Our lawyers have won lawsuit settlements for clients who suffered a skull fracture in a crash. In many of these personal injury cases, the skull fracture is just one of many injuries. Our goal is to obtain money for our client that compensates for all of his or her injuries.
Can a Skull Fracture Result in Permanent Brain Damage?
Yes, a skull fracture can result in permanent brain damage. When it is caused by a blow to the head in an accident, it is considered a traumatic brain injury.
One of the most severe head trauma cases we handled involved a man whose head was crushed by a tow truck hook. He suffered numerous skull fractures, the loss of one eye, and permanent brain damage. His life and the lives of his loved ones were changed forever.
Can Someone Die from a Fractured Skull?
Yes, someone can die from a fractured skull:
- A fragment of skull can penetrate the brain tissue;
- Basilar (also called basal) skull fractures are those at the base of the skull, and these are often fatal due to severe bruising and bleeding in the brain tissue;
- If a fractured skull is not immediately noticed by medical personnel, there is a higher risk of death.
The family of the person who died may have the legal right to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the person and/or company that caused the injury. These cases can provide millions in compensation to the spouse and “next of kin,” generally the children, parents, and other family members.
Do I Have to File a Lawsuit or Can I Just Settle?
No, you do not have to file a lawsuit to settle case, but it is probably not be your best choice to settle right after the accident. This is because early settlements often fail to provide full and fair compensation. We highly recommend you contact a lawyer.
What is a Skull Fracture?
Severe trauma to the head can cause a skull fracture. Skull fractures occur when the bone of the skull cracks or breaks. For the skull to fracture, the blow to the head has to be severe and is usually associated with a car accident, motorcycle accident or bike accident. There are a number of different skull fractures:
- A simple fracture is a break in the bone without damage to the skin.
- A linear skull fracture is a break in a cranial bone resembling a thin line, without splintering, depression, or distortion of bone.
- A depressed skull fracture is a break in a cranial bone (or “crushed” portion of skull) with depression of the bone in toward the brain.
- A penetrating skull fracture occurs when something pierces the skull, such as a bullet, leaving a distinct and localized injury to brain tissue.
- A compound fracture involves a break in, or loss of skin and splintering of the bone.
What Injuries can Result from a Skull Fracture?
A skull fracture (a break in a bone of the head) increases the risk of brain damage, other complications and death. Injury from a skull fracture can include the following:
- Infection. Fractures, especially at the back and bottom (base) of the skull, can tear the meninges, the layers of tissue that cover the brain. Bacteria occasionally enter the skull through such fractures, causing infection and severe brain damage.
- Contusion. Skull fractures can cause bruising of brain tissue called a contusion. A contusion is a distinct area of swollen brain tissue mixed with blood released from broken blood vessels.
- Hematoma. Damage to a major blood vessel in the head can cause a hematoma , or heavy bleeding into or around the brain. Three types of hematomas can cause brain damage: 1) epidural hematoma—bleeding into the area between the skull and the dura; 2) subdural hematoma—bleeding in the area between the dura and the arachnoid membrane; and 3) intracerebral hematoma—bleeding within the brain itself.
Often, people who suffer head trauma do not realize how seriously injured they are or the full extent of their emotional and financial losses. This is one reason we generally do not rush to settle a brain damage lawsuit.
Head Trauma Fractures
Head trauma can result in skull and facial fractures. The eyes, nose and ears can be affected, resulting in blindness or loss of smell or hearing. Some possible facial fractures include the following:
- nasal and naso-orbital-ethmoid (NOE) fractures
- orbital fractures (7 bones – ethmoid, maxilla, zygoma, lacrimal, palatine, sphenoid, frontal)
- zygomatic complex fractures (trimalar, tripod, malar complex, tetrapod, maxillary complex, orbitozygomaticomaxillary)
- palatal and La Fort fractures
- mandibular condylar (jaw fracture) and sub condylar fractures.
There are a number of different types of skull fractures:
- simple fracture, a break in the bone without damage to the skin
- linear skull fracture, a break in a cranial bone resembling a thin line, without splintering, depression, or distortion of bone
- depressed skull fracture, a break in a cranial bone (or “crushed” portion of skull) with depression of the bone in toward the brain
- penetrating skull fracture, which occurs when something pierces the skull
- compound fracture, a splintering of the bone.
If you have suffered head trauma, contact us for a free consultation: call 1-888-377-8900 (toll free), email Attorney Fred Pritzker or submit our online consultation form.
Our lawyers have won millions in cases against negligent drivers, drunk drivers, bus and trucking companies and others.