Understanding Broken Bones & Fractures
A bone fracture is when there is a break in the continuity of bone, which can occur in almost any part of the body—from the skull or spine to the ribs, arms, legs, or pelvis. Bone fractures are usually painful and often debilitating. Depending on the location of the bone and the type of fracture that occurred, treatment and pain management will differ. An individual can suffer a broken bone as a result of any fall, impact injury, or another traumatic event. Individuals who work in dangerous occupations, such as offshore and industrial workers, and those who have been involved in car or truck accident are particularly at risk of suffering from a broken bone.
Different Types of Broken Bones
- Simple fractures occur when the bone breaks but does not puncture the skin, while compound fractures happen when the bone breaks and pierces the skin.
- Complete fractures occur when the bone fragments are entirely separated. Incomplete or greenstick fractures occur when the two bone fragments are still partially joined. This often happens to children, who have softer bones that can bend without fully breaking.
- Compression fractures usually occur in the spine, when one or more vertebrae collapse.
- Transverse fractures run at a right angle to the bone's long axis, linear fractures run parallel to the bone's long axis, and oblique fractures run diagonal to a bone's long axis.
- Spiral fractures are when at least part of the bone has been twisted.
- Comminuted fractures are when a bone has broken into several pieces.
- Impacted fractures are caused by bone fragments being driven into one another.
Finding Treatment for Your Broken Bone or Fracture
Treatment options for broken bones are classified as the following:
- Open - Treated by surgically opening the fracture site
- Closed - Immobilization, pain management, or any other type of non-surgical treatment
There are nearly 7 million broken bones each year in the U.S., sustained in all manner of accidents and resulting in different types of breaks, but no matter how the fracture happened, medical costs will surely add up. Even with prompt and appropriate medical attention, broken bones can result in serious, debilitating complications for patients, occasionally even resulting in repeated surgeries or the amputation of an affected limb.
From the initial emergency room trip to X-rays, MRIs, and surgery to implant plants, screws, pins, or whatever else is needed to realign the bone, the immediate costs for medical care can be staggering. There's also the pain medication to consider, physical therapy, and then the costs of perhaps being unable to drive or work as before, being unable to perform certain daily tasks, and dealing with chronic pain.
The long-term expenses of broken bones continue to pile up, especially if the break is one that's difficult to treat and leads to a lengthy recovery.
What Is an Orthopedic Injury?
Orthopedic injuries are those to the musculoskeletal system that affect a victim's mobility—either by making movement painful or inhibiting it completely. Orthopedic injuries cover a broad range of specific injuries, from minor ankle sprains to spinal damage and tetraplegia (quadriplegia). One of the most common orthopedic injuries are those involving broken bones and fractures; however, they can also involve other injuries.
Most orthopedic injuries are categorized into three types:
- Acute injuries result from sudden, traumatic events such as breaking your back.
- Chronic recurring injuries are when a chronic condition or acute injury makes your tissue more susceptible to damage. For example, they could be the result of weakened ankle ligaments.
- Chronic overuse injuries are caused by repeated, low-force impact—familiar to anyone who makes repetitive, demanding movements. These injuries accumulate over time, leading to chronic pain.
Who Is Responsible for Covering the Costs of a Broken Bone?
Each case is different, but ultimately your ability to file a claim for compensation will depend on your being able to prove that negligence caused your broken bones. In Texas, if you can prove that someone owed you a duty of care and that their failure in this duty led to your injuries, then you may be able to hold that party liable, or responsible, for paying you compensation. Even if you can be considered partially at fault for the accident, you may still be able to recover compensation for past and future expenses related to your broken bones, as well as non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering.
Some examples of liability for broken bones can look like:
- A property owner being responsible for providing compensation to someone who suffered broken bones in a slip and fall accident, because the owner failed to remedy the broken handrails and poor lighting for stairways on the premises.
- A driver who was texting behind the wheel and crashed into another vehicle, inflicting injuries on its occupants that included broken bones, in which case, the driver's auto insurance would owe compensation for the injuries and other damages sustained by those accident victims.
- An employer or corporation being on the hook for faulty scaffolding that led to a worker falling and sustaining serious injuries that included broken bones.
If you're filing a claim in Houston or elsewhere in Texas, you have two years to start your claim, otherwise it will expire. In order to make sure you don't run afoul of the deadline, and in order to build the strongest case possible, it's critical that you get time and an experienced broken bones attorney on your side as soon as possible.
Our Proven Track Record in Broken Bone & Fracture Cases
We've recovered significant settlements for our broken bone and fracture clients, including:
- $8.5 million recovered for a motorcyclist who suffered a broken arm and leg and needed surgery after a car turned right in front of him
- $3 million for an injured oilfield worker who fell more than 10 feet into a concrete cellar, breaking bones in his leg and suffering other orthopedic injuries that needed surgery
- $2.9 million won for a crane mechanic who suffered several factures in his left foot when a cable snapped and sent a 67-pound block falling onto his foot
- $2.7 million won for an injured seaman who suffered a compound fracture on a seagoing barge, needing multiple surgeries and suffering permanent disability
- $2 million recovered for an offshore worker who broke several facial bones when a medical canister lid exploded into his face
- $1.68 million recovered for a Texan who was struck by a pair of malfunctioning tongs that pinned him against equipment on a drilling rig, leaving him with fractured vertebrae, broken ribs, and other serious injuries such that he had to have a kidney removed
- $1.5 million won for an offshore worker who suffered an open leg fracture when a defective grinder was given to him to use
While we can't guarantee any results, we can tell you that these are just a sample of the recoveries we've won for our clients in broken bone and fracture cases. Our legal team brings the same level of dedication and resolve to win in every case that we take on. We take cases that we believe in, cases for which we're committed to leveraging the full weight of our experience and resources. Don't wait to find out how we may be able to help you.
Call (888) 493-1629 to Schedule a Free Consultation with Arnold & Itkin
If you or a loved one has suffered a broken bone or related injuries as the result of the negligence of others, you may be entitled to full compensation. Our Houston serious injury law firm would be happy to review the facts in your case, free of charge. We have an impressive track record of success in handling cases involving all types of personal injuries and accidents, including motor vehicle accidents and industrial accidents. No matter how severe the injury may be, finding the right attorney will ultimately lead you to the right path of treatment and recovery.
Fight for the financial compensation that you deserve. Call F:P:Sub:Phone} for a free review of your case from a team that's known for making the fight personal.
