Chicago Hand Fracture Accident Lawyer
There are 27 bones in the human hand, making up a quarter of the entire amount of bones in the body. These bones are the scaffolding on which the muscles that operate the fingers and wrist are attached to. A fracture of the hand usually happens when there is a blunt force to the hand, usually from a fall, crushing accident or when the hand hits or is hit by an object.
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC evaluates the circumstance involved in each of our clients' cases so we can provide them with the compensation they are entitled to under the law for their accident case involving a broken hand or wrist.
Symptoms Of A Fractured Hand
If one of the many bones in the hand is fractured or broken, there will generally swelling, pain and difficulty moving one or more fingers or the wrist. With any hand injury that is a possible fracture, medical attention is needed.
Since hands are so important to every day life, both at work and for personal tasks, even a small fracture can lead to impaired functioning that can be a lifetime disability. Any injury to the hand should be taken seriously. Diagnosis is usually made with a physician examining and x-raying the hand to check for any fractures.
Causes Broken Bones In The Hand & Wrist
Fractures to the hand can happen at any time but are more common in certain scenarios. Whenever extreme pressure or a blunt impact occurs to the hand, there is a possibility that one of the small bones in the hand can be broken. Common causes of fractured hands are:
- Car accidents
- Motorcycle collisions
- Bicycle accidents
- Workplace injuries: Equipment pinching or crushing, objects falling, preventing a fall, etc.
- Falls, either while walking or from an elevated position
Medical Treatment Options For Hand Fractures
There are many treatments used for broken bones in the hand, depending on the type of fracture and whether the bone was displaced or disfigured.
- Simple fracture. If the bone has not been displaced, often the hand can be put into a cast or splint and allowed to heal on its own over a few weeks. Exercises will be needed to keep mobility and to discourage stiffness.
- Displaced or compound fractures. If the bone or bones are out of place, they may need to be realigned surgically. This can include the use of pins, plates and/or screws to hold the bones in place while they heal. This can take several weeks or longer to heal, and require rehabilitation.
- Crushed bones. The bones in the hand are delicate and can be crushed to the point where they cannot be restored. In this case, surgery would be needed to try and reconstruct the bone using bone grafts. The recovery is much longer, taking months of healing and rehabilitation.
Prognosis For Hand Injuries
Simple fractures of the hand often heal nicely and allow for normal function. However, severe breaks can cause limited motion and other lifetime disabilities. It is common in any fracture for stiffness and changes in the shape and look of the hand. In some cases, fractured hand bones can become infected, refuse to heal or shift in position.
Like other type of injuries, the prognosis has a direct correlation to the quality of the medical attention that the injured person receives. Thankfully, metropolitan areas such as Chicago have many excellent treatment options available with hand surgeons, specialized clinics and physical therapy centers.
Chicago Personal Injury Lawyers With Hand & Wrist Injury ExperienceOur bone fracture attorneys understand the significance hand and wrist injuries may have on the individual and work hard to secure every aspect of recovery. For individuals with injuries which prevent them from working, we can include a claim for wage loss for a temporary or permanent duration.
If your hand injury is due to the carelessness of another, we invite you to speak to our attorneys for a free case evaluation where we will explain your legal rights. Call Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC today (888) 424-5757