Close-up of a person's foot in a cast, resting on a cushion, with a blurred background.

A broken bone is far more than a minor setback—it is a painful, disruptive injury that can instantly derail your daily life, your ability to work, and your financial stability. Whether you suffered a complex fracture in a car accident on I-235, a severe break from a slip-and-fall on an icy sidewalk, or a crush injury on a local job site, the road to recovery is often long and expensive. Between emergency room fees, specialized orthopedic surgeries, physical therapy, and weeks or months of lost wages, the bills can pile up quickly. When a fracture is caused by someone else’s negligence, you should not have to shoulder these staggering physical and financial burdens alone.

At MSMC Injury Lawyers, our catastrophic injury lawyers understand that a broken bone can impact your long-term mobility and overall quality of life. Under Iowa law, you have a limited window of time to hold the responsible party accountable and pursue the compensation you need for medical bills, rehabilitation, and pain and suffering. Our dedicated legal team is ready to handle the insurance companies, gather the critical medical evidence, and build a powerful case on your behalf so you can focus entirely on healing. Don’t let an unexpected injury jeopardize your future. Contact our Des Moines office today to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation.

Symptoms and Types of Broken Bones

Not all fractures are alike, and some are more serious than others. Depending on the type of fracture, medical diagnosis and treatment can differ. There are also risk factors that can make a fracture more likely in some people than others, such as age.

Symptoms of Broken Bones

If you’re wondering whether you have a broken bone after an accident, there are several symptoms that can indicate a fracture. Some of these include:

  • Pain
  • Tenderness
  • Bruising or discoloration
  • Swelling
  • Not being able to move a body part like usual
  • A deformity that you can see or feel

Types of Broken Bones

  • Open Fracture: A bone breaks through the skin, sometimes called a compound fracture.
  • Closed Fracture: The bone is broken but does not break through the skin.
  • Transverse and Oblique Fractures: The bone breaks in a straight or angled line across its width.
  • Comminuted and Segmental Fractures: The bone breaks into several pieces or along an uneven break line.
  • Avulsion Fracture: A piece of bone attached to a ligament or tendon pulls away from the main bone.
  • Compression Fracture: Too much pressure causes the bone to collapse and fracture.
  • Stress Fracture: A small crack forms in the bone, often from repeated force over time.

Accidents That Can Result in Broken Bones

Some types of accidents can often cause broken bones. If you have been involved in one of these accidents, even if you feel fine in the first few days afterward, it’s essential to get checked by a medical professional because some symptoms may not fully appear immediately after the accident.

Typical accidents resulting in broken bones include:

Our skilled and experienced lawyers at MSMC Injury Lawyers advocate aggressively for our clients if they’ve suffered an injury due to someone else’s negligence.

You should not face mounting medical bills, time off work, and an uncertain future because of careless or reckless behavior by another driver, employer, or property owner. To find out more about how we can help, contact us for a free consultation.

Des Moines, Iowa Medical Facilities Where Bone Fractures Can Be Treated

When a person suffers a bone fracture in Des Moines, there are several facilities where they can receive medical treatment. These include:

Des Moines Attractions, Industries, and Locations Where Fracture Injuries Can Happen

Some Des Moines recreational areas, amusement parks, walking and hiking trails, and workplaces can be the location where falls and accidents result in broken bones. Examples include:

  • Lauridsen Skatepark: The largest public skatepark in the nation, located along the Des Moines River.
  • Adventureland Resort: A major amusement park offering rollercoasters and water rides.
  • Gray’s Lake Park: Popular for water activities, walking, and scenic views of the downtown skyline.
  • Winter Activities: Locations such as Sleepy Hollow Sports Park and icy downtown surfaces.
  • Downtown Riverwalk: Crowded events, walking trails, and riverside activities.
  • Work Sites (Construction and Manufacturing): Industrial sites across the metro where falls and crush injuries can occur.
  • Recreational Trails and Parks: The Des Moines area offers extensive biking and running trails where falls can happen.

