A traumatic brain injury is defined by the CDC as a disruption in the normal function of the brain caused by a bump, jolt, blow to the head or a penetrating injury. Many of these injuries happen to children and senior citizens. It is especially disturbing to note that last year the number of brain injury-related falls among seniors has increased to an alarming rate.
Why Seniors are High Risk
In an Associated Press News report, it was speculated that, due to the desire to spend their elderly years at home, many seniors who fall are not going to the hospital as much and injuries fail to be reported. But this comes with a price as the elderly person in question may have suffered a concussion that could lead to even more falls. There are also falls that sometimes happen to an older resident in a nursing home. These less careful nursing homes are usually not forthcoming with information on a fall that could have been prevented with proper care and surveillance.
Dangers Associated with Falls
The brain is a very delicate organ with as much protection as the body can provide. It is housed in the skull, a very hard bone structure, and floats in a fluid designed to protect it even further. An injury will occur when a car accident or fall happens and that brain is pushed through the fluid and against the skull – the very thing that is supposed to protect it. When this happens, a concussion occurs which can bring symptoms like headaches and even cerebral bleeding. More severe falls and injuries can induce coma or death. A seasoned brain injury attorney will know what it takes to ensure that you or your loved one gets the compensation that they need for the rest of their lives.
If a residential property maintained by a landlord is not properly maintained it can be dangerous to any age group, but particularly a senior citizen. If you have a loved one who has fallen due to this or any other kind of negligence at a hospital or senior citizen home, a consultation with an expert brain injury attorney is necessary to receive appropriate compensation for your family member in this kind of circumstance.
