St. Louis Bone Fractures Lawsuits Make Victims Whole

Missouri personal injury lawyer pursues pay out for broken bones

Bone fractures are among the most serious injuries suffered in accidents. If another person is responsible for causing the accident and injury, the victim is entitled to recover compensation for medical bills, for other financial losses and for pain and suffering during and after convalescence. Unfortunately, some bone fractures are so severe that they require extensive medical and surgical care, and even then the victim never achieves 100 percent restoration of the affected body parts. At the Guirl Law Firm in St. Louis, we provide skillful and dedicated representation to obtain the compensation our clients deserve, not only for present losses but also for future costs.

Common causes of bone fractures in Missouri

Many types of activities carry the risk of accidents that could cause a bone fracture. Common causes include:

• Car crashes
• Bicycle accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Falls
• Athletic competition

Human bones are generally durable, though factors such as age, poor nutrition, lack of exercise and disease can weaken them substantially. However, a victim whose bones are vulnerable to breakage is no less entitled to compensation than someone with healthy bones. 

Types of bone fractures

Bone fractures can be categorized as follows: 

• Hairline — An incomplete break along the surface of the bone 
• Stable — A complete break, in which the broken ends line up and are barely out of place
• Open (compound) — A break in which the bone protrudes and might pierce the skin
• Transverse — A complete break with a horizontal fracture line
• Oblique — A complete break with an angled pattern
• Comminuted — A complex fracture where the bone shatters into three or more pieces

Minor breaks heal in time with minimal lasting effects. Complex breaks require surgery to reset and may never regain their structural integrity. The affected area can be a source of pain and can limit the victim’s activity for the entirety of their life.

Legal process for broken bone claims in St. Louis courts

Victims of broken bone injuries seeking compensation must prove that another party directly caused their injury. Most cases rely on a showing of negligence, meaning that a person with a duty to act with care instead behaved carelessly. In some cases, the harmful actions are deliberate or at the very least reckless. 

The statute of limitations for personal injury in Missouri is five years from the date of the injurious event. However, a legal case is always stronger when you immediately retain an attorney, affording more time to investigate and prepare your claim. If the defendant refuses to offer a fair settlement, the attorney can file suit in state court.

Compensation for broken bone injuries

Victims who prevail in broken bone injury claims are entitled to recover damages for economic and noneconomic losses, which can include:

• Present and future medical bills
• Present and future lost earnings
• Physical pain
• Mental suffering

When severe fractures cause chronic pain and permanent loss of function, a victim’s total damages can be substantial.

Broken bone injuries that occur at work

Certain occupations, such as construction, put a person at greater risk of an accident that can result in broken bones. Usually, the victim’s sole remedy against the employer is workers’ compensation, which allows recovery of medical bills and partial lost wages. But in some cases, workers might be able to file third-party negligence lawsuits and thereby to recover greater damages.

Contact a seasoned St. Louis lawyer for a free fracture injury consultation

The Guirl Law Firm files personal injury claims for clients who have suffered bone fractures throughout Missouri. Please call 314-391-2585 or contact us online to schedule a free initial consultation.