One of the most common fractures in the pediatric population is those that involve the tibial shaft. They are the third most common long bone fracture in children after the forearm and the femur and account for approximately 15 percent of all fractures in the pediatric population. Around 30 percent of these cases are associated with fibula fractures, while roughly 39 percent occur in the middle third of the tibia. The third most common fracture in pediatric patients with polytrauma is the tibia. Isolated fibula fracture cases are rare but may happen from direct trauma.

If your child suffered injuries, such as a broken tibia or fibula, in an accident caused by a negligent party or entity, our pediatric bone fracture lawyers are here to help your family seek justice and maximum compensation. Call (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly case advice.

As a parent or legal guardian of a minor child injured in an accident, you owe it to yourself and your family to work with a top-rated personal injury lawyer in California to protect your child’s rights and best interests. Since 1982, the legal team at AutoAccident.com has worked hard to secure successful resolutions in cases handled on behalf of our clients, including those that involve pediatric fibula and tibia fractures. Our skilled and compassionate attorneys are here to listen to your story and advise you on what to expect from the claims process in a free consultation.

A tibia and fibula fracture pediatric patient may present with bruising or swelling, visible deformity, various degrees of pain, and difficulty bearing weight on the affected leg. This generally occurs following acute trauma. There may also be findings of decreased ankle and knee range of motion.

A complete patient history must be obtained from the parents and the child. There must be an emphasis on present illnesses, detecting any accompanying injuries, and the trauma mechanism. Other information in patient history should include social history, drug allergy, and surgery.

A physical exam will involve an assessment of the overall demeanor and appearance of the child. This will include whether the pediatric patient interacts with their parents and appears well-nourished, playful, and in good spirits. An evaluation focused on the injured limb will involve a thorough inspection for deformity, bruising, swelling, and any breaks in the skin.

Most fibula and tibia fracture cases in the pediatric population involve non-operative management with manipulation before casting, particularly those that involve minimal to no displacement.

The application of a long-leg cast is indicated for no significant injury or swelling in the soft tissue for four to six weeks. A short-leg cast is applied for progressive weight bearing for an additional four to six weeks.

Case studies suggest that operative techniques are indicated in less than five percent pediatric tibial shaft fracture cases. Depending on the patient’s age and weight, operative management may include plating, rigid intramedullary nails once the proximal tibial physeal has been closed, percutaneous Kirschner wires for soft tissue injury, and flexible intramedullary nailing.

External fixation may be indicated for unstable and severely comminuted fracture cases and those involving significant vascular or soft tissue injury. Closed and open reduction may be required in tibial shaft fracture cases with partial malunion.

Complications from a tibial shaft fracture may include stress fracture, toddler’s fracture, nonunion, growth arrest, and malunion. A corrective osteotomy of the fibula and tibia is indicated for significant residual deformity after skeletal maturation. The purpose of this procedure is to attain restoration of the mechanical axis in the affected limb. If not, premature joint degeneration and ankle and knee symptoms are potentially risky.

While nonunion is rare in bone fracture cases for the pediatric population, it may occur from external fixation, an infection from an intact fibula, and suboptimal immobilization. Approximately one-fourth of open tibial fracture cases in children involve nonunion that increases with age, unstable fractures, infection in the wound site, and worsening soft tissue injury.

Tibial fractures that lead to compartment syndrome are rare in the pediatric population. However, it is the most common cause in adult patients. Early diagnosis and decompression are crucial to avoid severe pain, contractures, and functional disability in pediatric patients.

According to 2019 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 7,000 children succumbed to unintentional injuries.

Some of the most common reasons for unintentional injury in the pediatric population included slip and fall accidents and traffic collisions. Most child injury cases are preventable, according to the CDC.

As a parent or legal guardian, it is devastating and overwhelming for a child to be injured in an incident. While one would not expect a traumatic injury to occur to a child, the unfortunate reality is that injuries occur every day through the negligence of another party or entity. If someone else was to blame for an accident that caused injury to a child, a personal injury claim might be filed against the at-fault party and their insurance company for reimbursement of resulting losses.

Some situations may warrant an uninsured or underinsured motorist claim. For instance, if the at-fault party did not have liability insurance or does not have enough coverage for the claimant’s damage, a claim through UM or UIM may be in place. While the claim will be through the parent or legal guardian’s insurance policy, that does not necessarily mean that the insurer will be fair in compensating their child for the undue harm they have experienced.

An experienced accident attorney will do everything in their power to ensure that maximum compensation is obtained on behalf of a child for their injuries and losses. This may include reimbursement for past and future costs of medical treatment, pain and suffering, permanent disability, and other accident-related losses.

In California, the statute of limitations is tolled or extended in an accident case for a minor child. On the minor’s 18th birthday, they have two years to file for personal injury in civil court. There are exceptions to these deadlines, including those for government entity claims. In these circumstances, a six-month deadline is applicable.

Failure to protect the statute may result in the court not hearing the matter. Therefore, parents or legal guardians need to enlist the assistance of an experienced personal injury lawyer in California to ensure that all filing criteria are followed in their child’s accident case.

In most personal injury cases, it is helpful to consult an injury lawyer for assistance in holding at-fault parties liable for a minor child’s injuries and losses. Filing a lawsuit may be challenging due to the collection and preservation of evidence, drafting and filing of documents, and other steps that must be followed to bring a claim to a resolution. All this may be stressful for a parent or legal guardian.

There are no upfront fees or retainer costs to hire a personal injury lawyer from our law firm to represent you in an accident case. Our legal team operates on contingency, meaning you will only owe attorney’s fees if we obtain a successful verdict or settlement on your behalf. If the case moves into litigation, costs of legal representation generally increase. Contact us for a free case evaluation for more information about our services.

You may face mounting medical expenses and unforeseen losses as a parent or legal guardian of a child injured in an accident. In stressful times like these, you need someone on your side to protect your family’s rights and best interests. Fortunately, your family does not have to look far for the best pediatric fibula and tibia fracture lawyer.

The California personal injury lawyers from our law firm have decades of combined experience handling cases on behalf of minor children. Our legal team will stop at nothing to maximize your financial recovery. Call today to learn more about our services and how we can help at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400.

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