Orange County Broken Bone Lawyer

Complete Fractures

This is when the bone breaks completely. It’s snapped or crushed into two or more pieces. There are many types of complete fractures including:

• Single fractures, where the bone is broken into two pieces
• Comminuted fractures, where the bone is crushed or broken into three pieces or more
• Compression fractures, where pressure causes the bone to collapse
• Non-displaced fractures, where the bones stay in normal alignment after the break
• Displaced fractures, where the bones are out of alignment due to the break
• Segmental fractures, where the bone is broken in two or more places and at least one segment is unattached

What Types of Fractures Are Most Likely to Occur in an Accident?

Low impact collisions and slip and falls from ground level are most likely to cause closed and incomplete fractures, whereas high impact collisions and falls from heights are much more likely to cause open and/or incomplete fractures. Drivers involved in car accidents are likely to sustain facial fractures from contact with the steering wheel or dashboard, especially if they’re not wearing a seat belt. Fractured legs, hands, and arms are more common when pedestrians are knocked down by cars or trucks. Spinal fractures are common in high-speed traffic accidents, especially head-on collisions and rollovers.

Signs of a Fracture

Pain, swelling, and difficulty with movement are signs that the injury may be a fracture. Medical professionals suggest having the injury x-rayed immediately after trauma if these symptoms appear so that the proper treatment can be done in a timely manner. Ignoring the signs of a fracture can result in the need to re-break the bone to ensure that it heals properly.

Complications From a Fracture

Some fractures such as hairline fractures and rib fractures are painful but heal mostly on their own with a full recovery. More serious fractures, such as spinal fractures, can cause paralysis and lifelong disability. It’s not uncommon for victims to require years of medical treatment, multiple surgeries, rehabilitation without ever being able to return to their former profession and lifestyle. Health insurance does not always cover all the costs, leaving victims with a diminished earning capacity and a stack of unpaid bills.

Compensation Available to Victims of Fractures

When a person sustains a fracture due to the negligence or recklessness of another person, California allows them to sue the responsible parties for medical costs, lost earnings, pain, suffering, and mental anguish. For catastrophic injuries involving fractures that radically diminish a person’s lifestyle and assets, it’s not unusual to collect millions of dollars in compensation. For serious fractures with long-term treatment and prolonged disability, it’s often possible to collect six-figure settlements and verdicts even if there is full recovery and return to their regular profession and lifestyle.