Fractured Bone Injury Claims

Fractures and Broken Bone Injury Claims, Lawyers and Lawsuits

Whether the result of a car crash, long fall, or sports-related injury, many Americans – and even their children – have experienced a broken bone (also called a “fracture” or “fractured bone”). Even though care for bone fractures may appear to be routine – resetting the bone in its proper place and immobilizing the affected area using a cast or similar device – bone fractures have the potential to cause a great deal of physical pain and financial stress.

Except in cases wherein a person is suffering from an illness or infirmity that causes his or her bones to be abnormally brittle, broken bones generally do not occur absent negligent or reckless conduct. When another person’s conduct causes you to break one or more bones, you may be entitled to recover monetary damages to compensate you for your pain and financial losses.

Types of Fractures

Bone fractures are classified depending on whether a bone is protruding from the skin (an “open” or “closed” fracture) and whether the bone has completely broken in two “a “complete” or “partial” fracture). In addition, bone fracture can be classified depending on how the bone breaks:

• A stable fracture is defined as a broken bone in which the two ends where the break occurred are hardly out of place and line up with one another.
• A comminuted fracture is defined as a bone that is broken into three or more pieces. This type of fracture can occur, for example, when a kneecap or other bone shatters as a result of a gunshot or blunt force trauma.
• An open, compound fracture is a broken bone that pierces the skin at the moment the bone is broken. Alternatively, an open, compound fracture can occur if a foreign object pierces the skin and in so doing breaks the bone. The bone does not need to be visible through the wound opening in order for the fracture to be classified as an open, compound fracture.
• A traverse fracture involves a horizontal break to the bone, while an oblique fracture involves an angled break in the bone.

Regardless of the type of fracture, treatment for a fracture generally involves attempting to reposition the ends of the broken bone into the proper position so that the bone may heal. Depending on the location and severity of the fracture, the healing process can take a considerable amount of time. In cases of a comminuted fracture, internal screws and rods may be needed to hold the bone together. If a person suffers an open, compound fracture, medical personnel will need to be cautious about the risk of infection.

Losses Experienced After a Bone Fracture

Even though some may feel as if bone fractures are “routine” injuries, victims can nonetheless experience significant physical hardships and financial losses – especially if the victim whose bone is broken is an older adult. For example, bone fracture victims may incur:

• Medical expenses and costs: The victim will almost certainly need to be seen by a doctor in order to have the bone set and a stabilization method applied. Depending on the type and severity of fracture, the victim may require one or more follow-up visits to ensure the fracture is healing correctly. If the fracture is complex, surgery may be required. On top of this, the victim may need to purchase medical devices (casts and crutches) and prescription medication. Medical costs for a broken bone can easily reach into the thousands of dollars.
• Lost wages: If the fracture victim was employed, he or she may be unable to work or may not be able to perform his or her normal job. This can result in the victim not being able to earn as much as he or she is accustomed to earning and can cause the victim and his or her family significant financial difficulties.
• Pain and suffering: A broken bone can be quite painful. Even after the physical pain stops, a victim may still suffer mental anguish and anxiety over his or her future and how his or her life may be temporarily limited. Although it may be difficult to assign a “dollar amount” to this sort of loss (often referred to as a noneconomic loss), mental pain and anguish is oftentimes a compensable loss.

There may be other losses and expenses a bone fracture victim experiences. If the victim’s bone fracture is the result of another person’s negligent conduct, the victim will usually be able to pursue compensation from the at-fault party through a bone fracture lawsuit.

Contact Stern Law, PLLC – Your Bone Fracture Law Firm

Determining whether you have a viable claim for damages for your broken bone injuries can be difficult, so enlist the assistance of the experienced personal injury law firm of Stern Law, PLLC. Attorney Ken Stern will thoroughly evaluate your case and advise you on how best to assert your legal rights so you can focus on healing from your broken bone injury. Contact Stern Law, PLLC today by calling (844) 808-7529.