People who fall, get injured by dangerous products or experience car crashes are at risk of many different types of injuries. Some of those injuries could be catastrophic. A spinal cord injury causes permanent medical challenges and creates significant financial complications.
Brain injuries and amputations are also notorious for having permanent consequences. People may not think of a broken bone as quite so serious. Most of the time, fractures are easy to treat. Provided that people get appropriate medical attention, they can usually anticipate making a full recovery. However, some broken bones can have devastating consequences.
What factors might make a broken bone a more serious medical condition?
Multiple fractures
Comminuted fractures where the bone shatters into many small pieces are among the worst broken bones possible. Typically, they require surgery to set and artificial reinforcement for adequate healing.
Even with proper treatment, these fractures often cause reduced range of motion and strength.
Open fractures
Also known as compound fractures, open fractures involve the bone tearing through the skin. They can cause dangerous levels of blood loss and create a risk of infection. Frequently, open fractures require surgery. They can cause lasting damage to nearby tissue, including nerves.
Vertebral fractures
People can theoretically break any bone in their bodies. It is possible to damage the bones in the spine without immediately developing a spinal cord injury. However, a vertebral fracture can put pressure on the spinal cord. It can cause spinal compression and a host of physical challenges. The treatment required to address a vertebral fracture can be quite expensive. People often require spinal stabilization and physical therapy, if not surgery. Their injuries could also affect their ability to work.
Those coping with more severe fractures often have extensive medical costs and may also be at risk of reduced earning potential. They may need help covering their current costs and the likely future expenses they face because of their fractures.
Pursuing financial compensation can be beneficial for those addressing the aftermath of a severe fracture. People dealing with catastrophic injuries may need to discuss their medical expenses and other concerns with an attorney to optimize their financial recovery, and that’s okay.
