Suppose you recently attended the wedding of your favorite niece. Following the ceremony, you and your spouse drove to a Providence hotel where the reception was about to begin.
On the way down the hall to the ballroom, you slipped and fell, hitting your head on the hard floor. How did this happen and what kind of injury are you dealing with?
How slips occur
Traction is the key word when you are looking for the cause behind the kind of fall you experienced. Lower traction brings a greater risk for falling. For example, the condition of the floor in a hotel may result in slip hazards. When the bottom of your shoe connects with a wet or slippery surface you may lose traction, and down you go. Here are the main culprits:
- Residue: Many kinds of cleaning materials leave a residue, especially the fragrant products because they have an oily and therefore slippery residue.
- Liquids: Any kind of liquid, from rainwater to tracked-in grease and oil that leaks from cars.
- Mats: Rubber mats, especially, can be slippery when wet.
Your fall and TBI
Data collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that roughly 2 million Americans suffer a traumatic brain injury every year. Furthermore, falls account for more than 40% of such injuries. The kind of blow to the head you suffered when you fell on the hard floor can result in a traumatic brain injury.
Apart from the initial pain you felt, there might have been no symptoms of TBI. Hours or even days later you may feel disoriented or confused, your eyesight may become blurry or you may begin having headaches, all of which could signal the onset of TBI. Even if you suffer mild brain trauma, you could have long-term thinking and memory issues.
Next steps
First, you should see a doctor promptly. Next, you should explore your legal options relative to a premises liability claim. You can expect a thorough investigation to determine the cause of your injury and the identity of the negligent party. You may not have been able to enjoy the wedding reception, but you may be able to enjoy financial compensation to cover your medical expenses and more.
