A broken bone is not a minor inconvenience. It can mean surgery, months of physical therapy, time away from work, and in serious cases, permanent changes to how you move and live. When someone else’s negligence caused that injury, whether on a Missouri highway, at a Southern Illinois job site, or on someone else’s property, you may have a legal right to pursue compensation.
Holland Injury Law, LLC, represents injury victims in St. Louis, Missouri and across Southern Illinois, including the Metro East communities of Belleville, Edwardsville, and O’Fallon. Our attorneys handle fracture injury claims as part of a broader practice in catastrophic injuries, and we understand how much is at stake when a broken bone disrupts your life, your income, and your future.
If you have questions about your situation, contact us for a consultation. There is no fee unless we recover compensation for you.
Some fractures heal cleanly in a matter of weeks. Others do not. The more serious breaks can require open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF), a surgical procedure where doctors realign fractured bone and secure it with metal plates, screws, or rods. After surgery, many patients still face months of physical therapy before they regain meaningful strength or range of motion.
Even fractures that appear straightforward at first can create lasting problems. Patients with orthopedic injuries often face long-term challenges that include loss of mobility, chronic discomfort, and the development of arthritis in the affected area. Some never fully return to the physical condition they were in before the accident.
On the financial side, the costs add up quickly:
| Expense | Examples |
|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Care | Emergency room care, imaging, and initial stabilization. |
| Surgery and Hospitalization | Orthopedic surgery, hospitalization, and follow-up care. |
| Rehabilitation | Physical therapy, rehabilitation, medications, and assistive devices. |
| Lost Income | Lost wages during recovery and potential reduction in long-term earning capacity. |
When someone else caused your injury through negligence (meaning they failed to exercise reasonable care), you may be entitled to pursue compensation for all of these losses, not just the immediate medical bills.
Fractures happen across a wide range of accidents. In the St. Louis region and throughout Southern Illinois, our attorneys see these types of cases regularly:
Car accidents are among the most common causes. Collisions on I-64, I-270, I-55, and the Poplar Street Bridge can generate enough force to break arms, legs, ribs, and facial bones in an instant. Learn more about our St. Louis car accident practice.
Truck accidents involving large commercial vehicles often produce more severe fractures due to the sheer weight and force involved. Crashes near the I-70 and I-44 corridors can be especially devastating. Our truck accident attorneys handle these claims as well.
Workplace injuries are a significant source of fracture claims in Southern Illinois, particularly in construction, manufacturing, and warehousing. Workers who fall from scaffolding or are struck by equipment may suffer compound or comminuted fractures that require extended time away from work.
Slip and fall accidents on wet floors, uneven pavement, or poorly maintained stairways can cause hip, wrist, and ankle fractures, particularly for older adults. These cases often involve premises liability claims. See our slip and fall page for more information.
Pedestrian accidents in St. Louis neighborhoods like Soulard, The Hill, and Cherokee Street, as well as along crosswalks near Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University Medical Campus, can result in severe lower extremity fractures.
Motorcycle accidents tend to produce some of the most serious fractures because riders have no structural protection. Leg, pelvis, and collarbone fractures are common outcomes in these crashes.
Not all fractures are treated equally in a legal context. The type, location, and severity of the break can significantly affect both your medical treatment and the potential value of your claim.
