by Jerrie Lynn South-DeRose

Created on: March 21, 2009

Natasha Richardson's Accidental Death From a Traumatic Brain Injury Received During a Ski Lesson

The recent death of movie and Broadway icon Natasha Richardson at the age of forty-five, the 1997 highlights and illustrates the dangers of both hidden and obvious injuries that can result in paralysis or death. The cause of Natasha Richardson's death, according to the autopsy report, was an epidural hematoma. Ellen Borakove, a spokeswoman for the New York Citymedical examiner's office, stated that an epidural hematoma causes bleeding between the skull and the lining of the brain.

Doctors reported that if Ms. Richardson had sought or agreed to medical attention immediately following the accident, there is a good chance that she would have lived. Feeling fine and with no apparent injuries, Natasha Richardson turned down the medical attention she was offered at the ski resort following a fall that occurred on a beginner's trail during a skiing lesson on Monday, March 16th, 2009, at a Canadian Ski Resort. Approximately one hour later, according to various reports, Ms. Richardson developed a headache and was first taken by ambulance to the Centre Hospitalier Laurentien in Ste-Agathe, Canada and later transferred to Hpital du Sacre-Coeur in Montreal where she was placed into intensive care. On Tuesday, March 16th, 2009, Ms. Richardson was transported to a New York hospital where she later passed away after being removed from life support.

When a person falls or receives a blow to the head, the brain may bounce within the cavity of the skull and may cause shearing or tearing of the blood vessels surrounding the brain and Dura. According to the University of Missouri Health Carewebsite, when the blood vessels tear, blood accumulates within the space between the Dura and the skull. This is known as an epidural hematoma (epi-door-ul hem-a-to-ma), or blood clot at the covering of the brain.

Since symptoms are often not immediately noticeable following a fall or other accident, it is imperative for anyone suffering a fall on the ski slopes, regardless of their level of expertise, to immediately seek first aid advice and an examination, at the closest hospital or trauma center. A person with a potential traumatic brain injury can be closely monitored and get immediate medical attention.

Sadly, most head injuries are caused by the failure to wear proper protective gear, whether the victims are skiing, riding a bicycle, riding a motorcycle, or engaging in other higher risk activities. Protective gear for skiers is available in a variety of colors, styles, and designs, so that skiers and persons engaging in other activities do not have to give anything up in the way of being fashionable and comfortable.

Michael Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, also died after suffering a traumatic brain injury while playing a form of ski football in 1997, and singer-variety show host turned senator, Sonny Bono, died from a skiing accident in 1998. Michael Kennedy was not wearing a helmet when he recieved the injury that resulted in his death.

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