24 hours after the discovery of Loana’s lifeless body at her home, investigations gradually revealed the circumstances of her death. According to the Nice public prosecutor, the first findings revealed a wound at the back of the head as well as bruising in the lumbar region. Elements which direct investigators towards the hypothesis of a backward fall which occurred several days before the discovery of the body. Even several weeks before. At this stage of the investigation, opened to investigate the causes of death, there is no evidence to suggest the intervention of a third party. An autopsy and toxicological analyzes must confirm the exact circumstances of death.
But a question naturally arises: can a simple fall at home really be fatal?
A domestic fall can be enough to cause death
According to Dr. Gérald Kierzek, emergency physician, there is no “safe” minimum height.
“Contrary to popular belief, a fall can be fatal even at ground level, for example when slipping or falling unwell”. Everything actually depends on many factors: the state of health of the person, the way in which they fall, the surface of the impact or even the speed of treatment.
“A fall backward is particularly feared. When the head hits a hard ground, serious head trauma can occur, with potentially fatal internal bleeding or cervical lesions.”
Height is not the only determining factor
In so-called “low” falls (between 0 and 2 meters) the consequences are fortunately often benign in a young and healthy adult. “But in fragile people, mortality can reach 10 to 20%, particularly in the event of intracranial hemorrhage or serious fracture..
As height increases, the risk becomes greater:
- Between 3 and 5 meters, the impact speed can reach 40 km/h and the trauma is often severe;
- Beyond 5 meters, the mortality rate exceeds 50%, due to multiple lesions affecting the organs, the brain or the spine.
However, insists the specialist, the violence of the shock does not explain everything. “Seemingly harmless falls can become dramatic if certain aggravating factors are present.”
Fragility factors that increase the danger
Several elements can increase the risk of death after a fall. First of all, age or general health: falls are the leading cause of accidental death among people over 65 in France.
Taking medications or substances such as benzodiazepines, opioids, neuroleptics or alcohol can cause drowsiness, dizziness and loss of balance.
Finally, malnutrition, osteoporosis or neurological disorders weaken the body and complicate recovery.
In Loana’s case, investigators have yet to determine whether such factors could have played a role, in particular thanks to ongoing toxicological analyzes.
Do we die from the initial shock… or from complications?
Finally, two scenarios are generally possible after a fall.
Immediate shock can kill
This is a “bad fall” indicates the expert who then combines severe head trauma with cerebral hemorrhage, damage to the spinal cord, or even cardiac arrest caused by the violence of the shock.
“In these situations, death can occur quickly, within hours or days.”
Secondary complications
But complications can also put the victim in danger, when they initially survive but remain immobilized. When she lives alone, other risks appear:
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Hypothermia, especially if the person stays on the ground for a long time;
- Dehydration or malnutrition;
- Pulmonary infections;
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Embolism or muscle destruction linked to prolonged immobility.
These complications can lead to death several days after the fall, particularly if the victim is unconscious or disoriented.
“In the Loana case, the fact that the death occurred several days ago could suggest a combination of initial head trauma and complications linked to immobility, a hypothesis which will have to be confirmed by medico-legal investigations” analyzes our expert.
An underestimated risk on a daily basis
Loana’s sad end reminds us of a fact: every year, thousands of deaths are linked to domestic falls. Often considered trivial, they can nevertheless have serious consequences, particularly among vulnerable or isolated people.
But falls can also be anticipated, hence the importance of preventing accidents at home: arrangement of housing, vigilance with medication or alcohol, medical monitoring and maintaining social ties for people living alone. Important measures to avoid a dramatic outcome.