One of the most common types of bone fractures presenting to trauma centers is those involving the hip. Hip fractures are often the result of a slip and fall, severe trauma, and motor vehicle collisions. Such injuries have a high mortality and morbidity rate, and surgical management is often necessary to reduce these rates. Hip injuries from an accident may impact an individual’s life in the days, months, and years to come, as extensive medical treatment and time for recovery are necessary.

If you have suffered a hip fracture in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, turn to our experienced personal injury lawyers in the Sacramento area for help. Get started today and receive free, friendly case advice by calling our legal team at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400.

Our personal injury law firm has over three decades of experience working with injured parties in California. Our accident attorneys will ensure that the voices of those we represent are heard and that they receive the support they need throughout the process. While each crash is unique, our legal team will help you obtain the financial compensation you need to help you get your life back on track. We handle cases under a contingency fee arrangement, which means that no fees are due until we recover fair compensation on your behalf. Contact our law office today to speak with an experienced hip fracture attorney about your personal injury case.

According to OrthoInfo of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS), over 300,000 individuals in the United States suffer a broken hip. Most of these bone fractures tend to occur in elderly patients hurt in a community or household fall. The high incidence of hip fractures in the elderly is often attributed to the increase in slip and fall accidents and the decline in bone mineral density with age.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 75 percent of all hip fracture cases reported have involved females as they are more likely to fall than their male counterparts, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Conversely, women are more likely to develop osteoporosis, a disease that may weaken the bones, making them more susceptible to breaking.

The symptoms of a broken hip may include:

• Difficulty walking or getting up from a fall
• Inability to bear weight on the leg on the side of the injured hip
• Leg presents a shorter length on the side of the affected hip
• Severe pain in the groin or hip
• Stiff feeling or loss of motion when lifting the leg or rotating the leg inward
• Swelling or bruising that may present within the hip area

Seeking immediate medical treatment is necessary to identify the site of injury and evaluate possible accompanying injuries, such as femoral shaft fractures, knee trauma, and spinal cord injuries.

Treatment of a broken hip may typically involve a combination of medication, surgical intervention, and rehabilitation. The type of surgical technique will depend on the location and severity of the bone fracture, whether the broken bones are displaced, the age of the patient, and whether the patient is presenting with underlying health conditions. The types of surgery for hip fractures may include the following:

• Partial Hip Replacement: This surgical procedure involves removing and replacing the ball of the hip joint (head of the femur). A hip implant is then performed by attaching metal or ceramic ball to a metal stem that is set down into the core of the femur bone. The two ways that the femur is fixed are through polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) or bone cement and uncemented to the bone through bony growth into an implant with a porous coating.
• Total Hip Replacement: Also known as total hip arthroplasty, this type of surgery involves removing and replacing damaged cartilage and bone with prosthetic components. The ball and the socket are both replaced during total hip replacement.
• Internal Repair: This type of surgical technique involves the stabilization of broken bones with surgical plates, rods, nails, or screws. Such hip repair surgery is often reserved for patients presenting with fractures that may be appropriately aligned.

A physician might recommend a total or partial hip replacement if the blood supply to the top of the femur (ball part of the hip joint) was damaged during the bone fracture. This type of injury is common in older patients presenting with femoral neck fractures. Such procedures are generally recommended due to the potential for nonunion.

The complications that may follow a break in the hip bone are multi-factorial and extensive. According to a previous case study, the rate of infection after surgical intervention of a fractured hip varies between 0.6 to 3.6 percent. However, these rates may vary depending on the type of surgery. Other complications with surgical management may include wound issues, neurovascular injury, bleeding, and postoperative pain.

The recognized complications for fixation devices may include nonunion, avascular necrosis, and metalwork failure or fixation. Conversely, complications with arthroplasty may consist of periprosthetic fractures, discrepancies in the length of the leg, wear, loosening, and dislocation. Aside from these, some of the potential medical complications accompanying a broken hip may include acute kidney injury, anemia, deep venous thrombosis, delirium, heart failure (myocardial infarction), pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, and urinary infection or retention.

Of the many ways that individuals may get hurt, motor vehicle collisions are one of the most devastating and prevalent. Getting into a car accident may have life-changing consequences for the injured party and their loved ones. The aftermath of the incident, including traumatic injuries and mounting medical expenses, may be challenging to handle. The other consequences that may follow such situations may include lost wages, permanent disability in some extreme cases, and emotional trauma, all of which may be even more stressful to deal with.

When another party or entity was found at fault for the incident, the injured party may be entitled to financial compensation through a personal injury claim. The process is not always straightforward as insurance companies operate in their favor and often use tactics and strategies in an attempt to devalue, delay, or deny claims. With the assistance of a top-rated accident attorney who is well-versed in California’s personal injury laws, an injured party may rest assured knowing that their lawyer will work diligently to obtain the best possible results on their behalf when working with difficult insurers.

Insurance companies often attempt to settle bodily injury claims for pennies on the dollar to protect their bottom line. While claimants may be under the impression that claims adjusters are sympathetic and are looking out for them, nothing may be further from the truth. The unfortunate reality is that insurers are in the business of settling claims for the lowest amount possible and will often resort to defense tactics to accomplish that goal. This may make it challenging for an injured party to obtain fair compensation for accident-related damages without the assistance of a skilled injury lawyer.

Retaining legal counsel is essential to recovering the financial recovery you need for your injuries and losses incurred. It may make a difference in the outcome of a personal injury case as an attorney may conduct an independent investigation of the accident, gather the evidence necessary to establish fault and damages and work with experts in the field to build a strong case for fair compensation. 

A lawyer will also understand the immense physical pain and emotional trauma that may come with suffering a traumatic injury, such as a hip fracture, and will provide the case with the utmost compassion and dedication it deserves. For details on how to find the best attorney to handle your broken hip case, watch this video.

Another reason why it is essential to hire a personal injury lawyer for a hip fracture case is because they will work to ensure all deadlines are met. Under the California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1, a claimant has two years from the date of the incident to file a lawsuit. If an injured party attempts to file suit after the deadline has passed, the court will likely refuse to hear the case, and the right to seek financial compensation may be lost.

While two years may seem like ample time, it may pass by quickly, particularly when undergoing medical treatment for traumatic injuries such as a broken hip. Therefore, time is of the essence in personal injury cases. It is crucial to act quickly to ensure that all evidence is gathered and preserved before being lost or destroyed. Working with an experienced accident attorney may simplify the process as they may protect your rights and work diligently to obtain the financial recovery you need for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other accident-related losses.

Attempting to bring a personal injury claim after an accident on your own may be a stressful and overwhelming process, mainly when dealing with traumatic injuries such as a hip fracture. Fortunately, an experienced injury lawyer may help you through the legal process, hold the at-fault party accountable for the harm they have caused, and obtain the favorable case result you deserve.

Our law firm represents those injured in accidents in Sacramento County and across California. Learn how our hip fracture attorneys can help you with your personal injury case today by calling (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400. A member of our legal team is available anytime to go over the details of your case and provide free, friendly advice on how to move forward in your situation.

^{Editor’s Note: updated for accuracy and relevancy [cha 4.13.23]}

^{Photo Source: By “IvanSamkov” via Pexels}

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