When we hear that someone is going to see an orthopedic specialist, we often think that the person must have a broken bone. But orthopedic injuries can involve injury to any part of the musculoskeletal system — not only bones, but also muscles, joints, ligaments, tendons, and cartilage.
When a person sustains an orthopedic injury, in many cases the condition may become chronic or subject the person to future complications. For instance, victims who slip and fall on a slippery supermarket floor and suffer a broken hip bone have a greater risk of developing arthritis or other medical complications later in life than if they had not been injured. Orthopedic injuries to children pose a special problem, because their musculoskeletal systems are still developing, and the full impact of their injuries may not be known for years. When negotiating with the insurance company or trying your case in front of a jury, your lawyer must include potential costs of future treatment as an element of damages to which the victim is entitled.
About Orthopedic Injuries
Orthopedic injuries are classified as acute or chronic. An acute injury is one that comes on suddenly—such as in an automobile accident or a slip/trip and fall—and is caused by high-intensity forces. Chronic injuries are of two types: chronic overuse injuries and chronic recurring conditions, which are acute injuries that occur multiple times, such as a sprained ankle.
Some orthopedic injuries are so common in accidents that we have devoted pages to each. They include:
- Fractured bones, such as the skull, hip, knee, shoulder, or elbow
- Spinal cord injuries
- Ankle and foot injuries
- Pelvic fractures
- Soft tissue injuries, including lacerations, contusions, sprains and tears
- Scapholunate Ligament Tear
- Whiplash
Other serious orthopedic injuries include occipital headaches or occipital neuralgia (a chronic pain disorder) and rotator cuff injuries.
If you have suffered an orthopedic injury due to the fault of another person or a defective product, you should contact TorkLaw as soon as possible so we can start an investigation into the accident before evidence is lost or altered. The attorneys will also want to talk with witnesses while the event is still fresh in their minds. An attorney may also be able to refer you to health care professionals who specialize in orthopedic injuries, even if you don’t have health insurance. Call today and find out how we can help. Toll free: 888.845.9696.