Penetrating Head Injury

Penetrating Head Injury in Jackson, MS

Penetrating head injuries occur when projectiles or objects breach the skull. In some cases, severe skull fractures from blunt force trauma can cause skull bone fragments to penetrate the brain. Any injury where the head, skull or brain is penetrated by an object, missile or other penetrating item is an immediate medical emergency. Cases involving penetrating head injuries can leave victims permanently disabled with catastrophic injuries or worse. This type of injury is also known as an open head injury. These injuries can occur in car accidents, or in just about any type of accident, especially where there are shards of metal flying at high speeds.

Penetrating or Open Head Injuries

Penetrating head injuries are also known as open head injuries. This is because the skull, brain or head is actually breached and opened by an object of some sort. Closed head injuries happen from concussions, blunt force traumas and other injuries that don’t involve the skull actually being breached by an object. It’s also important to remember though that all head and brain injuries should be thoroughly checked out by a doctor as soon as possible. In some cases, very severe closed head injuries can lead to bone splinters or fractured pieces of skull actually entering the brain. Open head injuries are always immediate medical emergencies. Even in the best-case scenarios, victims could have lifelong permanent impacts to their mental and emotional wellbeing and health.

Penetrating Head Injury Versus Perforating Head Injury

It’s also important to understand the difference between a penetrating head injury and a perforating head injury. A penetrating head injury is when an object or missile goes into the head, but doesn’t exit. A perforating head injury involves an object or missile that goes in the head and exits. Gun shot wounds can be penetrating or perforating. Victims of penetrating and perforating head injuries can end up permanently disabled, and in many cases, might not even survive the initial injury. It may be necessary to file a wrongful death lawsuit against a negligent party to ensure your medical bills, lost wages and other expenses associated with the penetrating head injury are covered.

High-Velocity Projectiles and Low Velocity Objects

Bullets are good examples of high-velocity projectiles. A bullet can easily penetrate a skull and do considerable, and most likely life-threatening damage. Knives or similar objects are typically considered low velocity objects. Whether your loved one suffered a penetrating head injury from a high-velocity projectile or a low-velocity object, it’s vital to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney about your case as soon as possible after the accident.

Complications Associated With Penetrating Head Injuries

  • Acute respiratory distress syndrome
  • Hypotension
  • Subarachnoid hemorrhage
  • Severe brain damage
  • Disseminated intravascular coagulation
  • Paralysis
  • Neurogenic pulmonary edema
  • Death

Penetrating Head Injuries From Car Accidents

Penetrating head injuries can occur in car accidents. Anytime there is flying metal or shrapnel, there is the possibility for penetrating head injuries. What might at first glance seem to be a closed head injury could actually be an open head injury if a piece of skull bone splintered and went into the brain. If a penetrating head injury occurred as a result of a car accident caused by a negligent, distracted or alcohol-impaired driver, you need to speak with a personal injury lawyer immediately.

Wrongful Death and Penetrating Head Injuries

Surviving a penetrating head injury is sadly a long shot. Many cases involving penetrating head injuries are ultimately wrongful death lawsuits. If you lost a loved one to a penetrating head injury due to somebody else’s negligence, it’s important to raise your concerns with an experienced personal injury and wrongful death attorney. It may be possible to recover compensation to cover expenses like medical bills, funeral costs, loss of future earnings and other expenses associated with the loss. While no amount of money can lessen the pain of losing a loved one, it is critical to ensure you and your family members are properly provided for after losing a loved one due to negligence, whether it was in the workplace or in a private or public establishment.

When to Call a Jackson Personal Injury Attorney

While surviving a penetrating head injury is rare, it can happen. Rehabilitation, medical care, initial life-saving interventions and other expenses add up quickly, and families can expect lifelong expenses, potentially permanent disability of a loved one and other catastrophic impacts associated with the injury. If you have lost a loved one due to a penetrating head injury or if you have a loved one recovering from an open head injury or perforating head injury, contact the skilled and proven team at Coxwell & Associates, PLLC at (601) 265-7766 for a free case consultation today.

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