At What Height Can You Be Seriously Injured in a Fall?

Published on Feb 18, 2025 |

Slips and Falls

Falls are some of the most common causes of injury. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data, every year, 3 million Americans are treated for fall injuries in emergency rooms.

At what height can you be seriously injured in a fall? While you might think that only falling from great heights is dangerous, even minor slips can cause serious damage.

Here is a look at the different types of falls and what they could mean for your health.

What Affects the Severity of a Fall?

The severity of a fall is more than the height of the tumble. There are several factors that can contribute to the likelihood of injury, such as:

  • Age and health: Older adults are far more susceptible to severe injuries due to conditions like osteoporosis or poor balance. According to more data from the CDC, falls are the leading cause of injury-related death for those 65 and older.
  • Landing surface: Falling onto concrete is more dangerous than landing on grass or a padded surface. Any hard surface can amplify the impact force.
  • Fall dynamics: The angle of the fall and whether someone tries to catch themselves can affect injury outcomes. For example, outstretching your arms to break a fall could lead to wrist or arm fractures.

Does Height Matter?

In many cases, any type of fall has the possibility of causing serious injuries. Here is what you can expect from each fall height:

Falls from Standing Height

Even a fall from standing height, which is around 5 to 6 feet for most adults, can be dangerous. For older adults, these types of falls often result in broken hips, head injuries, or worse.

Falls from 1 to 5 Feet

While you might not think climbing on a chair to change a light bulb or stepping off a curb is dangerous, falling from as little as 1 to 5 feet can cause serious harm. These injuries can include:

  • Head trauma: A backward fall onto a hard floor can result in a concussion or skull fracture.
  • Fractures: Wrists, arms, or hips are broken when people try to brace themselves during a fall.

These incidents are dangerous for children and older adults. Many times, they cannot reduce the force of impact from the fall.

Falls from 6 to 10 Feet

When you fall from heights at this level, they become more dangerous. Working on a ladder or climbing on a roof often results in accidents from this range. These injuries become more severe because the velocity of the fall increases. Some common injuries may include:

  • Spinal injuries: Falling backward can compress or fracture the vertebrae.
  • Multiple fractures: Arms, legs, and ribs are at high risk when a fall occurs from this height.

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), falls from 6 feet or higher account for a large percentage of workplace fatalities.

Falls from 10 to 20 Feet

These heights are usually the equivalent of a second-story window or a high roof. Most of the time, they occur in construction settings or during recreational activities. At this stage, the risk of life-threatening injuries at these heights is high. This can lead to:

  • Severe head injuries: The velocity at impact often causes skull fractures, brain swelling, or long-term cognitive issues.
  • Internal organ damage: The impact force can rupture internal organs, leading to internal bleeding, which may be fatal without immediate medical attention.
  • Complex fractures: Limbs and joints often shatter at these heights. Many times, they require multiple surgeries.

Beyond 20 Feet

Once a fall exceeds 20 feet, the chance of survival drops. Medical professionals often refer to this range as the “critical height” because injuries are likely catastrophic. Many times, the force of the falls can rupture major organs, cause permanent brain damage, or crush the spinal cord.

For construction workers, roofers, and others in high-risk professions, falls from this height remain one of the leading causes of workplace deaths.

While falls over six feet pose a greater risk of life-threatening injuries, people of all ages and health conditions should remain cautious, even at lower heights.

Whether you have been injured at the grocery store or on a construction site, you may be able to take legal action, especially if negligence played a role. Western Justice Associates, PLLC, can help you look over your options.