Broken bones, twisted ankles, and fractured wrists are the most common types of injuries that people sustain after a slip and fall accident. However, there are traumatic brain injuries in Palm Beach County that are common and more severe than slip and fall accidents.
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are injuries to the brain usually caused by a blow or a severe jolt to the head emanating from blunt trauma or penetrating objects/trauma. Traumatic brain injuries are broken down into secondary and primary injuries. Primary injuries occur during the initial impact.
In most cases, primary injuries cause the soft section of the brain to collide with the rough section of the brain, thus damaging an area of the brain and its lobes or the entire brain. On the other hand, depending on the severity of the initial impact, a person may appear normal.
However, unknowingly, the brain begins to undergo a delayed trauma which makes it swell and push it against the interior part of the skull. This reduces the supply of oxygenated blood to the brain leading to brain damage. This is known as secondary brain injury, and it is more severe and life-threatening than primary brain injury.
In the United States, slips and falls continue to be the leading cause of traumatic brain injury. According to the Centers for Disease Control, slip and fall injuries account for almost 50% of traumatic brain injury-related emergency visits. For instance, between 2006 and 2010, accidents emanating from slips and falls accounted for more than 40% of brain injuries recorded in the country.
Additionally, from this number, 55% of the brain injuries were in children below the age of 14. On the other hand, 81% of the accidents were in people above the age of 65. These stats show that senior citizens have a high chance of suffering from traumatic brain injuries, with death being the likely outcome. It is therefore vital to create a safe environment for such individuals.
Common Causes for Slip and Fall Accidents
Brain injuries in Palm Beach County that are a result of slip and fall accidents may be caused by various factors, with the common ones being;
- Lack of safety practices
- Poor lighting
- Uneven surfaces
- Loose flooring, common in mats, carpeting, and tiles
- Slippery floors
How Does a Slip and Fall Accident Cause a Traumatic Brain Injury?
When you slip and fall, you are likely to hit your head on surrounding objects, walls, or the floor. If the fall is severe, you may end up causing damage to your skull and your brain. The resulting injury is known as a closed head injury.
There is also another category of brain injury known as penetrating brain injury. This injury occurs when an object cracks your skull and enters your brain leading to brain injury. Penetrating brain injuries are common in high-impact accidents where flying shrapnel comes into contact with the surrounding people.
Car Accidents and Traumatic Brain Injuries
It is estimated that around 4.5 million people were in serious road accidents in 2018. As a fact, car accidents are the second leading cause of traumatic brain injuries, accounting for up 17.3% each year, right after falls, which make up just over 35% of traumatic brain injuries.
A human skull is about a quarter of an inch thick. Therefore, any blow to the head emanating from an accident can lead to long-term brain injuries and subsequent death. When you get involved in an accident, you are at the mercy of your car.
In normal circumstances, your head is violently whipped back and forth, thus coming into contact with your steering wheel, window, flying objects, or your dashboard. This causes the brain to bounce back and forth within the skull. With each violent movement, your brain hits the interior sides of your skull, leading to moderate to severe brain injuries.
A front-end head-on collision may force your car to come to an immediate halt. This can make your brain slam against your skull, leading to brain injury and subsequent brain damage. In a side-impact, your head is violently thrown in the direction of the impact. This forces your brain to strike the right and left sides of your skull, causing trauma.
A brain injury emanating from a side collision is more severe than the one stemming from a head-on collision. This can be caused by the fact that these accidents lead to lacerations on the victim’s head and fractures on the skull. Additionally, broken glass, bone fragments, and debris could enter your brain, leading to life-threatening injuries. Injuries emanating from such accidents are known as open head injuries and are common countrywide.
Traumatic brain injuries are divided into three categories, namely mild, severe, and moderate. The type of brain injury that your doctor will diagnose you with will be determined by its severity and the resultant side effects.
Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
A mild traumatic brain injury is a temporary brain condition marked by coordination, memory, concentration, balance, and judgment issues. Most mild traumatic brain injury victims make a complete recovery within a short time. However, frequent concussions will increase your susceptibility to getting severe brain injuries.
Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury
Moderate traumatic brain injuries can last for a few months to years, depending on the severity of the impact. The common symptoms are depression and anxiety.
Severe Traumatic Brain Injury
Severe brain injury occurs when the brain moves within the skull and gets harmed in the process. Severe traumatic brain injury also includes the penetration of objects in the brain leading to loss of consciousness, and in severe cases, memory loss may occur.
