Fractures, or broken bones as they are commonly known, are serious injuries that can significantly alter an individual’s life, extending far beyond simple inconvenience. If you have suffered a broken bone in Maryland due to someone else’s negligence or intentional wrongdoing, understanding your legal rights and options is paramount to securing the justice you deserve. Please continue reading to explore these rights. To successfully navigate the complexities of the legal landscape after sustaining such an injury, contact an experienced Prince George’s County Personal Injury Attorney today.
What Are Common Causes of Broken Bones?
Bones possess remarkable strength, exhibiting four times the robustness of concrete on a pound-for-pound basis. Nevertheless, despite their inherent strength, bone fractures represent prevalent injuries, frequently caused by substantial force stemming from falls, accidents, or participation in recreational sports.
Bone injury severity depends on the fracture type. A hairline fracture, a slight crack without full bone disruption, often heals much faster than an open fracture, where the bone breaks the skin. Other fracture classifications include spiral, unstable, and stable.
What Compensation Can I Seek Following a Broken Bone Injury in Maryland?
Broken bones often lead to severe pain, restricted movement, and significant disruption to daily routines. These injuries typically occur when a force greater than the bone’s strength causes a break or crack. While minor fractures might heal quickly, more complex cases can require extensive medical care, physical therapy, and a lengthy recovery period. Beyond the physical impact, these injuries can also impose considerable financial strain due to medical costs, lost income, and long-term care. Therefore, it’s essential to understand the types of damages you can pursue.
When a broken bone injury results from another party’s negligence or intentional wrongdoing, you are generally entitled to various forms of compensation. The main objective of this compensation is to restore you, as much as possible, to your pre-injury state by covering both tangible and intangible losses. This includes economic damages, such as medical expenses and lost wages, as well as non-economic damages, including pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life.
In rare circumstances, you may be awarded punitive damages. Unlike compensatory damages, these are not designed to cover your losses but rather to penalize the at-fault party for their misconduct and discourage similar behavior in the future. Punitive damages are reserved for cases involving gross negligence or malicious intent.
It’s important to note that Maryland is a contributory negligence state, which means if you are found to have contributed to the accident that caused your injuries in any capacity, even just 1%, you will face the absolute bar of recovery. As such, it’s advisable to connect with a qualified personal injury attorney to help determine the best course of action given the unique circumstances of your case.
At McCarthy, Winkelman, & Mester, L.L.P., we are prepared to represent your interests and fight for the compensation you deserve. Connect with our firm today for guidance during these difficult times.
