Can a Lawyer Help Me Recover Compensation for a Broken Bone in Philadelphia?

Although broken bones are common accident injuries, recovery can be lengthy, costly, and painful. While fractures may heal entirely in many cases, some victims could suffer from mobility problems and other impairments for the rest of their lives. 

Negligence or intentional wrongdoing often leads to accidents causing fractures and other injuries. However, if another is responsible for your broken bone, the financial burden should not fall on you. Morgan & Morgan is here to help. Our Philadelphia broken bone lawyers see the impacts of severe fractures on victims’ lives every day. We want to give our clients the best chance at receiving what they truly deserve so they can recover physically, emotionally, and financially. 

If an accident injury turns your life upside down, help is only a phone call or email away. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation case review.

The Top Causes for Broken Bones in Philadelphia

According to Ohio State University, over 6 million people break a bone in the US annually. Fractures often occur due to trauma or accidents. Common causes for broken bones include: 

Slips and Falls

Slips and falls can lead to broken bones with significant health and financial consequences for a victim. Figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that more than 800,000 individuals require hospital treatment annually due to falls and broken bones. Older adults, in particular, can suffer the long-term adverse effects of a fracture, including loss of range of motion and reduced mobility.

Slips and falls can practically happen anywhere on private or public property, such as shopping malls, parking garages, hotels, and other locations. However, individuals hurt in a slip and fall could have legal recourse and hold a property owner or other party responsible for their medical bills and other damages. 

Property owners in Philadelphia are generally responsible for making their premises reasonably safe and should address maintenance issues promptly. You could have a case if you came to harm due to a dangerous condition such as:

• Missing floorboards
• Broken steps
• Bulging carpets
• Water or debris on walkways
• Cluttered floor surfaces
• Missing steps

A Morgan & Morgan personal injury attorney can assess your case and determine whether you could seek compensation.

Motor Vehicle Accidents

Traffic accidents are some of the leading causes of broken bones in Philadelphia. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, there were 7,700 crashes with 4,917 injuries in the state in 2020 alone. Many accidents are alcohol-related or happen due to other negligent behavior by drivers, such as:

• Speeding
• Distracted driving
• Dangerous driving
• Driving fatigued
• Ignoring road signs and signals

However, not all traffic accidents are caused by drivers’ negligence or recklessness. In some instances, poor road design, vehicle defects, and other reasons can lead to tragic accidents. A local government agency, car manufacturer, or repair shop could be responsible for victims’ damages. 

If you suffered a bone fracture in a car accident due to another’s negligence, you could be entitled to compensation. We can work with accident investigators and reconstruction professionals to determine who is at fault and liable for your accident. 

Workplace Injuries

Some industries, such as construction, are more hazardous than others. However, work accidents can happen in all work environments, including in offices, restaurants, and stores. Slips and falls, in particular, can occur due to hazardous work environments, wet and slippery floors, or unlit stairways. Workers can get hurt by falling objects or get trapped in-between machinery on a worksite, potentially leading to complex fractures. 

If you get hurt at work in Philadelphia, you are generally entitled to workers’ compensation. However, if your accident was caused by a third party, such as another contractor on-site, you could hold the liable party legally responsible.

Nursing Home Injuries

Fractures can be common injuries in fragile older nursing home residents. However, if your loved one experienced a bone break due to physical abuse, neglect, or unsafe conditions at the premises, you could hold the nursing home to account and recover damages. 

Nursing home negligence can be tough to prove without having an experienced attorney by your side. Residents may be unable to recall incidents due to dementia, and the nursing home could try to cover up any wrongdoing.

Other Accidents Leading to Fractures

Many other avoidable accidents and incidents can lead to fractures, such as:  

• Pedestrian and bicycle accidents
• Dog bites and attacks
• Sports accidents
• Assaults and attacks
• Defective product accidents

A broken bone or fracture may require extensive and costly medical care, such as surgery, physical therapy, and other treatments. Victims could also lose wages due to a prolonged recovery.