Head Injury Warning Signs
After you get involved in a road accident or if you slip and fall, there are various signs and symptoms you should be on the lookout for to ensure you are aware of what you may be facing or when to see a medical professional. Some early signs you should be on the lookout for include;
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Numbness in the hands, fingers, and toes
- Drowsiness
- Blurred Vision
- Ringing sounds in the ears
- Slurred speech
- Poor memory
Effects of Traumatic Brain Injuries
The overall effects of a traumatic brain injury depend on the severity of the injury. For instance, a severe brain injury may take a long time to heal compared to a mild brain injury. Such a severe injury may impact your daily life activities, and you may spend the rest of your life seeking treatment and therapy.
Traumatic brain injuries in Palm Beach County may also make people feel less active or have problems doing what they used to. This is because such injuries impact the cognitive abilities of the affected people. For instance, you may experience problems walking and remembering basic things such as your name.
Traumatic Brain Injuries Role in Death and Disability
According to CDC, there were about 61,000 traumatic brain injury-related deaths, translating to approximately 166 daily deaths. Apart from death, traumatic brain injuries may also lead to short-term and long-term disabilities. This can be attributed to the fact that when the brain is severely damaged, its cognitive abilities are also impacted. For instance, severe brain damage may lead to movement issues where one may become paralyzed.
Who is Liable in a Slip and Fall Accident
Slip and fall accidents that may eventually lead to brain injuries in Palm Beach County can occur anywhere. The most common areas are commercial properties such as hotels, malls, and public places. In the aforementioned places, the owner or the management may be held liable for any accidents that occur within their jurisdictions. This is because they are responsible for ensuring that their places are safe and conducive for anyone who visits or stays. This goes a long way in that it minimizes the risks for visitors, customers, and patrons.
Owners of these premises can provide a safe environment by ensuring there are guardrails and that the floor is not slippery. If the floor is slippery, perhaps due to cleaning, the floor must be cleaned immediately. Additionally, there should be signs indicating the floor is wet. When it comes to corridors and pathways, they must be well lit. Failure to take the aforementioned measures, the supervisor, owner, or manager of the premises should be held liable for any slip and fall accidents that occur.
When it comes to road accidents, the person liable is the one who caused the accident. For example, if you hit a boulder on the road, you could file a claim against the contractor or your state/local government, if they are liable. On the other hand, if another driver caused the accident, you can file a case against them.
Why and How to File a Brain Injury Legal Claim
Considering the various adverse effects caused by traumatic brain injuries, the first thing to do if you are involved in an accident is to seek medical attention. Once everything has been ascertained, the next step is to seek legal advice from a brain injury lawyer in Palm Beach County if the injuries were a result of someone’s negligence. This is vital because you may be entitled to compensation if the accident that caused traumatic brain injury was a case of negligence.
There are various brain injury lawyers in lawyers in Palm Beach who will help you file and follow up on the case on your behalf. A brain injury lawyer in Palm Beach County will help you bring a solid case against anyone who might have contributed to your traumatic brain injuries.
Additionally, such lawyers will give you an overview of the types of claims you can file and the amount of money you can get in compensation. For example, through a legal lawsuit filed by your lawyer, you can get enough monetary assistance to cover your medical costs and lost wages. It is also essential to keep in mind that you will be entitled to future compensation, lost wages, and medical coverage until you recover.
When you file a negligent claim with the help of a traumatic brain injury lawyer, you stand a better chance of receiving better compensation for all the mental, physical, and emotional stress you may have undergone due to the traumatic brain injury. Additionally, the lawyer will handle your case, thus minimizing the stress associated with responding to numerous requests from different people involved in the case. This is common in instances where insurance companies, lawyers, and law enforcers are involved. Your lawyer will handle these requests on your behalf, thus giving you time to cover in peace.
The compensation you will get is also available to your loved ones. This comes into play, especially in instances where the injured person was the breadwinner of their family. Legally, your loved ones will also be fully compensated until you are able to go about your regular routine. This is why it is crucial to seek professional services from qualified and regulated brain injury lawyers.
If you are involved in an accident and opt to settle the bills, you can still file a claim and get your money reimbursed by those liable for your brain injury. This entire process can be expedited by a brain injury legal counsel based in Palm Beach County.
As Palm Beach County Brain Injury Attorneys, we understand that each case is different and requires thorough preparation so that the victim’s present and future needs are met. Contact our firm online or call us at (561) 806-5229 if you or someone you love has suffered a brain injury due to the negligence of another party.
