When you visit stores and restaurants in Phoenix, you expect them to be reasonably free from slip-and-fall hazards. After all, if you have retired, you would rather spend your time playing with your grandkids than recovering from a fall-related injury.
While hip fractures, other broken bones and lacerations are common with many falls, you may also sustain a traumatic brain injury. This type of injury occurs when trauma interrupts the normal functionality of the brain.
Symptoms of TBI
If you hit your head during a slip-and-fall accident, you may be vulnerable to a TBI. You may also sustain one simply from rapid head movement during your fall. Either way, if you have a TBI, you may have one or more of the following symptoms:
- Loss of consciousness
- Headaches
- Convulsions or seizures
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dilated pupils
- Sleep interruptions
At any age, a serious TBI is a medical emergency. Consequently, if you suspect you may have a TBI after a fall, it is advisable to go to the emergency room or meet with your primary care physician immediately.
Dementia risk
With the right treatment plan, you may recover from your TBI. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, though, you may not be out of the woods. In fact, you may have an increased risk of developing dementia later in life. That is, your TBI may contribute to the onset of dementia symptoms years after your brain injury has seemingly healed.
While your immediate concern should be treating your TBI, your heightened risk of developing dementia is not something you should take lightly. Ultimately, you may be eligible for substantial compensation to help you deal with both the immediate and the eventual consequences of your fall-related brain injury.
