The shoulder is one of the most complicated and sophisticated joints in the human body. It has the widest range of motion of any joint in the body. Since it is considered a unique joint, it is also vulnerable to trauma. A break in any of the bones in the shoulder may cause severe pain and significant mobility impairments.

If you sustained a fractured shoulder in an accident, contact our personal injury attorneys for free, friendly advice regarding your potential claim at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400. Our lawyers are available anytime to review your shoulder fracture case and answer any questions you may have.

At our personal injury law firm, we have served clients who have sustained fractured shoulders in accidents in Sacramento County and throughout California since 1982. Regardless of how you fractured your shoulder, you may have a right to bring a personal injury case for resulting damages. Before you speak to the insurance company regarding your claim, consult with a personal injury attorney experienced in handling bone fracture cases like yours. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with one of our shoulder fracture lawyers to learn about your potential options for recovery.

The shoulder is made up of three bones, including the:

• Clavicle (collar bone)
• Humerus (arm bone)
• Scapula (shoulder blade)

The humerus, clavicle, and scapula are joined together by soft tissues (muscles, joint capsule, tendons, and ligaments) to allow movement of the arm.

The shoulder is comprised of three joints that include:

• Acromioclavicular Joint
• Glenohumeral Joint
• Sternoclavicular Joint

According to OrthoInfo of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), the three types of fractured shoulders include:

• Clavicle Fracture (collar bone)
• Proximal Humerus Fracture (top of the upper arm bone)
• Scapula Fracture (shoulder blade)

The signs of a shoulder fracture will depend on the specific type of broken bone. The general symptoms include:

• Bruising, swelling, and pain
• Difficulty moving the shoulder
• Grinding sensation from shoulder movement
• Obvious deformity

The signs of a clavicle fracture include:

• A bump in the injured area caused by the prominent ends of the broken bone under the skin
• Swelling in the middle of the collarbone area
• The range of motion for the affected shoulder is limited

The symptoms of a proximal humerus fracture include:

• Minimal shoulder movement
• Serious swelling of the shoulder
• Severe pain

The signs of a scapular fracture include:

• Pain in the affected area
• Severe shoulder blade bruising
• Swelling of the injury site

An orthopaedic specialist may diagnose a shoulder fracture by ordering advanced imaging tests. This will help the medical professional determine the exact location of the bone fracture and the severity of the trauma. Such imaging tests include:

• Computerized tomography (CT) scan: Through a CT scanner, multiple X-rays are taken, and a computer is used to produce detailed photos of the shoulder.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): An MRI scanner uses a high-powered computer and magnet to produce a high-resolution image of the shoulder and the structures that surround it.
• X-rays: An x-ray film of the shoulder may show a fracture, osteoarthritis, or dislocation. However, an x-ray film may not diagnose a tendon or muscle injury.

According to Penn Medicine, a non-displaced fracture of the shoulder may be treated through the following conservative techniques:

• Applying ice to the injured shoulder without direct contact with the skin
• Immobilization with an arm wrap or sling to promote healing of the broken bone
• Malunion and non-union shoulder fracture surgery
• Oral medications for pain management
• Partial shoulder replacement surgery
• Range of motion exercises and physical therapy once the bones have started to heal and under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist
• Reverse total shoulder replacement
• Shoulder fracture fixation surgery

The type of treatment selected for the patient will depend on their activity level, the site of the fracture, and the severity of the trauma.

A patient presenting with a shoulder fracture may be severely impacted for a few weeks or even months. A fractured shoulder often requires a period of immobilization and rehabilitation. If the trauma is not severe, there may be a return of function and quick improvement after the first four to six weeks of the injury.

Shoulder exercises may help the patient regain muscle strength, improve range of motion, and decrease stiffness in the injured area. These exercises are usually a part of a program supervised by a physical therapist.

According to the American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH), a fractured shoulder may occur from:

• Contact sports
• Direct fall on the shoulder
• Motor vehicle collisions

Suffering a broken shoulder in an accident may have a significant impact on your life. In terms of physical consequences, you may be left suffering from a loss of mobility, pain, and swelling. Surgery may be required for such a serious injury. You may feel overwhelmed because of mounting medical expenses and time lost from work to recover.

If the shoulder fracture was caused by someone else’s negligence, you might be entitled to compensation for damages incurred. Contact an experienced shoulder fracture lawyer in California for more details. An attorney will provide an informed perspective about the facts and circumstances of your case, protect you from difficult insurance companies, and take your case to court, if necessary.

Our law firm handles shoulder fracture cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no attorneys’ fees unless we recover fair compensation on your behalf. Schedule a free case evaluation today to learn about your potential options for financial recovery moving forward.

Our personal injury law firm represents those who have sustained various types of shoulder fractures in catastrophic accidents. Our injury lawyers are mindful of the long-term impact of such injuries. We know the best way to proceed with a strong case for compensation of economic and non-economic damages. These include:

• Costs of past and future medical treatment that is deemed reasonable and necessary
• Lost wages and loss of future earnings resulting from the fractured shoulder
• Out of pocket expenses to provide accommodations to a patient presenting with a broken shoulder
• Pain and suffering for the physical pain and emotional suffering that comes with a shoulder fracture

If you suffered a broken shoulder because of an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, contact one of our skilled California shoulder fracture lawyers today. Our legal team is available anytime to review your case through a free consultation and answer any questions you may have regarding the claims process.

The value of a bodily injury claim for a fractured shoulder will vary upon the facts and circumstances of the case. The settlement value will also depend on the amount of bodily injury liability coverage available, how the claimant’s life has been affected, and the challenges that are specific to this type of injury.

Recovering personal injury compensation for an accident may seem like a straightforward process to the injured party. However, California laws and insurance policy terms may make things more challenging than that. Many restrictions and provisions may confuse injured claimants. This is especially true when it comes to insurance companies devaluing, disputing, or denying bodily injury claims.

Each personal injury case is subject to a statute of limitations, a deadline in which a lawsuit must be filed in civil court. Under the California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1, a personal injury suit for a shoulder fracture must be filed within two years of the incident date. However, some exceptions may shorten or extend the statute of limitations.

In cases against government entities, there are notice requirements. Under the California Government Code Section 911.2, a notice of claim must be filed with the appropriate government agency within 180 days or six months from the incident date.

In action for a fractured shoulder against a healthcare provider, a case based on that medical professional’s alleged negligence must be filed within three years from the injury date. If the trauma is not detected immediately, the injured party has three years from the injury diagnosis date to file a lawsuit. The statute of limitations will depend on whichever of the two situations occurs first, as outlined in the California Code of Civil Procedure Section 340.5.

If you are unsure about the statute of limitations that applies to your personal injury claim in California, it is essential to contact an experienced shoulder fracture lawyer in Sacramento to discuss your case. For details on how to find the best attorney to handle your bodily injury claim, watch the video below.

A fractured shoulder is a serious legal matter. For this reason, it is essential to speak with a skilled California personal injury lawyer regarding your case. An attorney can best explain the challenging process of bringing a bodily injury claim against an insurance company in California.

Our Sacramento shoulder fracture lawyers are available anytime to review your potential claim, answer any questions you may have, and provide guidance regarding the steps you should take for recovery. Reach out to our legal team today to schedule a free case evaluation with one of our injury lawyers at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400. We look forward to speaking with you and helping you through this difficult time.

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

^{Image Source: By “Karolina Grabowska” via Pixabay}

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