Head Injury

The Head Injury and Brain Injury legal team at Bond Pearce have the experience and expertise to deal with the most complex of head injury claims. As with all severe injury cases we recognise that compensation is but one part and that rehabilitation, assistance and a guiding hand from someone who has the experience in dealing with head injuries is of equal importance. The legal process can be complex and we aim to take the pressure away from this area making it a seamless process for you. We visit our clients in head and brain injury units and hospitals as well as at home and are happy to have an informal chat to see whether we can help you.

If you have have suffered a similar accident contact one of our specialist brain injury lawyers for specialist legal advice. You can either fill out our online enquiry form, request a call back or call us direct on 0800 915 4650

An estimated 1 million people in Britain attend hospital each year as a result of a head injury. An enormous range of both physical and psychological effects can stem from a head injury. These effects depend on the severity of the injury. It can be particularly serious if the brain is damaged.

When the skull fractures it can often heal without treatment. However if the fracture is depressed or there is a complete break then surgery may be required. A severe head injury can result in damage to the nerve fibres in the centre of the brain. In turn this can result in coma. There can be loss of power in the arms and legs, speech impairment, changes in personality and memory, as well as behavioural problems. It is estimated that each year over 11,000 people will suffer a severe head injury and remain unconscious for six hours or longer. After five years, only 15 per cent will have returned to work.

A moderate head injury can result in tiredness, headaches, dizziness, difficulties with thinking and attention span, or irritability. It is estimated that 10,000 people will suffer a moderate head injury, causing unconsciousness for up to six hours. After five years, some will still have physical or psychological problems.

The majority of head injuries fall into the category of a minor injury, such as banging your head on a doorway or slipping over in the street. Yet even such small accidents can result in nausea, headaches, dizziness, memory problems and extreme tiredness, and sometimes lead to anxiety or depression. It is estimated that approximately 150,000 people will suffer a minor head injury each year, resulting in unconsciousness for 15 minutes or less.

Head and Brain injury legal claims can be complex due to the number of factors to consider and it is vital that you instruct a legal team who have experience of dealing with head injuries and brain injuries. Our head injury solicitors have experience in obtaining compensation for our clients who have suffered a head injury.

On this area of our website we have dedicated some pages to provide more information about head injuries and damage to the brain. We have also provided the details of organisations who might be of help or assistance to you. We hope you find this useful.

Common causes of head injury and skull fracture

Road traffic accidents such as car accidents, motorbike accidents and cycling accidents account for between 40 and 50 per cent of all head injuries. They are also often the cause of the most severe head injury. Domestic and industrial accidents such as falls at work or being hit by falling objects at work cause between 20 and 30 per cent. Most of the rest are caused by sports and recreation (10 to 15 per cent) and criminal assaults (10 per cent). Of particular concern is the fact that 20 per cent of all child head injuries are caused by cycling injuries. Cyclists who wear helmets are 85 per cent less at risk of head injury.

