Lawyer Pages
| After auto accidents, falls cause most brain injuries |
|
Falls are the second leading cause of brain injury after auto accidents, and are the leading cause in the elderly. Overall, falls are responsible for 26% of all Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) in the U.S. The majority falls – about 37% according to one study – come from slipping or tripping over an object while simply walking. Another 10% occur on steps and stairs. The other half are a result of sporting activities, falls from a ladder or building structure, falls from furniture, falls from playground equipment, and several other cause. Most falls happen in the home, but 25% occur elsewhere such as at work, at a place of business, on the street, or during a sporting activity. When you are in a private or public area, the owner(s) have a responsibility to keep you as safe as possible and failing to do so can be legally defined as an act of negligence. Traffic areas must be clear and free from water or other slippery hazards, steps must have hand rails and other safety features to prevent falls, and work areas must have extra safety devices and regulations to preserve the health and welfare of its workers. Safety gear must be free from defect and design/manufacturing errors as well. For example, bicycle helmets are supposed to meet all safety requirements before they are sold on the market but this isn’t always the case. In August 2004 there were 9,000 Schwinn helmets recalled because the helmets “do not comply with impact testing requirements in the Consumer Product Safety Act.” Sporting equipment and work safety gear that fails under normal use (e.g. during a fall) can also be an act of negligence. Brain injuries are usually the most serious types of injury, and on average take much longer to recover from. Physical, mental, and emotional rehabilitation can take years, and often a brain injury can leave permanent damage. There is no way for doctors and other medical professionals to predict how much long-term damage is done by the severity of the injury – “mild” brain injury can have irreversible effects while “severe” brain injury may be fully recoverable. But either way, every TBI is considered to be a major injury. If you have had a fall that resulted in a blow to the head or severe twisting of the neck, seek medical attention immediately. Make sure that your doctor or other medical attendant fully documents your examination, and that you answer all questions as best you can. Then contact the Personal Injury experts at Jim S. Adler & Associates. At Jim S. Adler & Associates, our team of brain injury lawyers can help determine who is responsible for your fall and any resulting injuries. We have more than 30 years of litigation experience dealing with every type of personal injury casesincluding complicated medical cases – and nothing is more complicated than a brain injury. We will work hard to make sure that all negligent parties pay you the compensation you need to cover short- and long-term medical costs, lost work, and pain and suffering. Contact us now for a free case review by calling 1-800-505-1414 or by clicking the link on this page. |