Compensation You May Be Entitled To

If you’ve suffered a bone fracture in an accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation. This includes economic and non-economic damages.

Economic

  • Doctor, hospital, and emergency treatment
  • Long-term rehabilitation
  • Lifelong medical care
  • Lost wages
  • Loss of future earning capacity

Non-Economic

  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress, including anxiety, depression, fear, and PTSD
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Loss of consortium

Statute of Limitations for Filing a Personal Injury Claim in Des Moines

The statute of limitations in Iowa to file most personal injury claims is two years from the date of the injury. Missing this deadline often means being barred from recovering compensation.

Make sure you consult an attorney as soon as possible after a bone fracture accident to protect your legal rights and preserve your opportunity to recover damages.

Des Moines and Iowa Information on Accidents Resulting in Broken Bones

In Iowa, falls are the leading cause of unintentional injury-related hospitalizations, resulting in more than 9,000 hospitalizations and 90,000 emergency department visits annually. The Iowa Clinic near Des Moines has even introduced “Walk-In Wednesdays” to treat foot and ankle injuries, including fractures, without an appointment.

The following data provides insight into how and why broken bones occur in Des Moines:

  • Winter Hazards: Des Moines National Weather Service cautions that freezing temperatures and winter weather can lead to fall injuries, including broken bones.
  • Common Work Injuries: Calcaneus (heel bone) fractures occur across Iowa, often from falls from elevated surfaces or car accidents, and can lead to lasting work restrictions.
  • Older Adults at Higher Risk: In Iowa, fall-related deaths have risen fastest among adults aged 85 and older, according to Iowa HHS.

MSMC Injury Lawyers Fight for the Compensation Clients Deserve

If you or a loved one has suffered a fracture in a Des Moines accident due to someone else’s negligence, MSMC Injury Lawyers can assess your case to determine the compensation you may be entitled to.

Our professional and caring catastrophic injury legal team treats clients with the respect and compassion they deserve. To find out more about how we can help, contact us today for a free initial consultation about your case.

CASES WE HANDLE

We Help You Navigate What’s Next.

Call Us Today! (515) 444-4000

Case Results

Our Attorneys

Smiling man in dark suit sitting on a leather couch with hands clasped, white shirt and pocket square, blue wall background.

Adam Bates

Smiling man in a green blazer sitting on a leather chair against a paneled wall.

Nick Cooling

A man in a blue suit sits on a leather couch, smiling, with a paneled wall in the background.

Connor Mulholland

Smiling person in glasses and a tan blazer with a white shirt, standing against a blue background.

Alex Cardenas

Professional man in a blue suit and tie with a light background, looking confident and poised.

Robert P. Maxey

Schedule Free Consultation

Practice Areas

  • Car crashed into a tree icon, depicting a vehicle accident with smoke rising.
    Car Accidents
  • Icon of a delivery truck in olive green, featuring three wheels and a large rectangular cargo area.
    Truck Accidents
  • Icon of a minimalist scooter in outline style, featuring handlebars, front wheel, and headlights.
    Motorcycle Accidents
  • Minimalistic icon of a car front view, featuring simple lines in a monochrome style, symbolizing transportation.
    Rideshare Accidents
  • Illustration of a person walking on a pedestrian crosswalk, highlighting road safety and pedestrian awareness.
    Pedestrian Accidents
  • Icon of two workers with hard hats on a conveyor belt, handling boxes.
    Workers' Compensation
  • Minimalist brain icon in olive green, showcasing a network of connected lines and nodes, symbolizing intelligence and cognition.
    Brain Injury
  • Icon of a visa document with a photograph and text lines, representing travel documentation or immigration process.
    Immigration
A diverse group of 13 professionals in business attire standing together against a gray wall.

Get your Free Consultation*

Fill out the form below to schedule a consultation.

Man and woman discussing paperwork in an office with colorful artwork in the background.