Fracture Injury Attorneys in Mobile, Alabama

At best, a broken bone is inconvenient and painful. At worst, a broken bone permanently limits your mobility and causes chronic pain. Fractures are a common outcome in many types of accidents, including car collisions and falls. Between medical bills, time off of work, and adaptive equipment, many victims and their families fall behind financially because of a broken bone.

If you have suffered a broken bone because of someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. This allows you to limit your financial losses and meet your financial obligations while you recover. To discuss your case and your next steps, call Burns, Cunningham & Mackey at 251-432-0612.

Causes of Broken Bones

Broken bones are very common in personal injury cases. Some of the most common causes of fractures include:

• Car crashes
• Slip and fall injuries, including those from heights and those at ground level
• Injuries caused by defective products
• Workplace accidents
• Repetitive stress injuries
• Any injury leading to blunt force trauma

Different Types of Fractures

The type of fracture you sustain determines your treatment options and prognosis. This is one reason that prompt treatment is so important after an accident. The sooner you get the proper diagnostic tests and medical attention, the sooner you can get the treatment you need to heal. Waiting too long to seek medical attention can cause your bone to start healing improperly, which could require your doctor to re-break it so it can be set properly.

Some common types of fractures include:

• This type of fracture happens when a bone breaks at a 90-degree angle. It’s most common after the bone sustains enormous perpendicular force. Imagine, for example, a pedestrian getting hit by a car or someone getting hit in the leg with a baseball bat. In both cases, the vertical bone is subject to a large amount of horizontal force. These are serious fractures that often require surgical intervention.
• Comminuted fractures occur when a bone breaks into multiple fragments, rather than suffering a clean break that severs the bone in two. Small bones, including those in your feet and hands, are at high risk of comminuted fractures.
• A curved or angled break of a bone results in an oblique fracture. This may occur when force strikes the bone from above or below the bone.
• Injured children often suffer greenstick fractures, due to the fact that their bones are not yet fully developed. When an undeveloped bone experiences significant force, it may bend or only crack on one side.
• Stress fractures are common among athletes. A hairline fracture in the bone may not be immediately visible, but it does cause discomfort and pain. In many cases, stress fractures may go undiagnosed for months until the victim is forced to seek treatment.
• Broken bones can be caused by disease. Diseases that leave your bones more susceptible to fracture, such as osteoporosis, often result in pathologic fractures.
• Twisting injuries often lead to spiral fractures, in which the fracture winds around the bone. This is a complex type of fracture that often requires extensive surgical intervention and physical therapy.
• Segmental fractures occur when the same bone breaks in two places. The two end pieces are still anchored to their neighboring bones, but there is a floating middle component that must be reattached to both sections.
• In the majority of bone fractures, the break occurs below the surface of the skin and does not break through the skin. An open fracture forces the broken bone through the skin, leaving part of the bone exposed. This adds a risk of infection and can be extremely expensive and time-consuming to treat.

Compensation for a Broken Bone

If your broken bone is the result of someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to substantial compensation for your losses. A lot depends on how successfully your attorney proves the other party’s liability. A number of parties may be liable for your fracture, depending on the details of your accident:

• If you were hit by a car, the driver of the other vehicle could be liable for your injuries if they were driving unsafely. If a malfunctioning piece of equipment caused the accident, you may have a claim against the manufacturer.
• If you slipped and fell on a wet surface or uneven staircase, the owner of the property could be liable for your injuries.
• If you were attacked by a dog, the owner of the dog would likely be liable for your fractures and other injuries.

The type and amount of compensation you receive depends a lot on how severe your injuries are. Some of the compensation you may receive includes:

• Medical bills. Even a simple bone fracture can cost thousands of dollars. A fair and full settlement will include all of your medical costs, including ambulance fees, surgical expenses, prescription costs, and physical therapy expenses.
• Lost wages. Time away from work can put your family in an uncomfortable financial position. You should be compensated for any time you have to spend off of work.
• Future medical expenses. Serious injuries may require ongoing or long-term care. If this is relevant to your claim, your settlement should include money for any future care you may need.
• Future lost income. Some injuries permanently impact an individual’s ability to work. In these situations, the liable party may have to pay for lost future income.
• Pain and suffering. This is a common part of many personal injury settlements, especially for injuries that take a long time to heal or cause a substantial amount of pain.

Why You Need a Personal Injury Attorney

Getting the compensation that you deserve after an accident takes time and effort. While it may be easy to identify the liable party, getting their insurance company to pay up is more challenging.

Insurance companies are in the business of maximizing their own bottom line, often at the expense of injured victims. Any settlement they offer on their own is likely to be far too low. With an attorney, you can get a better understanding of how much your claim is worth and how much you’re likely to receive. They can build a strong case for you and take on the insurance company on your behalf. This gives you more time to recuperate and heal.

Contact Burns, Cunningham & Mackey for Help with Your Claim

A broken bone can derail your plans for a few days, a few weeks, or even the rest of your life. If someone else caused your injuries, you may be entitled to compensation. We can help you fight for what you’re owed. Call Burns, Cunningham & Mackey at 251-432-0612 or get in touch with us online to get started.