Slip and fall accidents have the potential to cause many different types of injuries from broken bones and fractures to sprained ankles and shoulder dislocations. However, certain falls may also result in head injuries, which can cause significant trauma resulting in expensive medical care and a lengthy recovery.
Our Harrisburg slip and fall attorneys discuss the various forms of head injuries from slip and fall accidents below. If you need assistance, please contact us for a free, no obligation consultation to discuss your claim.
Slip and Fall Head Injury Situations
A slip and fall accident can occur under numerous circumstances. While a fall is often caught with the hands or the arms, a hard blow to the head may occur.
Some scenarios where slip and fall accidents take place, resulting in head trauma, include:
- Tripping on a cracked sidewalk, and your head strikes a nearby object as you fall, such as a mailbox or fire hydrant
- Falling in a store and hitting your head on shelving as you fall
- Falling in a home, where your head strikes surrounding furniture
- Slipping on wet flooring and falling straight on your back, causing your head to hit the ground
Head injuries from slip and fall accidents range in severity from minor to life-threatening, or may even cause death. The severity of a slip and fall-related head injury typically impacts the injury’s effects, recovery, required medical care and potential to recover normal function.
Types of Head Injuries
A head injury involves any trauma to the brain, skull or scalp. Many types of serious head injuries may result from a slip and fall accident. The most common include:
Concussion
During a slip and fall, the head may receive a jolt or a blow resulting in a concussion. Concussions may also occur even if the head is not struck during the fall – impact in other areas of the body has the potential to create a level of force that impacts the brain. Concussions may occur with or without a loss of consciousness.
As a type of traumatic brain injury, even a minor concussion can have significant effects on a victim. Symptoms of a concussion may include headaches, dizziness, ringing in the ears, slurred speech, and appearing dazed. More serious concussions can leave permanent effects on the brain, which can affect concentration, memory, sleep patterns and behavior.
Contusion
A contusion is the result of a bruise to the brain which causes brain bleeding. It often results from falls when the head is struck or makes contact with an object during a fall. Contusions range in severity from minor to severe. The most severe brain contusions may require surgery to remove.
Hematoma
When the head receives a blow during a slip and fall, the outer blood vessels of the brain can be damaged. This may cause a hematoma to form, which is a blood clot that puts pressure on the tissue of the brain. Without relieving pressure from a hematoma, the victim may suffer from lost brain function. Treatment may include surgical removal of the hematoma to relieve pressure it is placing on the brain.
Closed Head Injury
Closed head injuries causes impact to the brain, but leaves the skull intact. These injuries may result in brain damage, causing life-long effects. Closed head injuries include:
- Bruised brain tissue
- Pressure in the skull
- Swelling in the skull
- Torn blood vessels of the brain
Contact Schmidt Kramer for a Free Consultation
If you have suffered a head injury from a slip and fall accident, recovery may be slow and result in mounting bills due to medical care and lost wages. This why it is in your best interest to contact a Harrisburg personal injury attorney for help. At Schmidt Kramer, we will review your case and inform you of any legal options available for pursuing the compensation you deserve for the losses you have suffered.
Schedule a free, no obligation consultation today. There are no upfront fees and payment is only owed if we recover compensation for you.
Call (717) 888-8888 or fill out our online form now.