San Bernardino Broken Bones Work Related Injury

Suffering a broken bone from a workplace accident can be a catastrophic situation on multiple levels. Such an accident can leave you in excruciating pain, unable to work, and struggling to make ends meet. If you or a loved one has suffered a broken bone because of a work-related injury, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits under California law.

Thankfully, all workers are protected by these special, legally mandated insurance benefits. Unfortunately, navigating the complex legal system required to access these benefits can be overwhelming for those with no legal background. It is especially difficult when you are already dealing with the stress of recovering from a traumatic injury.

A skilled broken bones work-related injury lawyer can help simplify and expedite the process. You can have peace of mind knowing that a professional attorney is fighting for maximum compensation on your behalf. That way, you can receive both the medical care you need and the financial compensation you and your family deserve.

At Kampf, Schiavone & Associates, we help injured workers get the compensation they deserve for their workplace accidents. This includes those involving broken, fractured, and dislocated bones. Our team of attorneys has substantial experience handling broken bone work-related injury cases throughout California’s various court jurisdictions. We are dedicated to fighting for the rights of injured workers all over the state.

If you have suffered a broken arm, leg, wrist, ankle, or any other type of bone fracture due to a workplace accident, we can:

• Help you understand your complete range of legal options.
• Put together a comprehensive legal strategy.
• Fight for the maximum benefits you are entitled to.

If you have suffered a broken bone because of a workplace accident, do not wait to get the help you need. Contact Kampf, Schiavone & Associates today to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced broken bone work-related injury lawyers.

What Can Cause Broken Bones in the Workplace?

Broken bone injuries are usually associated with highly physical work like mining or maintenance. However, they can actually occur in just about any industry. Here are some common examples of workplace accidents that can result in broken bones:

• Falls From Heights: Falling from a ladder, scaffolding, or roof can cause serious injuries, including broken bones.
  • Example: A maintenance worker falls off a ladder while painting an elevated guard rail. They fracture their wrist trying to break their fall.
• Slips and Falls: These can stem from slippery floors, debris, or uneven surfaces. This can cause workers to slip and fall, leading to broken bones.
  • Example: A retail worker slips on a freshly mopped floor that has not dried sufficiently, thus breaking their ankle.
• Vehicular Accidents: Many different jobs can require constant or occasional travel. Others involve the regular operation of mobile machinery. Workers who operate vehicles, such as trucks or forklifts, may be at increased risk of being involved in accidents that can result in broken bones.
  • Example: A delivery driver gets into a car accident while on their route, fracturing their collarbone on impact.
• Machinery Accidents: Workers who operate machinery or work around heavy equipment are also at increased risk of broken bones and other injuries. These may occur after getting their limbs caught inside machinery, leading to broken bones.
  • Example: A factory worker gets their hand caught beneath a conveyor belt mechanism. They fracture their fingers before they can reach the emergency shutoff switch with their other hand.
• Repetitive Motion Injuries: Not all broken bones are due to high-impact accidents. Even simple, repetitive motions, such as using a hammer or typing on a computer, can cause stress fractures or other types of broken bones over time.
  • Example: An office worker develops a stress fracture in their wrist after typing on a keyboard every weekday for many years.

These are just a few examples of common types of workplace accidents that can result in broken bones. There are many other possible scenarios. It is critical for employers to provide a safe working environment to minimize the risk of such accidents. If you have suffered a broken bone in a workplace accident, please seek medical attention immediately. Then contact a qualified workers’ compensation attorney to help you obtain the compensation you are entitled to by law.

How Can a Broken Bone Accident Affect Your Work?

Any broken bone can potentially have a significant impact on a worker’s ability to perform their job duties. This can, in turn, directly affect their ability to support themselves and their family. Here are some of the ways a broken bone can wreak havoc on a worker’s life:

• Missed Shifts: Depending on the severity of the injury, a worker may need to take time off from their job to recover from a broken bone. Depending on their position and particular injury, they may even be incapable of performing their job duties until fully healed. This can result in lost wages and income. In turn, this can cause an extremely difficult situation for workers who rely on every paycheck to support themselves and their families. Someone already suffering from a traumatic injury should not have to deal with this additional stress. A good lawyer will help mitigate it and provide some peace of mind.
• Limited Mobility: Depending on the location of the broken bone, a worker may have limited mobility. This can impact their ability to perform certain job duties or even the tasks of day-to-day life. For example, a worker with a broken leg may not be able to stand for long periods of time. They may also be unable to perform physically demanding tasks in their job description.
• Pain and Discomfort: Broken bones are painful, uncomfortable injuries, and this discomfort can persist for an extended period in some cases. This can make it difficult for workers to focus on their job duties. It may even require them to take powerful medications that limit their ability to work effectively while in recovery. All these factors can impact productivity or, even worse, lead to additional accidents on the job.
• Medical Costs: Workers with a broken bone may require significant medical treatment, such as x-rays, casts, and physical therapy. These medical costs can add up quickly and become a major burden for working families already dealing with a serious injury.

The most commonly broken bones on the job site will vary based on industry and position. Three of the most commonly broken bones are:

• Clavicle: Commonly called the collarbone, this key bone connects the shoulder blade to the breastbone. It is most commonly broken during falling accidents where the victim lands with most of their weight falling on a shoulder or outstretched arm.
• Wrist: The wrist is not actually a bone itself. However, it is made up of multiple small bones. These can be particularly susceptible to fractures from falls, sports injuries, accidents involving heavy machinery, or repetitive stress fractures.
• Ankle: The ankle joint is composed of three interconnected bones. This structure is vulnerable to fractures from twisting or rolling the ankle, in addition to falls and crushing accidents.

What Is the Most Common Work-Related Injury?

The most prevalent injuries will also vary by industry and role. Some of the most common types of work-related injuries across all fields include:

• Overexertion: This category of injury is caused by excessive physical effort or strain. It can result in muscle strains, sprains, and even broken bones. For example, lifting heavy objects or performing repetitive motions can cause stress fractures or hairline fractures.
• Slips, Trips, and Falls: These common accidents can occur due to slippery floors, uneven surfaces, or obstacles in the path. They can regularly result in broken bones, particularly at the wrist, arm, and hip.
• Blunt Force: A blunt force trauma type injury can occur when a worker is struck by a falling object, such as tools or building materials. This, too, can result in broken bones, particularly in the head and feet.
• Vehicle Accidents: Many workers drive or operate mobile equipment as part of their job, such as delivery drivers or forklift specialists. These people are at risk of being involved in motor vehicle accidents. Such accidents can be very serious and may result in a variety of broken bones, such as cracked ribs.
• Machine Accidents: Accidents can involve machinery, such as being cut by a rapidly spinning blade or getting a limb caught in machinery. These can result in severe injuries, including broken or fractured bones.

There are many other types of injuries that can result in broken bones. A break in any bone can have a significant impact on a worker’s ability to perform their job effectively and support themselves and their family.

Kampf, Schiavone & Associates: Your Trusted CA Workers’ Compensation Team for Injuries Resulting in Broken Bones

At Kampf, Schiavone & Associates, our experienced workers’ compensation attorneys aggressively advocate for injured workers in the San Bernardino area and throughout California. We understand the devastating impact that a broken bone can have on your life. Our team is dedicated to helping you get the compensation you need to cover medical expenses, lost wages, and any other costs associated with your injury. We can work with you to gather all necessary evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent you in court if necessary. Contact Kampf, Schiavone & Associates today to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced workers’ compensation attorneys.