
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:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Pedestrian collisions
- Slips and falls
- Workplace incidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Sports injuries
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:
- MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center: Offers emergency care for fractures, with locations in Des Moines and West Des Moines
- Advanced Surgery Center of Central Iowa: Specializes in orthopedic trauma and surgical fracture treatment
- Iowa Ortho Orthopedic Urgent Care: Locations in Des Moines and other Iowa cities, treating fractures and other bone injuries
- DMOS Orthopedic Centers: Offers fracture trauma care, urgent injury treatment, MRI and X-ray services, and orthobiologics.
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.
