A fractured sternum isn’t your average bruise or scrape. This severe injury to the breastbone — the long, flat bone at the center of your chest — can leave you experiencing intense pain and facing a mountain of medical bills.
A fractured sternum can make everyday movements excruciating, and it can put your job and financial stability at risk. Recovery can often be long and expensive. The good news is that knowing your legal rights can help make a difference.
You may be entitled to financial compensation and benefits to help with medical costs, lost wages, and the pain and suffering you’ve endured. So, please, don’t face this all alone, not when you don’t have to. Instead,— call the experienced New York personal injury attorneys of Schwartzapfel Lawyersat 516-342-2200 or schedule your free consultation with us online today.
What Is A Fractured Sternum?
The sternum, also known as the breastbone, is an important shield for your heart, lungs, and other essential organs. But when a powerful force — like the impact from a car crash or construction accident — strikes your chest, this protective barrier can fracture.
This fracture can lead to severe complications, including damage to nearby organs, which can result in long-term health issues and require extensive medical treatment. To this end, if you or a loved one has suffered a fractured sternum, you need to seek out immediate, qualified medical care.
Furthermore, you’ll need highly qualified legal representation, and the skilled team at Schwartzapfel Lawyers has the experience needed to get you all the money and benefits you deserve. Call us now at 516-342-2200 to learn about all the ways we will fight for you!
What Is A Fractured Sternum Worth?
Now, let’s talk numbers. You’re probably wondering, “What kind of financial recovery can I expect for a fractured sternum?” While it’s impossible to put an exact figure on every case, the range of compensation for this type of injury typically falls between (75,000) and (1.5) million dollars.
Insurance companies often balk at paying out what you truly deserve. They may try to downplay the severity of your injury or offer a lowball settlement that doesn’t fully cover your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. Don’t let them take advantage of you.
How much you actually receive depends on several factors, like the severity of your fracture, the extent of your medical treatment, lost income, and the impact on your quality of life. With the right legal representation, you can fight for the maximum compensation you’re entitled to.
What Types Of Compensation Can You Collect?
When you pursue legal action for a fractured sternum, you may be able to recover two (2) main types of financial compensation: economic damages and non-economic damages. Below, we’ll take a closer look at each type to better understand what they mean.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are the concrete financial losses you suffer due to your injury. These are the costs you can more easily put a price tag on. Economic damages in a fractured sternum case can, for instance, include:
- Medical Expenses: These expenses cover necessities ranging from ambulance rides and emergency room visits to surgeries, hospital stays, medications, physical therapy, and any other treatments you need to heal.
- Lost Wages: If your injury forces you to miss work, you can seek compensation and benefits for the income you would have earned during your recovery period.
- Lost Earning Capacity: In severe cases, a fractured sternum can leave you with lasting impairments that affect your ability to work. If your injury diminishes your future earning potential, you can seek damages to cover this loss.
Keep track of every bill, receipt, and pay stub related to your injury. This documentation is crucial in proving your economic damages and ensuring you receive the full compensation you’re owed.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are the intangible losses that are harder to put a price on. These are the ways your injury affects your life beyond just the financial aspect. Non-economic damages in a fractured sternum case can include but aren’t limited to:
- Physical Pain And Suffering: This type of damage includes the immediate pain from the injury, as well as any ongoing discomfort or chronic pain you may experience.
- Emotional Distress: A serious injury like a fractured sternum can take a toll on your mental health, leading to anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Loss Of Enjoyment Of Life: Your injury may prevent you from participating in activities you once enjoyed, such as hobbies, sports, or spending time with loved ones.
While these damages don’t come with a fixed price tag, they are still a significant part of your overall losses. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you calculate a fair value for your non-economic damages and fight for the compensation you deserve.