| Fracture Type | Description | Legal Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Simple (Closed) Fractures | A simple fracture is a clean break where the bone does not pierce the skin. Treatment often involves a cast or brace, though some may require surgical stabilization. | In legal terms, these cases tend to be more straightforward but can still result in meaningful compensation when recovery is prolonged. |
| Compound (Open) Fractures | A compound fracture occurs when the broken bone breaks through the skin. These injuries carry a higher risk of infection, blood loss, and complications. Surgery is almost always required. | Legally, compound fractures often carry higher claim value due to the severity of treatment and longer recovery timelines. |
| Comminuted Fractures | When a bone shatters into three or more pieces, it is classified as comminuted. These fractures are among the most serious and often require complex surgical reconstruction. Recovery can take a year or more, and some patients experience permanent impairment. | These cases typically involve significant damages. |
| Hairline (Stress) Fractures | A hairline fracture is a small crack in the bone, often caused by repetitive force or impact. They can be easy to miss on initial imaging, which is one reason prompt and thorough medical evaluation matters. | In legal claims, documentation becomes critical because insurers may argue the injury was minor or pre-existing. |
| Greenstick Fractures | Greenstick fractures occur most often in children, where the bone bends or partially breaks rather than snapping completely. | In accident claims involving minors, these injuries require careful legal handling to account for potential long-term developmental effects. |
Hip Fractures: Hip fractures are serious at any age. They are often associated with slip and fall accidents and can require major surgery followed by months of rehabilitation. In older adults, a hip fracture can trigger a cascade of health complications, making these cases particularly significant in terms of long-term care costs.
Leg Fractures: Femur, tibia, and fibula fractures are common in car accidents, motorcycle crashes, and pedestrian collisions. Leg fractures can take many months to heal and may prevent someone from working, especially in physically demanding jobs. When the fracture requires hardware implantation or results in a limp or reduced mobility, the impact on compensation can be substantial.
Arm Fractures: Wrist, radius, ulna, and humerus fractures often occur when someone braces for impact or is thrown in a collision. These injuries can affect a person’s ability to work, particularly in trades, healthcare, or any field requiring fine motor skills or lifting.
Rib Fractures: Rib fractures are painful and limiting in ways that are not always obvious from the outside. Breathing deeply, coughing, and sleeping can all become difficult. In cases involving multiple rib fractures, the risk of complications such as pneumonia increases, adding to both medical costs and pain and suffering damages.
Facial Fractures: Orbital, cheekbone, and jaw fractures can occur in car accidents and assaults. Beyond the physical pain, facial fractures sometimes require reconstructive surgery and can affect vision, chewing, and appearance. These injuries often carry significant non-economic damages related to disfigurement and emotional distress.
This is the question most people want answered first. The honest answer is that it depends on the specific facts of your case. No attorney can give you a reliable number without reviewing your medical records, the circumstances of the accident, and the full extent of your losses.
That said, fracture injury claims can include compensation for:
| Factors That May Increase the Value of a Claim | Factors That May Reduce the Value of a Claim |
|---|---|
| Surgical intervention or multiple procedures | Shared fault on the part of the injured person |
| Long recovery with documented complications | Gaps in medical treatment |
| Clear liability with strong evidence | Pre-existing conditions affecting the same area |
| Significant and verifiable lost income | Delayed reporting or inconsistent documentation |
| Permanent limitations on mobility or function |
Actually, one thing many people overlook is how quickly accepting an early settlement offer can close the door on future compensation. If complications develop after you settle, you generally cannot reopen the claim. Waiting until you have a clear picture of your full recovery is often the more protective approach.
Where your injury occurred matters. Missouri and Illinois handle injury claims differently in several important ways.
Comparative Fault: Missouri follows a pure comparative fault system. This means you may still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault for the accident. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault, but it is not eliminated. Illinois uses a modified comparative fault rule. Under Illinois law, you may recover compensation as long as you are not more than 50 percent at fault. If your share of fault exceeds that threshold, you may be barred from recovery.
Filing Deadlines: The time you have to file a personal injury lawsuit is not the same in both states. Missouri generally allows a longer window, while Illinois sets a shorter deadline. Missing either deadline can permanently bar your claim. This is one reason why contacting an attorney sooner rather than later is important, regardless of which state your injury occurred in.
Workers’ Compensation Considerations: If your fracture happened on the job in Illinois, you may need to pursue a workers’ compensation claim through the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission. In Missouri, workplace fracture claims go through that state’s workers’ compensation system. In some cases, a third-party personal injury claim may also be available if someone other than your employer contributed to the accident. Our attorneys can help evaluate which path or combination of paths applies to your situation. Visit our workers’ compensation page for more information.
