Breaking a bone, also referred to as a fracture, can be extremely painful and depending on which bone was broken can even become a temporary handicap. Fractures require medical care for at least a few weeks and failure to acquire it in time could result in healing deformities. However, the cost to treat a fracture isn’t cheap and can put a dent in your wallet. That is why if you’ve broken a bone because of another’s recklessness or carelessness, it’s within your best interest to secure legal representation as soon as possible.
A fracture may seem “minor” on paper, but in reality, it can have a real and costly impact on a person’s life. Many victims of bone and joint injuries suffer from chronic pain and may be unable to walk or perform their daily tasks. In some cases, a fracture can cause a person to be out of work for weeks, and for a few months. If you’ve sustained a fracture after a preventable accident, then you have the right to fair compensation. Recover completely by hiring an skilled and experienced Washington broken bone injury lawyer.
Broken Bones Injury Lawyer in Bellingham, Washington
At PNW Trial Lawyers, we understand how difficult it can be to confront the reality of life after an unexpected personal injury. You may be facing a long road to recovery and might be unable to regain your full mobility back for some time. Not to mention how the expenses to treat your fracture and how costly those may be. With the attorneys at PNW Trial Lawyers, you can rest assured your case is in the most skilled and capable hands in the state of Washington.
PNW Trial Lawyers represents individuals in accident cases involving all types of catastrophic injury including complex and severe fractures. Our experienced Washington bone fracture attorneys can assist you with finding orthopedic specialists to treat your injury as well as pursue a claim against the individual or entity responsible for it. With over 50 years of collective experience, our personal injury lawyers have encountered every obstacle possible and helped hundreds of people recover from their injuries with ease.
Set up your first consultation with PNW Trial Lawyers by calling our firm at (360) 483-5201. PNW Trial Lawyers accepts clients throughout the greater Bellingham and Whatcom County area, as well as surrounding counties such as Skagit County and Snohomish County.
Information Center:
Is a Broken Bone a Serious Injury?
A fracture or broken bone in most cases is considered a serious injury with long-term effects. Broken bones can take months to heal and cause intermittent pain throughout the recovery process. If not set right, a fracture can yield fragile bones and what is known as a nonunion or delayed union. A nonunion is when the bone doesn’t heal at all and remains broken. Fractures that have healed in a nonunion state often will continue to worsen over time.
Fractures that have healed as a delayed union heal and produce tissue but do so very slowly. Often in these cases the broken bones are not set correctly and therefore not straight, which is referred to as a malunited fracture. In addition, untreated broken bones can also result in a serious infection known as osteomyelitis. The infection can be so aggressive that in some cases amputation is required.
High-impact fractures normally occur after a traumatic event such as a car crash or a serious fall. These types of broken bones are much more severe than a standard fracture and take nearly twice as long to heal. That is because high impact to a joint or bone could cause it to splinter into more than two fragments, resulting in a comminuted fracture. Splints and casts are considered inadequate when treating comminuted fractures. The only way to repair this type of broken bone is to have open surgery so a surgeon can restructure the bone to its normal anatomy. The healing process after surgery is known to take months and for some years.
What Are the Different Types of Broken Bones?
Medical professionals classify fractures based on the severity of the break. They also categorize them on whether the fracture is open, closed, or is considered incomplete, complete, or comminuted. Open fractures are when high impact causes the bone to break through the skin and are often referred to as a compound fracture. Closed fractures are simply when the skin is intact after the injury. Incomplete fractures are where the bones are still partially joined, and a complete fracture is when the bone fragments have separated completely.
Listed below are some common types of fractures seen by the medical community.
- Spiral Fracture – Broken bones caused by some type of twisting force. This type of fracture typically will result in a spiral-shaped fracture line on the bone.
- Impacted Fracture – When a broken bone fragment is driven into another bone fragment it’s known as an impacted fracture.
- Transverse Fracture – Fractures that are at the right angle to the long axis of a bone.
- Oblique Fracture – Breaks that are located diagonally to the bone’s long axis.
- Greenstick Fracture – Bones that are bent or cracked, which are often found in children less than 10 years old since their joints/bones are still developing.
Can You Sue Someone for Breaking Your Bone in Washington?
If your injury was due to a person or entity’s negligence or failure to exercise reasonable care, then you may be entitled to compensation by pursuing a lawsuit. The lawsuit would require you to prove the at-fault party’s negligence or intentional tort, as well as establish a link between their actions and your damages. This is no easy task by any means. For that reason, it’s highly recommended you secure legal counsel to guide you through the legal process with success.
If your lawsuit is successful and you sway the court, you’ll likely be granted a monetary award. The award will depend on your losses and the unique facts of your case. Listed below are some possible damages you may recover if you’re given a monetary award.
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Loss of future wages
- Ongoing medical costs
- Loss of quality of life
- Loss of consortium
- Pain and suffering
Additional Resources
AAOS | American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons — Visit the official website for the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) which is described as the “world’s largest medical association of musculoskeletal specialists.” Access the site to learn its mission to “provide the highest quality musculoskeletal care” through the prevention and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions, learn more about the organization, view informative articles in multiple AAOS periodicals, and also find answers to frequently asked orthopedic questions.
Medline Plus | Broken Bones – Visit the official website for Medline Plus, the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Access the site to read up on their information regarding fractures, what causes a broken bone, first aid tips for broken bones, and other information.
Bone Fracture Attorney in Whatcom County, WA
If you or someone you love has suffered from a broken bone due to another party’s negligence, then you may be entitled to compensation for your damages. Consult PNW Trial Lawyers to learn more about your legal options and how you can pursue the financial recovery you deserve. Our personal injury lawyers in Bellingham Washington have been hard at work for over 50 collective years using their litigation skills to help their clients recover. With their wealth of knowledge and experience, they can do the same for you.
Call us today at (360) 483-5201 to set up your first consultation free of charge. PNW Trial Lawyers has offices in Bellingham, but accept clients throughout nearby communities including Lynden, Blaine, Everson, Birch Bay, Maple Falls, Sudden Valley, Nooksack, Point Roberts, and Deming.