Skull Fractures

Skull fractures are breaks in bones of the skull due to a head injury. Fractures in which skin also gets broken are known as open skull fractures while if the skin is not broken, then it is known as a closed skull fracture. Apart from that, fractures of skull may be depressed, diastatic, linear or comminuted.

Although the skull is one of the toughest and most resilient parts of the body and provides extreme protection to the brain, some severe blow or impact may result in a fracture and may or may not be accompanied by an injury to brain. If the skull fracture has led to bleeding and damage of the nervous system, then the brain gets directly affected and the person may lose his or her mental health for the entire life time. If blood clots are formed under the skull, then the brain gets indirectly affected and the underlying tissues of the brain get compressed.

• A simple skull fracture is break in the skull bone without damaging the skin.
• Linear fracture is a break of the cranial bone that resembles a thin line, without depression, splintering or distortion of the bone. Sometimes, it may lengthen and develop because the brain starts swelling, in that case it is known as growing fracture.
• Depressed fracture is break in the skull bone with bone depressed towards the brain. Surgery is needed for lifting the bones that may be causing pressure on the brain.
• Compound fractures involve breaks, skin loss or splintering of the skull bone.
• Diastatic fractures are a kind of linear fractures which cause the skull bones to separate, especially in younger children whose bones have still not fused.
• In comminute fractures, the skull bone gets shattered into several pieces, resulting in the bits of bones driven into the brain.

Automobile accidents, falls, sports, physical assault and head trauma are some of the major causes of skull fractures. Some of the most common symptoms of these fractures may include a cut, bruise or bump on the head, visible dents at the area of impact, blood flowing out of ear, a blue or black discoloration behind ear or around eyes and a clear fluid coming out of the nose. That is why, it is always advisable to wear a good quality head gear while participating in a sports activity or a helmet while riding on a bicycle or motorbike to prevent any chances of a skull fracture.

Obviously compensation claims can be very complicated and it would be unwise to attempt to pursue a claim without professional assistance which should be provided by a solicitor with expertise in this field. Excalibur Solicitors is a specialist personal injury practice dealing with all types of injury claims such as road accidents, accidents at work, accidents in public places, medical negligence. If you have been injured in the last three years and require advice on your potential compensation claim we can provide a free legal assessment of your case if you complete our Application Form. We operate on a "No Win No Fee" basis at no cost to you.

The information in this article is designed to provide general information only. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is accurate, it does not constitute legal or other professional advice.