There is a very good reason why property owners must keep their premises free of falling risks, including clutter, snow, and ice. While some slips-and-falls only cause minor injuries, others can have major consequences. This is especially true when head injuries occur.
Head injuries are associated with short and long-term effects. In some instances, they can even cause loss of life or prolonged disability. Healthline offers some basic information on head injuries, so you can take the right steps if one occurs.
Types of head injuries
There is a wide range of head injuries that can occur as a result of a slip-and-fall, including:
- Concussion: A temporary effect caused by the brain impacting the skull with great force. Usually minor, but repeated concussions cause more serious symptoms and complications.
- Fracture: Broken skull caused by the force of the impact. Typically associated with other severe effects.
- Hematoma: Blood clots occurring outside the blood vessels in the brain. Can cause permanent brain damage depending on the circumstances.
- Hemorrhage: Uncontrolled bleeding of the brain. Can occur outside the brain or within the brain itself.Edema: Swelling of the brain. Increasing pressure must be treated immediately to stop damaging effects.
Symptoms of head injuries
Symptoms can be mild or severe, depending on the nature of the injury. Mild symptoms include stomach upset, headache, dizziness, ringing in the ears, and a moderate sense of confusion. More serious symptoms include vomiting, seizures, inability to control muscles, memory loss, problems focusing the eyes, and persistent headache.
When to seek medical attention
While the above symptoms require medical evaluation as soon as possible, in some situations immediate medical attention is required. This is the case when significant disorientation and loss of consciousness occur. If there are questions about the severity of a head injury, it is best to contact emergency services and let them provide advice. Moving a head injury victim can sometimes worsen the outcome, in which case you should wait for emergency medical personnel to arrive before taking action.
