Greensboro Workplace Bone Fracture Attorney

broken bone at work

No matter your occupation, you can be involved in an accident at work. Sometimes accidents are not anyone’s fault, and at other times they result from a negligent act by an employer or co-worker.

Unfortunately, bone fractures resulting from employer or employee negligence occasionally occur in the workplace. Some common causes of job-related bone fractures include:

  • Slip and fall accidents
  • Vehicle crashes
  • Equipment malfunctions
  • Falling objects

Bone Fractures and Associated Health Risks

While the severity of a bone fracture often depends upon the location of a fracture and the damage done to the surrounding bone and tissue – a bone fracture is commonly categorized as one or a combination of the following types of fractures:

  • Displaced fracture – when the bone snaps into two or more parts and moves so that the two ends are no longer aligned
  • Comminuted fracture (shattered bone) – when the bone is shattered into several smaller pieces
  • Non-displaced fracture – when the bones crack either part or all of the way through, but do not move and remain aligned
  • Closed fracture – when the bone breaks but does not puncture the skin or leave an open wound
  • Open fracture – when the bone breaks through the skin – putting the victim at risk for bone infection

While some fractures are considered more serious or health-threatening than others, complications can arise with any broken bone. Serious bone fractures and orthopedic injuries can impact the health of surrounding tissues and organs, setting off a chain reaction that is both painful and permanently debilitating. In severe cases, a broken bone can even impair the function of a given bone for the rest of the victim’s life.

If you are suffering from a job-related bone fracture, you should notify your employer immediately and submit a claim (Form 18) to the North Carolina Industrial Commission. You should also seek a free case consultation with a workplace injury lawyer to ensure you fully understand your legal rights following the injury and to determine if you could benefit from experienced legal representation.

NC Workers’ Compensation and Bone Fractures

North Carolina’s workers’ compensation laws cover nearly all injuries that result from work-related accidents, including broken bones and bone fractures. Under N.C. state law, injured workers are entitled to disability benefits and compensation for related medical bills. Both your employer and its insurance company may be legally obligated to provide compensation for missed work and necessary treatment for your injuries.

The Benefits of a Workplace Injury Lawyer

Unfortunately, many injured workers sign away their rights to adequate compensation because they do not yet know the full medical consequences of their broken bone or bone fracture. Those suffering from a more complex fracture may need multiple surgeries or additional physical therapy. In some cases, a traumatic bone fracture – such as a shattered bone – may even permanently prevent your body from functioning as it did before the injury.

Nevertheless, most insurance companies aim to settle your workers’ compensation case as quickly and inexpensively as possible. That’s why it’s always a good idea to consult a qualified workers’ compensation attorney or workplace injury lawyer to look out for your best interests.