Slips and falls are no laughing matter

If you enjoy watching old movies and TV shows on your Florida classics and/or comedy channels, you likely get a kick out of the ones where the ne’er-do-well hero takes pratfall after pratfall to the amusement of bystanders. Keep in mind, however, that these falls are elaborately staged and choreographed. In real life, a slip and fall is no laughing matter. You can seriously injure yourself in a fall.

Not only do slip-and-fall accidents frequently result in broken bones, they are also the leading cause of traumatic brain injuries. These potentially catastrophic injuries can cause many different kinds of harm. Depending on which part of your brain you injure and the severity of the injuries, a TBI could permanently disable you. 

TBI symptoms

Since your brain controls everything you see, hear, smell, taste, feel and do, injuring it can leave you in a highly debilitated state. To make matters even scarier, TBI symptoms often fail to show up until hours, days or even weeks after the fall. It is important to seek immediate medical evaluation and treatment whenever you receive a bump to your head, even if you think it is a minor injury. It may not be. Only a qualified head trauma physician can assess your injury, run the proper tests and begin immediate treatment if you indeed suffered a TBI.

You must remain vigilant in the days and weeks following your slip-and-fall accident for any unusual symptoms that might develop, including the following:

• Vision or hearing changes
• Intermittent headaches
• Intermittent bouts of nausea and/or vomiting
• Speech difficulties
• Memory or concentration difficulties
• Feelings of confusion, disorientation or unreality

Also watch for personality changes such as sudden extreme mood changes, increased feelings of anger, or the onset of anxiety, fear or depression. If you observe any physical or psychological changes, see your doctor as soon as possible for additional testing.

Extraordinary medical costs

Should your slip-and-fall accident result in a TBI, you can expect your medical costs to quickly skyrocket. Depending on the extent and severity of your injuries, you could face the costs of any or all of the following:

• Continuing doctor appointments
• Expensive medical tests
• Hospitalization and surgery
• Prescription medications
• Physical and/or occupational therapy
• Rehabilitation
• In-home or assisted living care

Your TBI may likewise make it impossible for you to work, thereby depriving you of your income. For all of these reasons and more, you may wish to consider the possibility of suing the property owner whose negligence resulted in your slip-and-fall accident.