According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), falls are the leading cause of traumatic brain injuries. Close to 47% of traumatic brain injury emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and deaths were the result of falls. Traumatic brain injuries caused by falls are most often found in children under the age of 14 and adults over the age of 65. Many falls can result from someone’s negligence, and it is important to hold those entities liable.
Common Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries are caused by a jolt, blow, bump to the head, or a penetrating injury. Some common types of brain injuries include:
- Hematoma—blood clotting that forms when a vessel ruptures
- Hemorrhage—uncontrolled bleeding either within the brain or in the space around the brain
- Fracture—the force that can cause a skull fracture can also cause serious damage to the brain.
- Concussion—a head injury that can lead to unconsciousness
- Contusion—a bruise to an area of the brain
- Diffuse Axonal Injury—a stretching or shearing of the nerve cells that typically occurs when the brain is moved forcefully back and forth.
Slip and Falls and Traumatic Brain Injury
Falls can sometimes be the result of someone’s negligence. Slip and fall accidents are typically preventable if a property owner takes sufficient safety measures. Property owners, business owners, and landlords have an obligation to ensure that their premises are reasonably free of unsafe conditions. Some examples of dangerous conditions that could lead to a slip and fall include:
- Torn carpeting
- Exposed wires on the ground
- Spilled liquid
- Cracked pavement
- Broken curbs
- Broken or defective staircases
- Broken or defective ladders or stepstools
- Misplaced equipment
- Debris on the ground
Even a fall that is not from a significant height can result in a traumatic brain injury.
Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney
If you sustained a traumatic brain injury as the result of a slip and fall, you should consult with an experienced personal injury attorney. Gregg Goldfarb has been helping the injured for over 25 years. Contact us online or call us at 305-374-7000 to schedule a free consultation.