Serious Bone Injuries

Any accident can result in broken bones. Broken bones, in turn, can result in a number of serious complications if left untreated. Many people who experience a broken bone require a long period of recovery times as well as additional medical costs and difficulty returning to how life was before the accident. The worst bone breaks can even result in paralysis and other types of permanent disability.

Given the seriousness of these injuries, it is important for accident victims with broken bones to quickly obtain the assistance of an experienced lawyer to help them pursue the compensation they deserve.

The Difference Between Fractures and Breaks

Many people are confused about the difference between bone fractures and bone breaks. Other people think that one of these terms indicates a more serious injury than the other. In actuality, the terms are used interchangeably. Both terms refer to a bone that has been shattered by excessive force.

Statistics show that a huge number of people break their bones each year. Fractures frequently result in breaks in the skin as well as damage to the nerves, muscles, and organs.

Types of Bone Fractures

Fractures refer to breaks or cracks in a person’s bone. While many fractures are caused by car accidents, there are a number of other types of accidents that can cause this injury. Likewise, there are a number of different kinds of bone fractures an accident victim might experience.

Some of the most common types of fractures include:

• Comminuted fractures, in which the bone breaks into three or more pieces
• Compound fractures, in which fragments of a broken pierce a person’s skin
• Crushed sternums, which frequently occur when a person is thrown against a dashboard or steering wheel
• Depressed fractures, which involve skull fractures in which a person’s bones are pressed inward
• Displaced fractures, in which the bones break and move apart so the ends of the bones are no longer lined up
• Oblique fractures, which involve an angled fracture and frequently occur in the upper arm or thigh bone
• Stable fractures, which occurs when the fractured bones remain together
• Transverse fractures, which involves a break perpendicular to the bone shaft

Not only can a medical professional diagnose your condition to determine how the injuries occurred, but having this record can also serve as evidence of the injuries that you now face after an accident.

The Diagnosis and Treatment of Broken Bones

Broken bone injuries are particularly painful. The condition can result in substantial pain as well as impaired movement. Fortunately, many medical professionals are able to diagnose a fractured bone only off of an X-ray. To treat broken bones, many medical professionals immobilize that part of the body.

With the worst breaks, it is sometimes necessary to perform surgery to insert metal screws or pins to stabilize the area. These procedures are quite serious, and so, it is possible for accident victims to obtain compensation for costs associated with these procedures through legal action.

In most cases, victims find that their broken bones take several weeks to several months to heal. During this time, it might be difficult to return to work and you lose out on some of your wages.

To speed up recovery time, it is a wise idea to follow any recommendations made by medical professionals. Following these instructions is also vital because it establishes to the court that you did everything possible to address any injuries you experienced after an accident.

Common Bone Break Sites

There are over 200 bones in the human body. When a break in the bone occurs, however, they tend to affect one of several sites, including:

• Ankle bones
• Arm bones
• Backbones
• Feet bones
• Hand bone
• Collarbones
• Jawbones
• Leg bones
• Neckbones
• Nose bones
• Skull bones

Each of these injuries can leave a person facing a number of challenges that impact the quality of daily life. Fortunately, whenever another party causes these injuries, it is often possible to pursue compensation with the help of a Mississauga personal injury lawyer.

Broken Bones and Children

When children experience a broken bone, these injuries can have long term implications because the bones of young people are still developing. Bones grow from either end’s “growth plates” rather than from the middle. Because growth plates are not fully formed in children, they are weak and more fragile than a young person’s tendons and ligaments.

Broken bones in children can result in life-long complications. Your personal injury lawyer will be sure to perform a detailed investigation of how the accident occurred and the potential future complications that your child is now facing so that you may pursue an adequate amount of compensation to cover anything that might arise in the future care of your child.

Compensation Available for Broken Bones

If you experience broken bones, you might be eligible for compensation for the pain and suffering associated with your injuries. Some of the types of damages for which you may be eligible include:

• Pain and suffering
• Lost wages
• Medical expenses
• Home modifications

An experienced accident lawyer can review the facts of your case and help you determine which types of compensation are likely to be awarded in your case.

Narrow Time Window to Pursue Claims

Following an accident, it is important to remember that, subject to the discoverability doctrine, a person has two years in which to initiate legal action as subject to Ontario’s Limitations Act. This means that you should not hesitate to commence legal action following an accident.

Additionally, Ontario’s Negligence Act states that when damages have been caused by the fault of one or more parties, these parties are jointly and severally liable to compensate for the resulting damage. As a result, you are able to pursue compensation from any party who caused the accident that led to a broken bone.

Speak with an Experienced Accident Lawyer

Broken bones can occur in a number of different ways, but each has the potential for a person to end up facing a number of consequences including large medical bills, mobility issues, and physical and emotional damage. Our experienced Mississauga personal injury lawyers are prepared to work tirelessly to make sure that you obtain the best possible results. Contact Preszler Injury Lawyers today to schedule a free initial consultation.