What Are The Types Of Damages In A Broken Sternum Injury Case
Below, we’ve broken down the four (4) main areas where you may be eligible to seek damages if you’ve suffered a fractured sternum. Those are:
Medical Bills
Medical bills don’t only include your first trip to the hospital. Medical expenses can include ambulance rides, surgeries, hospital stays, and more. Even pain medications and physical therapy sessions add up.
If your injury needs ongoing care or future surgeries, those costs should be factored in as well. The price tag on your medical care is tied to how bad your fracture is — a minor one might heal quickly, while a more serious break could mean a long and expensive recovery.
Lost Wages
A fractured sternum isn’t a “take a few days off” kind of injury. It can bench you from work for weeks or even months. You shouldn’t have to worry about making ends meet while your body heals.
That’s where compensation for lost wages comes in. If your injury leaves you unable to do your old job or work at all, you could also get compensated for the hit to your future earning potential. Make sure to submit pay stubs and employment records to back up your claim.
Pain And Suffering
A fractured sternum is painful. The sharp chest pain, trouble breathing, and the way it limits your everyday activities can cause a large amount of suffering physically and emotionally.
You might be dealing with everything from depression to PTSD. You deserve compensation, whether it’s for physical pain, emotional pain, or both.
Loss Of Quality Of Life
Think about all the activities you love to do, like playing sports, going out with friends, or even just taking a walk without pain. For many people, these are abilities we take for granted and assume are part of a normal life. However, a fractured sternum can steal it all away in the blink of an eye.
Maybe you can no longer enjoy your favorite hobby. Or you might not even be able to get around your own home without serious modification to your life. This type of loss is immeasurable, and you have the right to seek compensation to help make you whole again.
For more on this and other topics, please call the award-winning team of Schwartzapfel Lawyers at 516-342-2200 or schedule your free consultation with us online today. No matter your situation, it will be our honor and privilege to fight for you!
What Factors Can Influence Your Fractured Sternum Case?
So, how much is your fractured sternum case worth? Several factors come into play, each influencing the potential compensation you could receive:
The Degree Of The Fracture
Was your fracture a hairline crack or completely shattered? The more severe the fracture, the longer the recovery time — and that means more extensive treatment and potentially longer-lasting damage.
Higher medical bills, more time off work (and not earning a wage), and greater pain and suffering can make the value of your claim increase.
Medical Treatment Received
The type and amount of medical care you need also play a role. Did you need surgery? Were you in the hospital for weeks? Are you facing a long road of physical therapy?
These factors affect your current medical costs and could also mean future expenses, like additional surgeries or ongoing treatments.
Possible Future Surgery Needs
Speaking of future surgeries, if your fracture isn’t healing properly or is unstable, you might need another operation down the line. These potential medical needs are important to consider when calculating your total damages.
Shared Responsibility
Sometimes, accidents happen, and no one is really to blame, such as an act of God. However, in many cases, another person’s negligence caused your injury. If the insurance company tries to pin some of the blame on you to reduce their payout, you’ll need a skilled lawyer to fight back and protect your rights.
Remember, even if you share some responsibility, you may still be entitled to financial compensation for your injuries. To this end, you should make sure you have a qualified personal injury attorney on your side. And so, call Schwartzapfel Lawyers now at 516-342-2200 for a free consultation and so much more.
Call Schwartzapfel Lawyers Now!
A fractured sternum can result in lifelong pain and challenges. Make sure you don’t get shortchanged by the insurance companies. With over (150) years of combined experience, the skilled attorneys at Schwartzapfel Lawyers can help you fight for all the money and benefits you deserve.
One phone call could save you miles of headache, heartache, and financial strain down the road. So, please, call us now at 516-342-2200 for a free consultation and allow Schwartzapfel Lawyers the honor and privilege of fighting — and winning! — for you.
DISCLAIMER: Nothing on this page should be considered legal advice. You should seek the appropriate counsel your situation requires. For more information, call 516-342-2200 now!
Sources:
Schwartzapfel Lawyers, P.C. | Fighting For You
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder | National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Stress Fractures: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment | Cleveland Clinic
