Fractures of the femoral shaft are uncommon in the pediatric population. These comprise less than two percent of all pediatric fracture cases. However, this type of fracture is among the most common that require hospitalization in children. Such fractures may require surgical management or prolonged immobilization. When a child suffers a femoral shaft fracture in an accident, parents and legal guardians should know what happened and if the incident was preventable. An experienced accident attorney in California can investigate the case and provide answers to the family’s questions. Unlike the insurance company, your lawyer is committed to making a difference in your family’s lives, building a solid case to tell your story, and obtaining maximum compensation.

Personal injury cases involving minor children differ from those of an adult. Working with a compassionate and skilled lawyer is helpful if your child was injured in an accident. Call our pediatric femoral shaft fracture attorneys for free, friendly advice at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400.

If a child was injured in an accident through the negligence of another party or entity, they might be entitled to financial recovery under California law. If they are under 18, parents and legal guardians must bring a personal injury claim on their behalf. Learn more about the legal process and what to expect from it moving forward by working with a skilled California personal injury lawyer, such as ours, from AutoAccident.com. Since 1982, we have worked hard to secure maximum financial recovery for our clients through insurance settlements or jury verdicts. Call us for a free consultation to learn about our services and how we can help your family through this difficult time. We operate on contingency, meaning you owe us nothing unless we secure a favorable result for your family.

Several mechanisms of injury are noted in femoral shaft fracture cases in the pediatric population. A frequent cause of these injuries is slip-and-falls. Blunt trauma to the leg is a common reason for this type of fracture, including traffic accidents, sports injuries, and crush injuries. However, it may also occur from a tumor (pathologic).

Femoral shaft fractures in children are not isolated injury cases due to their frequent association with motor vehicle collisions and slip-and-fall accidents. A physical exam of a pediatric patient with a femoral shaft fracture may show complaints of severe pain. It may also reveal tenderness and swelling in the mid-thigh region. Pediatric patients must be closely observed for signs of hypotension and shock because of the potential for severe hemorrhage from accompanying injuries.

The treatment options for the pediatric population for femoral shaft fracture management depend on the patient’s age. There is no clear consensus on the recommended treatment modality for femoral shaft fractures in children. However, several options are available, and they will be decided case-by-case.

For children under the age of six, non-operative management is generally indicated. This is attributed to this age group’s notable potential for remodeling. Conservative modalities may include functional bracing, hip spica, traction, and Pavlik harness. Hip spica is indicated for older children, whereas a Pavlik harness has been found to provide optimal outcomes for pediatric patients under six months old.

For children between the ages of six and eleven, flexible intramedullary nails, submuscular plating, external plating, and spica following traction are suitable treatment options. For children over twelve, rigid intramedullary nails may be recommended via trochanteric entry, submuscular plating, external fixation, or flexible intramedullary nails.

An X-ray may be ordered to confirm a femoral shaft fracture in a pediatric patient. Additional X-rays may be needed to rule out fractures in bones in different areas of the body and those in nearby bones. This is due to the significant force required to break the femur.

The goal of pediatric femoral shaft fracture management is a healed fracture and avoidance of associated complications. This may include compartment syndrome, muscle weakness, growth plate disruption, neurovascular injury, infection, unequal lengths of limbs, rotational or angular deformity, and delayed union or nonunion.

In intramedullary nailing, the most common complications may include skin irritation or pain at the nail insertion site caused by the prominent end. Others may consist of excessive shortening leading to limb-length discrepancy and nail protrusion.

After the bone has healed, a physician may recommend physical therapy for a pediatric patient to help strengthen the affected leg. Children should not be rushed into walking until they are ready. A child walking too soon after a femoral shaft fracture may cause additional damage to the injured leg. In some cases, the leg-length discrepancy may be reported. If this occurs, the physician will discuss what options are available for the pediatric patient.

No two motor vehicle collisions or other types of accidents are the same; however, the outcomes are often traumatic and life-changing for those affected. Injured parties may be left with spinal cord injuries, TBIs, chronic pain, and broken bones, such as those that involve the femoral shaft. When a child suffers a bone fracture in an accident caused by a negligent party or entity, it may be devastating for the parents or legal guardians. It is helpful to know that the other side may be held liable for economic and non-economic damages through a personal injury claim on behalf of an injured child.

Like adult claimants, injured children may be entitled to financial recovery for past and future losses. This may include medical treatment, pain and suffering, and other damages. If serious injuries are involved, out-of-pocket expenses for vehicle/home modifications, in-home caregivers, and medical appliances like a wheelchair or crutches may be recoverable. Punitive damages may be awarded if the other side’s actions are deemed egregious, like DUI or speeding excessively. These serve the sole purpose of punishing the at-fault party and discouraging extreme recklessness from them in the future.

When your child has suffered traumatic injuries, such as a femoral shaft fracture, in an accident, it is essential to know what compensation may be available in your child’s case. A skilled attorney will use their knowledge and resources to work with a team of investigators to investigate a claim, analyze evidence, and obtain a successful case result on behalf of an injured child. Discuss your child’s potential femoral shaft fracture case in a free consultation with an experienced accident attorney from our law firm today.

After an accident in California, insurance companies require a notice of claim within a reasonable amount of time. This is generally 48 hours but may vary depending on the contractual language of the insurance plan. Conversely, a personal injury lawsuit must be filed within two years from the date of the incident. It is crucial to note that the time limit may be reduced to 180 days if the case involves the city, county, state, or other public agency. This is by California Government Code Section 911.2.

In the case of a minor child, the two-year statute of limitations that generally applies to personal injury cases is tolled or extended. This means that the minor child must file in civil court two years from their 18th birthday. Failure to file the claim within the applicable deadline may result in its dismissal by the court and the loss of the right to seek compensation. Protect your right to financial recovery by working with a skilled pediatric femoral shaft fracture lawyer from our law firm today.

With years of experience handling personal injury cases arising from all types of accidents, our legal team can help you understand your options for recovery. Call our pediatric femoral shaft fracture lawyers to learn how we can help you with your child’s injury case and receive free, friendly advice at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400. The injury attorneys at AutoAccident.com proudly serve families throughout California and will stop at nothing to obtain the maximum financial recovery you deserve through a settlement or verdict.

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