Complicated bone fractures have serious long-term consequences. In fact, victims of vehicle crashes, construction mishaps, falls, and other accidents are often faced with repeated surgeries, chronic pain, extended rehabilitation, and long-term disability.
The New York City personal injury lawyers at Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP understand the true impact of these injuries. For more than 50 years, our firm has fought to recover full compensation for accident victims. For victims suffering from complicated bone fractures, that could mean seeking enough money to cover decades of expenses.
In this blog, we break down the long term costs of complicated bone fractures, how they differ from standard breaks, and the legal options that are available to help you protect your financial future.
What Is a Complicated Bone Fracture?
Complicated fractures involve broken bones that meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Break through the skin (compound or open fractures)
- Shatter into multiple pieces (comminuted fractures)
- Occur in joints or load-bearing areas like the pelvis or spine
- Require pins, plates, rods, or screws for stabilization
- Accompanied by nerve or vascular damage
These fractures often demand multiple surgeries, intensive physical therapy, and pain management. In many cases, the patient is never able to return to the level of mobility they enjoyed before the accident.
Long-Term Physical and Emotional Damages
A serious fracture is a life-changing event, and the cost of recovery is often tremendous. Our attorneys have worked with clients whose injuries resulted in:
- Chronic joint pain or stiffness
- Arthritis at the fracture site
- Permanent loss of function or range of motion
- Hardware failure requiring follow-up surgeries
- Muscle atrophy or imbalance from extended immobilization
- Psychological distress
- Depression
- Anxiety
- PTSD
Medical Costs
Complicated bone fractures, including compound fractures where the bone breaks through the skin, often require emergency surgery, infection prevention, and skin grafting. Costs include:
- ER care and surgical stabilization
- Hospital stays, sometimes for weeks
- Follow-up procedures to prevent bone infection (osteomyelitis)
- Long-term wound care
Rehabilitation Costs
Rehabilitation is essential for regaining as much function as possible. Victims may require:
- Outpatient or in-home physical therapy for months or years
- Occupational therapy to regain hand function or daily task ability
- Assistive devices like walkers, braces, or specialized footwear
- Modifications to home or work environments
- In-home assisted living care
These rehab expenses can accumulate quickly, especially if health insurance is limited or doesn’t fully cover ongoing services.
Work Disability and Lost Earnings
Many complicated fractures leave victims unable to return to their job. This is especially true for construction workers, warehouse staff, restaurant employees, and other physically demanding professions. The overwhelming pain and loss of mobility could leave them permanently disabled and unable to seek employment.
When WRSMH files a compound fracture claim or lawsuit, it may include damages for:
- Income lost during recovery
- Future loss of income
- Vocational retraining
We collaborate with vocational and economic experts who can quantify how an injury will affect someone’s income over a lifetime, especially in high-cost-of-living areas like New York City.
Creating a Plan That Covers Future Medical Costs
One of the most important aspects of a personal injury claim involving serious fractures is the future medical plan. Without it, insurance companies may offer a settlement that doesn’t account for:
- Follow-up surgeries years down the line
- Hardware removal or replacement
- Treatment for arthritis or bone degradation
- Long-term pain management, including injections or spinal cord stimulators
- Mental health support to manage the emotional toll of chronic injury
Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP works with experts witnesses such as orthopedic specialists, surgeons, life care planners, and medical economists to develop a complete picture of future medical needs. Our experts know how to present this information in ways that judges, juries, and insurers can clearly understand.
How Much Is a Complicated Fracture Settlement Worth?
Every case is different. The value of a complex fracture settlement or verdict depends on:
- The type and location of the fracture
- The need for future medical care
- Impact on earning capacity and independence
- The degree of permanent impairment or disability
- Emotional pain, suffering, and reduced quality of life
We have recovered multi-million-dollar results for clients with orthopedic injuries by taking the time to understand every aspect of their condition.
How WRSMH Prosecutes an Injury Claim
Insurance agents will often prey upon people who are severely injured by rushing settlement negotiations and trying to convince the victim to accept an inadequate lowball offer. That’s where we come in.
Our approach is built around aggressive case development and courtroom preparation, which means:
- Independent medical evaluations from top orthopedic surgeons
- Detailed life care planning for lifelong medical and rehab needs
- Economic loss analysis using future inflation and employment projections
- Expert witness testimony to support causation, damages, and liability
- Trial-readiness, even if the case eventually settles out of court
Our firm has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the Best Law Firms in the country, and we’ve recovered over $2 billion for injured clients. With WRSMH, you get a legal team that spares no expense when your future is on the line.
What Should You Do After a Serious Fracture Occurs?
If you have suffered a complicated bone fracture in an accident, here’s how to protect your legal rights:
- Get immediate medical attention, and complete all follow-up care plans.
- Do not accept early settlement offers from insurance companies; these rarely reflect long-term costs.
- Document your injury progression, including pain levels, therapy, and work restrictions.
- Speak with a personal injury attorney experienced in catastrophic orthopedic cases.
- Act quickly so your attorney can start investigating the accident right away, before crucial evidence can get lost or destroyed.
Speak With a Trusted Bone Fracture Attorney in NYC
At Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP, our New York City bone injury attorneys are here to evaluate your injury’s true cost and fight for your future. We’ll guide you through the legal process with compassion.
Call (212) 986-7353 today for a free consultation.