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.