Accidents in San Francisco bring about a number of different challenges and uncertainties. While a variety of traumatic injuries can occur, some of the most severe involve fractures or broken bones in the leg. Your legs handle much of the responsibility when it comes to your movement, so any injury to this area of the body can have far-reaching complications for the rest of your life.

As with any injury in San Francisco, it’s important to realize what your options are. Whether it be your medical treatment, physical recovery, or legal options, working with a team of experienced traumatic injury lawyers can make all the difference in how you approach your healing journey.

Experienced Legal Support and Guidance From San Francisco Traumatic Injury Lawyers

At The Law Offices Of Matthew J. Quinlan, we have a team of experienced lawyers in San Francisco who are dedicated to helping you recover from a broken leg or any other damage caused by an unfortunate incident.

Regardless of how the accident happened, our team will be there to support you by explaining your legal options and guiding you through the next steps. To get started, contact us for a free consultation.

How Common Are Broken Leg Injuries?

Unfortunately, there are a number of different ways that a broken leg can happen in San Francisco. Whether it be in a car accident or a fall while out enjoying our beautiful city, your leg, and its corresponding parts are vulnerable to trauma and other damage. With that said, there are a number of different types of injuries that can happen to the leg, not the least of which involves a fracture or break of one of the bones.

A 2011 study from the National Institute of Health (NIH) found that:

• 29% of the nearly 120,000 emergency room visits involved a fracture of the lower leg, while 31% involved the upper leg.

While this data underscores the frequency of leg fractures, what it doesn’t show is the variance in the types and causes of these injuries. The reality is that the severity and nature of every broken leg injury differ from person to person. Here is a closer look at some of the more common causes of a broken leg:

• Falling from a height or slipping and falling on a surface can result in a broken leg.
• High-impact sports or activities like football, basketball, or skiing can lead to leg fractures.
• Car accidents, motorcycle accidents, or being hit by a vehicle can cause leg fractures.

• In industries involving heavy machinery or construction work, accidents can result in broken legs.
• A direct blow or forceful impact to the leg, such as during physical altercations or assaults, can cause fractures.
• Continuous repetitive motions or excessive stress on the leg, such as in long-distance running, can lead to stress fractures.

Types of Broken Leg Injuries in San Francisco

Not only are there various causes of a broken leg in San Francisco, there are actually a number of different types of leg fractures that can happen to you or a loved one. Moreover, not every fracture or break is the same or occurs in the same way. This means that the treatment and prognosis for each injury are also unique. Some of the more common types of broken leg injuries include:

• Fractured femur – This fracture occurs in the thigh bone (leg), which is the largest and strongest bone in the leg.
• Fractured tibia – Another type of fracture occurs in the shin bone (tibia), which is located below the knee and above the ankle.
• Fractured fibula – A fracture in the smaller bone of the lower leg (fibula), which runs parallel to the tibia.
• Fractured patella – Yet another common type of broken leg injury is in the kneecap (patella), which is a small bone that protects the front of the knee joint.
• Stress fractures – Hairline fractures that occur due to repetitive stress or overuse, commonly seen in athletes or individuals engaged in activities with repetitive leg movements.
• Spiral fractures – These fractures are ones that twist around the bone due to a twisting or rotational force.
• Comminuted fractures – Also known as a “burst” fracture, this happens when the bone breaks into multiple pieces.
• Open fractures – These injuries are extremely traumatic, and occur when the broken bone pierces through the skin, increasing the risk of infection.
• Avulsion fractures – Fractures that occur when a piece of bone is pulled away by a tendon or ligament, often caused by a sudden and forceful contraction.

How Are Broken Leg Injuries Treated in San Francisco?

The answer to this question depends on the type of break, as well as the overall health of the injured person. Again, every broken leg injury is unique in terms of its severity and prognosis. Additionally, the treatment and time it takes to recover will vary from case to case. More serious breaks will need more extensive medical care and rehabilitation. Generally, broken legs are treated in the following ways:

• Immobilization – Sometimes, a cast or brace is used to keep the leg still and allow the bone to heal. The length of time for immobilization depends on how severe the fracture is.
• Traction – Traction is when a constant pulling force is applied to the leg to realign the bone and promote healing. This is used when the fracture is severe or the bones are out of place.
• Surgery – Surgery may be necessary to align the bones and stabilize the fracture with screws, plates, or rods. This is done for severe or displaced fractures.
• Rehabilitation – Physical therapy is often needed after a leg fracture to restore movement, strength, and flexibility in the leg. This may involve exercises, walking training, and other methods to regain mobility.
• Pain management – Managing pain is important during the recovery process. Pain medications, nerve blocks, or other techniques may be used to control pain and discomfort.
• Follow-up care – Patients with a broken leg will need ongoing medical care, including regular checkups and monitoring for possible complications like infection or nerve damage.

If you suffer a broken leg in an accident, you will be facing significant challenges, both physically and mentally. Not only that, but you may need to explore your legal options to try to recover from the damage.

Legal Options After a Broken Leg Injury in San Francisco

A broken leg requires a lot of medical treatment and ongoing care. This means you’ll have to pay for medical bills and take time off work for treatment. These expenses make up the main part of the compensation you can go after in a legal claim for damages. Here are the different types of compensation generally available in a San Francisco traumatic injury accident:

• Medical expenses – You can get compensation for all the medical costs related to your broken leg, such as hospital bills, doctor visits, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, and rehabilitation. This includes both current and future expenses.
• Lost wages – If your broken leg prevents you from working, you can claim compensation for the wages you’ve lost and any future earning capacity you may have lost as a result.
• Pain and suffering – You can seek compensation for the physical and emotional pain and suffering caused by the accident and your broken leg. This includes things like emotional distress, anxiety, depression, and a loss of enjoyment in life.
• Loss of enjoyment of life or companionship – Another area where you can recover damages involves changes in your ability to live your life the way you did prior to the injury. This can also cover damages to your personal relationships.

The specific damages you can claim will depend on the circumstances of the accident and your individual claim. It’s important to work with experienced San Francisco traumatic injury lawyers who can help you navigate the claims process and make sure you’re pursuing all available avenues for compensation.

Contact MJQ Law Today To Get the Help You Need

At The Law Offices of Matthew J. Quinlan, we understand the challenges you face when dealing with a broken leg from an accident in San Francisco. Our dedicated team of lawyers will guide you through the recovery process and explain the legal aspects to you. We’ll support you every step of the way. Contact us today for a free consultation to take the first step toward your recovery.