripped, or otherwise fallen, never walk away without checking yourself for potential injuries. Broken bones, lacerations, and open wounds are easy to spot. You may experience bleeding or severe pain. But it’s also important to learn the signs and indicators of traumatic brain injury, which can be subtle at first.

Some victims only show symptoms in the days, weeks, or months after their fall. If you experience any of the symptoms below, they may be related to a recent fall.

The common symptoms of a traumatic brain injury fall into four distinct categories, which include:

Impaired Thoughts and Memory

This category can include difficulty concentrating or thinking clearly, feelings of lethargy, and impaired memory function.

Physical Symptoms

Physical symptoms of TBI can include headaches (ranging from minor to severe), blurred vision, dizziness, exhaustion, sensitivity to light and sound, loss of balance, and nausea or vomiting.

Emotional and Psychological Symptoms

The emotional symptoms of a brain injury can include unpredictable emotive responses, anxiety, unexplained sadness, and irritability.

This can include an altered sleeping schedule, change in sleep habits, and difficulty falling asleep.

The severity of these symptoms can vary widely. Some traumatic brain injury victims experience mild symptoms that resolve on their own. Others suffer from severe and debilitating effects that require ongoing medical attention. 

The brain is highly complex. The symptoms of TBI will depend on the region of the brain that has been damaged. If you believe that you or someone you love has sustained a traumatic brain injury, seek a medical evaluation immediately. 

When to Seek Emergency Medical Care After a Fall

If you suspect that you have suffered from a brain injury, you should always seek medical care as soon as possible. However, some signs and indicators are more worrisome than others. 

If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms after a fall accident, seek immediate medical care:

  • A severe or persistent headache
  • Weakness, loss of sensation, numbness, or decreased coordination
  • Extreme nausea or vomiting
  • Slurred speech
  • Extreme drowsiness or fatigue
  • Dilation of a single pupil
  • Seizures
  • Inability to recognize familiar faces or remember names
  • Confusion, restlessness, or agitation
  • Uncontrollable behavior or mood swings
  • Loss of consciousness

Traumatic brain injuries can be incredibly serious. You should never ignore the symptoms of TBI or expect them to go away on their own.

Failing to diagnose and treat a brain injury can have life-altering consequences.

Seeking Damages For a Brain Injury After a Fall 

If you have sustained a fall-related TBI due to someone else’s carelessness, you have the right to seek financial compensation for the associated costs of your treatment. When you secure the services of an accomplished personal injury lawyer, you can seek recovery for the following damages:

  • Pain and Suffering: A non-economic award that’s intended to compensate for the emotional difficulties and challenges of living with a traumatic brain injury.
  • Medical Costs and Expenses: For many victims of falling accidents, this is the most obvious type of damage. You can seek compensation for past, present, and future medical bills.
  • Lost Wages and Missed Work: If you have missed work and lost income because of your injury, you can seek financial recovery for those losses.
  • Other Injury-Related Expenses: The money from a personal injury claim can compensate for costs such as childcare or in-home care that are necessitated by your TBI.

Each personal injury case involves a unique set of circumstances. Speaking with a qualified personal injury attorney will give you the best chance of financially recovering from the costs associated with your traumatic brain injury.

Contact Our Personal Injury Law Firm in Fort Worth, TX – Stephens Law Personal Injury | Wrongful Death | Truck Accidents

If you’ve been injured in an accident in Fort Worth and need legal help, contact our Fort Worth personal injury lawyers at Stephens Law Personal Injury | Wrongful Death | Truck Accidents to schedule a free consultation.

Stephens Law Personal Injury | Wrongful Death | Truck Accidents
1300 S University Dr # 300
Fort Worth, TX 76107
(817) 420-7000