New York Broken Bone Frequently Asked Questions

• The most common bones broken are the arm, ankle, foot and leg.
• The most common reason for a break is trauma to the area, osteoporosis and overuse.
• Depending on the severity of the injury, the healing process will take several weeks to several months.
• Without insurance, treatment could cost several thousand dollars. If surgery is necessary, orthopedic surgery can cost tens of thousands of dollars.

There are actually many different types of broken bones. The most common, however, are:

• Open-These are also called compound fractures and occur when the bone pierces the skin;
• Closed-These are also called simple fractures and the skin is not affected;
• Displaced-This occurs where the bone is broken as well as being out of its normal position; and
• Greenstick/Hairline-This occurs where part of the bone cracks but it is not completely broken. This is often seen with children whose bones are more flexible.
• Comminuted fracture-Bone shatters into 3 or more pieces.
• Avulsion-A piece of bone breaks off but remains inside the body, often near a joint.
• Stable-Where the ends of the break line up.

Immobilization: The doctors will have to set the bone do it can mend back together. In the interim, the bone is immobilized so it can heal correctly. This is usually accomplished by a cast or a brace.

Traction: If immobilization is not sufficient, doctors may use traction with weights and other devices to align the bones and keep them stable while they heal.

Surgery: Serious breaks may leave bone fragments or chips behind which can be dangerous. The doctors may use steel rods or screws to manually bind the bones together while they heal.

If you are successful with your claim, you can recover compensation for medical expenses (present and future), lost wages (past, present and future), pain and suffering and property damage.

What are common causes of broken bones?

• Automobile accidents;
• Bicycle accidents;
• Motorcycle accidents;
• Pedestrian accidents;
• Work-related accidents;
• Slip and falls; and
• Defective products.