If you or a loved one suffered an injury due to another’s negligence, our attorneys could assess your injury and circumstances to determine whether you are entitled to damages.

Common Types of Bone Fractures

Bones are extremely strong and have some flexibility. However, when the pressure applied is too great, for example, during an accident, bones will eventually break. A bone fracture’s severity generally depends on the force that caused the injury. In a minor injury, the bone may only crack rather than break entirely. However, a bone subjected to extreme pressure could break in several places or even shatter. Common types of bone breaks include:

Compound or Open Fracture

Compound fractures may show as an open wound near the broken bone. In some cases, the bone can be seen sticking out through the skin. Compound fractures are generally severe injuries that require emergency medical care. 

Transverse Fracture

Transverse fractures run horizontally and perpendicular (in the opposite direction) to the bone. Transverse breaks usually affect the long bones such as the shin, thigh, and arm. These types of bone injuries generally require surgery. 

Comminuted Fracture

A comminuted fracture occurs when a bone breaks in at least two places. Comminuted fractures can be common in car accidents and usually require surgery and a long recovery time, potentially lasting a year or longer. Smaller bones, such as those in feet and hands, can be particularly prone to comminuted fractures. 

Incomplete Fracture

A partial or incomplete fracture occurs when the bone has a crack but is not entirely broken. An incomplete fracture, such as a hairline crack, may heal without requiring surgical treatment or other medical intervention. 

Pathologic Fracture 

Pathologic fractures occur when an underlying disease, such as cancer or osteoporosis weakens the bone. For example, the bones of people who have osteoporosis can break much easier in an accident than the bones of healthy individuals.

Although some fractures heal in six to eight weeks, complex bone breaks or multiple fractures can take months or even years of recovery. Some fractures never heal fully and cause permanent impairment. If your injury occurred due to another’s negligence, a dedicated Philadelphia broken bone lawyer could help to clarify your options and move forward with a compensation claim. 

How a Lawyer Can Help You Recover Compensation for a Bone Fracture

Accident victims experiencing a broken bone due to another’s negligent or willful conduct are generally entitled to pursue damages. However, getting fair compensation without a lawyer in your corner can be challenging. A lawyer from Morgan & Morgan can handle all the legal aspects of your case, leaving you free to concentrate on your health and recovery. Our personal injury lawyers can: 

• Help you receive adequate medical care for your broken bones
• Walk you through your options for seeking compensation
• Assess your injuries and value your claim
• Investigate your accident and establish liability
• Identify all liable parties and avenues for compensation
• Gather the necessary evidence to prove your claim
• Handle the legal paperwork 
• Ensure you do not miss any Pennsylvania filing deadlines
• Negotiate a fair settlement with the relevant insurance company
• Take your case to trial where necessary

The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can determine whether you qualify for compensation and start with the process of fighting for what you deserve. 

Compensation for Broken Bones 

If someone else is responsible for causing your bone fracture, you could be entitled to various types of damages, such as: 

Healthcare Costs

Most fractures require medical intervention such as surgery, casts, medications, and physical therapy. You could receive reimbursement for all medical expenses, including hospital stays, specialist appointments, diagnostic testing, medical devices (such as crutches or a wheelchair), and much more. You could also receive funds for household assistance or a home health aide. 

Missing Wages

Broken bones can take months to heal. If you have to miss work due to recovering from a fracture, you could qualify for compensation for lost income and future lost earning capacity. 

Pain and Suffering

Serious fractures can be life-limiting, painful, and distressing. If you suffer significant or multiple bone breaks, a considerable portion of your settlement could include awards for non-economic damages such as:  

• Physical pain 
• Emotional trauma
• Disability
• Scarring 
• Loss of life quality

It is crucial to remember that compensation will vary from one case to another. Our attorneys can calculate your damages and advise you on the types of damages you could pursue in your specific case.