Linear Skull Fracture Injury

Any type of head injury can present serious and severe health problems for victims, and a linear skull fracture injury is no exception. Linear skull fractures are a type of head injury that happens when the victim suffers a break or crack in their skull bone that runs in a line. 

A linear skull fracture injury can occur in any location on the skull, but vulnerable areas include the front, sides, back, or base. A linear skull fracture injury can range in severity from small hairline cracks to significant bone breaks.

These injuries can happen in many different contexts. If you or someone you love has suffered a linear skull fracture injury as the result of another person’s carelessness, do not wait. You may be entitled to a significant amount of financial recovery for the personal and physical damage you experienced. 

The skilled legal team at Morgan & Morgan is standing by to help you recover the compensation that you are owed. Since our firm’s founding, we have secured more than $20 billion in recovery for our clients nationwide. You should not settle for less than the best legal representation. 

Let the skilled personal injury lawyers at Morgan and Morgan review the circumstances of your skull fracture claim. When we represent you, you can make sure that your case is being handled appropriately. Fill out the contact form on the Morgan & Morgan website today to schedule a free consultation.

Understanding Linear Skull Fracture Injuries

Linear skull fracture injuries can be caused by a wide range of traumatic events. These injuries can also result in many diverse signs and symptoms that range from mild to severe.

Given the potential severity of a linear skull fracture, it is critical to speak with a medical professional if you have had any type of head trauma. Even minor injuries have the potential to cause long-lasting and severe health consequences for victims. Some of the most common symptoms of a linear skull fracture injury include:

Headaches

Headaches are common in the wake of skull fractures. The victim may experience pain that ranges from mild to intense. The headaches caused by one of these fractures may be accompanied by lightheadedness or dizziness. When a headache persists, make sure to schedule a medical assessment as soon as possible.

Swelling

When a person sustains a skull fracture, the break in the bone can damage the surrounding blood vessels and other tissue. The body’s typical response to this type of injury is to activate an inflammatory response.

The inflammation occurring from damaged soft tissue can lead the area near the fracture to swell. However, some linear skull fractures may cause swelling that spreads across the person’s head. 

Swelling from a skull fracture may be visible in the form of a bump or lump on the head. Pain and bruising can also accompany the inflammatory response following this type of injury.

Vomiting and Nausea

Nausea and vomiting are common symptoms of a fractured skull, especially if the fracture runs along the base of the skull. Swelling or bleeding in the brain also increases the likelihood that the injury will be accompanied by nausea. This is because the brain is highly sensitive to differentiations in pressure. 

If you are experiencing nausea following an incident of head trauma, seek medical attention immediately. You may require urgent treatment for your injury. Medication may be prescribed to address the nausea and vomiting that results from a linear skull fracture injury. These symptoms can cause victims an immense amount of suffering.

Problems With Vision

In addition, different vision problems can arise following a linear skull fracture injury. If the head trauma causes damage to the soft tissue of the brain, the victim’s ability to see may become impaired. 

Blurred vision is a common type of problem associated with skull fractures. Swelling and inflammation can cause pressure to build up on the person’s optic nerve, potentially causing the person’s visual field to become blurred.

In addition, double vision, also called “diplopia,” may occur as the result of a fractured skull. The damage to the soft tissue in the person’s head may impact the function of the muscles that control eye movement. When these muscles do not move properly, the victim can see double.

In more severe cases, skull fracture victims may completely lose the ability to see. If there is significant damage to the person’s optic nerve or other physical structures that deliver visual information to the brain, they may suffer visual field loss.

Victims who experience these drastic outcomes deserve compensation. Speak with an attorney at Morgan & Morgan if you have suffered vision problems from a linear skull fracture. 

Shifts in Mental States

Skull fracture injuries can result in numerous psychological problems. Some of the most common include:

• Cognitive defects and impairment
• Drastic shifts in mood
• Behavioral issues

The extent of these psychological problems will depend on the location and severity of the skull fracture. Cognitive deficits occur when the victim’s mind is less functional due to the injury. Associated signs and symptoms include:

• Memory loss
• Attention issues
• Inability to concentrate
• Persistent brain fog

These cognitive issues can persist long after the skull fracture heals. For some victims, cognitive rehabilitation may be necessary to regain function. 

Mood changes are also typical after a linear skull fracture injury. Depression, anxiety, irritability, and anger are all examples of mood disorders associated with skull fractures. These psychological symptoms may be related to the physical damage from the injury. 

However, the psychological stress of coping with a severe injury can also lead to changes in mood. Often, victims require therapy or medication to manage these symptoms. 

Some skull fracture victims have trouble regulating their behavior after their injury. Behavioral difficulties include:

• Aggression
• Impulsivity
• Engagement in disruptive actions

If the person’s injury damages their prefrontal cortex, they may experience difficulties making decisions or regulating their own behavior. This type of psychological harm can wreak havoc on the victim’s professional and personal relationships.

These are only a few of the many devastating effects that can result from a skull fracture injury. If you have suffered this type of harm because another person behaved negligently, reach out to America’s largest tort law firm. Morgan & Morgan is ready to protect your rights and fight for maximum compensation in your case.

Diagnosing a Linear Skull Fracture Injury

In the aftermath of your accident, it is important to speak with a medical professional to receive an accurate diagnosis. Different types of head injuries require a wide range of treatments. When diagnosing a skull fracture, physicians will often rely on the following medical tools:

• Physical exams
• Imaging tests
• Thorough reviews of the patient’s medical history

During the physical exam, the healthcare professional will look for signs of trauma. These may include tenderness, bruising, and inflammation.

Some of the most common imaging tests used to diagnose head injuries are CT scans, X-rays, and MRI scans. These powerful tools allow physicians to determine the extent of the injury.

Reviewing patients’ medical histories allows doctors to rule out pre-existing conditions and symptoms. Doing so additionally helps them determine which symptoms resulted from the relevant head trauma. 

Tort Cases Involving Linear Skull Fractures

Many types of civil cases can arise following a skull fracture. Some of the claims that victims may have the option of filing include:

Negligence Claims

The legal concept of “negligence” refers to situations in which a person or entity fails to exercise appropriate care, resulting in harm to someone else. Although the at-fault party did not intend to cause the skull fracture, they can be held legally and financially liable for the damages.

Examples of negligence claims involving skull fractures may include:

• Motor vehicle collision claims
• Slip or trip and fall claims
• Workplace injury claims
• Sporting event accident claims

For instance, suppose that a property owner failed to maintain safe conditions on their premises, and the owner did not repair or replace a hazardous floor or staircase. If a visitor falls and suffers a linear skull fracture injury, the property owner may be considered negligent. Similarly, if a driver’s reckless maneuvers cause a crash resulting in a skull fracture, the victim can file a claim against the at-fault motorist. 

It is often difficult to prove negligence in a personal injury case. That is why it is important to consult with the premier tort attorneys at Morgan & Morgan. We have the skills and specialized knowledge to fight for you effectively.

Product Liability Claims

Product liability cases arise when a defective consumer item causes harm. If a defective motorcycle helmet caused you to suffer a skull fracture, you may be entitled to compensation. 

Unlike personal injury claims, plaintiffs in these cases do not always have to prove negligence. Simply showing that the product was defective and led to your injury is enough.