The Effects Of Accident-Related Broken Bones And Scarring Injuries Can Last A Lifetime
The extent to which we rely on others to keep ourselves safe can be unnerving. All it takes is a split second of negligence from an incautious driver, an inattentive co-worker, or someone else that you encounter to turn your entire life upside-down—potentially altering its course forever. If you were injured in an accident caused by someone else's negligence, you are likely all too familiar with this frightening concept.
Broken bones and scarring are common among victims of negligence accidents and, while these injuries may not necessarily be life-threatening, they are by no means minor. Complications from broken bones and scarring injuries can plague accident victims for the rest of their lives, whether by restricting their movement or damaging their self-esteem.
Depending on the severity of your injuries and the circumstances that led to it, you may be eligible to file a civil personal injury lawsuit and seek financial compensation for damages such as medical bills, lost wages, and more.
Common Causes of Broken Bones and Scarring
Because broken bones and scarring are common among those who have suffered an injury due to negligence, personal injury attorneys often have extensive experience helping people with these injuries fight for the justice—and the compensation—they deserve. Some of the most common negligence-related causes of broken bones and scarring injuries include:
Broken Bones
More than six million people in the United States suffer broken bones each year, many of them in preventable, negligence-related accidents. While most will recover fully from their injuries, not everyone is so fortunate. Of the six million people who break bones each year, approximately 300,000 will experience slow healing or even refuse to heal with traditional treatments, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
Some broken bones may heal after just a few weeks in a cast, while other breaks may be so serious that they require multiple reconstructive surgeries, the insertion of pins and screws, or even amputation of the affected limb. Despite extensive surgical interventions and physical therapy, people with severely broken or crushed bones may experience:
- Chronic, severe pain
- Reduction range of motion
- Increased risk of infection in the broken bone and surrounding tissue
- Blood clots
- Stiff, painful joints
- Limited use of the affected limb
- Loss of the ability to use the affected limb
- Loss of the limb itself
Scarring and Disfigurement
Scarring can result from a number of injuries that can occur in negligence-related accidents, including deep lacerations and serious burns. Beyond the painfulness of the initial injury, scar tissue can limit mobility and be unsightly, or even permanently disfiguring. Severe scarring not only can affect a person's self-esteem, but it can also serve as an emotionally painful reminder of a traumatic event. People living with significant scarring injuries may require a number of costly and excruciating plastic surgeries.
Scarring and permanent disfigurement may also cause people to become withdrawn or lose interest in activities they previously enjoyed. If this happens, scarring victims may need psychological therapies in addition to their physical treatments. Common emotional and psychological disorders associated with scarring and disfigurement injuries include:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Were You Injured in a Car Accident in Wilmington, DE?
Both broken bones and scarring injuries require substantial time to heal, which means that people with these injuries may find themselves temporarily—or even permanently—unable to work or complete regular daily activities. The aftermath of a negligence-related personal injury can strain both finances and emotions. Fortunately, Delaware law gives accident victims the ability to file a civil lawsuit and pursue compensation for damages, including emotional damages such as pain and suffering.
Injured in a car crash in Wilmington, DE? The Morris James Personal Injury Group can answer all of your personal injury questions. Contact us today to schedule a free initial consultation to discuss your case.
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