When Negligence Results in Bone Fractures or Joint Injuries

Orthopedic injuries involve damage to the skeletal system and associated muscles, ligaments, and joints. These injuries can be painful and debilitating, requiring extensive medical treatment and time away from work. If you have suffered orthopedic injuries at the hands of someone else’s negligence or reckless behavior, you may have the right to pursue compensation through a settlement or jury award. Contact the Tenge Law Firm, LLC at (303) 665-2929 to explore your options.

Injuries to the Musculoskeletal System

Orthopedic injuries can range in severity from minor sprains and strains to open compound fractures, all depending on the amount of force involved and where in the body the injury occurs. These types of injuries include:

  • Shoulder dislocations
  • Fractures of the wrist
  • Hip fractures
  • Neck fractures
  • Ankle sprains
  • Foot and ankle fractures
  • Knee injuries
  • Arm and leg fractures
  • Elbow fractures
  • Herniated discs
  • Torn rotator cuff

Among these various injuries, fractures are the most common. Fractures are sometimes referred to as broken bones and are split into the following categories:

  • Stable fractures: This is the most common type of break. Stable fractures may only require a cast to heal properly. With this type of fracture, the bone remains intact and in place.
  • Transverse fractures: The break in the bone runs perpendicular to the bone with this type of fracture. It is usually caused by a direct blow to the area. Transverse fractures can also result from repetitive motion.
  • Oblique fractures: This type of break is diagonal to the bone. Oblique fractures typically affect the long bones of the body, such as the thigh bone (femur) or the larger bone between the knee and ankle (tibia). A forceful twisting motion can also cause an oblique fracture in the foot or hand, such as during a slip and fall.
  • Comminuted fractures: With this type of fracture, the bone is broken into at least three separate pieces of bone. Comminuted fractures are usually caused by high-impact trauma, as in motor vehicle accidents with cyclists and pedestrians.
  • Open/compound fractures: This type of fracture is open because the broken bone is protruding through the skin. Open/compound fractures may require surgery to correct.

Trauma That Results in Orthopedic Injuries

Orthopedic injury is a broad term describing injury caused by trauma to the bones, joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments anywhere in the body. Common accidents in Boulder that cause broken bones include:

  • Motor vehicle accidents: The sheer force of two or more cars colliding can be shocking to the body and, even with proper safety measures, drivers and passengers may seriously injure themselves against a car’s utilities. Ankles and legs can break if slammed against the steering wheel, arms and fingers may fracture when striking the door, and the cheeks and nose can break when colliding with the windshield. This damage is exasperated when large trucks or motorcycles are involved.
  • Pedestrian accidents: When a reckless driver hits the road, joggers and runners are put at great risk of broken bones when exploring Boulder’s many gorgeous trails. In fact, within Boulder at least one in five pedestrians accidents involve severe injuries, as reported by the City of Boulder’s Transportation Division.
  • Bicycle accidents: While helmets provide necessary protection against brain injuries, cyclists have little protection from other vehicles. Whether it is because of the sheer force of the vehicle, being crushed against the pavement, or the weight of the bike, a cyclist can easily suffer a broken bone in a bicycle accident.
  • Falls: Whether a fall is from five feet or 15 feet, the human body is not meant to experience the full weight of gravity. A slip or trip and fall can easily throw an individual down a flight of stairs, over a railing, or onto hard pavement, resulting in everything from minor fractures in the wrists to severe spinal cord injuries.

Recovering from a Broken Bone

Treatment for an orthopedic injury will depend on the type of injury sustained. Most treatments require a great deal of downtime from work for proper healing. In addition, outpatient rehabilitation is typically required for people who have suffered bone fractures, torn ligaments, or damage to cartilage, or who undergo orthopedic surgery. Some orthopedic treatment options include:

  • Resetting the broken bone
  • Casts and splints (immobilization)
  • Traction
  • Exercise
  • Rehabilitation
  • Replacement surgery
  • Partial replacement surgery
  • Replantation (permanent reattachment of a severed part)
  • Surgically inserting a metal rod in the hollow canal of a broken bone to stabilize it
  • Orthotics
  • Crutches, canes, walkers

Recovering from a broken legs or herniated disk can be especially difficult for individuals who are used to being active. Whether you love hiking along the Rocky Mountains or riding a motorcycle along Mount Evans Road, you will have to put a hold on your favorite past-times to ensure a full recovery. Individuals who are 65-years or older – which make up roughly 15% of Boulder’s population, according to Age Well Boulder County – also face significant challenges following a broken bone.

Getting You Back on Your Feet

Broken bones are nothing to shrug at. From significant downtime to sizable medical bills, orthopedic injuries can be extremely costly for the everyday person, especially when it affects your career. The negligence of a reckless driver or property owner should not endanger a victim’s career or livelihood. In addition to the financial cost of an injury, orthopedic injuries can be painful and debilitating, significantly diminishing your quality of life. You may need a full-time caregiver while you are recovering from your injuries if you are unable to get around and perform your normal daily activities.

All these reasons are why it is essential to recover full and fair compensation, and your best chance of doing so is to have an experienced attorney by your side. When you bring your case to the Tenge Law Firm, LLC, our attorneys and staff will provide a thorough review of your case while also paying attention to your needs and interests. Our Boulder personal injury law firm is based around providing legal support for individuals who are suffering from serious injuries and are worried about how to move forward. After serious orthopedic injuries in an accident that was someone else’s fault, call us at (303) 665-2929 to schedule a free consultation.