A broken bone is not a minor injury. As you may know from experience, a fracture can cause severe, lasting pain. It can also be costly to treat and keep you from work for a lengthy period of time.
If you have suffered a broken bone due to the negligence of another, you have the right to seek just compensation for your losses through a catastrophic injury claim. Attorney David E. Gordon can help you to pursue that compensation.
When you are ready to take legal action for your fracture, contact a Memphis broken bone injury lawyer without delay. We serve clients in Memphis and throughout Tennessee and northern Mississippi. We provide a free, immediate consultation.
What Should a Person Do After Suffering A Fracture in Memphis?
Knowing what to do after you have suffered a broken bone in a car accident, workplace accident, slip and fall, or due to a product defect can help your recovery process – both physically and financially. Key steps to take in order to prepare for your broken bones compensation payout include:
- Write it down – While the events are still fresh in your mind, write everything you can remember about your accident down, including how your fracture happened, who was involved, and who witnessed it. You should also take photos. It can be powerful evidence of the harm you suffered.
- Keep a folder and journal – Keep copies of the accident report, medical bills, insurance company letters and other documents in a folder so you do not lose track of them. You should also keep a record of how your fracture has impacted your ability to work and enjoy your life.
- Tell your doctor everything – If your fracture is causing you serious pain, limiting your movement, preventing you from sleeping and causing other side effects, tell your doctor. You can only get full treatment if the doctor knows the full extent of your injury.
- Follow the doctor’s treatment plan – Do not give the insurance company the opportunity to argue that you failed to follow the doctor’s orders. Wear a splint or cast for your fracture as instructed, take prescribed medications, limit your activity at home and work, and participate in therapy as instructed. Keep all appointments and maintain a good relationship with your doctor.
- Never exaggerate your injury – When dealing with the doctor, your legal advisor or anyone else providing assistance with your broken bone injury, you should never exaggerate your pain or the effect of the fracture on your life. It will not help your recovery or your claim for compensation.
- Do not talk with the insurer – If the at-fault party’s insurer contacts you about your fracture, you do not have to give a statement or accept a settlement offer. Instead, refer the insurer to your Memphis broken bone lawyer. If you must report an accident to your auto insurer, simply stick to the facts. Neither accept nor assign blame.
- Stay away from social media – While your case is pending, do not discuss it on Facebook, Twitter or other social media sites. You should probably stay away from social media altogether as any posts or photos could be taken out of context and used against you by an insurance company.
Types Of Fractures
As you move ahead in your case, the severity of the fracture injury you have suffered will ultimately determine the amount of damages that you can and should seek in a personal injury claim. Accident victims often suffer neck, back, hip, rib, arm or leg fractures. The types of fractures can include:
- Greenstick fracture – The bone cracks but is not fractured all the way through
- Complete fracture – The fracture goes entirely through the bone
- Bowing fracture – The bone is bent but not broken
- Stress fracture – Due to repeated use or pressure, the bone cracks
- Open fracture – The fractured end of the bone breaks through one’s skin
- Closed fracture – Although the fracture is complete, it does not break the skin
- Buckle fracture – The bone breaks, and the fractured ends are driven into each other
- Comminuted fracture – The bone shatters or breaks in multiple places
Frequently, a fracture can lead to complications such as infections or nerve, tendon, ligament or muscle damage. Average compensation for a broken leg might be different than that of a broken hip or arm. Attorney David E. Gordon has assisted Memphis clients with a wide range of broken bone injuries and has a keen understanding of how they can impact victims’ lives. He can use this knowledge and experience to seek the maximum amount of compensation in your case.
What Compensation Payout Could You Get For Your Broken Bone Injury?
If you have suffered a fracture in an accident through no fault of your own, your primary concern will be to recover a settlement amount for the medical treatment you have required and will need in the future. A skilled Memphis attorney can seek full compensation for all past and future medical expenses brought on by a broken bone injury, including:
- Emergency treatment
- X-rays, MRIs or CT scans
- Orthopedic surgery (such as the insertion of plates, pins, screws or rods)
- Casts, splints or braces
- Pain medication
- Assistive devices
- Rehabilitation
Additionally, a claim can seek the recovery of all income you have lost due to your fracture, including salary, benefits, bonuses, and any self-employment income. Legal representative David E. Gordon can review your medical records and consult with experts to determine whether your fracture has caused your future earning ability to suffer.
Pain and suffering damages can also be pursued in a broken bone claim, including compensation for physical pain, emotional anguish, and the inability to enjoy a normal life.
In some cases, a person who has suffered a broken bone injury could also be eligible to file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits or Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits.
At The Law Office of David E. Gordon & Elissa M. Coombs P.C., we can evaluate all of your options. A broken bones lawyer can also help you understand what the average settlement for a broken leg, arm, hip, or other bone might be.
Get Help From A Memphis Broken Bone Injury Attorney
You only have a limited time period in which to file a personal injury claim in Tennessee or Mississippi. You should not wait to take legal action if you have suffered a fracture due to the negligence of another, a Memphis broken bones lawyer could help you pursue compensation. Contact The Law Office of David E. Gordon & Elissa M. Coombs P.C. today to get the help you need today.
Sources / More Information
- Fractures (Broken Bones), American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
- Understanding Bone Fractures – The Basics, WebMD