Types of head injury

Open head injury / penetrating head injury - In these injuries, a foreign object pierces the skull and causes damage to specific brain parts. Such as with a bullet. The following are terms used to describe types of skull fractures that can occur with open head injuries:
Depressed Skull Fracture - The broken piece of skull bone moves in towards the brain
Compound Skull Fracture - The scalp is cut and the skull is fractured
Basilar Skull Fracture - The skull fracture is located at the base of the skull (neck area) and may include the opening at the base of the skull - Can cause damage to the nerves and blood vessels that pass through the opening at the base of the skull
Battle's Sign - the skull fracture is located at the ear's petrous bone. This produces large "black and blue mark" looking areas below the ear, on the jaw and neck. It may include damage to the nerve for hearing. Blood or cerebral spinal fluid may leak out of the ear. This is termed "CSF Oterrhea".
Racoon Eyes - the skull fracture is located in the anterior cranial fossa. This produces "black and blue" mark looking areas around the eyes. Cerebral spinal fluid may leak into the sinuses. This is termed "CSF Rhinorrhea". Nerve damage for the sense of smell or eye functions may occur.
Diastatic Skull Fracture - the skull of infants and children are not completely solid until they grow older. The skull is composed of jigsaw-like segments (cranial fissures) which are connected together by cranial sutures. Skull fractures that separate the cranial sutures in children prior to the closing of the cranial fissures are termed "diastatic skull fractures".
Cribiform Plate Fracture - the cribiform plate is a thin structure located behind the nose area. If the cribiform plate is fractured, cerebral spinal fluid can leak from the brain area out of the nose.
Closed head injuries result from a blow to the head. Such as when the head strikes the windshield or dashboard of a car. The injuries that result include:
Skull fracture: Breaking of the bony skull
Contusions/bruises: Often occur right under the location of impact or at points where the force of the blow has driven the brain against the bony ridges inside the skull
Haematoma/blood clots: Occur between the skull and the brain or inside the brain itself
Lacerations: Tearing of the frontal (front) and temporal (on the side) lobes or blood vessels of the brain (The force of the blow causes the brain to rotate across the hard ridges of the skull causing the tears).
Diffuse axonal injury: Arises from a cutting, or shearing, force from the blow that damages nerve cells in the brain's connecting nerve fibres.
Other injuries which may develop over time may include brain swelling (oedema), increased pressure inside of the skull (intracranial pressure), epilepsy, intracranial infection, fever, haematoma, low or high blood pressure, low sodium, anaemia, too much or too little carbon dioxide, abnormal blood coagulation, cardiac changes, lung changes, and nutritional changes.
Physical problems may include hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing or buzzing in the ears), headaches, seizures, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, decreased smell or taste, reduced strength and coordination in the body, arms, and legs.
There may also be communication problems and problems with thinking - cognition problems.

Child head injury

Children are very active and have little sense of danger - therefore it is not surprising that child head injuries are common - most thankfully the majority are minor. Road traffic accidents such as car accidents as a passenger, cycling accidents and pedestrian accidents such as crossing the road or running out infront of a vehicle account for the majority of head injuries and are often the cause of the most severe brain injury. Sports, recreation and playtime are also responsible for 10-15% of all head injuries. But of particular concern is the fact that 20 per cent of all head injuries in children are caused by cycling injuries. As well as dealing with head injuries as a result of road accidents and sporting injuries at Bond Pearce we also have expertise in dealing with child brain damage cases involving cerebral palsy and shaken baby syndrome.

It is important to remember that head and brain injuries can impact dramatically not just upon your child's lifestyle but also the immediate family too. Specialist child head and brain injury legal advice is vital from the start. This is because child head and brain injury legal claims can be complex due to the number of factors to consider and it is vital that you instruct a legal team who have experience of dealing with head injuries and brain injuries. Our head injury solicitors have experience in obtaining compensation for our clients who have suffered a head injury, in particular obtaining early interim payments to help with ongoing needs such as care, aids and equipment. We understand the intricacies and will liaise with you and your medical team to discuss your child's injury and any implications this will have for the future. Your child head injury solicitor should take an active role in their care and rehabilitation as they will be able to provide legal advice and assistance with regard to the financial support and help that is available throughout your legal claim and beyond.

Even if you feel that your child may have been in some way to blame for the accident - for example they may have run out into the road, you should seek specialist child injury legal advice as in some circumstances cases can be pursued. We have an excellent record of successfully settling pedestrian cases such as this, usually on a split liability basis. For example your child might be held partly responsible for the accident but so would the driver. The end settlement would then be reflective of this. Whatever the situation it is always worth seeking expert legal advice first, at least then you will know.

At Bond Pearce we understand that compensation is but one reason why people come to us for help and that rehabilitation, assistance and a guiding hand from someone who has the experience in dealing with child head and brain injuries is of equal importance. The legal process can be complex and we aim to take the pressure away from this area making it a seamless process for you.
A serious head injury can have lasting effects. We can put you in touch with support organisations and obtain help and assistance for you. We visit our clients in head and brain injury units and hospitals as well as at home and are happy to have an informal chat to see whether we can help you.

When a head injury is fatal

At Bond Pearce we are experienced in helping people following the death of a loved one including representation at inquest. We aim to take the pressure off of you at this most difficult of times and help you to get the answers you deserve. Preparing for an inquest can be a traumatic and bewildering experience on top of the shock and distress caused by the death. Many people feel that the legal procedures and processes in trying to discover the truth about the circumstances of a death are the last thing they can cope with after losing someone close. Read more about inquests.