Not everyone appreciates how serious a broken bone injury is until they experience it. A broken bone can be exceptionally painful and debilitating, with the victim often unable to regain full mobility for weeks or months. Some fractures are more serious than others, and older victims may have more brittle bones that do not heal as quickly. If your broken bone was the result of another person’s negligence, you have the right to seek compensation. The experienced Chicago personal injury attorneys of Hale & Monico will fight to hold the responsible party liable and demand the justice you deserve.
Common Causes Of a Broken Bone Injury
Breaking a bone requires tremendous force, but is sometimes the result of injuries that don’t seem too serious at first. Common injuries that lead to bone fractures include:
- Automobile accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Workplace incidents
- Construction accidents
- Premises liability accidents (such as a slip and fall)
- Nursing home injuries
Even if your injury seems minor, you need to make sure you get medical attention, especially for smaller bones that may have been broken.
Different Types Of Bone Fractures
Bone fractures can occur in many different ways, but some of the most common ones are:
Stress fracture. These are hairline fractures that can be difficult to see on an X-ray. The victim may experience pain for some time before realizing a bone is broken.
Greenstick fracture. This is an incomplete fracture in which one side of the bone bends while the other breaks. These sometimes occur in children, when bones are soft.
Compound fracture. Also known as an open fracture, this happens when the bone breaks the skin. It’s a common break that can result in bleeding near the injury site.
Comminuted fracture. When a bone breaks into three or more pieces, it’s sometimes called a comminuted fracture. These typically result from extreme trauma, like an automobile accident.
Oblique fracture. These complete fractures usually occur in a long bone, like the tibia. They are marked by a break at an angle through the bone.
Victims routinely don’t realize they’ve had a fracture at first, and may suffer deep, intense pain at the fracture site. Other symptoms include swelling, heat, stiffness, weakness, bruising, and other persistent symptoms.
What To Do After A Possible Bone Fracture in Chicago
If you have questions about the type of bone fracture you have, or whether you have one at all, consult your primary care physician immediately. Your doctor will thoroughly examine you to see if there’s evidence of a bone fracture. If there is, your doctor will order X-rays, CT scans, and possibly other tests to get a closer look.
If your bone is indeed broken, it will need to be put back into place and immobilized (typically using a cast). Average recovery time for broken bones is about 6-8 weeks. But this varies based on the nature of the fracture, the victim’s age, and other health factors. Always follow your doctor’s instructions to ensure proper healing.
Also, make sure you medical get attention immediately. If you delay going to the doctor and later find out your bone is broken, or you develop related complications, it could make it more difficult to obtain adequate compensation for your injuries.
How Do I Hold Someone Liable For My Broken Bone Injury in Chicago?
Accidents that cause broken bones tend to be the result of another party’s negligence. In Illinois personal injury law, negligence means that someone failed to act with the level of care that was owed to you under the circumstances. That could mean, for instance, slipping and falling at the grocery store because the floor was slick.
Retain an attorney as soon as possible after your accident. Your attorney will investigate the details of what happened. That means reviewing your medical records as well as the evidence surrounding the accident. This could include witness statements, photos, videos, an accident report, and prior complaints concerning the safety of the premises where you were hurt. Obtaining these records may take filing a lawsuit and issuing subpoenas, which our firm will handle if necessary.
Broken bones don’t just result in significant out of pocket medical expenses. Other damages may include:
- Prescription drug costs
- Expenses from future treatments and doctor visits
- Lost time from work due to being hospitalized or otherwise unable to work your job
- Decreased work capacity in the event your fracture makes you unable to work at the same level
- Pain and suffering and emotional distress
Bone fractures can be particularly disruptive for manual laborers who rely on their physical abilities to work. Regardless, you owe it to yourself to ask an Illinois personal injury attorney about your legal options.
What Can Hale & Monico Do For You?
We’ve represented numerous broken bone victims, so we understand the legal issues these personal injury cases present. Having an experienced attorney doesn’t just mean someone who knows the law. You need a lawyer who knows how to determine how much your case is worth. It’s essential to get the monetary value of your injury right. Once your case settles or goes to trial, you won’t get the chance to ask for more damages.
After an accident, you may be contacted by an insurance company representing the company or party who was responsible. But remember, insurance companies profit by keeping payouts as low as possible. If you’re asked to give a recorded statement about what happened, it can be used against you later to try to deny or minimize your losses. Insurance companies are notorious for denying legitimate claims, so talk to an attorney before you talk to an adjuster.
Contact Our Chicago Broken Bones Injury Attorney
Bone fractures are serious, and they demand serious legal representation. Count on the dedicated attorneys of Hale & Monico. We will fight for the maximum compensation under law so you can get your life back on track. Call us today to get started on your Chicago case.