What You Need to Know About Brain Injuries After a Fall from a Height

Falling from a height can be incredibly dangerous and life-threatening, as it could potentially result in severe and sometimes even fatal brain injuries. Falls from heights can occur due to many factors, such as work accidents, ladders, shopping carts, hospital beds, or any other situation where you are elevated off the ground. Children and adults are both at risk for brain injuries if they fall from a height. If you’ve been injured in an accident involving falls from a height in Tennessee, here’s what you need to know about brain injuries that may result.

Types of Significant Brain Injuries After a Fall From a Height

Brain injuries resulting from falling from a height can range in severity depending on the circumstances of the fall. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has identified three types of traumatic brain injury (TBI) that someone may suffer after falling from a height in Tennessee. They are as follows:

• Mild TBI or concussion. The most common type of brain injury resulting from falls in Tennessee is mild TBI or concussion. This type of injury is usually caused by a blow to the head that causes temporary unconsciousness or confusion. Symptoms typically last less than two weeks but may include headaches, dizziness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, poor balance and coordination, irritability, and depression. The important thing to remember with this type of injury is that it is still serious and should not be taken lightly; if not treated properly, it can lead to long-term complications such as chronic headaches or post-concussion syndrome.
• Moderate to severe TBI. The second most common type of brain injury resulting from falls from heights is moderate to severe TBI. This type of injury occurs when there is damage to the brain’s white and gray matter due to direct impact or acceleration and deceleration forces on the head or neck during a fall. Symptoms may persist for months or years after the initial trauma. They can include physical paralysis, loss of consciousness for extended periods of time (days or even weeks), difficulty speaking or comprehending language, impaired memory function, vision problems, hearing problems, personality changes, and cognitive impairment.
• Penetrating traumatic brain injury. The third most common type of brain injury resulting from falls is a penetrating traumatic brain injury (PTBI). This type of injury occurs when an object pierces through the skull into the brain tissue causing significant damage. Symptoms may vary depending on where exactly the skull was damaged but generally include seizures or epilepsy, motor deficits, vision problems, speech and language deficits, cognitive deficits, emotional or behavioral changes, sensory deficits, weakness on one side of the body, paralysis, coma, and death.

Protect Your Legal Recovery After Brain Injury

If you have suffered a significant brain injury after falling from a height in Tennessee due to someone else’s negligence or reckless behavior, don’t hesitate to take legal action against them to protect your recovery. Depending on the severity of your injury and how it has impacted your day-to-day life, you could be eligible for compensation for the following damages:

• Medical expenses related to treatment for your injury
• Lost wages if your injury prevents you from working
• Future earning potential if your injury will affect your ability to work long term
• Pain and suffering

An experienced attorney who specializes in personal injury cases can help guide you through this process and fight for fair compensation on your behalf.

Help Your Attorney Help You

To maximize your chances of recovering full damages for all losses related to your brain injury after falling from a height in Tennessee due to someone else’s negligence or recklessness, there are certain things that you should do that will help strengthen your case. These include:

• Keep detailed records regarding all costs associated with medical treatment for your injury. This includes receipts for prescription medications and any legal fees incurred throughout the pursuit of damages for pain and suffering resulting from the incident.
• Keep copies of medical records detailing all treatments received before and after filing suit. This evidence will be vital when it comes time for negotiations with insurance companies or proceedings in court.

Contact Our Tennessee Brain Injury Lawyers

If you or a loved one suffered a brain injury due to falling from a height, contact GriffithLaw today. To schedule a no-obligation consultation with our experienced lawyers, contact us online or call us at 615-807-7900. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you are not required to pay any upfront costs to pursue a claim. We charge no fee if there is no recovery.