Seek medical care immediately. Even if the pain seems manageable, some fractures are not obvious without imaging. Getting evaluated at a facility like Barnes-Jewish Hospital, SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital, or a Metro East urgent care center creates the medical record that forms the foundation of any future claim.
Document everything. Photograph the scene, your injuries, and any hazardous conditions that contributed to the accident. Keep records of every medical appointment, prescription, and out-of-pocket expense. Write down how the injury is affecting your daily life while the details are fresh.
Be careful with early settlement offers. Insurance companies sometimes move quickly after an accident with an offer that sounds reasonable. That offer is typically based on the minimum amount they believe you will accept, not the full value of your claim. Settling before you understand the full scope of your recovery can leave significant compensation on the table.
Contact an attorney. The earlier you involve legal counsel, the better positioned you are to preserve evidence, document your losses accurately, and avoid common mistakes that can reduce your claim’s value.
At Holland Injury Law, LLC, we approach fracture cases with the understanding that the medical and legal sides of these claims are closely connected.
| Case Strategy | What It May Include |
|---|---|
| Evidence Collection | Evidence collection begins as early as possible. This may include accident reports, surveillance footage, maintenance records, witness statements, and scene documentation. In cases involving commercial vehicles or workplace accidents, we may seek to preserve additional records before they are lost or destroyed. |
| Medical Documentation | Medical documentation is central to every fracture claim. We work to ensure that your records accurately capture not just the initial injury but also the full course of treatment, any complications, and anticipated future care needs. |
| Expert Involvement | Expert involvement can strengthen certain claims. Depending on the facts, this may include orthopedic specialists who can speak to the nature and severity of the fracture, vocational experts who can address lost earning capacity, or accident reconstruction professionals in complex liability situations. |
| Negotiation and Litigation | Many fracture cases resolve through negotiation with the at-fault party’s insurer. When a fair settlement cannot be reached, our law firm is prepared to take the case to court. Cases in the St. Louis area may be filed in the St. Louis City Circuit Court, St. Louis County Circuit Court, or, for Southern Illinois clients, in Madison County or St. Clair County Circuit Courts. |
Timeline varies considerably. A straightforward case with clear liability might resolve in several months. Cases involving disputed fault, multiple fractures, or significant long-term impairment can take a year or more. It is generally advisable to wait until you have reached maximum medical improvement (the point at which your condition has stabilized) before finalizing any settlement, so the full impact of your injury is understood.
There is no single answer. Value depends on the type and severity of the fracture, the cost of your medical treatment, the income you lost, and how the injury has affected your daily life and future. A consultation with our attorneys can help you understand what categories of compensation may apply to your situation.
Not every fracture claim requires litigation, but most benefit from legal guidance. Insurance companies handle these claims regularly and have adjusters and attorneys working on their side. Having an attorney review your claim helps ensure you understand your rights, that your damages are fully documented, and that you are not settling for less than your case may be worth.
Yes. Holland Injury Law, LLC represents clients injured in Southern Illinois and the Metro East region, including St. Clair, Madison, and Monroe Counties. Illinois injury law applies to accidents that occurred on Illinois soil, and our attorneys are familiar with the courts and procedures in that jurisdiction.
Partial fault does not automatically end your ability to recover compensation. In Missouri, you may still recover under the pure comparative fault system, with your award reduced proportionally. In Illinois, you may recover as long as your share of fault does not exceed 50 percent. The specifics of your situation matter, and this is a conversation worth having with an attorney before assuming your options are limited.
Holland Injury Law, LLC serves clients throughout the greater St. Louis region and across Southern Illinois. Our service area includes:
Whether your fracture happened in a crash on I-255, a fall at a Metro East retail property, or a workplace accident in St. Louis County, our attorneys can evaluate your claim and help you understand your options.
If you or a family member has suffered a broken bone or bone fracture caused by someone else’s negligence, contact Holland Injury Law, LLC, to discuss your case. Consultations are available at no charge. Our law firm works on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.
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