How Much Do Compression Fracture Cases Settle for?
How Much Do Compression Fracture Cases Settle for?
Based on national statistics, the average value of a compression fracture case may vary. But our experience as personal injury attorneys indicates that the median value of a compression fracture lawsuit is higher in more severe cases. If there are multiple vertebrae fractures or the victim is left with a partial or total disability, compensation can be significantly higher.
Whether you suffered a compression fracture from a car accident or an incident at work, it’s imperative that you understand the amount of compensation that can be recovered from an injury claim. Our legal team is here to provide answers and guidance regarding the legal process. Please contact us today and schedule a free case review.
What is a Compression Fracture?
A compression fracture refers to a fracture in one or more bones in your vertebrae. This type of injury causes the vertebrae to collapse, thereby giving you a stooped-over appearance. The injury generally occurs in the front of the vertebrae, and this causes the individual to stoop forward.
Many people end up with vertebrae fractures due to osteoporosis, a condition that weakens the bones and makes them more likely to fracture. But you can also sustain a compression fracture from a truck accident, slip and fall, or another traumatic event.
These incidents can be caused by careless people, like negligent property owners that fail to maintain their premises. Alternatively, compression fractures and other spine injuries may be associated with a work injury. Another possibility is medical malpractice, like a surgeon that fails to perform a surgery correctly, thereby causing damage to the spinal cord.
Those with a compression fracture typically have the following symptoms:
- Back pain
- Decrease in height
- Hunched-over appearance
If the condition gets worse, you will experience increased levels of pain, tingling or numbness, and possibly nerve damage that results in urinary or fecal incontinence, or difficulty walking. Treatments, such as medications and physical therapy can help you manage your symptoms. If the fracture is particularly serious, you may need surgery to repair and fuse the broken pieces of vertebrae.
Until we know various details that are specific to your case, we can’t say for sure how much you should ask for in a compression fracture injury claim. Whether you are filing a workplace accident case or a personal injury lawsuit matters as well.
Numerous studies suggest that the majority of victims receive compensation for a back or spinal cord injury. But these are estimates that fail to take many factors into account that may or may not apply to your situation. For example, if your case proceeds to a legal proceeding, you are likely to receive more in compensation that you would from a settlement. However, a settlement is ideal as a general rule, considering that going to court is very expensive, and obtaining a jury verdict can take over 3 years.
Damages from a Personal Injury LawsuitNegligence and misconduct by others can lead to an accident where someone ends up with a serious back injury. Those with a compression fracture should speak with a lawyer right away, who can help them determine the damages they are entitled to. Payments you can potentially recover from a lawsuit include:
- Expenses for medical treatments and services
- Lost wages
- Lost earning potential and future lost wages if your ability to work is impaired
- Property damage
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Punitive damages
- Legal fees
If you sustain an injury at work, there are numerous benefits that may be available to you from a workers’ compensation claim. There are 5 main categories of payments that are paid to workers in the event of a work-related injury. Thus, figuring out how much you are owed in compensation is directly related to which of these benefits you are eligible to receive:
- Temporary Disability
- Permanent Disability
- Medical expenses
- Supplemental Job Displacement Benefits
- Return to Work Supplement Program
Those who are pursuing a personal injury case have 2 years from the accident date to initiate a liability claim. Some people will qualify for an extension that allows for additional time to file a lawsuit. However, these are the exception, rather than the rule, so the 2-year statute of limitations is applicable in most cases.
A workers’ compensation claim, on the other hand, must be filed within 1 year of the incident or date of receiving a diagnosis. In addition, you must notify your employer of the injury no later than 30 days from the accident / diagnosis. With that in mind, it’s essential to talk to your employer immediately, so they can notify the insurance company and get the ball rolling on a workers’ compensation claim.
If you are looking up case values for accidents resulting in back injuries, there’s a good chance that you already have a claim in progress. Many people in this situation wonder if they are getting an accurate assessment of how much they can receive from a lawsuit. This is one of many issues that we can help you with here at DTLA Law Group.
If you have any concerns about your case and need guidance from another attorney, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We are happy to provide you with a free second opinion on your claim for a compression fracture or any other back, neck, or spinal cord injury. You are under no pressure to change lawyers when you meet with us, though we are happy to advise you on this subject if you are dissatisfied with your current law firm. To schedule a free second opinion consultation, contact our office 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Other Pages on Our Website Related to This Topic
Forearm Fracture after an Accident Lawsuit Lawyer
SaveMart Slip And Fall Attorney
Kosher Market Slip And Fall Attorney
