Treating a fracture is often a simple process. Medical professionals use X-rays or other imaging tests to pinpoint the location of the break. They set the bone, and then they apply a cast to keep the body part immobilized.
After enough time for the body to heal, medical professionals remove the cast. The patient may then need to undergo physical therapy if the immobilization affected their strength and range of motion. All of that together may only add up to a few thousand dollars in medical costs.
Unfortunately, more serious fractures cost substantially more than a simple broken bone might. A compound or open fracture can easily generate tens of thousands of dollars in immediate medical expenses.
What is an open fracture?
An open or compound fracture causes far more physical trauma than a stable fracture. The broken edge of the bone pushes through the surrounding tissue and the skin. Compound fractures create multiple serious risks for the injured person. They can cause tissue damage and nerve damage.
The injured person is at risk of a deep tissue infection. Blood loss is also a concern. Typically, open fractures require surgical treatment because of the severity of the pain and the risk of infection.
The recovery timeline can be substantially longer due to infections, tissue damage and blood loss. In some cases, more severe fractures can produce lasting functional limitations for the injured person. They may never be quite as strong or flexible as they were before the injury.
In some cases, the costs of a compound fracture may make a lawsuit necessary after a car crash. Seeking compensation for collision injury expenses and lost wages may require the guidance of a legal professional in cases where losses are unexpectedly high.
