Depressed Skull Fractures

A depressed skull fracture is a type of head injury where a portion of the skull bone is sunken in from the trauma. This usually occurs due to a forceful impact, like a blow to the head. The indentation in the skull can press against the brain, potentially causing brain damage, bruising, or increased pressure inside the skull. These injuries often require surgical intervention to correct the bone position and relieve pressure on the brain. They are considered serious due to the risk of complications, including neurological impairment and infection.

What are the most common types of accidents that could lead to a depressed skull fracture?

Depressed skull fractures commonly result from high-impact trauma. The most frequent causes include vehicle accidents, where the head strikes a hard surface or object, falls from a significant height, particularly impacting the head, sports injuries involving high-speed collisions or projectiles, and physical assaults, such as being struck with a heavy object. These incidents typically involve a forceful and focused impact to the skull, causing the bone to fracture and depress inward. The nature and severity of these accidents highlight the importance of safety measures like helmets in high-risk activities.

How do depressed skull fractures differ from other types of skull injuries?

Depressed skull fractures are unique because they involve a portion of the skull bone being pushed inward, often due to a forceful, localised impact. This differs from other types of skull injuries, such as linear fractures, where the bone cracks but does not move inward, and basilar skull fractures which occur at the skull base. Depressed fractures can be more dangerous as they pose a higher risk of brain damage or injury due to the inward displacement of bone towards the brain.

Can I bring a personal injury claim for depressed skull fracture?

Yes, you certainly can bring a claim for this type of injury if it resulted from someone else’s negligence or intentional action. This could include scenarios like car accidents, workplace incidents, assaults, or falls in public places due to unsafe conditions. To make a claim, you need to prove the other party’s responsibility for the injury and demonstrate the impact it has had on your life, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The personal injury team at McCarthy + Co will be happy to provide guidance on initiating your claim.

How much compensation will I get?

Depressed fractures are one of the more serious types of skull injuries that can have a significant ongoing impact on the injured party’s health and well-being. If this type of injury also caused brain damage, the most severe category of this injury can attract general damages of up to €550,000, according to the Judicial Council’s Personal Injuries Guidelines. However, injuries where full recovery is made within two to five years may only warrant a general damages award in the region of €12,000-€25,000. Talk to our team for further guidance on general and special damages.