Hagerstown Broken Bone Injury Attorney
Lawyer for Bone Fracture Injuries in Hagerstown, MD
Broken bones are among the most common injuries people may experience in accidents. The effects of these injuries can be far-reaching, and they often require extensive medical treatment and a long recovery period. Whether they happen in a car crash, slip and fall, or other situations, broken bones can severely impact a person's physical abilities and quality of life. In cases where someone else's negligence led to a catastrophic injury, a victim may receive financial compensation for their damages.
Serafini Law helps people in Hagerstown and the surrounding areas recover the compensation they need to heal and move forward after suffering from broken bones. Our attorney can work closely with medical professionals and specialists to evaluate the full extent of your injury and build a strong case on your behalf. We are committed to protecting your rights and helping to make sure you will receive the financial support you need during your recovery.
Types of Bone Fractures
A fracture occurs when a bone is subjected to more force than it can withstand, causing it to crack or break. Some of the most common types of fractures include:
- Simple (Closed) Fracture: In a simple fracture, the bone breaks but does not pierce the skin. Although these fractures may be less complicated to treat, they can still require medical intervention, such as casting or bracing, to ensure proper healing.
- Compound (Open) Fracture: In some situations, broken bones may pierce through the skin. This type of fracture is more severe because it carries a higher risk of infection and often requires surgery to treat.
- Comminuted Fracture: In this type of fracture, a bone is shattered into three or more pieces. These fractures are typically caused by high-impact trauma, such as car accidents, and they often require surgical intervention to repair.
- Greenstick Fracture: Greenstick fractures occur when a bone bends and cracks rather than breaking completely. These fractures are more common in children, whose bones are softer and more flexible than those of adults.
- Transverse Fracture: In this type of fracture, the break is a straight, horizontal line across the bone. These fractures are often caused by a direct blow or force to the bone.
- Oblique Fracture: In these fractures, the break occurs at an angle across the bone. They can be more unstable than transverse fractures, and they may require surgery to prevent complications.
- Spiral Fracture: A twisting force applied to a bone can cause it to fracture in a spiral pattern. These injuries may occur in falls, and they can be complex to treat.
Each type of fracture presents unique challenges in terms of medical treatment and recovery. The severity of the fracture, the location of the injury, and a person's overall health can all influence the length of recovery and the level of care required.
Medical Treatment for Bone Fractures
Treating a broken bone typically involves several stages, from the initial emergency care to long-term rehabilitation. The type and severity of the fracture will determine the specific treatment needed, but some common approaches include:
- Immobilization: For many fractures, the first step in treatment is immobilizing the injured area to allow the bone to heal properly. This can involve the use of casts, splints, or braces to keep the bone in the correct position. Immobilization is common for less severe fractures, such as simple or greenstick fractures.
- Traction: In some cases, medical professionals may use devices to gently pull on the bone in order to realign it. This method is often used for fractures of the spine or legs.
- Surgery: For more complex fractures, such as comminuted or compound fractures, surgical procedures may be required to realign and stabilize the bones. These procedures may involve the use of metal pins, screws, plates, or rods to hold the bones in place while they heal.
- Bone Grafting: In severe cases, such as when the bone is shattered or damaged beyond repair, a bone graft may be needed. This involves taking bone tissue from another part of the body or using synthetic materials to help reconstruct the damaged bone.
- Rehabilitation: After a broken bone has healed, physical therapy and rehabilitation are often necessary to restore strength, flexibility, and function to the affected area. This can involve exercises, stretches, and other treatments to help the patient regain the full use of the injured limb or body part.
- Pain Management: Fractures can be incredibly painful, and patients may require pain medications or other treatments to manage their discomfort during the healing process.
How Broken Bones Can Affect Injury Victims
Fractured bones can have a profound impact on nearly every aspect of a person's life, affecting their ability to work, care for themselves, and participate in everyday activities. Some of the common effects of fractures and broken bones include:
- Loss of Mobility: Depending on the location and severity of the fracture, a victim may experience limited mobility during the recovery process. In more severe cases, permanent mobility impairments may occur, affecting the person's ability to walk, move, or perform tasks that require strength or dexterity.
- Chronic Pain: Even after a fracture has healed, many victims continue to suffer from pain or discomfort in the affected area. This pain may result from nerve damage, scar tissue, or improper healing of the bone.
- Missed Work and Lost Income: Fractures often require a person to take significant time off work to recover. In some cases, victims may be unable to return to their previous jobs due to physical limitations, leading to lost wages and reduced earning potential.
- Emotional Distress: Suffering a serious injury like a bone fracture can take an emotional toll, leading to feelings of frustration, depression, and anxiety, particularly if the injury results in long-term disability or disfigurement.
- Medical Expenses: Treating a fracture can be costly, especially in situations where surgery or long-term rehabilitation is required. Victims may face large medical bills for doctor's visits, hospital stays, physical therapy, and other treatments.
- Long-Term Disabilities: In some cases, severe fractures may result in permanent disabilities or impairments, affecting the person's quality of life and their ability to perform routine tasks.
Given the physical, emotional, and financial toll that fractures can take, it is essential for injury victims to work with an attorney to recover compensation for their losses. Our knowledgeable personal injury lawyer can help you recover damages for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and more.
Contact Our Hagerstown, MD Bone Fracture Lawyer
As you recover from serious fractures or other types of injuries, Serafini Law can provide you with compassionate and effective representation. Contact us online or call 240-744-1600 to schedule your free consultation.