Practice Areas Serious & Catastrophic Injuries Severe Bone Injuries

Turn to Our Boca Raton Broken Bones Attorneys to Recover Compensation

Bone fractures are not generally considered serious injuries until you have one. Most of us have broken a bone at some point in our lives, and they certainly are painful and can be severe and life-changing for some. If you’ve broken a bone, seek immediate medical care, make sure to document every step of your treatment and pain levels, and then contact a Boca Raton bone injury lawyer at The Grife Law Firm. 

Broken bones can be the result of any number of negligent or purposeful acts, including, for example:

• Car accidents,
• Truck accidents,
• Motorcycle accidents,
• Bike accidents,
• Pedestrian accidents,
• Boat accidents,
• Scooter accidents
• Nursing home accidents,
• Premises liability/slip and falls, and even
• Cruise ship accidents

Types of Fractures

The most common types of fractures out Boca Raton bone injury lawyer team sees after accidents in South Florida include:

• Transverse Fracture. These are breaks that are in a straight line across the bone. This type of fracture may be caused by traumatic events like falls or automobile accidents. 
• Spiral Fracture. As the name suggests, this is a kind of fracture that spirals around the bone. Spiral fractures occur in long bones in the body, usually in the femur, tibia, or fibula in the legs. However, they can occur in the long bones of the arms. Spiral fractures are caused by twisting injuries sustained during sports, during a physical attack, or in an accident.
• Greenstick Fracture. This is a partial fracture that occurs mostly in children. The bone bends and breaks but does not separate into two separate pieces. Children are most likely to experience this type of fracture because their bones are softer and more flexible.
• Stress Fracture. Stress fractures are also called hairline fractures. This type of fracture looks like a crack and can be difficult to diagnose with regular X-rays. Stress fractures are often caused by repetitive motions such as running. 
• Compression Fracture. When bones are crushed, it is called a compression fracture. The broken bone will be wider and flatter in appearance than it was before the injury. Compression fractures occur most often in the spine and can cause your vertebrae to collapse. A type of bone loss called osteoporosis is the most common cause of compression fractures.
• Oblique Fracture. An oblique fracture is when the break is diagonal across the bone. This kind of fracture occurs most often in long bones. Oblique fractures may be the result of a sharp blow that comes from an angle due to a fall or other trauma.
• Impacted Fracture. An impacted fracture occurs when the broken ends of the bone are driven together. The pieces are jammed together by the force of the injury that caused the fracture.
• Segmental Fracture. The same bone is fractured in two places, leaving a “floating” segment of bone between the two breaks. These fractures usually occur in long bones such as those in the legs. This type of bone fracture may take longer to heal or cause complications.
• Comminuted Fracture. A comminuted fracture is one in which the bone is broken into three or more pieces. There are also bone fragments present at the fracture site. These types of bone fractures occur when there is a high-impact trauma, such as an automobile accident. 
• Avulsion Fracture. An avulsion fracture occurs when a fragment is pulled off the bone by a tendon or ligament. These types of bone fractures are more common in children than adults. Sometimes a child’s ligaments can pull hard enough to cause a growth plate to fracture.

Fracture Q&A from a Boca Raton Broken Bones Attorney at The Grife Law Firm

How Do Broken Bones Happen?

Broken bones are caused by some type of impact on the bone, such as a fall from a distance, a motor vehicle accident, or simply tripping over something. Broken bones bring not only pain but also possibly a dizzy or groggy feeling, and you may go into shock. Where the bone is broken, clot forms and your immune system begins to attack any germs.

How Do You Treat a Broken Bone?

First, you may require an X-ray so that the doctor can see how the bone has broken. The bone may need to be set by a specialist to ensure that it mends correctly. After setting the bone, it should be wrapped in a cast to immobilize it.

How Long Does it Take for a Broken Bone to Heal?

This will depend on the type of bone that has been broken. Other factors include your age and how the bone was broken. Complex fractures, or the shattering of a bone, may require the use of pins and take much longer to heal. Simple fractures in small bones in healthy children and adults need 4-6 weeks to heal. The younger you are, the quicker the bone heals.

What Are the Symptoms of a Broken Bone?

You’d think it would be obvious, but not always. Symptoms may include severe pain, redness, tenderness, swelling, limited function, and range of motion. If you even suspect a broken bone, see your doctor for an x-ray. You don’t want the bone healing improperly.