Skull Fracture Injury Compensation

If you have been injured in an accident and have suffered a brain injury and/or a skull fracture, you may be entitled to compensation. Our personal injury lawyers are highly experienced in handling head injury claims from all sorts of accidents including road accidents, accidents at work, slips, trips, falls, blows to the head, and medical misdiagnosis and treatment of head injuries.

A fracture to the skull can result in brain damage, infection, meningitis, nerve damage and other complications which we will discuss below.

If you have ongoing injuries and disabilities from a head injury, and are unsure if you can claim compensation, then contact us today to find out about your rights to a compensation payout.

Skull Fracture Complications

The presence of a skull fracture (or cranial fracture) is a warning that there may be an underlying brain injury. Brain damage is estimated to be 5 to 10 times more frequent with skull fractures than without them. Skull fractures can also result in cranial nerve palsies, and may also be an opening for bacteria. Bacteria can cause meningitis or the formation an infection and abscess. Also, CSF (cerebro spinal fluid) may end up leaking into the sinus cavity.

Less commonly, a carotid cavernous fistula can occur, if a  basal fracture through the sphenoid bone lacerates the internal carotid artery or one of its branches where it lies in the cavernous sinus. Blood can enter the sinus area, and there may be pain in the orbit of the eye.

Collection of air in the cranial cavity (aerocele) is a common occurrence following skull fracture. It is usually diagnosed by CT scan. Small collections of air can be absorbed without causing major problems, however larger collections can serve as entry for bacteria and can result in deterioration. Needle aspiration may be needed.

Basal Skull Fractures

Basal Skull Fractures (or basilar skull fractures) are fractures which occur at the base of the skull. These types of fractures can be difficult to detect especially when plain film x-rays are used.  That is why a CT scan is often preferred to make a clearer diagnosis.

Basal skull fracture types can include:

• fracture of the pertous pyramid (which can affect the auditory canal or tympanic membrane);
• posterior basal skull fracture (which can damage the sigmoid sinus, and tissue behind the ear);
• anterior basal skull fracture (can cause leakage of blood into the periorbital tissues).

Skull Fracture and Nerve Damage

Cranial nerve damage is often a result of a basal skull fracture. Most commonly it is the olfactory, facial and auditory nerves which are affected from these fractures. However, any cranial nerve can be damaged from a skull fracture. The nerve fibers may be damaged from the impact of the injury to the head.

Nerve damage symptoms include anosmia (loss of ability to smell), and apparent  loss of ability to taste. Loss of smell and taste from an injury to the back of the head can be permanent.

A fracture in or near the sellar (this is the saddle-shaped depression that is found at the base of your skull), can actually result in tearing of the stalk of the pituitary gland. Although this is a rare occurrence, it can result in diabetes insipidus.

A fracture of the sphenoid bone (which is in front of the temples), can result in blurred vision or even  blindness if the optic nerve is damaged.

Damage to the trigeminal nerve may result in feelings of numbness and parasthesia of the skin on the face. Whilst damage to the facial nerve can result in facial palsy.

If there is damage to the 8th cranial nerve as a result of a petrous fracture, then there may be hearing loss and vertigo.

A fractured hypoglossal canal can result in weakness to one side of the tongue.

Depression Fracture of the Skull

Depressed skull fractures also referred to as “derby hat” fractures are really of only concern if the underlying dura is lacerated, or if the indentation of the fractured bone is causing compression of the brain.  These fractures may require surgery to be repaired.

Need Legal Advice?

Our brain injury lawyers can help you receive compensation for a head injury, cranial fracture or nerve damage. Just complete the Contact Form to find out more about your rights. Time limits apply in making compensation claims, so do not delay.