Bone Fractures

When there is an injury that is caused by the negligence of another person, business entity, or government entity, there can be a claim or case to pursue on behalf of the injury victim. The value of the case will depend on a number of factors including but limited to the type of injuries sustained. One such injury is the fractured bone. From the head to the toe, the human body is composed of the musculoskeletal system which is composed in part of bony structures. When there is a crack, fracture, or break, the finding of such an injury can be picked up on a standard x-ray diagnostic study at an emergency room, specialty doctor's office, chiropractor's office, urgent care center, or imaging center.

When a bone is fractured, the severity of the injury will depend on the location, size, severity, and complexity of the fracture. Here are the types of fractures that are commonly diagnosed:

Simple Fracture. With a simple fracture, the broken bone does not involve a break of the skin. In most instances, a simple fracture involves one single break. A simple fracture is also classified as a closed fracture.

Compound Fracture. With a compound fracture, the broken bone breaks the skin. As such, the impact or effects of the fracture are visible even without an x-ray. It is important to have an x-ray completed to further visualize the extent, placement, and severity of the compound fracture. With a compound fracture, there are risks of infections and other complications. A compound fracture is also classified as an open fracture.

Displaced Fracture. With a displaced fracture, the bone break presents itself into multiple pieces that shift or move away from each other. As a result of the displaced bone fragments, a displaced fracture is a more complicated situation than a non-displaced fracture.

Non-Displaced Fracture. With a non-displaced fracture, the bone (while fractured or broken) largely remains in place which, in turn, makes any potential surgical intervention a bit easier than operating upon a displaced fracture.

Comminuted Fracture. With a comminuted fracture, the bone break or fracture presents itself in the form of small fragments of bone.

Spiral Fracture. With a spiral fracture, the bone break presents itself in the form of a twisting or spiraling effect.

Hairline Fracture. With a hairline fracture, the bone break presents itself in the form of a very thin crack.

Impacted Fracture. With an impacted fracture, the bone break presents itself in the form of an impact from one bone forcing itself into another bone.

The available and recommended treatment for the bone fracture will depend on a number of factors including but not limited to the bone(s) involved, the severity of fracture, the pain, discomfort, and immobility caused by the fracture, risks of further injury / complications, age of the injury victim, overall medical condition of the injury victim, and other factors.

Some fractures can be treated with medical observation and rests. Other fractures may require the application of a hard cast, soft cast, or other devices to immobilize the body part to promote the healing process over time. Surgery may be required when operative intervention is needed to fix the bone or improve the situation / condition for the patient. Courses of physical therapy may be implemented as well as part of the treatment regimen.

In most instances, the cause and age of the fracture are not in dispute. In some instances, the defendant / insurance carrier may argue that the fracture was a pre-existing condition especially in situations with an older bone fracture victim in Jacksonville. If the fracture can be shown to be caused by an accident or incident that is the fault of another person, business entity, or government entity, then the injury victim can seek compensation for economic damages and non-economic damages associated with the injury. It should be noted that Florida laws vary depending on the cause / location of an injury. Slip and fall cases have different laws in place than automobile accident cases. Also, for a worker's compensation fracture case, there is no need or requirement to show that the employer was at fault or somehow negligent for causing the incident.

Dog bite injuries are also subject to different laws. If a dog bites a person and causes a fractured bone, there is no need to prove that the dog was previously aggressive or that the owner was negligent in the handling of the dog. Florida has a set of strict liability laws in place for dog bite cases.

Here are the economic damages that may be pursued when a Jacksonville bone fracturevictim suffers an injuryin the State of Florida:

Past Medical Expenses;
Future Medical Expenses;
Past Wage Loss;
Future Wage Loss;
Future Loss of Earning Capacity; and
Other Expenses (lawn care, attendant care, etc . . .)

Here are the non-economic damages that may be pursued when an injury victims suffers a fracture in the State of Florida;

Past pain and suffering;
Past mental anguish;
Past loss of enjoyment of life;
Future pain and suffering;
Future mental anguish; and
Future loss of enjoyment of life.

When an injury victim suffers from a fracture, it is important to consult with an experienced Jacksonville bone fracture lawyer to protect and enforce legal rights to compensation provided under the applicable law. David Alan Wolf is an AV Preeminent rated attorney which is a testament that the attorney's peers rank him at the highest level of professional excellence. He is the author of 12 books that focus on personal injury matters including the book titled “Watching Out for Florida Motorcyclists - Freedom - Liberty - Justice - Legal Rights of Injured Bikers”. Contact David Alan Wolf today for a free consultation. With David Alan Wolf, you get an attorney who firmly believes in Giving a Voice to Injury Victims and Their Families.