Farmington Hills Broken Bone Injury Lawyer | Davis Law Center

Many types of serious accidents can easily cause victims to suffer broken bone injuries. Depending on the severity of the injury, a broken bone may require an accident victim to undergo extensive and expensive medical care. The injury may also keep them out of work or unable to return to their job, disrupting their ability to perform daily tasks or participate in activities they enjoy.

If you suffered a bone fracture in an accident someone else caused, you deserve the support you need to seek financial compensation. Contact Davis Law Center, your Farmington Hills broken bone injury lawyer, for a free initial case evaluation. Neil Davis, president of Davis Law Center, is a lifetime member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and recognized as a National Top 100 Trial Lawyer. For over 30 years, the Davis Law Center has offered legal support and guidance to residents in Farmington Hills and throughout Michigan. We cover every aspect of your case so you can focus on your recovery.

Beyond the “Simple Break”: Understanding Fracture Complexity

Not all broken bones are the same, and insurance companies often downplay fractures as minor injuries or just a “simple break” to devalue valid claims. Unlike insurance adjusters, however, doctors classify broken bone injuries by the fracture pattern or the direction and shape of the break. These can be “open” or “closed” fractures. An open fracture (also known as a compound fracture) means the bone has broken through the skin, increasing the risk of infections and medical complications. A closed fracture means the broken bone has not punctured the skin. Doctors may also describe broken bones as “displaced,” meaning the broken part of the bone has moved enough to create a gap. A “non-displaced” fracture means the broken parts of the bone have stayed in alignment.

In our practice, the common fracture patterns and treatments we see include:

Doctors also classify broken bone injuries based on the cause of the fracture. Common types of orthopedic fractures include:

• Stress Fractures – Fractures occurring due to overuse or excessive pressure on the bone, which can cause small cracks to form in the bone
• Avulsion Fractures – Fractures occurring when a piece of bone attached to a ligament or tendon breaks off the bone
• Buckle or Compression Fracture – Fractures caused by sudden pressure on the bone, such as in a fall, which causes the bone to bulge or “buckle” without snapping

The Long-Term Consequences of Severe Fractures

While many fractures heal fully within a few months, severe breaks (compound bone fractures)—particularly those that involve joints, multiple fragments (comminuted), or displaced bones (segmental)—can lead to complications that persist long after the bone has mended. For our clients, these long-term consequences often affect their physical, neurological, and emotional well-being for years.

1. Chronic Musculoskeletal Issues

The most common long-term effects stem from the physical changes at the injury site and the surrounding joint structure.

• Post-Traumatic Arthritis: If a fracture extends into a joint, the cartilage can be damaged or its surface made uneven. This accelerated wear and tear on the cartilage frequently leads to the development of arthritis in the affected joint (such as the knee, ankle, or wrist) years after the initial injury.
• Joint Stiffness and Loss of Motion: Even after the bone is healed, scar tissue formation, muscle weakness from disuse, and permanent changes in bone alignment can restrict the range of motion, making it difficult to perform daily tasks like reaching, gripping, or walking.
• Chronic Pain: Persistent pain at the site of a severe fracture is common, often stemming from altered bone structure, scar tissue, or chronic inflammation.

2. Neurological and Vascular Complications

Severe fractures often involve high-energy trauma that affects more than just the bone.

• Nerve Damage: Sharp bone fragments, crushing forces, or swelling can stretch, bruise, or tear nearby nerves. While some nerve damage heals over time, severe cases can result in permanent numbness, tingling, weakness, or chronic nerve pain (neuropathy).
• Vascular Issues: Damage to blood vessels during the initial injury or surgery can lead to circulation problems. In some cases, this can lead to avascular necrosis, in which bone tissue dies due to loss of blood supply, particularly in vulnerable areas like the hip.

3. Healing Complications

Sometimes, the biological process of bone repair is interrupted, leading to permanent anatomical changes.

• Malunion: This occurs when a bone heals in an incorrect position, which can cause visible deformity, impaired function, or persistent mechanical pain.
• Nonunion: In some cases, the fracture fails to heal entirely, leaving the bone unstable. This often requires additional surgical interventions, such as bone grafts, to stimulate healing.
• Bone Infections (Osteomyelitis): Particularly in open (compound) fractures, bacteria can enter the wound site. If not managed effectively, this can lead to chronic, recurrent infections that are difficult to treat and may require long-term antibiotic therapy or further surgery.

