What Are the Long-Term Impacts of Broken Bone Injuries?

A broken bone might seem like a temporary setback. You get a cast, it heals, and you move on. But for some, a fracture can lead to persistent problems that affect their daily lives long after the bone has mended. Understanding these potential long-term impacts is crucial, especially if your injury was caused by someone else’s negligence.

At Saks, Robinson & Rittenberg, Ltd., we’ve helped countless individuals in the Chicago area deal with the aftermath of accidents and serious injuries. We know that a broken bone can be more than a short-term inconvenience; it can result in lasting physical, emotional, and financial challenges.

Long-term problems from a broken bone can include:

• Chronic pain and stiffness
• Reduced mobility and function
• Post-traumatic arthritis
• Nerve damage
• Permanent misalignment of the bone

Here, we explore these long-term issues in more detail and explain how you may be able to seek compensation if your fracture resulted from an accident.

Common Causes of Broken Bones

Fractures can happen in countless ways, but they often result from sudden, forceful impacts. We frequently see clients who have suffered broken bones due to:

• Auto Accidents: Car, truck, and motorcycle crashes can cause severe fractures.
• Workplace Accidents: Falls from scaffolding, machinery accidents, and other on-the-job incidents can easily lead to broken bones.
• Slips and Falls: A slip on a wet floor or an icy sidewalk can result in a debilitating fracture.
• Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents: When a vehicle strikes a pedestrian or cyclist, the risk of multiple fractures is high.

While many times these injuries can heal without issue, persistent problems do sometimes emerge.

How Can Broken Bones Lead to Long-Term Problems?

When a bone isn’t treated properly or the injury is severe, it can fail to heal correctly, leading to lasting complications.

Chronic Pain and Reduced Mobility

Even after a fracture heals, you may experience persistent pain, stiffness, and a limited range of motion in the affected area. This can make everyday activities difficult and may require ongoing physical therapy or pain management.

Post-Traumatic Arthritis

A fracture that extends into a joint can damage the cartilage, leading to post-traumatic arthritis later on. This can cause pain, swelling, and stiffness, significantly impacting your quality of life.

Nerve Damage

When a bone breaks, its sharp edges can sometimes damage nearby nerves. This has the potential to cause numbness, tingling, or even permanent loss of sensation and muscle function in the affected area in severe cases.

Improper Healing

If a bone doesn’t heal in its correct position, it is called a malunion. A malunion can increase pain and might require corrective surgery to realign the bone, leading to more medical bills and recovery time.

Can You Be Compensated for Long-Term Fracture Issues?

If your broken bone was caused by someone else’s negligence, you have the right to seek compensation for both your immediate and long-term damages within the applicable statute of limitations. A personal injury claim can help you recover costs for:

• Medical bills (past and future)
• Wages lost during your recovery period
• Pain and suffering
• Permanent disability or disfigurement
• Ongoing physical therapy and rehabilitation

Proving the full extent of your long-term damages can be complicated. It generally requires thorough documentation and professional testimony to show how the injury will continue to affect your life.

Don’t Let a Broken Bone Hold You Back

Don’t underestimate the long-term impact of your injury, as even a broken bone can have consequences that last a lifetime. The experienced personal injury attorneys at Saks, Robinson & Rittenberg, Ltd. are here to help. We are dedicated to fighting for the rights of injured individuals in Chicago and ensuring they receive the full compensation they need to move forward.

If you or a loved one has suffered a fracture in an accident, contact us today for a free case evaluation. We’ll handle the legal challenges while you focus on your recovery.