Baltimore, MD Broken Bone Injury Attorneys

Lawyers Helping Injury Victims Address Serious Bone Fractures in Baltimore, MD

Broken bones often occur in accidents, but even though they may be common, they are far from minor. A serious fracture can sideline a person for weeks or months. Surgery may be required, and rehabilitation may be needed afterward. These injuries can have ongoing physical effects that can impact a person's daily life long after the bone itself has healed.

If you suffered a broken bone in an accident that was caused by another person's careless or reckless behavior, you can take steps to obtain financial compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, and the pain and disruption the injury has caused. At Silverman Thompson, we can provide the legal help you need to address this catastrophic injury, and we will advocate on your behalf to make sure insurance companies and the person who injured you will be held fully accountable for the harm you have suffered.

How Fractures Can Happen in Accident Cases

Bones can break when a person's body is struck with force in an accident. There are many different situations where people may suffer fractures and other serious injuries, including:

Car, Truck, and Motorcycle Accidents

Motor vehicle collisions are one of the most common causes of serious bone fracture injuries. The forces involved in a car crash can lead to broken bones throughout the body. Motorcycle riders face serious risks of fractures because they do not have the protective structure of a vehicle, and they may be thrown to the ground in a collision. Truck accidents also can lead to multiple types of fractures for the occupants of smaller vehicles involved in these collisions.

Pedestrian Accidents

When a vehicle strikes a person on foot, their lower body will usually absorb the initial impact, which can lead to leg or hip fractures. Additional impacts when a pedestrian hits a vehicle's hood or windshield and falls to the pavement can cause fractures in the arms, shoulders, ribs, and facial bones.

Slip and Fall Accidents

Falls often lead to fracture injuries, especially for older people who may have lower bone density. A person who slips on a wet floor, trips on an uneven surface, or falls on a poorly maintained staircase may experience wrist and arm fractures when they reach out to catch themselves. Additional fractures may occur in the hips or other body parts when a person lands on the ground.

Workplace Accidents

Construction workers, warehouse employees, and people in industrial settings may suffer fractures when accidents occur in the workplace. Falls from scaffolding, ladders, and elevated platforms can lead to broken bones. Fractures also may occur when workers are struck by falling objects, heavy machinery, or collapsing structures. When the negligence of a third party, such as an equipment manufacturer, contributed to a workplace accident, an injured employee may take legal action to secure compensation for their losses.

Types of Fracture Injuries

Not all broken bones are alike. The type of fracture and its location in the body will determine how serious the injury is, how it can be treated, and how long recovery will take. Some fractures may heal with immobilization and rest. Others may require surgery, the placement of metal hardware, and prolonged rehabilitation. Some broken bones may have permanent consequences that could affect a person's strength, range of motion, and quality of life for years to come.

Arm and Wrist Fractures

While some people may assume that a broken arm is not a serious injury, the reality is often more complicated. Fractures of the bones in the forearm may require surgical repair, and metal plates or screws may be needed when the bones have been broken into multiple pieces or shattered. Wrist fractures can lead to issues such as stiffness, reduced grip strength, and chronic pain that can interfere with a person's work and daily activities. Fractures involving the elbow joint can result in limitations on range of motion even after extensive treatment and rehabilitation.

Leg and Knee Fractures

The leg contains some of the largest and strongest bones in the body, and fracturing them will require significant force. A broken thighbone is among the most severe fracture injuries a person can sustain. Because the thigh contains major blood vessels and large muscle groups, a fracture may cause significant internal bleeding, and emergency surgery may be needed.

Fractures in the shins often will require extended periods of recovery while avoiding placing weight on the lower leg, followed by physical rehabilitation. A fractured kneecap can lead to severe joint damage and difficulties with walking or climbing stairs. Ankle fractures may involve multiple bones, and they may require surgery followed by months of wearing a cast or boot. For many people, the prolonged recovery period after a serious leg fracture can lead to months of lost wages, the need for assistance with basic daily tasks, and significant pain throughout the healing process.

Pelvic Fractures

Fractures of the hips and pelvis are some of the most serious and potentially life-threatening bone fracture injuries. Major blood vessels, the bladder, reproductive organs, and nerves that carry signals to the lower body can be damaged when the pelvis breaks. Extended bed rest and recovery often will be needed after a severe pelvic injury. Full recovery may take six months to a year or more. Chronic pain, difficulty walking, urinary dysfunction, and nerve damage can lead to long-term difficulties.

Rib Fractures

Broken ribs can be painful, and they can lead to health complications. Unlike most broken bones, ribs cannot be immobilized with a cast. A person with broken ribs must allow them to heal while continuing to breathe, which can lead to an increased risk of pneumonia and other pulmonary complications. In some cases, broken ribs may puncture or bruise a lung, and emergency intervention may be needed. These fractures often will cause weeks or months of severe pain that may limit a person's ability to sleep, move, work, and carry out ordinary tasks.

Facial Bone Fractures

Facial fractures may affect the nose, cheekbones, jaw, eye socket, and forehead. In addition to pain and swelling, facial fractures can cause serious complications. Orbital fractures that affect the bones surrounding the eye can cause double vision, restricted eye movement, and permanent visual impairments. Jaw fractures may require the jaw to be wired shut during recovery, which can affect a person's ability to eat or speak for weeks. Nasal fractures can cause breathing difficulties. In complex facial fractures involving multiple bones, reconstructive surgery may be necessary.

Spinal Fractures

Fractured vertebrae can cause damage to the spinal cord and the nerves connected to it. Compression fractures can occur in falls and motor vehicle crashes. If vertebrae are shattered, fragments may be driven into the spinal cord, which can cause permanent nerve damage and paralysis. Even if spinal fractures do not directly damage the spinal cord, they can cause chronic pain, mobility issues, and functional limitations that could affect a person's life for years.

Contact Our Baltimore Broken Bone Lawyers

A fracture injury caused by someone else's negligence should not leave you struggling with medical bills, lost wages, and pain. At Silverman Thompson, our lawyers are here to help you recover the compensation you need to address the impact of your injuries. Contact our Baltimore, MD bone fracture attorneys by calling 410-385-2225 to set up a free consultation.