Broken Bones from Slip and Fall Accidents: Your Legal Rights
Most Common Fractures in Slip and Fall Cases
Different types of falls cause different injuries, and some fractures are associated with significantly higher medical costs and settlement values.
Hip fractures are some of the most severe injuries seen in slip and fall claims, especially in older adults. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, falls are a leading cause of injury for adults age 65 and older, and hip fractures often require surgery and lengthy rehabilitation. Older adults may lose the ability to live independently after this type of injury.
Common treatment includes:
- Emergency surgery
- Hip replacement or internal fixation
- Inpatient rehabilitation
- Home health care
- Long-term mobility assistance
Because of the extensive treatment and lasting consequences, a California hip fracture fall accident attorney will often evaluate substantial damages.
People frequently extend a hand to catch themselves during a fall, resulting in distal radius fractures and other wrist injuries.
A broken wrist can require casting, surgical insertion of plates and screws, and/or occupational therapy, often resulting in reduced hand strength and dexterity.
These injuries are particularly disruptive for office workers, mechanics, healthcare professionals, and anyone who relies on hand function. If you are searching for a slip and fall lawyer in Bakersfield after suffering a broken wrist, your case may involve significant wage loss and long-term functional limitations.
Twisting falls often cause fractures of the tibia, fibula, or multiple ankle bones. Severe cases may require surgery and months without weight-bearing. Potential complications include:
- Arthritis
- Chronic instability
- Persistent swelling
- Reduced ability to stand for long periods
A fall onto the back or buttocks can fracture the vertebrae. These injuries are especially common in older adults and individuals with osteoporosis. Symptoms may include:
- Severe back pain
- Height loss
- Limited mobility
- Chronic discomfort
Treatment ranges from bracing and medication to procedures such as kyphoplasty.
- Shoulder and humerus fractures
- Pelvic fractures
- Rib fractures
- Elbow fractures
- Facial fractures
Medical Treatment and Recovery Costs
The financial impact of a bone fracture can be substantial, even with health insurance.
Typical Medical Expenses
- Ambulance transport
- Emergency room evaluation and hospital stays
- X-rays, CT scans, and MRI studies
- Orthopedic surgery
- Prescription medication
- Physical or occupational therapy
- Follow-up appointments
Hip and vertebral fractures often generate the highest medical costs because they may involve surgery, rehabilitation facilities, and extended assistance with daily activities.
Lost Income and Future Earnings
Many people miss weeks or months of work while healing. Workers in physically demanding jobs—such as agriculture, oilfield services, construction, and warehousing in Kern County—may be unable to return until the fracture is fully healed.
If the injury results in permanent restrictions, compensation may take diminished future earning capacity into account.
Pain and Suffering
Broken bones are painful injuries that can interfere with sleep, exercise, family responsibilities, and basic self-care. California law allows injured victims to recover damages for these non-economic losses.
The more invasive the treatment and the greater the long-term limitations, the higher the potential value of the claim.
Proving the Fall Caused Your Fracture
Property owners and their insurance providers often deny liability, especially when the injured person is older or has preexisting osteoporosis or arthritis.
A successful claim must establish two essential facts:
- A dangerous condition existed on the property, and
- The fall directly caused the fracture.
Evidence Used in Slip and Fall Cases
- Incident reports
- Surveillance footage
- Witness statements
- Maintenance and cleaning logs
- Photographs of the hazard
- Medical records
Because fractures are documented through imaging, causation is often easier to prove than with soft-tissue injuries. Prompt medical treatment is especially important to connect the accident to the diagnosis.
Common Dangerous Conditions
- Wet floors
- Spilled liquids
- Uneven sidewalks
- Loose rugs
- Broken stairs
- Poor lighting
- Missing handrails
If the property owner knew or should have known about the hazard and failed to fix it, they may be legally responsible.
How Fracture Severity Affects Claim Value
No two cases are identical, but certain factors consistently influence settlement and verdict amounts.
Factors That Increase Value
- Surgery with plates, screws, or joint replacement
- Extended rehabilitation
- Permanent mobility limitations
- Visible hardware or scarring
- Chronic pain
- Need for future medical care
- Loss of independence
- Inability to return to work
A surgically repaired hip fracture with lasting disability is typically worth far more than a simple wrist fracture that heals completely in a few weeks.
Why Older Adults Often Have the Strongest Claims
Insurance companies sometimes argue that age or osteoporosis—not the fall—caused a fracture. Legally, that argument does not excuse negligent property owners.
Under California law, a defendant generally takes the injured person as they find them. If a hazardous condition causes a fracture in someone who is more medically vulnerable, the property owner can still be liable for the full consequences.
This is especially important in cases involving elderly victims and severe hip fractures.
Why You Should Speak With a Slip and Fall Lawyer
Broken bone cases are often more valuable than people realize. Medical records provide objective proof of injury, and orthopedic surgeons can explain the long-term effects of surgery and rehabilitation.
A California injury attorney can:
- Investigate the property hazard
- Preserve surveillance footage
- Obtain medical and radiology records
- Consult orthopedic experts
- Calculate future treatment costs
- Negotiate with insurance carriers
- File a lawsuit if necessary
If your fracture was caused by a dangerous condition, it’s vital to understand how premises liability claims work and what evidence should be preserved immediately.
Contact a Bakersfield Slip and Fall Injury Lawyer
Whether you suffered a broken wrist, ankle fracture, vertebral compression fracture, or life-changing hip injury, you may be entitled to compensation for your suffering.
A California fall injury attorney can evaluate your case and determine whether a negligent property owner could be held accountable. Call Chain | Cohn | Clark today for a free case review.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. If a dangerous property condition caused your fall, you may bring a premises liability claim to get compensation for medical costs, income losses, and pain and suffering from the responsible property owner or business.
The value depends on the fracture type, whether surgery was required, medical costs, lost wages, and any permanent limitations. Hip fractures and spinal fractures generally have the highest value because they often involve surgery, rehabilitation, and lasting disability.
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