Broken Wrist Injury Lawyer in Massachusetts

Q: What if I fell on my wrist in a store and the break required surgery?

A store that failed to maintain safe conditions — wet floors, uneven surfaces, unmarked obstacles — that caused your fall is liable for your wrist fracture and all treatment required. The fact that surgical repair was necessary does not make the store less liable; it makes the value of your claim larger. Attorney Lavey pursues the full treatment costs in every store slip-and-fall wrist fracture case.

Wrist fractures from slip and falls and car accidents can require surgery and months of physical therapy. Attorney Jeffrey C. Lavey pursues full compensation for every Massachusetts broken wrist victim. Free consultation. No fees unless we win.

Wrist Fractures: One of the Most Common Fall Injuries

Wrist fractures, particularly distal radius fractures and Colles fractures, are among the most common injuries sustained in slip and fall accidents. When a person begins to fall, the instinctive protective response is to extend the arms and hands to break the fall, transferring the full impact force to the outstretched wrist. This protective instinct, while understandable, results in fractures ranging from non-displaced breaks that heal in a cast to severely comminuted fractures requiring complex surgical reconstruction. Attorney Jeffrey C. Lavey represents wrist fracture victims throughout Massachusetts.

Types of Wrist Fractures and Their Treatment

Distal radius fractures (Colles fracture): most common type; may require casting or surgical fixation
Scaphoid fractures: can be initially missed on x-ray; risk of avascular necrosis if untreated
Intra-articular fractures involving the wrist joint surface: require precise reduction to prevent arthritis
Ulnar styloid fractures: often accompany distal radius fractures
Barton fractures: involve the volar or dorsal rim of the distal radius
Open wrist fractures: highest complication risk; require emergency surgery

Surgical Fixation and Recovery

Displaced and comminuted wrist fractures require surgical fixation with plates, screws, or external fixation devices to restore the normal anatomy of the joint. After surgery or casting, an extended period of immobilization is followed by physical therapy to restore range of motion, strength, and function. Full recovery from a complex wrist fracture can take six months to a year, and some patients experience permanent limitations in range of motion or grip strength. All treatment costs and recovery period lost wages are compensable.

The Impact on Daily Activities and Work

A wrist fracture on the dominant hand can make it impossible to perform many basic tasks: typing, writing, driving, cooking, dressing. Workers in virtually every occupation are affected, from office workers who cannot type to tradespeople who cannot use tools. Attorney Lavey documents the specific impact of the wrist fracture on the particular activities and job requirements of every client and presents a precise lost wage calculation based on the medical return-to-work restrictions.

Compensation for Wrist Fracture Victims

Wrist fracture compensation includes all medical expenses including emergency treatment, imaging, surgical repair if needed, casting, and physical therapy; all lost wages during the recovery period; pain and suffering during the healing process; and future costs if permanent limitations in wrist function affect your earning capacity or daily life. Attorney Lavey pursues every element of available compensation in every wrist fracture case.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if my wrist fracture was not seen on the initial x-ray?

Scaphoid fractures and other specific wrist injuries are occasionally missed on initial x-rays but visible on subsequent imaging, MRI or bone scan, within days or weeks. A delayed diagnosis does not undermine your accident injury claim, but it is important to document when the diagnosis was made and that your symptoms were consistent from the time of the accident. Attorney Lavey handles delayed diagnosis wrist fracture cases and establishes the causal connection between the accident and the injury.

Can I claim for reduced grip strength that persists after my wrist fracture heals?

Yes. Permanent reduction in grip strength, range of motion, or fine motor function following a wrist fracture is a compensable future damages element. If these limitations affect your ability to perform your job or daily activities, they are reflected in the pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and in some cases future earning capacity components of your claim. Attorney Lavey documents permanent functional limitations with the treating orthopedist and, where necessary, with a vocational rehabilitation expert.

What if I fell on my wrist in a store and the break required surgery?

A store that failed to maintain safe conditions, wet floors, uneven surfaces, unmarked obstacles, that caused your fall is liable for your wrist fracture and all treatment required. The fact that surgical repair was necessary does not make the store less liable; it makes the value of your claim larger. Attorney Lavey pursues the full treatment costs in every store slip-and-fall wrist fracture case.

Is a Colles fracture the same as a broken wrist?

A Colles fracture is a specific type of distal radius fracture where the broken fragment is displaced toward the back of the hand. It is one of the most common types of wrist fracture and the term most people use colloquially when they say “broken wrist.” It can range from a simple fracture treated with a cast to a complex fracture requiring surgical fixation. Attorney Lavey handles Colles fractures and all other wrist fracture types.

Attorney Jeffrey C. Lavey — Licensed Massachusetts Attorney

Attorney Jeffrey C. Lavey is licensed to practice law in Massachusetts and has represented clients throughout Middlesex County and Massachusetts for over 37 years. He handles every case personally, no associates, no handoffs. Call (781) 938-1400 for a free consultation.

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