A diastatic skull fracture is a skull fracture that occurs along the suture lines of the skull. This type of skull fracture almost always occurs in infants and young children. Diastatic skull fractures are sometimes called “growing fractures.” They are usually the result of the head coming into contact with a wide area, such as the side of a vehicle or a wall.
Causes of Diastatic Skull Fractures
More than 100,000 children are hospitalized every year with head injuries. Diastatic skull fractures, a common head injury in young children, may be caused by any accident that causes trauma to the head of an infant or young child. Examples of accidents that may result in diastatic fracture are auto accidents, pedestrian accidents,bicycle accidents, and off-road vehicle rollover accidents. Young children may also suffer a diastatic skull fracture due to negligent supervision or even child abuse.
Symptoms of Diastatic Skull Fractures
Because victims of diastatic skull fractures are often very young, the victim may not be able to communicate accurately what they are experiencing. Similarly, it may not be possible for doctors to accurately assess how a skull fracture has or has not caused a loss of brain function. If your child has a bump on the head, is crying or bleeding through the nose, ears or eyes, or is vomiting, seek medical treatment immediately. A doctor may use a commuted tomography (CT) scan to diagnose a diastatic skull fracture.
Treatment of Diastatic Skull Fractures
Children who suffer a diastatic skull fracture are usually admitted to the hospital for observation and monitoring. Surgery may or not be necessary, depending on the injury location and severity. With any skull fracture and traumatic brain injury, there is a risk of infection and other complications, including seizures, dementia, paralysis, coma, and death.
Compensation For Victims of Diastatic Skull Fractures
Children who survive a traumatic brain injury may have lifelong physical, cognitive and behavioral challenges as a result of their injuries. Additionally, children who suffer a brain injury at a young age have an increased risk of epileptic seizures for up to ten years after the injury. A diastatic skull fracture injury lawyer can help your child obtain compensation from the party responsible for their injury. Compensation from a settlement or verdict can include money for lifelong medical care, rehabilitation, lost earnings and loss of future earning capacity, and emotional pain and suffering. If your child suffered a diastatic skull fracture and/or traumatic brain injury, contact an attorney at Estey & Bomberger for a free consultation.
About Estey & Bomberger, LLP
The California injury attorneys at Estey & Bomberger have obtained numerous verdicts and settlements for serious head injury victims, including children with diastatic skull fractures. Our lawyers understand both the medical and legal implications of a head injury in a child, and know how to get the maximum compensation possible for lifelong medical care. If you or your child has been injured, choose an attorney with proven and demonstrated results. At Estey & Bomberger, our lawyers take pride in the millions of dollars they’ve recovered for our clients. Our case results and client testimonials are a direct testament to our commitment to our clients. To see how an attorney at Estey & Bomberger can help you, call us today at (800) 925-0723. All consultations are free with no obligation.