Broken Bones Lawyer in Seattle
Broken bone injuries from accidents can require multiple surgeries, months of recovery, and permanent disability that changes your life forever. We represent Seattle residents suffering from fractures, compound breaks, and other orthopedic trauma that insurance companies often undervalue. Our Seattle personal injury lawyer team has decades of combined experience proving the true cost of bone fractures and their long-term impact. Call for free consultation – our car accident law firm in Seattle fights for maximum compensation while you focus on healing and rehabilitation.
At Elsner Law Firm, we understand that broken bones are not simple injuries that heal quickly and return to normal. Complex fractures can require multiple surgeries, extensive physical therapy, and may leave you with permanent limitations that significantly affect your ability to work, perform daily activities, and enjoy life to the fullest.
What Are Broken Bone Injuries?
Broken bone injuries, also called fractures, occur when more force is applied to a bone than it can absorb. Your bones are living tissue that can bend slightly under stress, but when the force exceeds the bone’s strength, it cracks or breaks completely. The severity depends on the force applied, the bone affected, and your age and health condition.
Common types of fractures we handle include:
- Simple fractures: Clean breaks where the bone cracks but doesn’t pierce the skin
- Compound fractures: Severe breaks where bone fragments puncture through the skin
- Comminuted fractures: Bones shattered into multiple pieces requiring surgical reconstruction
- Spiral fractures: Twisting injuries that create diagonal breaks along the bone shaft
- Compression fractures: Bones crushed by extreme downward force, common in spine injuries
- Greenstick fractures: Partial breaks where the bone bends and cracks like a green stick
- Stress fractures: Small cracks from repeated force or overuse over time
- Pathological fractures: Breaks in bones weakened by disease or previous injury
The location of your fracture affects recovery time and treatment options dramatically. Weight-bearing bones like the femur and tibia take longer to heal than smaller bones in your hands or feet. Age, overall health, and the presence of other medical conditions also influence healing speed and outcomes.
Common Causes of Broken Bones in Seattle
Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of serious fractures in our practice. The tremendous forces involved in car crashes can easily exceed your bones’ ability to absorb impact, resulting in multiple fractures that require emergency surgery and extensive rehabilitation.
We see broken bone injuries from various accident scenarios:
- High-speed collisions: Front-end and side-impact crashes create crushing forces that fracture multiple bones
- Motorcycle accidents: Riders face extreme risk of compound fractures when thrown from bikes
- Pedestrian accidents: Being struck by vehicles causes severe impact fractures throughout the body
- Slip and fall accidents: Falls on hard surfaces commonly cause hip, wrist, and ankle fractures
- Bicycle accidents: Falls and vehicle collisions result in arm, leg, and rib fractures
According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, approximately 6.8 million Americans seek medical treatment for fractures each year, with motor vehicle accidents accounting for nearly 25% of all serious breaks. This data helps us demonstrate to insurance companies why fracture cases deserve substantial compensation.
Our truck accident attorneys have seen how commercial vehicle collisions often result in multiple fractures due to the massive size and weight differences between trucks and passenger cars.
Medical Treatment and Diagnosis of Fractures
Proper medical treatment for broken bones is critical to prevent complications and restore full function to the injured area. Emergency treatment focuses on stabilizing the fracture and preventing further damage, while long-term care involves proper healing, comprehensive rehabilitation, and restoring strength and mobility to pre-injury levels.
Diagnostic methods for fractures include:
- X-rays: Standard imaging that shows most bone breaks and displacement
- CT scans: Detailed cross-sectional images for complex fractures
- MRI scans: Soft tissue imaging to assess ligament and muscle damage around fractures
- Bone scans: Nuclear imaging to detect stress fractures and healing progress
- Physical examination: Testing range of motion, stability, and pain levels
Treatment approaches vary based on fracture type and severity:
- Casting and splinting: Immobilization for simple fractures that align properly
- Closed reduction: Manual realignment of displaced bones without surgery
- Open reduction internal fixation (ORIF): Surgery with plates, screws, and rods to hold bones in place
- External fixation: External metal frames that hold bones in proper position during healing
- Bone grafting: Transplanting bone tissue to help heal complex fractures
- Physical therapy: Exercises to restore strength, flexibility, and range of motion
- Pain management: Medications and techniques to control fracture-related pain
- Follow-up surgery: Additional procedures to remove hardware or address complications
Recovery time varies dramatically based on fracture location and complexity throughout the healing process. Simple wrist fractures may heal in 6-8 weeks with proper care, while complex femur fractures can require 6-12 months of intensive treatment and comprehensive rehabilitation to achieve maximum recovery.
Compensation for Broken Bone Injuries
Broken bone victims can recover substantial compensation for both economic and non-economic damages from their injuries. The serious nature of fractures, especially compound breaks requiring emergency surgery, often results in substantial medical bills and significant lost income that deserve full and fair compensation.
Types of compensation available include:
- Medical expenses: All treatment costs including emergency care, surgery, rehabilitation, and future medical needs
- Lost wages: Time off work during recovery and reduced earning capacity from permanent limitations
- Pain and suffering: Physical discomfort and emotional distress from fractures and treatment
- Permanent disability: Compensation for lasting limitations that affect your quality of life
- Rehabilitation costs: Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and adaptive equipment needs
- Home modifications: Changes needed to accommodate mobility limitations from fractures
- Scarring and disfigurement: Compensation for visible scarring from compound fractures and surgery
- Loss of enjoyment: Activities and hobbies you can no longer participate in due to limitations
Research from the National Safety Council shows that the average lifetime cost of a serious fracture requiring surgery exceeds $150,000 when including medical care, rehabilitation, and lost productivity. This statistic supports our approach to seeking comprehensive compensation for fracture victims.
