Claiming for Fractures and Broken Bones
Accidents that result in fractures or broken bones can be life changing, and if it was due to an accident that was not your fault then it is even worse. Most of us will experience a broken bone at some point in our lives, but if you have suffered a break or fracture because of something that was someone else’s fault, you may be able to claim compensation.
Fractures and Broken Bones
Broken bones are more commonly known in medical terms as fractures. There are three main types of fracture, these are:
- Hairline fractures- where the break is clean but does not go all the way through the bone
- Simple fractures- where the break is clean, goes through the bone, but does not pierce the skin or surrounding tissue
- Compound fractures- where the fracture comes through the skin
Each type of fracture has a different recovery period; hairline fractures tend to heal relatively quickly and easily, simple fractures also tend to heal quickly, but can sometimes require further treatment. Compound fractures can take a long time to heal, and may require physiotherapy, surgery or skin grafts to repair the surrounding tissue.
There are many ways that fracturing or breaking a bone could mean you are able to claim compensation; if you had an accident at work; if you had a slip , trip or fall; or if you had a Road Traffic Accident.
Fractures and Broken Bones at Work
Many people feel like they can not claim due to having accidents at work, especially if they are experienced at their job. This is not necessarily the case; and a lot of the time, experience is not always enough to prevent accidents at work happening.
Your employer has a duty of care to make sure that you do not have accidents at work. They are responsible for your safety, so if you have had an accident at work that causes a fracture or broken bones, and was the fault of your employer, you may be able to claim.
Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, your employer must make sure that you have the correct training and equipment for the job you are doing and must also make sure that your working environment is safe. This includes carrying out regular risk assessments. If they have failed to do this, then they may be at fault for your accident.
Fractures and Broken Bones in A Public Place
A main cause of fractures and broken bones is due to a slip, trip or fall in a public or private place. This can cause serious injuries and may take a while to heal. Many slips, trips and falls happen because of lack of care to public and private places.
Every supermarket, shop, or public place must make sure that people are kept safe on their land. This means that it is down to them to keep areas well maintained, clear and tidy, so that people do not have accidents. If there are unavoidable hazards, then the landowner must also make sure that they are avoidable; they usually do this using a sign.
Fractures and Broken Bones due to Road Traffic Accidents
Road traffic accidents can be traumatic; they often have a major impact on people, both physically and mentally, and if the injuries include fractures or broken bones, this can be even worse.
Whether you have had an accident as a driver, cyclist, motorcyclist, or pedestrian, if the accident has led to fractures or broken bones, there can be serious consequences. If the accident was also the fault of someone else this can double your worry.
A major cause of road traffic accidents is reckless driving, so if you have been in an accident that involved someone colliding with you due to reckless driving, you may be able to claim compensation.
How we can help
Here at The Compensation Experts, we work with solicitors who deal with personal injury claims that result in fractures and broken bones every day. This means that they are well placed to help you claim the compensation you may be entitled to. Contact us today buy filling in our contact form, or call us on 01614138765 to speak to one of our friendly knowledgeable agents.