Wrist Fractures
We all have eight bones in our wrists and two arm bones (ulna and radius) that connect to the wrist. Ligaments, cartilage and muscles hold the wrist together and allow it to do its job.
When these bones are broken or injuries, our mobility, quality of life, and earning potential is seriously compromised.
Have you or a loved one suffered a serious wrist fracture at work or on the roads?
If your injury occurred due to someone else’s carelessness, or if you were injured in a car, truck, motorcycle, or snowmobile crash, you may be entitled to compensation.
Call 1-866-269-2481
Experience – Oatley Vigmond’s greatest asset
At Oatley Vigmond, we know wrist fractures are as life-changing as they are complex. We use our wrists all day, whether we’re on our phones or behind the wheel. And these injuries are especially disruptive when they affect the dominant hand.
Wrist fractures also make you vulnerable to other catastrophic injury. For example, a study by the Injury journal found a slight increase in the incidence of hip fractures for wrist fracture sufferers (Johnson et al., 2017, p. 399).
Moreover, treating the acute damage does not protect against the long-term impacts of a serious wrist fracture. An injured joint is seven times more likely to become arthritic, even if the injury receives proper treatment, and post-traumatic arthritis can result in lifelong problems.
Statistics Canada reports that more than 4-million Canadians suffered serious wrist injuries between 2009 and 2010. That means more than 4-million Canadians were potentially out of work, unable to provide for their families, and facing serious recovery costs.
When you’re in this position, time feels like it’s standing still. And most wrist injuries need a long time to heal. Even after the immediate damage is repaired, long-term rehabilitative treatment is usually required.
In many cases, wrist fractures occur by no fault of the victim. And frequently, the only thing stopping victims from receiving fair compensation is their inaction.
Get in touch with our team for a free consultation. If you are eligible for compensation, you do not pay legal fees until our team is successful.
Risk-free representation – Oatley Vigmond’s promise
Broken wrists can be treated in a number of different ways. Often surgeons will use plates, screws, rods or an external fixator to stabilize the wrist after a serious break.
Obviously, the specific medical cost of wrist fractures varies depending on the severity of the injury and the amount of rehabilitation required.
But the cost and overall economic burden of hand and wrist injuries is widely acknowledged. The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery found that wrist fractures and related injuries cost $740-million per year, ranking first in the order of most expensive injury types (de Putter et al, 2017, p. 56). This meta-analysis factored in the injuries’ effects on productivity and healthcare spending, along with the cost of rehabilitation, physiotherapy, and intensive care.
Unfortunately, since the injured individual is often unable to return to work for the duration of their recovery, the financial burden often falls on the family. Some are forced to empty their savings or even apply to lenders.
Given the long-term risks and costs associated with serious wrist fractures, it’s all the more important that you find a personal injury team willing to fight for your compensation without piling on additional legal fees upfront.
Call 1-866-269-2481 to speak with a lawyer
Consult with Oatley Vigmond – understand your options
At Oatley Vigmond, comprehensive support is our imperative. Our personal injury team will provide immediate care in your time of need, then stay by your side through every step of your recovery.
There are many of firms that offer legal advice and assistance in processing your claim for compensation, but the Oatley Vigmond Approach sets us apart.
Call 1-866-269-2481 for a free consultation
What are examples of Fractures or Orthopaedic injuries?
Some fractures or orthopaedic injuries that may occur as a result of an accident could include:
On occasion, broken bones in the neck may sever or cut the spinal cord and paralyze the victim. But even if the broken bone in your neck does not result in compromise to the spinal cord, neck fractures can cause chronic issues with mobility, independence and the ability to work.
The unique structure of the shoulder’s ball-and-socket joint allows for unparalleled range of motion. But high mobility also increases risk of injury. Because the shoulder joint is so complex, even the smallest injury can have a profound effect on your independence and quality of life.
We all have eight bones in our wrists and two arm bones (ulna and radius) that connect to the wrist. Ligaments, cartilage and muscles hold the wrist together and allow it to do its job. When these bones are broken or injured, our mobility, quality of life, and earning potential is seriously compromised.
Elbow injuries can cause pain, swelling, bruising and stiffness in the joint. Serious elbow fractures are often treated with surgery. There is always a concern that someone with a fractured elbow will end up with permanent stiffness, limited range of motion and arthritic pain in the elbow.
Significant force is required to fracture the large and sturdy bones in the hip and pelvis area. These fractures are often caused by falls, cycling, motorcycle, car and truck accidents. Treatment of a broken pelvis often requires a surgical reconstruction. Arthritis is also common after a hip or pelvic fracture. Post-traumatic arthritis can cause lifelong problems with walking, running, balance and stamina.
The knee is the most commonly injured joint by adolescent athletes with an estimated 2.5 million sports-related injuries annually. But knee fractures also occur every day on the road, in the workplace, and thanks to unsafe public conditions. At best, serious knee fractures cause acute pain, discomfort and loss of income.
Fractures to your ankle or foot can be extremely serious and change your life forever. This is particularly true when the fracture goes into a joint. The ankle and foot are made up of more than 28 bones and 30 joints. An injured joint is seven times more likely to become arthritic, even if the injury receives proper treatment.
What happens if I suffer a Fracture or Orthopaedic injury?
Though securing your compensation is important to us, orthopaedic injuries often demand other resources. A common misconception about fractures and orthopaedic injuries is that they are completely resolved after the initial healing period. In many cases, orthopaedic injuries can cause ongoing problems, including pain and weakness, for years following the injury. If not cared for properly, an orthopaedic injury can cause more tension on the surrounding nerves and tissues, resulting in further pain and suffering. Your injury may prevent you from generating an income, and may require expensive surgery or rehabilitation. Your ability to care for yourself and your family could be seriously compromised, and the stress of this realisation could disrupt your recovery.
References
De Putter, C. E., Selles, R. W., Polinder, S., Panneman, M. J. M., Hovius, S. E. R., & van Beeck, E. F. (2012). Economic impact of hand and wrist injuries: health-care costs and productivity costs in a population-based study. JBJS, 94(9), e56.
Hartholt, K. A., van Beeck, E. F., Polinder, S., van der Velde, N., van Lieshout, E. M., Panneman, M. J., … & Patka, P. (2011). Societal consequences of falls in the older population: injuries, healthcare costs, and long-term reduced quality of life. Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, 71(3), 748-753.
Johnson, N. A., Stirling, E. R. B., Divall, P., Thompson, J. R., Ullah, A. S., & Dias, J. J. (2017). Risk of hip fracture following a wrist fracture—A meta-analysis. Injury, 48(2), 399-405.