If you hit your head in a slip and fall, workplace, or construction site accident, you may suffer side effects, such as a dull ache or sharp pain in your head. A headache after a fall can indicate a traumatic brain injury (TBI) that, if left untreated, can cause long-term damage to your cognitive functioning and mood.
Understanding what it means if you experience a headache after suffering a fall can help you get the medical attention you need and an accurate diagnosis for future care. If you have suffered a TBI due to another person’s negligence, the brain injury attorneys at Wagner Reese can help you pursue a settlement to pay for current and future damages.
What Does It Mean If You Experience a Headache After a Fall?
Experiencing a headache after a fall can be a sign of a mild to moderate head injury. More than 30% of people with moderate to severe TBIs suffer from long-term headaches after their initial injury.
When you fall and hit your head, your brain can get jostled inside your skull, causing it to hit your skull’s interior. This can damage the blood vessels, nerves, and tissues, which often leads to headache symptoms, such as a dull, pounding sensation or sharp pain in your head.
Other symptoms can accompany a headache after a fall, such as:
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Experiencing multiple symptoms can be a sign of a more severe injury.
In rare cases, a headache after a fall can be a sign of a more serious condition, such as a hemorrhage or brain swelling. These conditions require immediate medical attention, as they can be life-threatening if left untreated.
Common TBIs That Cause Headaches
All TBIs can result in headaches, from minor concussions to internal brain hemorrhaging. The following serious TBIs can occur head trauma in car collisions, workplace injuries, construction site falls, and slip and falls on a negligently maintained property:
- Concussions: A concussion is a TBI caused by a blow to the head or a sudden jolt that causes the brain to hit against the skull. It can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, confusion, and memory problems. Most people recover from a concussion within a few days to a few weeks, but in some cases, symptoms can last for months or even years.
- Contusions: A contusion is a bruise on the brain caused by a direct blow to the head. It can cause headaches, vomiting, confusion, and seizures. Depending on the severity of the contusion, surgery may be necessary to remove any blood clots or relieve pressure on the brain.
- Hematomas: A hematoma is a blood clot that forms inside the brain after a traumatic injury. It can cause headaches, drowsiness, confusion, seizures, and paralysis. If the hematoma is large or causes pressure on the brain, emergency surgery may be required to remove it.
- Skull fractures: A skull fracture is a break in the bone of the skull. It can cause headaches, swelling, bruising, and bleeding from the nose or ears. Severe skull fractures may need surgery to repair the damage and prevent further complications.
- Diffuse axonal injury: A diffuse axonal injury is a severe TBI caused by the brain moving back and forth inside the skull. It can cause headaches, dizziness, confusion, and coma. The damage to the brain’s nerve fibers can lead to long-term disabilities and impairments.
- Cerebral edema: Cerebral edema is a swelling of the brain caused by fluid accumulation. It can cause headaches, nausea, vomiting, seizures, and confusion. Treatment may involve medications to reduce swelling and surgery in severe cases.
- Post-traumatic migraines: Post-traumatic migraines are headaches that occur after a TBI. They can cause nausea, severe pain, and sensitivity to light and sound. Treatment may involve medication, lifestyle changes, and avoiding triggers.
Why Immediate Medical Attention is Vital for TBIs
Seeking immediate medical attention after suffering a head injury in a fall is vital to your well-being. Medical care ensures you receive an appropriate diagnosis for your condition and an effective treatment plan for continued care.
After suffering a TBI, your medical provider will use special tests to diagnose your TBI, including neurological exams, imaging scans, and cognitive tests. They may prescribe treatment involving medications to manage symptoms, rehabilitation, or surgery.
You and your attorney can use these detailed medical records to show the severity of your TBI and its effects on your physical and mental functioning. This can help your attorney estimate accurate current and long-term damages and win you a fair settlement to help you recover after the injury when you file a claim against the at-fault party.
Contact an Attorney if You Experience Severe Headache Symptoms After a Fall
Headaches are not merely painful, they can be symptoms of serious and potentially disabling injuries that deserve financial compensation. This makes it important to find an attorney with a demonstrated record of success with these types of injuries.
At Wagner Reese, we understand the impact that TBIs can have on individuals and their families. We are committed to providing our clients with the highest level of legal representation and helping them get the compensation they deserve.
If you suffered a headache after a fall and have questions about your legal rights and the compensation you may be owed, contact Wagner Reese today to schedule a free consultation.