Broken Leg Injury Lawyer in Massachusetts

Leg Fractures as Accident Injuries in Massachusetts

Leg fractures, including femur (thigh bone), tibia (shin bone), fibula, and combination tibial-fibular fractures, are serious orthopedic injuries commonly caused by motor vehicle accidents, pedestrian accidents, falls from height, and workplace incidents. While all bone fractures are painful and require medical treatment, leg fractures have particular significance because they affect mobility, the ability to walk, stand, and bear weight, during a recovery period that often extends for months. Attorney Jeffrey C. Lavey represents leg fracture victims throughout Massachusetts and pursues the full compensation that serious orthopedic injuries require.

Types of Leg Fractures and Their Severity

• Femur fractures: the largest bone in the body; high-energy fractures typically requiring intramedullary nailing
• Tibial shaft fractures: the most commonly fractured long bone; often treated with intramedullary nail
• Tibial plateau fractures: involving the knee joint surface; may require plate fixation and create arthritis risk
• Ankle fractures: can involve the distal tibia, fibula, and surrounding ligaments
• Open (compound) fractures: bone penetrates skin; highest infection risk and complication rate
• Comminuted fractures: bone is shattered into multiple fragments; most complex to repair

Surgical Treatment and Complications

Many leg fractures require surgical treatment, particularly displaced fractures, fractures involving joint surfaces, and all open fractures. Surgical options include intramedullary nailing (a metal rod inserted through the center of the bone), plate and screw fixation, and external fixation for complex open fractures. Surgical complications including infection, hardware failure, malunion, and nonunion extend treatment and increase costs. All complications arising from the original fracture are compensable as part of the damages caused by the at-fault party’s negligence.

Non-Weight-Bearing Restrictions and Lost Work

Leg fractures typically require a period of complete non-weight-bearing, during which the patient cannot put any weight on the injured leg, followed by a progressive weight-bearing program. This period can range from several weeks for minor fractures to many months for complex tibial or femoral fractures. During non-weight-bearing, the ability to perform any job requiring standing or walking is completely eliminated. Even sedentary workers face significant limitations. The lost wage claim documents this entire period of disability with precision.

Compensation for Leg Fracture Victims

Leg fracture compensation includes all medical expenses from emergency treatment through surgery and physical therapy, all lost wages during the recovery period, any permanent loss of function that affects future employment, pain and suffering during the healing period and any chronic pain, and the cost of assistive devices including crutches, walkers, and wheelchair use during recovery. Attorney Lavey pursues every element of available compensation in every broken leg case.

Frequently Asked Questions