Bob Saget’s death highlighted how serious blunt force head trauma can be, even when symptoms seem mild at first. Head injuries may cause delayed bleeding or brain damage that worsens over time. The case emphasizes the importance of seeking immediate medical attention after any significant blow to the head.
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
Sadly, this was the case with actor and comedian Bob Saget. Best known as the longtime host of “America’s Funniest Home Videos” and Danny Tanner on “Full House,” Saget died on Jan. 9, 2022, from a head injury he sustained after a fall in his hotel room.
Saget’s death was a tragedy ― and an all too common one. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), he was one of more than 160 Americans who died of a traumatic brain injury that day alone. If there is any silver lining to his shocking death, we hope it spreads awareness about the dangers of head injuries and warns others not to underestimate the effects of blunt force trauma.
News reports say Saget died from blunt force trauma to the brain and skull. He was found unresponsive at his hotel room in Orlando, Fla. After an autopsy, the Orange County Medical Examiner’s Office concluded that Saget most likely sustained his fatal injury after slipping on the marble floor in the bathroom and hitting his head.
“The authorities have determined that Bob passed from head trauma,” the Saget family said in a statement after officials released the autopsy results. “They have concluded that he accidentally hit the back of his head on something, thought nothing of it, and went to sleep. No drugs or alcohol were involved.”
Dr. Roshini Raj, an associate professor of Medicine at NYU Langone Health, told People Magazine that “This report shows that the [skull and] brain suffered trauma which led to skull fractures, bruising of the brain and actual bleeding in the space around the brain. This blood can compress the brain and cause death.”
CDC research shows there were about 224,000 hospitalizations for brain injuries across the country in one recent year alone. All head injuries should be taken seriously, as untreated damage can be irreversible. Potential complications from blunt-force head injuries include:
Learn more about the types of traumatic brain injuries and how they are diagnosed
Blunt force trauma occurs when the body comes in contact with a firm, broad object or surface. Some of the most common sources of blunt force trauma in the United States include:
According to the Mayo Clinic, the most common signs of head injuries include:
See a doctor right away if you experience a harsh bump on the head. As Saget’s tragic case shows us, a seemingly minor injury can still prove fatal. You don’t have to lose consciousness to have a concussion, and even mild TBIs can have long-term consequences.
Once you’ve called 911, here’s what to do next:
Of course, not all head injuries will provide grounds for a personal injury claim. Smacking your head on a kitchen cabinet could just be a freak accident, with no one to blame. But if the cabinet detached from the wall and struck you due to defective installation, you might have a legal case. The best way to find out is by talking with a proven personal injury attorney.
Gathering the right evidence is critical — see what evidence proves a slip and fall claim
To see how a traumatic brain injury case can unfold in real life, read this client story and the outcome achieved