Fall from cliff (W15)
The ICD-10 code W15 specifically identifies injuries resulting from a fall from a cliff. This code and its extensions capture the circumstances and timing of such injuries for accurate medical recordkeeping and billing.
W15 and its detailed codes, including W15.XXXA for initial encounter, W15.XXXD for subsequent encounter, and W15.XXXS for sequela, are used to classify injuries caused by falls from natural geographic features like cliffs or mountains. These codes cover various synonyms like “fall from geological formation” or “injury due to fall from height,” helping medical coders link commonly used terms to this specific external cause. Using the correct variant of the ICD-10 code for fall from cliff helps healthcare providers document the injury timeline and type of care, whether it is the first treatment, follow-up care, or complications arising later (sequela). This allows for clear tracking and communication about injuries caused by climbing, hiking, or other activities involving rocky terrains.
External causes of morbidity and mortality (V01–Y99)
Slipping, tripping, stumbling and falls (W00-W19)
W15 Fall from cliff
- W15.XXXA Fall from cliff, initial encounter
- W15.XXXD Fall from cliff, subsequent encounter
- W15.XXXS Fall from cliff, sequela
Fall from cliff (W15)
Instructional Notations
7th Character Note
Certain ICD-10-CM categories have applicable 7th characters. The applicable 7th character is required for all codes within the category, or as the notes in the Tabular List instruct. The 7th character must always be the 7th character in the data field. If a code that requires a 7th character is not 6 characters, a placeholder X must be used to fill in the empty characters.
- The appropriate 7th character is to be added to code W15
7th Character
Indicates that a seventh character is to be assigned to codes in a subcategory.
- A - initial encounter
- D - subsequent encounter
- S - sequela
