Even though your bones are strong and dense, you’d likely be surprised how easy it is to break one, especially as a result of a mishap such as a vehicular collision, slip and fall accident, or another type of traumatic situation.
Sustaining a broken bone is not only seriously painful but can also prompt tremendous psychological stress. Broken bones are very serious injuries that always require immediate medical attention. These kinds of injuries may require surgery and ongoing care to heal.
Even though broken bone injuries can put you out of work for weeks or even months, most of these types of injuries do heal in time and don’t typically cause lifelong harm.
Broken Bones Aren’t Usually Considered Catastrophic Injuries
Because your body will eventually fully heal from a broken bone injury and won’t likely cause lifelong damage, that typically means injuries of this nature are not considered catastrophic. Injuries are deemed catastrophic when they cause lifelong harm and alter the course of your life forever.
However, that does not mean a catastrophic broken bone injury cannot occur. If you sustain a broken bone that is severe enough to prompt lifelong consequences, it may be considered catastrophic.
Examples of Catastrophic Broken Bone Injuries
The following types of broken bone injuries may be considered catastrophic, depending on the circumstances:
- Compound fractures
- Also known as open fractures, these injuries occur when the bone punctures through the skin. This kind of damage often harms the surrounding tissues, leading to exacerbated complexities, such as infection.
- Limited mobility
- Your mobility may become limited as a result of a broken bone injury. If your limited mobility causes blood clots, bedsores, or other mobility-related problems, it may be deemed catastrophic.
- Comminuted fractures
- This type of fracture occurs when a bone separates into three or more pieces. These types of injuries typically occur as a result of a “crush” accident where the bone is crushed between two objects. Injuries of this nature are not easy to treat and may not heal correctly, which can cause lasting issues.
If you’ve suffered a catastrophic injury due to another’s negligence, you may be able to recover compensation for your losses. Let us see if we can help.
Contact our experienced attorneys at Cherundolo Law Firm, PLLC today by calling (315) 544-3332 or by filling out our online contact form.
