Of the many types of injuries that a person can sustain in an accident, head injuries are some of the worst. Skull fractures, in particular, should be taken especially seriously, as they can lead to permanent damage if treatment isn’t sought immediately. While those who sustain skull fractures and similar head injuries often face a long and expensive road to recovery, it is possible to recover compensation for medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering if the victim can prove that someone else’s negligence was the cause of the accident. For help filing your own accident claim, please reach out to our dedicated Miami brain injury lawyers today.
What is a Skull Fracture?
Some of the most serious head injuries involve a skull fracture, of which there are four main types:
- Linear skull fractures, which are the most common and occur when a bone in the skull breaks but doesn’t move;
- Depressed skull fractures, which occurs when part of the skull actually sinks in from the force of the trauma;
- Diastatic skull fractures, which occur along the suture lines in the skull (the areas of the skull that fuse as children); and
- Basilar skull fractures, which are the most serious type of skull fracture and involve a break at the base of the skull.
While some skull fractures heal on their own over time, others can lead to serious complications, like intracranial bleeds, hemorrhaging, and permanent brain damage, making early diagnosis and treatment of the utmost importance.
Treating a Skull Fracture
The kinds of treatment required to recover from a skull fracture will vary depending on the type of fracture in question. Linear skull fractures, for instance, don’t usually require intervention and injured patients, after spending some time in the hospital under observation, can return to their normal activities within a few days. Depressed skull fractures, on the other hand, are more serious and could require surgical intervention to prevent permanent disfigurement. Basilar skull fractures are extremely serious and are often accompanied by bruising and clear fluid draining from the ears and nose. Surgical intervention may be necessary if a person experiences intracranial bleeding or nerve damage.
Unfortunately, even the milder forms of treatment (i.e. observation in the hospital) can quickly become expensive, especially for accident victims who are unable to work while they recuperate. In these cases, seeking compensation from the at-fault party who caused the accident is often an injured party’s best bet for paying for treatment and moving on with his or her life.
Meet with Our Dedicated Miami Brain Injury Lawyers
At Dolan Dobrinsky Rosenblum, LLP, we recognize that accidents rarely occur when we expect them. For this reason, we make ourselves available to potential clients 24 hours a day, seven days a week to answer liability and accident-related questions and concerns. To set up an evaluation of your own case, please speak with a member of our legal team by calling our office at 305-371-2692 or by sending us an online message.