Our compensation for personal injury damages page explains the full range of recovery options available to injury victims. We work with medical economists and orthopedic specialists to calculate accurate future costs and functional limitations.
Why Choose Elsner Law Firm for Your Broken Bone Case
We bring decades of combined experience and specialized medical knowledge to every fracture case we handle. Our proven track record includes substantial recoveries for clients who suffered complex breaks in serious accidents caused by others’ negligence.
Here’s what sets Elsner Law Firm apart:
- Medical expert network: We work with orthopedic surgeons who understand fracture complications and prognosis
- Comprehensive case preparation: We document every aspect of your injuries and their impact on your life
- No upfront costs: You pay nothing unless we win your case through settlement or trial
- Personal attention: Justin Elsner and our experienced team handle your case directly
- Insurance company experience: We know their tactics to minimize fracture claims and how to counter them
- Trial readiness: We’re prepared to take your case to court when needed for full compensation
Our team includes Justin Elsner as Managing Attorney and Angela Elsner, Trisha DeHart as our skilled Paralegal.
We understand that broken bones can end careers, limit your daily activities, and affect your family’s long-term financial security and stability. Our bicycle accident lawyers have successfully represented clients with serious fractures from various accident types throughout Seattle and Washington State.
Frequently Asked Questions About Broken Bone Cases
How long do broken bone cases take to settle?
Settlement time depends on fracture complexity and healing progress, typically 6-18 months for simple breaks. Complex fractures requiring multiple surgeries may take 2-3 years to reach maximum medical improvement before settlement negotiations can conclude.
Can I still recover compensation if I have a pre-existing bone condition?
Yes, accidents can worsen existing conditions or cause new fractures in previously injured areas. We work with medical experts to distinguish between pre-existing conditions and new trauma from your accident to ensure proper compensation.
What if my fracture requires multiple surgeries?
We account for all current and future medical needs in our compensation demands. Complex fractures often require hardware removal, revision surgeries, or treatment for complications. We don’t settle until your medical future is clear.
How much is my broken bone case worth?
Case value depends on fracture location, complexity, treatment needed, and impact on daily life. Simple fractures may be worth thousands, while complex breaks requiring surgery can result in six-figure settlements or verdicts.
Local Seattle Resources for Broken Bone Recovery
Seattle-area orthopedic specialists and fracture care facilities provide expert treatment for broken bone injuries. We work closely with these local resources to ensure our clients receive the best possible care:
Major Medical Centers with Orthopedic Programs:
- Harborview Medical Center – Level 1 trauma center with emergency orthopedic surgery and fracture specialists
- University of Washington Medical Center – Advanced orthopedic institute with fracture care and bone specialists
- Swedish Medical Center – Comprehensive orthopedic services with fracture treatment and rehabilitation
- Virginia Mason Medical Center – Integrated orthopedic care with specialized fracture and bone healing programs
- Seattle Children’s Hospital – Pediatric orthopedic specialists for broken bone injuries in children and adolescents
Specialized Orthopedic and Fracture Centers:
- Seattle Orthopedic Center – Board-certified orthopedic surgeons specializing in complex fracture repair
- Puget Sound Orthopaedics – Comprehensive fracture treatment and orthopedic trauma specialists
- Pacific Northwest Orthopedic Associates – Advanced fracture care with minimally invasive surgical techniques
- Seattle Sports Medicine – Athletic fracture treatment and return-to-activity rehabilitation programs
- Northwest Bone & Joint Institute – Specialized care for complex fractures and orthopedic trauma
Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation:
- BenchMark Physical Therapy – Multiple Seattle locations with fracture rehabilitation and bone healing specialists
- Therapydia Seattle – Evidence-based fracture recovery and orthopedic rehabilitation programs
- Capitol Hill Physical Therapy – Post-fracture rehabilitation and strength restoration programs
- Seattle Sports Physical Therapy – Athletic fracture recovery and return-to-sport programs
- Rainier Valley Physical Therapy – Community-focused fracture rehabilitation and mobility restoration
Imaging and Diagnostic Services:
- Seattle Radiology – Advanced X-ray, CT, and MRI imaging for fracture diagnosis and healing monitoring
- Puget Sound Imaging – Comprehensive bone imaging with multiple Seattle locations for convenience
- Advanced Radiology Services – Same-day fracture imaging and diagnostic services throughout Seattle
- University of Washington Imaging – Research-grade imaging technology for complex fracture assessment
Support and Recovery Resources:
- Fracture Recovery Support Group – Community support for patients recovering from serious bone injuries
- Washington State Department of Labor & Industries – Workers’ compensation resources for workplace fractures
- Seattle Bone Health Foundation – Educational resources and support for fracture prevention and recovery
- YMCA Therapeutic Programs – Gentle exercise and water therapy programs for fracture rehabilitation
Contact Us Today
Call Elsner Law Firm today for your free consultation about your broken bone injury case in Seattle. We understand how fractures can shatter your life plans and financial security. With decades of combined experience representing accident victims throughout Seattle and Washington State, we know how to build compelling cases that result in maximum compensation. Our contingency fee arrangement means you pay nothing unless we successfully recover damages for your injuries. Don’t let insurance companies minimize your fracture claim – contact Elsner Law Firm now to protect your rights and secure the compensation you need for medical bills, lost wages, and the pain you’ve endured.
Areas We Serve in Washington State