4. Psychological and Lifestyle Impacts

The long-term effects of severe injury extend beyond the physical realm.

• Psychological Distress: Chronic pain, loss of independence, and the frustration of a lengthy recovery can lead to anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress. These conditions, if left unaddressed, can significantly interfere with physical rehabilitation and overall quality of life.
• Lifestyle Restrictions: Permanent functional limitations may prevent individuals from returning to their previous occupations or participating in recreational activities they once enjoyed. In cases of severe lower-limb fractures, individuals may experience changes in gait that can place secondary strain on the back, hips, and other joints.

Calculating The True Cost Of Your Fracture Claim

At the Davis Law Center, we know that calculating the value of a broken bone injury claim goes far beyond just adding up your hospital bills. Because fractures—especially complex ones—often have “invisible” long-term consequences, a proper claim must account for the full financial and personal impact on your life.

The Two Pillars of Your Claim

In Michigan, your potential recovery is generally categorized into two distinct types of damages:

1. Economic Damages (Quantifiable, Out-Of-Pocket Losses)

These are the “tangible” costs that can be proven with invoices, pay stubs, and expert financial projections.

• Past & Future Medical Expenses: This covers emergency room visits, orthopedic surgery, physical therapy, prescription medications, and durable medical equipment (such as crutches or wheelchairs). If your injury requires future hardware removal or revision surgery, those costs are also included.
• Lost Wages & Earning Capacity: If your fracture keeps you from your job, you are entitled to compensation for lost income. If you can no longer perform the physical demands of your previous career, we also calculate “lost earning capacity”—the difference between what you would have earned and what you are now able to earn.
• Out-of-Pocket Expenses: Travel costs to medical appointments, home modifications (e.g., installing a ramp), and the cost of household services you can no longer perform yourself.

2. Non-Economic Damages (Intangible Losses)

Non-economic damages compensate for the human experience of the injury. Since there is no “price tag” for pain, we use evidence to demonstrate the severity of your impact.

• Physical Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the acute agony of the break, the discomfort of casting or stabilization, and any chronic pain that lingers.
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Fractures can rob you of the ability to participate in hobbies, sports, or simple joys like playing with your children or grandchildren.
• Emotional Distress: Dealing with a severe injury is traumatic. Compensation often includes the mental health impact, such as anxiety, depression, or sleep disturbances, stemming from the injury.
• Disfigurement and Permanent Impairment: If your surgery leaves permanent scarring, or if the bone heals with a restricted range of motion or deformity, this is a significant factor in increasing the value of your claim.

At the Davis Law Center, we don’t just ask for what you’ve spent; we fight for what you’ve lost. If you’ve suffered a fracture in Farmington Hills, let us review your medical records and provide an honest assessment of your case’s potential value.

Accidents That Cause Broken Bones

Fractures can occur in any number of ways, but the more common ways our Farmington Hills clients suffer these types of injuries are from:

• Car crashes
• Truck accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Bicycle accidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• Boating accidents
• Premises liability accidents, such as slip-and-fall accidents
• Dog bites and animal attacks
• Railroad accidents
• Maritime accidents
• Workplace accidents

Financial Recovery Available in a Personal Injury Claim for a Broken Bone

After breaking a bone in an accident caused by another party’s carelessness, you can pursue compensation for your ongoing and future expenses and losses, including:

• Medical treatment and rehabilitation, such as surgeries, hospitalization, doctor visits, medications, crutches/wheelchairs, or physical/occupational therapy
• Lost income from missed work or reduced earnings in a part-time or light-duty role while recovering from your injury
• Loss of future earning capacity if your injury permanently disables you from your job
• Physical pain and emotional distress
• Reduced quality of life caused by disability, scarring, or disfigurement

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Your Michigan Fracture Claims

Contact Davis Law Center Today to Discuss Your Legal Options After Suffering a Broken Bone Injury

When you’ve sustained a broken bone injury in an accident in Farmington Hills, MI, due to someone else’s negligence, the Davis Law Center will provide the legal assistance you need to demand accountability and justice. Contact us today to get started with a no-obligation, free consultation with an experienced Farmington Hills broken bone attorney.

Davis Law Center: your trusted partner for personal injury accident cases. Serving Detroit, Farmington Hills, Southfield, Macomb County, Wayne County, Oakland County, and all of Michigan.