Paul CaputoSuffering from an orthopedic injury can prevent you from living a full life. You may be struggling with debilitating pain that lingers for months, even years. Alternatively, it’s possible you were forced to stay home from work while you recovered from a bad personal injury and the associated surgery. When you were wounded because of another’s negligence, you can seek compensation for your damages. An orthopedic personal injury attorney can help you through your settlement claim and even the litigation process.
Personal injuries should be taken seriously. When the other party doesn’t appreciate your serious injuries or neglects to compensate you fairly, an orthopedic injury attorney can fight on your behalf. Discuss with our law firm how we can help you recover compensation for your injuries by speaking to an orthopedic injury attorney at Caputo & Van Der Walde in Campbell. Reach out to us today for a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer in Campbell.
What Are Common Causes of Orthopedic Injuries?
Once you’ve experienced a difficult personal injury, you’ll want to speak to your orthopedic personal injury attorney about the best possible settlement. Personal injury causes of orthopedic injuries can include:
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Motor vehicle accidents can result in severe orthopedic injuries such as fractures, dislocations, and spinal cord injuries. Truck accidents involving large commercial trucks can result in severe orthopedic injuries due to the size and weight of the vehicles.
Slip, Trip, and Fall Accidents
Falls can result in orthopedic injuries such as broken bones, sprains, and spinal cord injuries.
Sports Injuries
Athletes are at risk of orthopedic injuries such as fractures, dislocations, and torn ligaments, particularly in contact sports or high-impact activities.
Construction Site Injuries
Common orthopedic injuries from construction sites include head injuries and fractured bones due to falls from heights, machinery accidents, or being struck by heavy objects. Crush injuries, caused by getting caught between objects or machinery, can lead to severe fractures, destruction of soft tissue and death.
Medical Malpractice
Negligence or errors during medical procedures can lead to orthopedic injuries such as nerve damage, fractures, and dislocations.
Defective Products
Defective products such as faulty medical devices, unsafe machinery, and defective sports equipment can lead to orthopedic injuries.
Most Common Orthopedic Injuries
Orthopedic injuries are a major cause of expensive medical bills. You can be injured because of an accidental dog bite or even slipping and falling on another’s premises. Campbell Orthopedic injury lawyers can help you with your settlement claim before you consider litigation. Here are some of the most common orthopedic injuries you might see in claims:
Fractures
Personal injury accidents such as car crashes, slip and falls, and workplace accidents can cause bone fractures.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Sprains, strains, and other soft tissue injuries are common in personal injury accidents, particularly those involving falls or sudden movements.
Spinal Cord Injuries, Including Herniated Disc Injuries
Personal injury accidents that involve significant force or trauma to the body, such as car accidents or falls from height, can result in spinal cord injuries, many times resulting in spinal fusion.
Joint Injuries
Orthopedic injury accidents can cause damage to joints such as the knee, ankle, or shoulder, leading to pain, swelling, and limited range of motion.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Orthopedic injury claims that involve a blow to the head, such as a car crash or a slip and fall, can result in traumatic brain injuries and even wrongful death.
Dislocations
Dislocations can occur in joints such as the shoulder or elbow as a result of a sudden impact or twisting motion in clients.
Amputations
Personal injury accidents such as a dog bite, car crash, mechanical workplace accident, or explosion can result in the traumatic amputation of limbs or digits.
Steps to Take if You Have Suffered an Orthopedic Injury
Once you’ve been injured due to another’s negligence, you should work with an orthopedic injury attorney to begin your settlement claim. Here are steps clients can take to begin building evidence to help attorneys prove liability.
Call 911 and Report the Incident
If the injury occurred at a business, on someone else’s property, at work, or in a motor vehicle accident, report the incident to the appropriate authorities. You would need to call 911, the property owner, your employer, or the police.
Gather Evidence
Clients need to collect as much evidence as possible to support their claims. This includes witness statements and/or identification and contact information, photographs of the scene and their injuries, and any documentation related to the incident.
Contact an Orthopedic Injury Attorney
Consult with an experienced personal injury attorney who can advise you on your legal options and help you pursue compensation for your injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Your law firm can confirm liability by providing who’s at fault to get the best possible settlement.
Follow Your Doctor’s Instructions
After you have consulted a doctor, it’s important to follow your physician’s instructions for treatment and rehabilitation to ensure the best possible outcome for your recovery.
Document Your Expenses, Including Wage Loss
Keep track of all medical bills, receipts, and other expenses related to your injury, as these will be important in establishing the value of your claim. It’s also important to notify your employer of any lost time because of the injuries you have suffered.
Do Not Accept a Settlement Without Consulting an Attorney
Insurance companies may try to offer a quick settlement, but it’s important to consult with an attorney before accepting any offer to ensure that you receive fair compensation for your injuries.
Why Should You Contact an Attorney?
You should consider contacting an orthopedic injury attorney if you were injured due to no fault of your own. Orthopedic injury attorneys can prove liability for injuries to your bones, joints, or muscles due to someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing. Orthopedic injuries can have a significant impact on your quality of life, limiting your ability to work, participate in activities, and enjoy your life. An experienced orthopedic injury attorney can help you in several ways, including:
Protecting Your Legal Rights
An attorney can help ensure that your legal rights are protected and that you receive fair compensation for your injuries.
Negotiating With Insurance Companies
Orthopedic injury attorneys can negotiate with insurance companies to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve.
Representing You in Court
If necessary, orthopedic injury lawyers can represent you in court during litigation and fight for your rights.
If you have suffered an orthopedic injury due to someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing, it is important to contact an attorney as soon as possible to discuss your legal options. Contact Caputo & Van Der Walde now for a free consultation with an orthopedic or truck accident lawyer in Campbell.