Some of the most common injuries people suffer in everything from car accidents to slip and fall incidents are broken bones. These injuries occur when a bone is struck with significant force or due to repetitive stress, which weakens it and causes it to fracture over time. Even some diseases, if not addressed in time, can make bones more prone to breaking.
If you have sustained any type of fracture as a result of another party’s conduct, you may be able to begin a personal injury claim to recover your losses. Continue reading to learn about the types of broken bones you can suffer and what legal options you may have.
Types of Broken Bones
Numerous types of bone fractures exist. They’re typically diagnosed according to the pattern of the break, where it occurs, and sometimes even what causes it. Two common ways of identifying them are based on the skin condition and the fracture pattern.
Open and Closed Fractures
An open break, called a compound break, occurs when the bone cuts through the skin. This leaves an open wound, making you more likely to suffer an infection. On the other hand, a closed or simple fracture occurs when the bone doesn’t break through the skin.
Transverse Fractures
A transverse fracture can be open or closed. This type of bone fracture is a straight break across the bone, perpendicular to the bone’s long axis. Your doctor may also describe it as either displaced or non-displaced, which refers to whether the pieces of your bone moved far enough apart for a gap to form.
Spiral Fractures
Spiral fractures occur when the break happens all around the bone, in a spiral shape. It’s often the result of a twisting force and rotational stress.
You can sustain a spiral fracture when something jerks one of your limbs from its usual position. Sports can lead to these injuries, as can workplace accidents and car crashes.
Oblique Fractures
Oblique fractures cause a break at an angle to the bone’s axis, forming a diagonal line. They’re often the result of something hitting your body at an angle. Because the fracture runs diagonally, these breaks can be less stable than straight fractures and may require more careful alignment or surgical intervention to heal properly.
Segmental Fractures
These refer to fractures in which your bone breaks in two or more places, leaving a segment completely separated from the rest. Severe trauma, especially in traffic accidents, can cause these. Segmental fractures typically require surgery and a long recovery process.
Comminuted Fractures
Comminuted fractures occur when a bone breaks into three or more pieces. Falls from significant heights can cause these, as can run-ins with heavy machinery. Typically, these fractures require surgery, and the recovery process can take a year or more.
Establishing Fault in a Georgia Personal Injury Claim
In Georgia, if you suffered a broken bone in an accident caused by another party’s actions, you may be eligible to seek compensation. To succeed, you must show that the other party acted negligently or wrongfully. Negligence means proving that the other party owed you a duty of care, breached that duty, and caused losses as a result.
For example, if you were injured in a car accident caused by a texting driver, they breached their duty to operate their vehicle safely. If that crash led to a broken bone and medical expenses, you could include those losses in your claim.
How Comparative Negligence Can Affect Your Claim
Georgia follows a modified comparative negligence rule. This means you can still recover compensation if you were partly at fault—so long as your share of the blame is less than 50%. If your fault is 50% or greater, you cannot recover damages.
Insurance companies often try to assign as much fault as possible to the injured person. This tactic can reduce or even eliminate your recovery, making it important to have an attorney who can protect your rights during the claims process.
Contact the Savannah Personal Injury Lawyers at Bowen Painter Injury Lawyers for Help Today
Suffering a broken bone means not only dealing with significant pain, but also potentially losing income by not being able to work as you normally would. To seek the compensation you need to navigate this challenging time, it’s essential to turn to the experienced legal team at Bowen Painter Injury Lawyers.
We’ve secured tens of millions for our clients, including the largest verdict in Chatham County history. When you hire us, you can count on receiving personalized, proven representation at every step. Contact us at (912) 335-1909 to schedule a free case assessment from our Savannah personal injury attorneys today.
