Settlements are common in California civil lawsuits, including injury lawsuits for broken bones and similar injuries. What makes a good settlement depends on your unique needs and the facts of your case. Do not try to negotiate a settlement alone. Get help from an experienced attorney.
When negotiating for a good settlement, we must account for medical costs and the costs you may incur as you recover. In severe cases, shattered bones may lead to medical complications and require expensive, long-term care. Broken bones, especially in severe cases, may interfere with your ability to work, and lost income should also be a factor in your settlement. On top of it all, we must consider your pain, suffering, and distress, especially if your injury is severe.
Contact our Los Angeles, CA personal injury lawyers for a free, private case evaluation by calling the Law Office of John J. Perlstein at (213) 252-1070.
How Medical Costs for Broken Bones Affect Settlements in California
Broken bones are common, but some cases are severe, and injured victims may rack up enormous medical debt that should factor into settlement negotiations.
Cost of Initial Care
A broken bone is a serious emergency, and you should go to the emergency room immediately. The cost of initial care may be quite expensive, and you should save all medical bills from this hospital visit.
Costs of Long-Term Care
If your broken bone is more complicated, you might require additional medical care. Serious cases may involve follow-up visits with the doctor, pain medication, or even surgery. Costs of long-term care can be off the charts and should be included in a settlement.
Accounting for Medical Complications
Treatment does not always go smoothly, and you may encounter unfortunate medical complications. This could include anything from incorrectly healed fractures to infections after surgery, and they often lead to additional medical costs.
Can You Sue for Lost Income from a Broken Bone?
When negotiating a settlement for a broken bone, it is important to consider how the injury affects your ability to work and earn a living.
Lost Income
If you have lost income from missing work due to your injury, our California personal injury attorneys can determine how much income you have missed out on. Lost income should absolutely be factored into a fair settlement for a broken bone.
Future Earnings
If your broken bone injury is severe, it may take a very long time to recover, or it might never fully recover, and you might be unable to work for the foreseeable future. In that case, we should estimate the income you will likely lose in the future, even after settlement talks are over.
Your Career Trajectory
If a broken bone heals incorrectly or comes with certain medical complications, it might be impossible to return to your job or even remain in your field of work.
If you must find new work in a new field or take a different job at a lower salary, retraining and lost future earnings should be accounted for.
Non-Economic Damages in Settlements Involving Broken Bones
Not all damages that factor into your settlement are recorded in bills and financial records. Your non-economic damages are just as important as economic damages in settlement negotiations for broken bones.
Physical Pain
Fractured bones are painful, and this pain can be overwhelming in cases of serious fractures. If you broke a bone in multiple places or the bone was shattered in a bad accident, the pain may be excruciating, and your settlement should be higher.
Mental and Emotional Distress
When fractures are serious or have a large impact on the rest of your life, it is understandable to feel emotional distress or mental anguish. You might be in a lot of pain, you might be unable to return to work, and your future might be unclear. The greater the toll on your mental health, the higher your settlement should be.
Quality of Life
A typical fracture may fully recover in a few weeks or months, but more severe fractures may be more complex. If a bone is shattered, recovery might take much longer. In some cases, the affected body part never fully recovers, and victims must figure out how to live with new medical complications and pain.
FAQs About Obtaining a Good Settlement for a Broken Bone in California
Are Broken Bones Worth a Lot of Money in a Settlement?
Broken bones may be worth a large settlement, depending on the extent of the injury and the economic costs. Victims with serious or complex fractures may negotiate for settlements worth thousands of dollars or more.
Do You Need a Lawyer to Get a Settlement for a Broken Bone in California?
Yes. You should not try to negotiate a settlement on your own. Your lawyer can gather evidence, develop a legal strategy, and utilize negotiation tactics to get you the biggest settlement possible.
Should You Accept a Settlement for a Broken Bone?
You do not have to accept a settlement, especially if you do not believe it is good enough. You are free to walk away from negotiations and pursue a full trial in court.
How Can You Tell if a Settlement for a Broken Bone is Good Enough?
A settlement may be considered good enough if it adequately covers your immediate economic expenses and accounts for costs you will likely incur in the future. A good settlement should also account for non-economic damages, such as your pain, suffering, and distress.
How Long Do Settlements for Broken Bones Take?
The time required to negotiate a settlement will vary from case to case. The severity of the injury, our evidence, and the overall value of your claims will be major factors. The more serious a fracture is and the more compensation you need, the longer negotiations are likely to take.
Ask Our California Personal Injury Attorneys About How to Get a Good Settlement
Contact our Irvine, CA personal injury lawyers for a free, private case evaluation by calling the Law Office of John J. Perlstein at (213) 252-1070.