Broken Bone Compensation Solicitors Manchester

Yes, you often can. Going back to work does not mean your fracture did not matter, or that you have lost the right to claim. Many people return before they feel fully recovered because they need routine or income, then find the pain, fatigue, reduced movement or confidence continues for months. A fracture claim can still reflect the wider impact on your life, including any time off you needed, reduced duties, loss of overtime, travel costs, and the day-to-day inconvenience of recovering.

If you’re unsure, we’ll talk it through in plain English and help you understand whether the accident was avoidable and who may be responsible.

It depends on two things: whether the other side admits fault and how clear your medical recovery picture is.

For many straightforward fracture claims where liability is accepted early and your recovery is predictable, it’s often possible to reach settlement within around 6 to 12 months. If the fracture is more complex, there are complications (for example surgery, ongoing pain, reduced movement, or multiple fractures), or the other side disputes responsibility, it can take 12 to 24 months or longer.

Common types of bone fractures include:

• Compound fractures: Also known as open fractures, compound fractures occur when the broken bone pierces through the skin, leading to an external wound. These fractures pose a higher risk of infection due to the exposure of the bone to the external environment.
• Comminuted fractures: The term comminuted fracture is when the bone breaks into multiple fragments or pieces. These fractures can be more challenging to treat and may require surgical intervention to align and stabilise the bone fragments.
• Spiral fractures: Spiral fractures happen when a bone breaks due to a twisting or spinning force, creating a break that wraps around the bone’s length. These fractures are commonly seen in sports injuries or accidents involving excessive twisting motions.
• Compression fractures: Compression fractures typically occur in the vertebrae of the spine, where the bone collapses or becomes compressed due to significant force or trauma. These fractures are commonly seen in older individuals with osteoporosis or in high-impact accidents.
• Greenstick fractures: Greenstick fractures are commonly seen in children whose bones are still developing and are more flexible. In this type of fracture, the bone bends and partially breaks, resembling a green twig that has been bent but not snapped completely.

Avulsion fractures: Avulsion fractures occur when a ligament or tendon pulls away a small piece of bone from its attachment site. This type of fracture is commonly seen in sports activities that involve sudden, forceful movements or extreme stretching of the tendons.

Serious fractures can occur due to various accidents and incidents, causing significant pain, functional limitations, and long-term consequences.

• High-impact collisions: Motor vehicle and road traffic accidents, especially those involving high speeds or forceful impacts, can result in severe fractures. The sudden deceleration or direct impact can cause bones to break, leading to complex fractures that require extensive medical intervention.
• Falls from height: Whether at work or in a public place, falls from elevated surfaces, such as ladders, scaffolding, or staircases, can lead to serious fractures. The impact of landing on a hard surface can cause bones to break, especially in the limbs, hips, or spine.
• Workplace accidents: When safety is not made a top priority, industrial accidents, construction site mishaps, or incidents involving heavy machinery or equipment can often result in serious fractures. Crush injuries or falls in hazardous work environments can lead to fractures that require immediate medical attention.
• Sports and recreational activities: Engaging in high-impact sports or recreational activities without proper safety measures can result in serious fractures. Collisions, falls, or contact with hard surfaces or objects can cause bones to break, particularly in areas exposed to the most impact, such as limbs, wrists, or ankles.
• Pedestrian accidents: Being struck by a vehicle as a pedestrian can cause severe fractures, especially if the impact is forceful or at high speed. The bones can bear the brunt of the collision, resulting in fractures that may require surgical intervention and extensive rehabilitation.

It is important to remember that serious fractures can have long-lasting effects on an individual’s physical and also emotional well-being. The individual may require multiple surgeries, extended periods of immobilisation, rehabilitation, and the injury may lead to chronic pain or disability. Therefore, it is important to establish the cause of the accident, and if it was due to someone else’s negligence then you may be entitled to compensation. Although nothing can take away an injury or disability, financial compensation can help when you face the associated hurdles from your injury now and later in life.

Broken bones have the ability to heal by fusing back together over time. Therefore, treatment is mainly aimed at ensuring the healed bone is as strong as it was before the accident. This usually includes medical procedures that are designed to align the bone correctly, allowing it to heal in the right position.

More complex fractures may require surgical procedures to ensure a perfect alignment.

Common treatments include:

• Plaster casts
• Braces
• Splints
• Rods, bolts, and plates
• Surgical traction
• Pain relief medication

Most simple fractures are simply treated with a plaster cast, applied on top of bandages. One exception is longer bones, such as the femur, as these are more challenging to keep aligned. These are often aligned using nails, pins, and plates, before being immobilised into a cast.