Important Signs to Look for After a Slip & Fall
Life can change in a split second following a serious head injury. Perhaps you slipped and hit your head on the pavement. Or maybe you sustained head injuries in a car accident. Regardless of how it happened, taking your head injury seriously is critical.
Head trauma can lead to devastating, sometimes fatal injuries. For this reason, it is important to know what signs and symptoms to look for before seeking treatment from a doctor. Here we will discuss the types and causes of head injuries, when it’s time to see a doctor, and what to do in the event your injuries were caused by someone else.
What are the Different Types of Head Injuries?
A head injury is a broad term referring to trauma to the scalp, skull, or brain. Injuries can range from a mild bump to a severe brain injury. Common head injuries include:
- - Skull Fractures: Unlike most bones, a skull does not have bone marrow. Although this makes the skull strong and hard to break, it, in turn, makes it unable to absorb any significant impact. Some skull fractures or breaks in the skull bone can heal over time while others can lead to bleeding, seizures, and brain damage.
- - Hemorrhage: Head trauma can cause uncontrolled bleeding either in the brain (intracerebral hemorrhage) or around the brain (subarachnoid hemorrhage.) A brain hemorrhage is a type of stroke that occurs when an artery bursts within the brain.
- - Concussion: Commonly referred to as a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), concussions affect brain function. The effects are generally temporary but can cause problems with vision, memory, balance, concentration, and coordination.
- - Traumatic Brain Injuries: Violent jolts or blows to the head or body can result in a traumatic brain injury (TBI), which is one of the leading causes of disability and death. The trauma can penetrate the brain, such as a gunshot wound, or not penetrate the head, such as striking your head in an auto accident. Depending on the location and severity of the injury, these severe brain injuries can heal within days or cause permanent brain injuries and even death.
Should I Call a Doctor?
Not all head injuries warrant a trip to the emergency room. However, because head trauma can quickly and easily lead to serious, sometimes permanent injuries, it is crucial to know when a visit to a doctor is necessary. There are several signs and symptoms to look for after suffering a head injury, such as:
- - Loss of consciousness
- - Dilated pupil in one or both eyes
- - Persistent vomiting or nausea
- - A worsening headache or one that does not go away
- - Seizures or convulsions
- - The inability to wake up
- - Slurred speech
- - Confusion or agitation
- - A loss of coordination or balance
- - Numbness or weakness in your arms or legs
- - Clear fluid draining from your ears or nose
Head injuries can worsen rapidly, so you must act quickly. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, we urge you to call 911 or see a doctor immediately.
Was Your Head Injury Caused Someone Else’s Negligence?
While some head injuries occur at home or even in an unexpected accident, many are frustratingly caused by the actions or inaction of others. If your head injury results from a person or entity’s negligence, you have the right to seek compensation for your losses.
At Siegel & Coonerty, we help survivors of traumatic brain injuries and other injured victims receive the compensation they deserve for their pain and suffering. We consider it our mission to advocate relentlessly on behalf of our clients and, in doing so, have recovered millions of dollars in compensation. Let us hold the responsible parties accountable. If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury due to someone else’s negligence in New York, Contact us at (212) 532-0532 to schedule a free initial consultation.
