Broken Bone and Fracture Lawyer

Most bone fracture injuries result from slips and falls or other accidents. Diseases that degrade the structural integrity of bones, such as osteoporosis, cause pathological fractures. As we age, we become less resilient to injuries, and our bones become more brittle. Older individuals are especially susceptible to bone fractures after falls and such injuries take much longer to heal in older victims. Conversely, children’s bones tend to have more elasticity, because they are still growing, making them more resilient to fractures. The type of fracture usually depends on the kind of injury sustained. Compression fractures, in which the bone is crushed, typically affect the softer bones of the spine, and the likelihood of such fractures increases with age. Greenstick fractures refer to injuries in which the bone does not completely break due to its ability to bend. Greenstick fractures are most common in children. Stress fractures happen when someone endures repetitive injuries or consistent stress to one area of the body. Seriously traumatic injuries may result in com-minuted fractures, meaning the bone is broken into several pieces. Such injuries will require massive amounts of medical intervention, including surgeries and rehabilitative therapies, depending on the fracture location. Bone fractures generally are open or closed. A closed or “clean” fracture describes any broken bone injury in which the bone does not damage the surrounding tissue or break the skin. An open or “compound” fracture describes any broken bone injury that causes pieces of the bone to injure the surrounding tissues or break the skin. Compound fractures are serious injuries that demand immediate emergency medical intervention. If you or someone with you suffers an injury, and you notice any of the following symptoms, call an ambulance as soon as possible:

• Severe pain
• Swelling at the injury site
• Bruising or discoloration
• Limbs bent at unnatural angles
• Inability to move the affected body region
• Inability to apply pressure or put weight on the affected body region
• Bleeding or obviously protruding bones
• Dizziness
• Nausea

Open fractures leave the victim susceptible to infections and need emergency care as soon as possible.