Not every fall causes injury. The CDC reports that among adults aged 65 and over who experienced a fall, approximately 37% report an injury that either necessitated getting medical assistance or imposed limitations on their mobility for at least 24 hours.
In cases where the victim suffers from a fall on someone else’s property, they may be entitled to file a premises liability claim.
When a person has an accident, it is very important to quickly determine and confirm any signs of a traumatic brain injury resulting from the accident.
Identifiable symptoms and signs of a traumatic brain injury include;
Why Falls Cause Brain Injury Even Without Loss of Consciousness
A traumatic brain injury takes place when an event or hit disrupts the regular operation of the brain. In the case of a fall, the brain can move inside the skull and strike its lining.
The brain can also be injured when it rebounds and strikes the opposite side of the skull after the first impact. Even a fall from standing height can cause a clinically meaningful brain injury. Loss of consciousness is not required for a TBI to occur.
Older adults are especially at risk of TBI. Age-related changes to brain structure, reduced circulation in the brain, and the use of anticoagulants among the elderly are some of the factors that can increase the risk of harm following a fall. Sometimes, TBI symptoms may not be recognized and are assumed to be something else.
Physical Symptoms That Require Immediate Emergency Evaluation
Certain symptoms after a fall causing a head injury require calling 911 or an immediate visit to the Emergency Room. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, the following symptoms are considered to be emergencies
- Loss of consciousness
- Repeated vomiting
- Seizures
- Slurred speech or inability to speak
- Weakness, numbness, or loss of coordination in the arms, legs, or face
- Unequal pupil size
- Confusion, agitation, or other unusual behaviors
- Clear fluid draining from the nose or ears.
- Headaches
These symptoms can be an indication of a brain hemorrhage, which may require emergency surgery. An epidural hematoma can be especially deceptive since it might have what people call a “lucid interval.” This phenomenon is a brief stretch where the person appears unharmed before their situation rapidly deteriorates.
Symptoms That May Develop Over Hours or Days
Mild traumatic brain injury, even in the case of concussion, may have symptoms whoch do not present instantly but appear gradually in the following hours or days. In this regard, the person who stands up immediately after a fall may start to notice some of these signs after a few hours or days:
Physical Symptoms
It is common for the majority of individuals suffering from concussion to experience some form of headache. Patients commonly find themselves complaining of dizziness, visual disturbances such as blurred vision, and fatigue. In some instances, these symptoms can vanish and reappear at a different level of intensity, where one day it may be slight and the next more severe. As a result, these symptoms need to be attended to no matter how mild they start.
Cognitive Symptoms
Symptoms of traumatic brain injury (TBI) can often be recognized by the following changes: apathy, slow thinking, memory problems, and confusion are common cognitive signs. Cognitive changes evident in older adults are often misinterpreted as dementia, delaying early detection of the problem.
Emotional and Behavioral
Emotional disturbances following traumatic brain injury can cause dramatic changes in one’s behavior and personality. Individuals may easily become irritated or even exhibit extremely intense emotions.
Some patients may experience heightened anxiousness, disinhibition, or apathy in the course of their clinical condition. If visible signs of behavioral changes appear after a concussion, it is advisable to seek medical attention.
Sleep Disturbance
Excessive sleeping, difficulty falling or staying asleep, and difficulty waking up are all common sleep disturbances that frequently occur after a brain injury. Poor sleep also exacerbates cognitive and emotional symptoms and delays improvements in health.
When to Seek Medical Evaluation
If someone else’s negligence caused you to suffer a traumatic brain injury, you should seek legal counsel immediately, according to Monterey Park slip & fall lawyer George A. Gallegos. Aside from legal assistance, a thorough medical evaluation should not be overlooked.
As a precautionary measure, it is important for every individual who slips and accidentally hits their head to be checked by a doctor to confirm that there are no hidden injuries or any emergent signs. It is especially important for adults over sixty-five and for people who take drugs such as anticoagulants or blood thinners.
A fall can also be serious for anyone who hit their head on a hard surface or was moving quickly when they fell. The CDC says you should get an evaluation when there is any bump, blow, or jolt to the head that raises even a mild concern.
A head CT scan usually helps since it can show bleeding or other structural changes that you might not see during a standard exam. Waiting to see if symptoms “improve on their own” is appropriate only for very mild symptoms with no warning signs and for people not in a high-risk group. Getting checked quickly is the safest route.
