A sudden slip-and-fall happens in an instant, but the effects can last for months or even cause permanent harm, leaving the injury victim facing an uncertain future. Head injuries are one of the most common serious injuries in slip-and-fall accidents in Washington. If the slip-and-fall happened on someone else’s property and could have been prevented with reasonable care, you have the right to seek compensation for your losses. A skilled Arlington slip-and-fall attorney can help you understand your legal options and pursue the compensation you deserve.
What Causes Washington Slip-and-Fall Accidents?
When something interferes with the foot’s grip on the ground or floor surface, or causes instability underfoot, the result can be a sudden loss of balance and then a hard fall. The most common causes of slip-and-fall accidents in Washington and elsewhere include the following:
- Cracked or uneven floorboards
- Wet floors from spills, leaks, mopping, or tracked-in rain or snow
- Loose or rolled floor mats or carpets
- Potholes, cracks, and uneven surfaces in parking lots, sidewalks, and walkways
- Inadequate lighting
- Debris or clutter underfoot
- Exposed roots on sidewalks
- Improper floor cleaning products that leave a slippery surface
- Icy walkways and steps
- Unmarked floor level changes, such as step-ups and step-downs
A slip-and-fall accident can cause painful injuries with temporary or permanent disability. According to the CDC, falls are the most common cause of head injuries and traumatic brain injuries.
Understanding Slip-and-Fall Head Injuries
During a hard fall, the head suffers blunt force trauma from an impact with the floor or an obstacle. External head injuries in slip-and-fall accidents include the following:
- Contusions (bruising and swelling)
- Abrasions
- Scalp wounds
- Lacerations
- Facial and dental trauma
External head injuries can be painful and distressing, but rarely leave permanent harm. Exceptions include permanent tooth loss or disfiguring facial injuries.
Traumatic Brain Injuries In Washington Brain Injury Claims
During a slip-and-fall, a hard blow to the head or a strong back-and-forth jarring motion can cause the brain to bump or twist against the inside of the skull, causing a traumatic brain injury or TBI. Common types of traumatic brain injuries include:
- Concussions
- Intracranial or subdural hematomas
- Cerebral contusions
- Traumatic hemorrhage
- Skull fractures
- Coup-contrecoup injury
- Diffuse axonal injury
The most severe TBIs occur during slip-and-falls on very hard surfaces, such as tile or pavement, or on ice, or on stairways or steps. A mild TBI, like a concussion, is fully recoverable, but may cause post-concussion syndrome in some cases. More severe brain injuries may result in disturbances in brain function and permanent impairment.
What to Do After a Slip-and-Fall Head Injury on Someone Else’s Property in Washington
Property owners have a legal obligation to maintain their property by repairing hazardous conditions and providing routine maintenance. Commercial property owners have an enhanced duty of care to their customers, patrons, or tenants.
If you suffered a slip-and-fall accident with a head injury, you may be unconscious or incapacitated, relying on others for help. Still, if you or an uninjured companion can use a cell phone, it helps to do the following:
- First, call 911 for an ambulance
- Take photos of the cause of the slip-and-fall, like a broken floorboard or a puddle from a leaking pipe
- Take photos of any visible head injury
- If the fall occurred on commercial property or at work, ask the manager to fill out an accident or incident report
- Add the contact information of the property owner and any eyewitnesses to the slip-and-fall
Go directly to a hospital from the site of the slip-and-fall and ask for a neurological assessment to diagnose and treat a head injury and possible TBI.
Contact Wells Trumbull for Your Washington Slip-and-Fall Head Injury Accident Case
Damages in slip-and-fall injuries can be extensive when the fall causes a traumatic brain injury. Even less serious head injuries can be painful and require time away from work. Contact Wells Trumbull today for a free consultation and discuss recovery of your economic damages and compensation for your pain, suffering, and any permanent or catastrophic injury you’ve suffered.