Skull fractures can cause severe damage to the brain resulting in a variety of life-long psychological and physical problems.
Skull Fracture Injuries
A severe blow to the head can cause a skull fracture injury that yields serious consequences. Because a skull fracture compromises the structural strength of the skull, it often results in a traumatic brain injury (TBI), a medical term that refers to severe brain damage. While some TBIs can heal on their own, others can cause permanent psychological and physical damages, coma, or death.
When skull fractures occur in certain areas of the head, brain damage may be severe enough to cause cognitive damage and physical disabilities. Accident lawyers often see irreversible damage caused by serious physical assaults, car crashes, sports injuries, and slip and falls onto hard surfaces. Depending on the severity of the blow to the head, a TBI can range from mild brain contusions to life-threatening injuries.
Open and Closed Injury Skull Fractures
Skull fractures may or may not break skin in the head, resulting in open or closed injuries. An open injury, where the blow breaches the skin, is more dangerous because it allows bacteria into the wound. If an infection develops, it can quickly spread to parts of the brain.
Intracranial Hematomas
In some cases, a skull fracture can damage veins and arteries in the head, leading to dangerous internal bleeding. These bleeding veins and arteries within the skull can create pressure buildup between the skull and the brain, known as an intracranial hematoma.
Depressed Skull Fractures
Severe skull fractures can cause pieces of the skull to cave inward, directly damaging soft tissues of the brain. These types of injuries are known as depressed skull fractures. They are serious because they allow foreign materials to enter the brain, causing abscesses and infections.
Victims of skull fracture injuries may experience a range of symptoms, including mental confusion, memory loss, speaking and hearing impairments, loss of coordination and balance, internal bleeding, migraines, and seizures. Medical diagnosis reveals the need for immediate surgical procedures to prevent permanent injuries or death.
When physical attacks or the negligence of another person causes a skull fracture, accident lawyers can recover damages for the injury victim. Such damages may include compensation for medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. If the negligent party’s actions were egregious, punitive damages may be awarded as well to punish the responsible party.