Many people involved in accidents often suffer broken bones with significant pain and swelling. Severe bone fractures such as those of the distal radius and ulnar shaft often require immediate surgery, rehabilitation, and extended recovery. This may put a patient at a significant disadvantage as they face high medical expenses and are temporarily or permanently out of work because of their injury. Thus, creating financial hardship for the affected patient and their family.

If you suffered a broken radius or ulnar shaft in an accident caused by negligence, a bone fracture lawyer at our law firm could help you hold the at-fault party responsible for your losses. Call now for free, friendly advice regarding your personal injury case at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400

You do not deserve to bear the burden of paying medical expenses and other losses for a broken bone suffered in an accident caused by someone else. Since 1982, our personal injury lawyers have worked diligently to ensure our clients receive fair compensation for damages incurred. Call now for a free case evaluation to learn more about how we can help you and your family today.

A common forearm injury is an isolated ulnar shaft fracture (IUSF). Also referred to as nightstick fractures, the fracture generally occurs when an individual raises the forearm to protect the head from blunt force trauma, and the ulna bears the direct blow. This type of fracture may also occur because of a motor vehicle accident or a fall.

While IUSFs may seem benign, they may be complicated by the loss of motion, radioulnar synostosis (a deformity involving the bones of the forearm connecting on the proximal side by soft or bony tissue instead of complete separation into two unique bones), and nonunion (a fractured bone failing to heal and mend within a specific amount of time).

In a prospective study from January 2015 to March 2017, 54 patients (mean age of 41.2 years) with isolated fractures of the ulnar shaft were divided into two groups. In one group, 27 of the 54 patients were treated by intramedullary stabilization (IMF) by k-wire. The second group, with the remaining 27 patients were treated by open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) by plating. The mechanism of the injury involved low-energy falls with 45 percent and high-energy falls with 55 percent.

The locations were 30 percent (17 out of 54) mid-shaft fractures and 70 percent (37 out of 54) distal third fractures. In group one, there were no complications reported. Conversely, group two reported one case of a regional complex syndrome, three of nonunion, and four of delay union. There was no difference in both groups for pain and QuickDASH (11 items for symptoms and physical function). The study concluded that the IMF significantly reduced the cost of treatment and operation time with fewer complications than ORIF.

Studies that define the epidemiology of ulnar shaft fractures are scarce. Most fractures of the ulnar shaft are treated on an outpatient basis. However, at-risk populations include active individuals, high school athletes, and females over 60.

One of the injuries most encountered in the orthopedic field is distal radius fractures. This type of injury may be treated through either nonsurgical management or surgical management. Because of the complications related to conservative treatment, there has been an increase in surgical repairs of the distal radius.

Most fractures of the distal radius may be managed effectively through closed reduction, a procedure involving a medical professional setting, or reducing a break in the bone without cutting the skin open and casting. The optimal treatment option is impacted by the patient’s age, fracture pattern, stability of the fracture, and degree of displacement.

Data were collected from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) in a study. The study data was collected within 30 days of surgery for distal radius fractures and included demographic details (patient age, gender, race, and body mass index), comorbidities, and postoperative complications.

Subjects in the study received repairs for a fractured distal radius from 2017 to 2018. There was a total of 11,727 patients. This included 26 percent (3,049) male and 74 percent (8,678) female patients. Of the sample, the mean age was approximately 56.79 ± 16.35. Roughly 81.6 percent of patients underwent general anesthesia.

The study concluded that distal radius fractures were often linked to poor results and higher complication rates. The study also emphasized the importance of surgeons using operative time as a tool for identifying a patient that may be at a higher risk of specific perioperative complications. Moreover, surgeons must strive to shorten the duration of procedures when possible without compromising the patient’s care.

According to studies, most patients presenting with fractures of the distal radius are elderly females. However, young males often suffer these fractures because of high-impact trauma.

Evidently, the costs of a fracture of the distal radius or ulnar shaft are often high. If such fractures are suffered in accidents caused by someone else’s negligence, the injured party may be entitled to financial compensation for their losses. A bodily injury claim allows a plaintiff to seek recovery of economic and non-economic damages.

Economic damages or special damages are financial losses a claimant has suffered because of an accident. Non-economic damages or general damages are intangible harms and are evaluated on a subjective basis. When it comes to arriving at a fair value for special and general damages, an experienced personal injury attorney can help. For details on how to find the best attorney to handle your personal injury case, watch the video below.

When an individual suffers a broken bone because of someone else’s negligence in California, the amount of compensation recovered will depend on the circumstances of the accident and the severity of the trauma. In most personal injury cases, a claimant may seek recovery of the following economic and non-economic damages:

• Medical expenses
• Costs of future medical treatment
• Lost wages
• Loss of future earning potential
• Emotional distress
• Loss of consortium
• Permanent injury or disability
• Pain and suffering

Since each bodily injury claim is unique, it is essential to reach out to a skilled bone fracture lawyer regarding your specific case. An attorney who is experienced in handling cases like yours may provide you an accurate assessment of what to expect from your claim.

Our experienced personal injury attorneys handle bone fracture cases involving:

• Car accidents
• Cycling crashes
• Motorcycle collisions
• Pedestrian accidents
• Premises liability
• Products liability
• Truck accidents
• Slip and falls

In a personal injury case, specific criteria and deadlines must be followed to ensure it is in good standing. One of the statute of limitations or the amount of time a claimant has to file a personal injury lawsuit in civil court. Under the California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1, a lawsuit must be filed within two years of the date of the accident. However, specific circumstances may affect the filing deadline in such cases.

For instance, if a distal radius or ulnar shaft fracture was suffered in an accident caused by government entity negligence, a notice of claim must be filed with that public agency within 180 days of the incident date. This is by the California Government Code Section 911.2.

For a medical malpractice case involving a fracture of the ulnar shaft or distal radius, plaintiffs have up to three years to file a lawsuit after the injury or one year after the trauma was discovered, whichever happens first. Refer to the California Code of Civil Procedure Section 340.5 for more details.

The insurance company representing the party responsible for the accident is likely to conduct an immediate investigation of the incident. This is often done to determine whether any defense tactics can be used to devalue a bodily injury claim or outright deny it. Insurers do so as a way of protecting their bottom line, putting the claimant at a significant disadvantage when it comes to covering all resulting losses.

To maximize your chances of recovering the full and fair compensation you deserve after an ulnar shaft or distal radius fracture, you need the assistance of a skilled attorney. A lawyer who is experienced in handling cases like yours will handle communication with the insurance carrier, collect critical evidence, negotiate, and build a strong case to present in court, if necessary. Contact our legal team today to schedule a free consultation with one of our personal injury attorneys.

When you choose our personal injury law firm to represent you and your best interests, you are choosing a legal team that cares about you, your family, and your immediate goals. We understand that dealing with a bone fracture and related costs can be stressful and challenging. This is particularly true in cases of a fractured ulnar shaft or distal radius. However, we are here to simplify the process for you.

With our injury lawyers working on your behalf, you can focus on yourself and recovering from your injuries. You can rest assured knowing we will be working diligently to seek full and fair compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Call (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for a free consultation with one of our radius and ulnar shaft fracture attorneys today.

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