One of the most frightening childhood injuries for parents and children are pediatric skull fractures and head trauma. These injuries are most common in children two years old and younger, according to a 2023 study published in the National Library of Medicine, due to less protection because of the thinner and more flexible nature of a child’s skull. 800,000 children visit emergency rooms across the United States every year with skull fractures, according to another medical study conducted by JNS Pediatrics.
Like head and brain injuries, pediatric skull fractures can be catastrophic and have a lifelong impact on a child. Tragically, head injuries are ranked as the most common cause of fatal trauma in children. That is why our child injury lawyers at The Button Law Firm are educating parents about these serious injuries, including how they can happen, what their symptoms are, and what to do if you suspect your child experienced a skull fracture.
Common Causes of Children’s Skull Fractures
Fractures of a child’s skull cap—the most common type of skull fracture—are often linked to traumatic incidents involving head injuries. The most common causes of pediatric skull fractures include:
- Abuse at the hands of a caregiver at a daycare center, gym, or summer camp
- Car accidents
- Falls from a high surface like indoor playground equipment, a changing table at a daycare center, or a team-building obstacle at a summer camp
- Negligent caregivers at a daycare center dropping an infant in their care
- Outdoor activities such as bike riding, skateboarding, taking a walk alongside a road
- Unsecured furniture such as a wall-mounted TV, heavy bookcase, or dresser falling on top of a child
St. Luke’s Hospital reports the number of skull fractures rises during spring and summer months, with young boys tending to be more at risk than girls their same age.
Signs Your Child Has a Skull Fracture
Skull fracture symptoms include:
- A bump or other visible swelling on the head
- Bleeding from a head wound
- Bruising behind the ears or under the eyes
- Clear or bloody fluid draining from the ears or nose
- Confusion
- Headache
- Hearing loss
- Loss of consciousness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Restlessness or irritability
- Seizures
- Sleepiness
- Slurred speech
- Stiff neck
- Trouble with balance
- Vision changes
A parent knows their child best, so monitoring them after an incident and watching for the signs described above is key.
What Parents Should Do After a Child Experiences a Skull Fracture
If your child experiences a skull fracture in Texas, we recommend following these steps to ensure your child’s health is not at risk. These steps also help with holding the negligent party accountable for the serious injury:
- Seek medical attention at your local hospital’s emergency room or an urgent care center. When it comes to skull fractures, the full extent of the injury is not visible. Texas has wonderful medical facilities for children, including:
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- Dallas: Children’s Health
- Fort Worth: Cook Children’s Medical Center
- Galveston: Shriners Children’s Texas
- Houston: Texas Children’s Hospital
- Midland: Midland Health
- South Texas: Driscoll Children’s Hospital
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- Report abuse if you suspect your child’s skull fracture was intentionally caused by a caregiver at a local daycare center, gym childcare facility, or summer camp. Call the Texas Abuse Hotline at 800-252-5400 or submit a report online at TXAbuseHotline.org.
- Document any information from the incident by keeping track of all correspondence from the negligent driver, facility, or caregiver. Screenshot text messages and save emails discussing the incident: take pictures of your child’s injury and relevant items at the scene and keep detailed notes of any phone calls discussing your child’s incident and skull fracture. While it may be overwhelming to remember these steps when you are more concerned about your child’s health, keeping a file of correspondence can benefit your family’s legal case to hold the negligent party accountable for your child’s skull fracture.
- Reach out to our experienced Texas child injury lawyers by calling 214-699-4409, emailing [email protected], or filling out a contact form for a free consultation. This area of the law can be complex, and we are ready to listen and advise your family on the best approach to hold the responsible party accountable for your child’s traumatic experience and injuries.
Legal Options Following a Child’s Skull Fracture
Following a child’s skull fracture, parents can seek compensation, also known as damages, by filing a lawsuit. A family may be compensated for the following damages in a head injury or skull fracture case:
- Emotional distress
- Medical expenses, including a child’s ongoing or future medical treatments and therapy
- Pain and suffering
- Quality of life
If a child experiences a fatal injury because of a skull fracture that was preventable, parents may be eligible for compensation in a wrongful death lawsuit to cover:
- Emotional damages such as pain and suffering
- Funeral expenses
- Loss of consortium for family members
- Loss of income
- Medical expenses incurred prior to a child’s passing away
- Other unexpected costly fees
Do you have more questions about your child’s skull fracture? Call 214-699-4409, email [email protected], or fill out our contact form to get a free case evaluation from our experienced child injury lawyers. Our knowledgeable legal team is ready to listen and help your family move forward.
Help Your Child After a Skull Fracture with The Button Law Firm’s Child Injury Lawyers
Our team of experienced and compassionate child injury attorneys at The Button Law Firm is dedicated to advocating for you and your family if your child experienced a skull fracture because of a negligent driver, daycare center, camp, activity center, or other venue that is advertised as family-friendly. We are ready to listen and fight for your family to get justice and move forward. Our attorneys at The Button Law Firm are recognized on the prestigious Texas Super Lawyers list, and we can help guide you after a traumatizing incident involving your child. We work on contingency, meaning we don’t charge you or collect any upfront fees to get started on your case. Get a free consultation by calling us at 214-699-4409, emailing us at [email protected], or filling out a contact form.
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