Fractures or Broken Bones Caused by Accidents

The bones comprise the skeletal system, provide support and protection for the body, and maintain calcium storage. A bone fracture is medically defined as a break in the continuity of the bone and is often caused when excessive force or pressure impacts the bones. Different bones in the body have varied tolerance levels and the capacity to endure stress. Many different types of fractures to your body can occur as a result of an accident caused by another person or entity, or caused in an accident or in a high activity job while you are employed. Men are more likely to experience broken bones as a result of an occupational activity than women.

Diagnosis of bone fractures depend on several factors, such as where the break has occurred in the bone, how the bone fragments are aligned, any other complications, and whether the skin is still intact. Bone fractures fall into these major categories:

  1. Oblique fracture, a type of fracture where the break crosses the axis of the bone at a 45 degree angle;
  2. Transverse fracture, a fracture that crosses the axis in a right-angle;
  3. Spiral fracture, a break oblique to the axis;
  4. Comminuted fracture, with two or more broken fragments;
  5. Linear fracture, the fracture is parallel to the bone’s main axis;
  6. Greenstick fracture, a partial fracture in young bones;
  7. Simple fracture, or a closed fracture;
  8. Compound fracture, also known as an open fracture. The skin has broken around the bone;
  9. Impacted fracture, it is a closed fracture where one bone end is wedged into another broken bone end;
  10. Compression fracture, occurs in the spine and is a collapse of the vertebrae.

When bones break common symptoms are pain, swelling and inflammation. Pain may be in additional places besides the site of the break, for example a hip break may also cause knee pain. A break may occur even if the joint is able to move. It is important to seek medical treatment as soon as possible to document the injury for your personal injury claim. Treatment will vary depending on the type of fracture involved.

Broken bones are common injuries in personal injury cases and occur especially in motor vehicle accidents. If a broken bone has happened to you as a result of work or the negligence of someone else you should secure an attorney to represent you in order to have the best chance at being fully compensated. Injuries while working are covered under the Illinois workers’ compensation program and an injured party would essentially have to prove the accident occurred during the course of employment.

There are many other types of fractures but if you are involved in an accident and you fractured a bone, it is imperative you contact a lawyer immediately. Please contact our law firm for a free consultation at 1(800) ASK-A-LAWYER or 1(800) 275-2529. You will talk with an attorney with at least 20-30 years of experience and we never charge unless we collect for you.