Broken Bones & Fracture Compensation Claims.

Any type of accident could potentially cause a broken bone injury, but some of the most common accidents that bring about a compensation claim for a fracture include:

• Accidents at work caused by faulty machinery, improper training, inadequate personal protective equipment, falling from height, things falling onto a person from a height, or tripping over loose wiring.
• Accidents at school caused by poorly maintained playground equipment, improper supervision at school/nursery, or an injury whilst playing sports.
• Road traffic accidents either as a driver, passenger, cyclist, or pedestrian involved in any sort of collision.
• Accidents in a public place such as a supermarket, park, library, footpath etc are often caused by poorly maintained equipment, slippery floors, and trip hazards.
• Falls from height for example when using ladders or stairs, falling from a faulty balcony or mezzanine, or carrying out work on a roof.
• Accidents in a care home can happen due to improper lifting techniques, faulty hoist equipment, or trip and slip hazards.
• Sporting accidents can occur due to collisions with other players or with balls, horse riders being thrown from the horse, or falling from height whilst climbing without proper safety harnesses, for example.

This list is by no means exhaustive, and if you have been involved in an accident of any type, which was caused by somebody else’s negligence, resulting in a broken bone injury, you could be entitled to claim compensation. Speak to our specialist team of personal injury lawyers today to find out how we can help you on the road to recovery after your fracture injury.

Fractures and bone breaks are interchangeable terms, both referring to a bone which has been shattered after being subjected to excessive force. In most cases, fractures are not life-threatening, but they do require urgent medical attention in order to heal properly and prevent further complications.

Some of the most common types of bone fracture include:

• Open – the bone may have penetrated the skin and be visible outside of the body.
• Closed- the broken bone is not visible outside of the skin.
• Simple – the bone has broken in one place.
• Compound – the bone is broken in more than one place.
• Displaced – the broken bone parts are out of alignment with each other.
• Non displaced – the broken bones are still in alignment with each other.
• Chalkstick – the fracture occurs transverse across the bone.
• Spiral – the bone is broken in a spiral due to a twisting force exerting pressure, which can happen when one part of the body is in a fixed position while the rest of the body is in motion.
• Comminuted – when the bone breaks it splinters into two or more fragments, which is often the result of a high impact to the bone, e.g. being crushed by a vehicle.
• Depressed – this is when a fracture to the skull results in the skull bone being pressed into the brain, usually after trauma to the head such as being hit with a blunt object or falling from height.
• Epiphyseal/growth plate –  this is a type of fracture that occurs in children due to their growth plates being a weak spot that is susceptible to injury when exposed to excessive pressure or trauma.
• Greenstick – this is the term for a fracture in a child under the age of 10 as their bones are still soft. A greenstick fracture occurs when the bone bends and cracks on just one side of the bone.
• Compression – this is a fracture to the vertebrae, whereby compression causes them to collapse, and can be very serious if the vertebrae bones press on the spinal cord or nerves.

Compression fractures are common in accidents involving elderly people and those who suffer with osteoporosis. However, even if the osteoporosis was previously diagnosed before the accident, the law states that you must take your victim as you find them, also known as the Egg Shell Skull rule. What this means is that if you’re more vulnerable to breaks and fractures due to a medical condition and you sustain a fracture in an accident that wasn’t your fault, the defendant must still compensate you.

If you need any clarification on whether or not you are entitled to bring a claim for compensation after a bone break or fracture injury, please get in touch and one of our friendly and experienced personal injury lawyers will be happy to assist you.

The healing ability of the human body is amazing, and in most cases the broken bone just needs a little bit of help from a medical professional to aid it as it heals. In order for a bone to heal effectively it will usually need to be immobilised using a splint, rod, sling, or plaster cast, depending on where the broken bone is situated.

If the broken bone is misaligned, the pieces will need to be put back into place in order for it to heal properly. This is usually done with a local anaesthetic to numb the wound site, but in more severe cases it may need to be done under a general anaesthetic. Once the bone has been realigned it can be immobilised and allowed to heal.

In some severe fracture cases, for example where the bone is broken into several pieces or is poking out of the skin, it may be necessary for the individual to undergo orthopaedic surgery to repair the break. Depending on the type and severity of the fracture, the surgeon may need to use pins or plates in order to position the bones, enabling them to heal properly.

Whilst bone fractures are not usually life-threatening, they can sometimes be life-changing depending on the type and severity of the fracture, as well as your general health and age at the time of the incident. There are a number of potential health complications that could occur as a result of a bone fracture, including:

• Infection – If the skin has broken as well as the bone, there is the risk of an infection developing, which could also lead to cellulitis – a bacterial infection in the deeper layers of the skin.
• Nerve damage – In some cases a bone fracture can also cause nerve damage, which can lead to painful neurological symptoms that can be long-lasting.
• Blood clots – Some bone break injuries limit mobility, and with limited movement comes the risk of developing blood clots or deep vein thrombosis (DVT) which can be life-threatening. After a blood clot, many people will need to take blood thinning medication for the rest of their lives to prevent further clots from forming.
• Circulatory problems – Some bone fractures can cause problems with circulation and drainage of fluids within the body, which can lead to long-term swelling and further issues like pain, stiffness, itchy skin, ulceration, and scarring.
• Arthritis – In some cases there may be a risk of developing arthritis in the site of the fracture in the future. A doctor can assess the probability of the risk, and this will be taken into account for your final compensation award.
• Leg length – A fracture in the leg can sometimes affect the length of the leg, and therefore cause problems with walking. This will be taken into account in a compensation claim, ensuring money is provided to cover the cost of orthotic aids, physiotherapy, and surgery to correct the problem.
• Scar sensitivity – After a fracture injury, some people may be left with altered sensation or a tingling feeling around the site of the wound, and may require special treatment or therapies to improve the situation.

It is important to speak to your doctor about the potential risks after your fracture injury as there may be preventative treatment and measures that can be taken to minimise the risks. If you have developed any additional health issues after breaking a bone in an accident which wasn’t your fault, we can help you to claim compensation and access the right treatment and rehabilitation to aid your recovery.