Los Angeles Car Accident Attorney

Legal Assistance for Bone Fractures

The Los Angeles car accident attorneys of Howard Craig Kornberg frequently represent clients who have suffered bone fractures caused by automobile accidents.

A fracture is simply the medical term for a broken bone.  However, there are many different types of fractures; some involve more pain than others and require more time to heal; some may not heal completely at all and leave the accident victim with a life-long disability.  Understanding the significance of different types of fractures due to automobile accidents is essential to a proper valuation of a case and making sure the injured plaintiff is compensated for his or her injuries. A car accident attorney in Los Angeles can help you determine the right amount of compensation that your injuries require.

The type of fracture, the age of the victim, and a variety of other factors come into play in determining the severity of the break and its long-term implications.  A fracture must be treated immediately, not only to improve the chances of the bone healing properly, but also to avoid other serious complications, such as nerve damage, damage to blood vessels, and osteomyelitis, an infection of the bone.

Fractures are categorized as either displaced, non-displaced, open, or closed.  A displaced fracture is one in which the bone is broken into two or more parts, as opposed to a non-displaced fracture in which the bone does not move out of alignment.  Whether a fracture is open or closed depends upon whether or not the bone breaks through the skin.  An open fracture, also known as a compound fracture, puts the injured person at risk of osteomyelitis and is therefore much more serious than a closed, or simple, fracture. Car accident attorneys in Los Angeles will know the proper injury and its correct amount of due compensation.

Vertebral Fractures

A Los Angeles car accident lawyer from the law firm of Howard Kornberg understands the critical nature of vertebral fractures.  The bones housing the spinal cord feature protrusions (pedicles and processes) which project to the sides and back of the spine.  These extremities of the vertebrae are considerably thinner and more fragile than the more solid piece of bone surrounding the spinal cord itself.  A fracture of these pedicles and processes can cause a piece of bone to break loose and lodge against the spinal cord, creating bruising or pressure which can cause paralysis of the entire body below the injury.  If not treated promptly, this damage can become permanent, causing paraplegia or quadriplegia.our

Fractures to the main body of the vertebra can also inflict damage to the spinal cord.  Upper vertebrae in the cervical (neck) region are smaller and more easily broken than bones in the lower back (lumbar region), which are designed to bear more weight and don't require the flexibility needed to move the head and neck.  In the thoracic (chest) region, the spinal canal is smaller than other areas, increasing the risk of spinal cord injury from a fracture.

Skull Fractures

A skull fracture from a Los Angeles auto accident itself may not be serious, although it may be a sign of brain injury and should be examined carefully.  Some skull fractures, however, can be quite serious.  A comminuted skull fracture is one in which the bone is shattered into several fragments.  Surgery is often required to remove pieces of bone which have become embedded in the brain.  In a depressed skull fracture, pieces of bone press on the brain and must be removed to relieve pressure on the brain.  Finally, basilar skull fractures, breaks at the base of the skull, can cause blood to fill up in the sinuses and cerebrospinal fluid to leak from the nose and ears, and may result in nerve damage to the cranial and facial nerves.

Contact a Los Angeles car accident attorney for help

Los Angeles car accident attorney Howard Kornberg fights tirelessly to obtain a fair recovery on behalf of victims of serious personal injury.  If you or a loved one has suffered fractures or other injuries in a collision with a motor vehicle or other motorcycle accident, contact The Law Offices of Howard Craig Kornberg for a free consultation.