While not every skull fracture is fatal, a cracked skull can cause life-threatening brain injuries through bleeding, swelling, or nerve damage. Even after hospital treatment, victims may face lasting complications such as chronic headaches, memory problems, or cognitive decline, often requiring ongoing care and leading to lost work time and mounting medical bills. Our personal injury lawyer in Houston helps victims of car accidents, workplace incidents, and unsafe property conditions understand the seriousness of their injuries and pursue the compensation they deserve when someone elseโs negligence is to blame.
Common Causes of Skull Fractures
Skull fractures can happen in many ways, but theyโre most commonly linked to:
- Car accidents: Sudden impact with a steering wheel, dashboard, or window can cause fractures.
- Slip and fall accidents: Falls from stairs, ladders, or wet surfaces often lead to head trauma.
- Workplace injuries: Construction sites and industrial jobs pose high risks of falling objects or heavy machinery accidents.
- Sports injuries: Contact sports like football, hockey, or cycling accidents can also result in fractures.
Types of Skull Fractures
A skull fracture happens when the bones of the skull crack or break due to a sudden, forceful impact. Because the skull protects the brain, any fracture can potentially cause brain injury or internal bleeding. These injuries often result from car crashes, falls, or violent blows and require immediate medical attention to prevent long-term complications.
- Linear Fracture: A simple skull crack without bone displacement, but still at risk of internal bleeding or swelling.
- Depressed Fracture: A section of the skull is pushed inward, potentially damaging brain tissue and often requiring surgery.
- Basilar Fracture: A break at the base of the skull near the ears, eyes, or nose, often causing fluid leakage or bruising (โraccoon eyesโ).
- Compound Fracture: An open wound where bone breaks through the skin, posing a high risk of infection and severe brain injury.
Can a Skull Fracture Be Fatal?
Yes, a skull fracture can be fatal, especially when it causes bleeding, swelling, or brain injury. The brain is tightly enclosed within the skull, and when pressure builds due to internal bleeding or swelling, it has nowhere to expand. This can lead to permanent brain damage or death if not treated promptly. Common life-threatening complications include:
- Intracranial hemorrhage: Bleeding within or around the brain that increases pressure and restricts blood flow.
- Brain swelling (edema): Inflammation after trauma can compress vital brain structures.
- Infections: Compound fractures can allow bacteria to enter, leading to meningitis or brain abscesses.
- Nerve damage: Skull fractures near the base can affect hearing, vision, or facial movements. Prompt treatment, often involving surgery or intensive care, can reduce the risk of death, but the long-term effects can still be profound.
Why You Should Contact a Lawyer After a Skull Fracture
A skull fracture is far more than a short-term injury; it can lead to serious, long-lasting complications that affect your health, your ability to work, and your financial stability. Even after the initial recovery, many victims experience ongoing or delayed symptoms such as:
- Frequent headaches or migraines.
- Memory loss or difficulty concentrating.
- Dizziness and balance problems.
- Personality or behavioral changes.
- Seizures or other neurological episodes.
These issues can surface weeks or even months after the initial trauma. By that time, connecting your symptoms to the original accident can become more difficult, which may put your right to compensation at risk. Thatโs why reaching out to an experienced personal injury lawyer in Houston, TX is so important. A knowledgeable attorney can:
- Gather medical evidence and document long-term effects.
- Work with specialists to establish the full impact of your injury.
- Calculate future medical expenses and lost earning potential.
- Negotiate aggressively with insurance companies to secure fair compensation.
Skull Fracture Treatment and Recovery
The treatment for a skull fracture depends on its type and severity. Mild fractures may require only rest, pain relief, and monitoring for internal complications. Severe fractures often need surgery to relieve brain pressure, repair bone damage, or remove blood clots. Recovery may include:
- Rehabilitation therapy for speech, mobility, and cognitive function, which can last weeks, months, or even years.
- Medication to prevent seizures or control swelling.
- Regular imaging tests to track healing progress.
- Temporary or long-term inability to work or perform normal activities, adding financial and physical challenges.
Important Statutes & Legal Provisions
- Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code ยง 16.003 โ Most personal injury lawsuits must be filed within two years after the cause of action accrues.
- Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code ยง 16.001 โ Provides for tolling of the statute of limitations for certain persons of legal disability (e.g., minors, incapacitated persons).
- Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code ยง 16.012 โ Establishes a 15-year statute of repose for product liability actions (relevant if a skull fracture stems from a defective product).
- Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code ยง 33.001 โ ยง 33.002 โ Texas follows a modified comparative fault (sometimes called proportionate responsibility) system: you can recover damages if your fault is 50% or less, but your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault.
- Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code ยง 74.301 โ Limits noneconomic damages in medical malpractice cases to $250,000 per provider and $500,000 per incident; does not cap compensatory damages for general personal injury claims such as skull fractures.
- Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code ยง 101.023 โ Caps damages in claims against governmental entities at $250,000 per person and $500,000 per incident.
Donโt Face This Alone โ Call Mokaram Injury Lawyers Today
At Mokaram Injury Lawyers, we understand that a skull fracture can turn your life upside down, bringing pain, financial strain, and uncertainty about the future. Our experienced attorneys combine deep medical insight with powerful legal advocacy to investigate your case, work with experts, and fight for the full compensation you deserve. Whether through tough negotiations or in court, we stand by your side every step of the way, so you can focus on healing while we handle the rest. Contact Mokaram Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation because you deserve justice, recovery, and peace of mind.
