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Seattle Pelvic Fracture Lawyers
Strong representation when accidents break a pelvic bone
Severe pelvic fractures from falls, car accidents, construction accidents, and other causes normally require surgery. Often, these high-impact accidents cause two or more breaks. The complications may include severe bleeding, chronic pain, reduced mobility, and damage to the nerves, organs, and blood vessels near the pelvis. Pelvic fractures can be life-threatening. At Smith McBroom, we work with investigators and others to show how your accident happened, and who is responsible for your injuries. Our Seattle pelvic fracture lawyers seek complete compensation for your financial injuries and personal suffering. Call us for help today.
How can we help?
- What types of accidents cause pelvic fractures?
- Who is responsible when I injure my pelvis in Seattle?
- What are the different types of pelvic fractures?
- What are the symptoms of pelvic fractures?
- How are pelvic fractures diagnosed in Seattle?
- What are the treatments for pelvic fractures?
- What complications can occur due to pelvic bone breaks?
- What is the value of my pelvic fracture claim in Washington?
- Do you have a Seattle pelvic fracture injury lawyer near me?
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What types of accidents cause pelvic fractures?
Pelvic fractures are often due to high-impact events. These events include the following types of accidents that Smith McBroom handles:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Construction accidents
- Falls from heights
- Negligent security
- Defective products, such as defective ladders and scaffolds
- Unsupervised athletic activities
Who is responsible when I injure my pelvis in Seattle?
The defendants in pelvic fracture accidents may include:
- Car, truck, and other vehicle drivers
- Construction companies
- Property owners
- Manufacturers of defective products, such as defective seatbelts and airbags
- Youth organizations
- Maintenance and repair companies
- Other defendants
At Smith McBroom, our catastrophic injury lawyers file personal injury claims against any person or entity who failed in their duty to protect you from harm.
What are the different types of pelvic fractures?
Your pelvis consists of the following bones, according to the Cleveland Clinic:
- “The sacrum (the large triangle-shaped bone at the base of your spine).
- The coccyx (tailbone).
- The hip bones, which include the ilium, ischium and pubis.”
Your pelvis helps to protect your nerves, organs, blood vessels, and your reproductive organs, bladder, and part of your digestive tract. Your pelvis also supports your leg muscles.
The types of pelvic fractures include:
- Closed or compound (open) fracture. An open/compound fracture means that the broken bone pierces the skin.
- Complete fractures. This fracture involves bones that break into two pieces.
- Displaced fractures. “A gap forms where your bone is fractured.”
- Partial fractures. The break doesn’t go all the way through the bone.
- Stress fractures. Your bone cracks.
Pelvic fractures are also categorized as stable or unstable. A stable pelvic fracture involves just one break. Stable fractures are often due to minor falls or running injuries. An unstable fracture involves two or more breaks. Car crashes are common causes of pelvic fractures.
An avulsion fracture occurs when “a tendon or ligament tears away from the bone it’s attached to, taking a small fragment of bone with it.”
How are pelvic fractures diagnosed in Seattle?
Doctors will conduct a physical exam and order an X-ray of your pelvic area. X-rays are regularly used to examine the location and severity of bone breaks.
Other imaging tests include:
- Computed tomography (CT) scans that use multiple X-rays to examine your pelvis from different angles. CT scans provide more detail than standard X-rays.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tests that use radio waves, a large magnet, and a computer to provide detailed bone and organ images.
What are the treatments for pelvic fractures?
The treatments vary depending on the severity of the fracture, the type and pattern of the fracture, and which bones are displaced.
Mild and stable fractures that don’t involve displacement are usually treated with rest and assistive devices (such as a cane, walker, or wheelchair) to take pressure off your legs. It’s common to use these aids for about three months. Your doctor may prescribe pain relievers and blood thinners.
Severe and unstable fractures usually require one of the following types of surgeries:
- External fixation. This surgery is used to stabilize the injured pelvic area using metal pins and screws inserted into the bones. “The pins and screws stick out of your skin on both sides of your pelvis and are attached to bars outside of your body.” Once the pelvis heals, the pins and screws are removed.
- Skeletal traction. This surgical method involves a pulley system and the use of metal pins (that stick out of your thighbone or shinbone). Weights are attached to the pins to keep the bone fragments in position.
- Open reduction and internal fixation. This surgical technique repositions the broken bones into their normal alignment. Screws and plates hold the fragments together.
What complications can occur due to pelvic bone breaks?
Unstable, complex fractures can be life-threatening because the fractures can damage your body’s blood vessels, organs, and nerves which can cause severe bleeding, organ failure, and infections. Other complications can include chronic pain, deep vein thrombosis (a type of blood clot), impaired mobility, and sexual dysfunction.
What is the value of my pelvic fracture claim in Washington?
Our Seattle personal injury lawyers work with your doctors to understand the full severity of your injuries. We demand compensation for all your current and future:
- Medical expenses, including ER care, surgeries, hospitalizations, rehabilitative therapy, assistive devices, and medications
- Income loss, including compensation if you can’t work again
- Daily physical pain and emotional suffering
- Loss of bodily function
Loss of quality of life - Loss of consortium
We also seek punitive damages if the conduct of the defendant was especially egregious, such as when a drunk driver causes an accident, or your pelvic injuries are due to any type of violence.
Do you have a Seattle pelvic fracture injury lawyer near me?
At Smith McBroom, we consult with personal injury victims at our Seattle office at 16400 Southcenter Parkway Suite 210. If your fracture makes it too difficult to come to our office, we will meet you at a convenient location. We also consult with clients by phone and through online conferences. We’ll guide you through each step of the claims process.
Talk with our accomplished Seattle pelvic fracture attorneys now
Pelvic fractures make every part of your life difficult, including sitting, walking, sleeping, and driving. At Smith McBroom, we’re respected throughout Washington for our ability to prepare every part of your case, negotiate with insurance companies, and argue your case before a jury. To schedule a free consultation with our Seattle pelvic fracture lawyers, please call us or complete our contact form. We’re ready to help you today.