At what height is a fall considered serious for adults?

A fall from a height of more than 15 feet is generally considered serious for adults due to the significant risk of severe injury or death. At this height, the impact force can lead to a variety of injuries, including fractures, head trauma, or spinal injuries. The body is not designed to withstand such forces without injury, making falls from heights over 15 feet particularly dangerous.

While there are thresholds at which falls may be considered serious—for instance, falls from above 10 feet can also result in significant injuries—15 feet is a widely accepted benchmark in emergency medical services for adult patients. This is supported by various studies and clinical guidelines that highlight the increased risk of serious trauma associated with falls from this height.

Higher thresholds, such as 20 or 25 feet, may indicate even greater risk, but the critical threshold where injuries are most likely to be serious is recognized at over 15 feet. Thus, identifying this height allows first responders to prioritize care and resources effectively based on the potential for trauma severity.