Falling as an older adult is dangerous for many reasons, including the increased likelihood of sustaining a traumatic brain injury. Among the reasons brain injuries from falls are more common in older populations is due to changes in the brain that take place later in life. Brain shrinkage, for instance, can contribute to brain injuries in older adults. Healing from such an injury takes much longer among older people if it happens at all. This is one of the reasons that working with a reputable New York slip and fall attorney is so crucial with this injury type.
The Role of Brain Shrinkage in Brain Injuries Among Older Adults
As you age, your body shrinks all over, including your brain. The more your brain shrinks, the more space there is between the brain and the skull. This does not automatically mean you will develop dementia or be less intelligent. Rather, it is a natural biological process that plays out in the body over time.
Because the brain shrinks, leaving space between it and the skull, a slip and fall accident that results in head trauma can also manifest as a traumatic brain injury. The blood vessels that connect your brain to your skull also become thinner and tighter, which means they are easier to damage if you hit your head in a fall.
Symptoms of a Traumatic Brain Injury
If you have sustained a fall and suspect you or your loved one may have a traumatic brain injury, there are a few telltale signs. They include:
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Confusion
- Memory loss
- Balance issues
- Incontinence
The appearance of these symptoms indicates that a fall may have resulted in a traumatic brain injury. It is important to note that sometimes these symptoms don’t crop up right away. They may not be evident until a week or two after the incident in question. This is why the team at Dalli & Marino always recommends that you see a medical professional immediately after a fall to rule out significant injury.
Treatment for such an injury includes physical and cognitive rest followed by rehabilitation therapy to regain some of the functions that may have been lost due to the injury. While this process is similar to that used in younger people, it often takes older adults longer to recover due to age.
Schedule a Free Consultation with an Experienced New York Slip and Fall Attorney
If you or a loved one has experienced a brain injury, you may be eligible for compensation depending on the circumstances of the injury. Dalli & Marino is well-versed in traumatic brain injuries sustained in car accidents, slip and falls and other accident types. We will fight to get you the compensation you deserve, especially if the injury in question was due to carelessness or negligence.
Schedule a free consultation today by calling (888) 465-8790. You can also reach out to us via our online contact form to learn more.
