A skull fracture is a complete or partial break in the cranial bones. Skull fractures can occur with head injuries and traumatic brain injuries. If these fractures cause traumatic brain injury, there can be damage to the nervous system and bleeding. Rarer, but possible complications can include bacterial infections or formations of abscesses within the brain. Skull fractures can be initially diagnosed into two types:

  1. Open- or compound fracture involves the skin being broken by the bone;
  2. Closed- any fracture that has not broken the skin.

Further categorizations of the fracture can include classifications such as:

  1. Simple- a broken skull with no resulting damage to the skin;
  2. Linear- a break in the bone that results in a line forming;
  3. Depressed- the cranial bone is crushed and forms a depression in the skull toward the brain.

In addition to any obvious physical symptoms of a skull fracture, other symptoms include leakage of any brain fluid, blood around the eardrum, and any bruising around the eyes.

Diagnosis may require a CT scan or an MRI scan. Surprisingly, x-rays are not very helpful in the diagnosis of skull fractures. Treatment depends on the severity of the fracture and can range from only needing pain medication to surgery.

There are myriad injuries caused by the negligence of others that can result in skull fractures. Motorcycle accidents are a major cause of head injuries and it is recommended that motorcyclists always wear a proper helmet. Head injuries are also common in auto accidents where a motorist or passenger is not wearing a seat belt. Head injuries can also occur in slip and fall situations, whether at work or a construction site, or just in a negligently maintained area.

If you are involved in an accident where someone is suspected of having a head injury, recognize that a skull fracture could be involved. Do not move the injured person. Try to cordon off the road until an ambulance or the police appear. Seeking medical care immediately is of the utmost importance for the injured person.

After medical care had been administered for all parties involved the next step is to see an attorney immediately for a consultation, especially if you were not at fault for the accident. An attorney can help navigate through the maze of issues a claimant will encounter when trying to get compensation for their hospital bills, injuries, and other possible damages. David Kremin and Associates offers free consultations to those who have been injured in the state of Illinois.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not to be construed as legal advice. Your case may be different.

When You Should Contact a Skull Fracture Attorney?

Consult an attorney in your area for further guidance. If you or a loved one has sustained a skull fracture due to the negligence of another please call one of our attorneys at David K. Kremin & Associates, and we will give you a free consultation. We never charge unless we collect for you. Please call 1(800) ASK-A-LAWYER or 1(800)275-2529.