Treating Broken Bones
The best treatment for a fracture depends on its location and severity. The most important factor is that the bones are put back into place and kept there. The bones cannot be allowed to move around otherwise, they will not heal, or they will grow back together incorrectly.
For closed breaks, ensuring the bones are in place and using a cast may be all that is necessary. A plaster cast can be used to ensure the bones cannot move for the following weeks and months necessary for them to reconnect.
Some fractures can have a more functional cast or brace instead of a plaster one. Think of the big “boots” you have seen people wear on their feet. It enables them to walk and have some flexibility but protects the foot while bones heal.
When bones need to be put back into place, physicians may use traction. This slowly realigns the bones with consistent gentle pulling.
More significant breaks may require internal or external fixation. This is when pins, screws, or metal plates are used to reconnect the bones and keep them in place. With external fixation, you will see the pins or screws coming out from the body, and a frame outside of the body helps create stability.
For internal fixation, screws and plates may be placed on the outside of the bone, or rods may be inserted through the center of the bone to create stability during the healing process.
Risks Associated With Bone Fractures
It can be easy to dismiss a broken bone as a minor injury since it is common for children to break an arm or leg while playing rough. However, there are serious risks associated with breaks that need to be addressed.
A bone fracture can also result in damage to blood vessels or nerves. An open fracture creates a high risk of infection, including osteomyelitis, a deep bone infection. Treating physicians must also discuss these injuries and risks with patients when determining the appropriate treatment and the difficulties of recovery.
The Negative Impact of Broken Bones
A broken bone will need at least several weeks to heal, though it can also take several months. A cast, pins, screws, or plates may need to be in place for weeks or months, though some of these implements are intended to stay in place forever. Even after they are removed, you will have to limit your movements and the stress you put on that bone.
For instance, when a cast or external fixtures come off, you cannot jump back into running marathons and lifting heavy boxes right away. Broken bones require a great deal of rest to fully heal and handle your normal level of activity again.
While your bones heal and you rest, your muscles lose strength. It is common after a significant fracture in a limb to be able to see the difference in the size of your muscles between the healthy limb and the injured one. Once you are healed enough, you may need physical therapy or specific exercises to regain your muscle strength and flexibility in that area.
If your fracture was part of a serious accident, you likely suffered additional injuries like organ, nerve, or blood vessel damage. These injuries require additional treatments and time to heal.
When you work with an attorney, they will take all these factors into consideration when calculating your desired compensation.
Broken Bone Compensation
Depending on the severity of the fracture and other factors involved, you may be able to recover compensation for your assorted economic and non-economic damages. This could be the difference between recovering the wages you lost, getting the medical care or rehab you need, and putting your life back together.
If you or a loved one suffered a broken bone because of another’s negligent or careless act, you could pursue an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. Depending on the nature of your injuries, you may be able to recover your:
- Gastos médicos
- Pérdida de ingresos
- Discapacidad
- Desfiguración
- Dolor y sufrimiento
- Angustia mental
- Pérdida de la vida en común
Who’s Liable for a Fracture?
Determining liability for a broken bone injury can be complicated, and a lot will depend on the circumstances involved. You may be able to recoup certain losses through worker’s compensation if your accident was job-related. But you may have other options.
For instance, if you suffered broken bones after a car accident, you may be able to hold the at-fault driver or their insurance liable if you can show your injuries resulted from negligence.
Contact Our Ohio Broken Bones Lawyers
Work accidents, car crashes, slip and falls, and other incidents can lead to multiple, significant fractures. These can put you out of work for months or result in a disability. Both of which greatly affect your and your family’s financial position.
At KNR, our legal team is available to help you gain compensation for your broken bones through a third-party insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit. We can explain your legal options and rights as well as give an objective opinion on your best course of action. Whatever the necessary steps to help you recover, we will focus on obtaining you the maximum amount of compensation possible.
A skilled lawyer can illustrate what you endured and how a fracture impacted your life, making the harm apparent to a judge or jury. Your attorney will work with your physicians and medical experts to delve into the consequences of this injury on your life, including the effects on your ability to work or live independently.
En KNR, nuestros abogados:
- Responder a tus preguntas y dudas
- Te mantendremos informado durante todas las fases del proceso
- Consigue la documentación médica que refleje la gravedad de tu lesión
- Identificar a la parte responsable
- Calcula el valor justo y total de los daños y perjuicios que has sufrido
- Negocia para conseguir la máxima indemnización
- Lucha por todo lo que te mereces ante los tribunales si es necesario
Contact KNR’s Broken Bone Lawyers
The attorneys of KNR are ready to take on your case, calculate your damages, and seek the maximum compensation for your broken bones. We understand the complexities of these injuries and how to demonstrate the extent of your injuries and the compensation you deserve.
Call KNR at 1-800-HURT-NOW to schedule a free, initial consultation to learn more.
