While broken bones aren’t typically considered among the most serious injuries a person can suffer in a crash, some fractures are worse than others. A serious fracture can take a considerable amount of time and treatment to heal. One or more surgeries may be necessary.
Further, about a fifth of fractures don’t heal correctly and become either “malunion” or “nonunion” fractures. What do these terms mean?
Malunion and nonunion fractures
A malunion fracture is one where the bone doesn’t return to its normal position. This can be particularly debilitating when it involves an extremity like an arm or leg. For example, an elbow or knee might heal at an abnormal angle. Sometimes, a bone will end up shorter than it was. If it’s in the leg, that can be disabling.
Nonunion fractures occur when the fracture of the bone doesn’t fully heal. This can leave the area unstable. As with malunion fractures, a nonunion fracture can be disabling.
Sometimes, these issues are caused by the failure of plates, screws and other equipment used to reset and treat broken bones to work properly. They can be caused by a lack of proper medical treatment.
Often, they happen because a person develops an infection that prevents proper healing or their body simply isn’t able to repair itself (for example, regenerate tissue), which is necessary even with the advancements in medicine that help it along.
Accepting a quick settlement can leave victims without sufficient compensation
Malunion and nonunion fractures are just two examples of how the healing process after a serious collision can never be predicted. That’s why it’s critical not to accept a settlement – even if it seems like a fair one – until you know the full extent and cost of your injuries and treatment. Accepting a settlement typically means agreeing that you can’t receive further payment later if something changes.
A settlement offer can be difficult to turn down if you’ve got hospital and doctor bills coming in. However, with sound legal guidance, you can help ensure that you keep the big picture in mind and get the compensation you need.