The San Francisco Bay Area is booming with construction projects. While many construction sites are safe, some may be dangerous to bystanders as well as construction workers. If you are injured on the job, our legal team can help. Our law firm has helped clients with litigation involving construction accidents and catastrophic injuries, seeking damages for injuries and other losses.
Broken and fractures bones are common injuries sustained after a major accident has occurred. Let's consider broken bones in relation to construction work and what your legal options may be following an on-the-job injury.
Common Causes of Bone Fractures
Fractured bones can be caused by any number of things at a construction site. Some common causes of fractured bones include:
- Falls from ledges and heights
- Slipping or tripping injuries
- Falling objects
- Heavy equipment malfunctions
- Vehicle collisions
- Power tool malfunctions
- Inattentive co-workers
- Poor safety standards at a work site
Types of Bone Fractures
There are different kinds of bone fractures. This includes the following:
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Stable Bone Fractures – Stable bone fractures are when the broken portions of bone are still in the proper position despite the fracture.
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Comminuted Bone Fractures – Comminuted bone fractures are when a bone is shattered into three or more pieces.
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Compound Fractures – Compound fractures are also known as open fractures. In these sorts of injuries, the fractured bone breaks the skin. Sometimes the bone is visible through the skin.
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Transverse Bone Fractures – Transverse fractures involve horizontal bone breaks.
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Oblique Bone Fractures – Oblique fractures involve bone breaks that are at an angle.
Treating Bone Fractures
Treatment for a broken bone will vary based on the nature of the fracture and which bone or bones were affected. For stable bone fractures, a splint or a cast may be all that's required, allowing the bone to be held still and ion proper position to heal. When a bone is shattered or the fracture is more severe, surgery may be recommended to help fuse the fractured bone together.
If the fractured bone affects other parts of the body, such as muscles, organs, and nerves, additional medical treatments will be required, which can greatly increase the cost of medical treatment.
Impact on Your Life and Livelihood
An injury at a workplace can lead to financial hardships as you attempt to cover the cost of medical treatment. If the bone fracture is particularly severe, it can lead to changes in your ability to move or use a limb, even with proper medical care and physical rehabilitation. This can result in changes in your career path, an impact on your current wages, and changes to future earning potential.
If your workplace supervisor, a co-worker, a contractor, or another individual or party was responsible for your bone fracture, a lawyer can help you hold that negligent party accountable for their actions. This will include seeking damages to cover expenses and losses associated with your injury.
What If I am Denied Workers' Compensation Benefits?
After being injured in an on-the-job accident, it's common for people to collect workers' compensation benefits to help cover medical expenses, loss of wages, and lost future earnings. Yet there have been instances in which people with legitimate workers' compensation claims were denied benefits for unjust reasons.
In such cases, seeking legal assistance can be helpful in ensuring you receive the benefits to which you are entitled.
Speak with the Lawyers of Smith & Baltaxe, LLP
For more information about your legal rights and options following a major injury at your workplace, be sure to contact our team of work injury attorneys today. The lawyers at Smith & Baltaxe, LLP fight diligently for their clients every step of the way.
