Why a fractured or broken bone is
a serious injury

A fracture, also known as a broken bone, can be caused by a wide variety of accidents and can occur virtually anywhere in your body – from a broken rib to a fractured skull.

While some fractures may be treated with a simple cast, others may involve surgery. You may require screws and pins to help hold the bones in place. Even after they’ve healed, fractures can lead to chronic, lifelong conditions such as arthritis. That’s why, even if you don’t think you have a lawsuit, you should talk with an attorney before making any final decisions.

Diagnosing the type of fracture can be determined through an X-ray, a bone scan or an MRI. Many types of fractures exist, including:

• Bone is bent (greenstick fracture)
• Several small fractures occur in one bone (comminuted fracture)
• Bone breaks through skin (open or compound fracture)
• Hairline crack (stress fracture)
• A piece of bone is torn off by a ligament (avulsion)
• Bone crosses into the surface of a joint (intrarticular fracture)
• Growth plate fractures (these happen in children, typically at the end of a bone that is still growing)

O’Brien Boyd has substantial experience in working with orthopedic surgeons. The attorneys know how important it is to allow fractures to follow their normal course of healing before approaching an insurance company about resolving a case.

By being patient, the attorneys at O’Brien Boyd make certain that you have the opportunity to achieve the best possible outcome – before anyone attempts to place a value on the fracture. Obviously, you cannot know whether a fracture will result in a permanent condition while it’s still healing. Instead, the attorneys work with the orthopedic surgeon involved, who can express a medical opinion (in terms of how permanent your injury is) before anyone attempts to talk dollars and cents with an insurance company.

If you or a loved one has suffered a fracture, please call 716-839-7777, e-mail an attorney at O’Brien Boyd, or fill out this form.

The following websites can provide additional information. Please note that O’Brien Boyd is not responsible for the content of these sites. The inclusion of any link to a site does not imply endorsement by O’Brien Boyd.

• Fracture
• Broken Bone
• Fractures (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons)