Author: AndreaRivera

Bone fractures are some of the most common injuries in the United States, and there are many types of fractures. Two of the most common are simple and compound, and each requires specialized treatment depending on its severity, the overall medical status of the victim, and the location of the fracture on the body. Simple fractures tend to heal more easily and with less invasive methods than compound fractures, and it’s possible for a compound fracture to cause additional medical problems.

Simple Fractures

Mild bone fractures generally fall under the category of “simple” fractures. A simple fracture is any broken bone that does not penetrate the surrounding tissues. This can happen in many different ways, such as:

• Stress fractures. These are hairline cracks in the bone resulting from repetitive motions, overuse, or old injuries.
• Pathologic fractures. These result from diseases like osteoporosis that weaken bones and leave them susceptible to breakage.
• Comminuted fractures, in which a bone breaks into several shards.
• Greenstick fractures. These describe cases in which a bone bends but does not completely break. Much like a branch from a young tree is difficult to break due to the green, fibrous wood under the bark; young children’s bones are more pliable than adults, so these fractures are common in very young children.
• Transverse fractures, which cross the bone perpendicular to the shaft or long portion of the bone.
• Oblique fractures, which run at an angle across the bone.

Any of these types of fractures could qualify as “simple” fractures if the affected bones do not break the skin. Each type requires specialized treatment, but they do not pose the same risks as compound fractures. The recovery time for a simple fracture will vary based on its severity, location, and the overall health of the victim.

Compound Fractures

The defining factor of a compound fracture is when the broken bone protrudes through the skin. Compound fractures are emergencies requiring immediate medical attention. They are open wounds, so a victim of a compound fracture is susceptible to infections in the deep tissues of the affected area. An unaddressed compound fracture may become infected or gangrenous, and such an injury in one of the extremities could necessitate amputation.

A compound fracture will require surgery to correct. Depending on the location of the fracture, the patient may require steel plates, screws, or steel rods to keep the bones in the correct places so they heal as well as possible. Many compound fractures will lead to chronic pain and leave victims more susceptible to future injuries. It’s important to remember that it may be difficult to identify a compound fracture at first. For example, a compound fracture in a leg may not leave much of a visible mark on the exterior of the skin, but the victim is still highly vulnerable to infection and shock. Compound fractures are also incredibly painful both initially and during recovery.

Legal Concerns for Bone Fractures

If you or a loved one suffered a bone fracture due to the negligence of another party, you can recover compensation for your damages through a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible party. The jury takes the pain and suffering involved in an injury into account when deciding compensation for plaintiffs, so a compound fracture that was likely very painful and required much more extensive corrective treatment than a simple fracture will likely yield much more in pain and suffering damages.

It’s important to remember that any type of bone fracture can lead to secondary medical complications, long-term disability or impaired range of motion, and may interfere with the victim’s ability to work. In these cases, a personal injury lawyer will be a tremendous asset for recovering compensation after a bone fracture injury.

Punctured lungs are serious injuries that restrict the person’s ability to breathe. Beyond oxygen deprivation, a punctured lung can lead to many other serious conditions without treatment. However, medical care can eliminate most of the future health complications of punctured lungs with quickly administered treatment.

Because it is an internal injury, recognizing that you have a punctured lung can be difficult. When you take the time to learn the warning signs, you can improve your chances of receiving proper treatment and making a proper recovery. If you’ve suffered a punctured lung after an accident, talk to an Atlanta personal injury lawyer after seeking medical attention.

What Is a Punctured Lung?

Punctured lungs are also known as collapsed lungs or pneumothorax. They occur when air starts to fill in between two layers of your lung’s tissue lining. The air puts pressure on the main lung, restricting how much it can expand and results in trouble with breathing.

Most often, punctured lungs occur due to trauma on the chest. Any sort of accident, from motor vehicle to slip and fall, that results in a hard impact may potentially lead to a punctured lung. In some cases, the outside trauma will open a tear in the lung. In others, a broken rib will puncture the tissue lining. Sometimes, punctured lungs can develop without any direct cause.

A punctured lung can also lead to other medical conditions, such as inflammation, shock, and fluid in the lungs.

Symptoms of a Punctured Lung

Because of the potential risks associated with punctured lungs, it is important for you to recognize any potential symptoms. The easiest indicator to notice is chest pain. Even slight pain that seems like general soreness may be an indicator of a punctured lung after an accident. You should report any signs of chest pain to a paramedic, especially if you only feel pain on one side.

Other symptoms can include:

• Chest pain that sharpens when you inhale, cough, or take deep breaths
• Chest tightness or discomfort
• Difficulties with breathing
• Dry cough
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Increased heart rate or weakened pulse
• Pale or blue skin

While many signs of a punctured lung exist, not all injuries are immediately apparent. Sometimes adrenaline may dull your recognition or symptoms, or the signs may start to show late. Because of the potential risk for punctured lung and other conditions, such as traumatic brain injuries, you should always seek medical treatment after any accident. If you are exhibiting symptoms, seek immediate medical help.

Treatment for a Punctured Lung

The severity of the injury will affect the exact treatment approach taken. Some possible treatments involve using a needle to release unwanted air pressure, draining the air with a tube in the chest, surgery to repair damaged lung tissue, and supplying oxygen while the lung heals itself. With prompt medical attention, most punctured lungs will heal within six to eight weeks.

A punctured lung may reoccur if you are in another accident or put too much strain on yourself. As you recover, you will need plenty of rest. Most likely, you will need to take time off from work. Other recovery steps can include taking medication, wearing loose clothing, avoiding driving, and sleeping in an elevated position.

If you have suffered a punctured lung or similar injury in an accident, then you may be eligible to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, disability, and pain and suffering. Contact the attorneys at Cruz & Associates for a free consultation. We can help you determine liability, understand your rightful compensation, and fight for your case in court so that you can focus on recovery. We’ve been helping clients for more than 25 years. Let us do the same for you.

Empowering Clients: The Impact of Law Firm Community Involvement

Serving as trusted advisors and legal representatives, lawyers play a crucial role in society for individuals seeking guidance and recourse. Their profession may often be demanding and complex. However, attorneys still find fulfillment in assisting their clients navigate legal matters and attain favorable results.

Beyond their professional duties, lawyers can have a profound impact by actively engaging in their communities. This article will explore how their efforts ultimately benefit their clients in various ways.

Fulfilling Social Responsibility

By engaging in volunteer work, supporting charitable organizations, or participating in local events, law firms can contribute positively to society. Such involvement reflects a commitment to making a difference in the community, which aligns with clients’ values and expectations.

Sharing Expertise and Knowledge

One of the primary advantages of law firm community involvement is the opportunity for attorneys to share their legal expertise and knowledge with others in the community. Through educational programs, workshops, or speaking engagements, lawyers can empower community members to understand their legal rights and take appropriate actions to protect them.

Expanding Networks and Resources

Engaging in community events allows attorneys to form connections with other professionals who are equally invested in making a positive impact in the community. These connections can result in collaborations, partnerships, and opportunities for cross-referrals. By expanding their professional networks, lawyers can provide clients with broader resources and legal expertise.

Creating a Client-Centric Approach

Attorneys who are actively engaged in the community often develop a deeper understanding of the challenges and issues faced by their clientele. This firsthand experience allows them to better empathize with their clients and approach their legal matters with more dedication and commitment.

By being involved in the community, lawyers gain insights that enable them to provide more tailored and effective legal solutions.

Takeaways

The involvement of law firms in the community helps the firm and its members and brings significant advantages to clients. These benefits align with clients’ expectations for legal representation, ensuring they receive comprehensive and effective support.

Need Legal Assistance in Phoenix, Arizona

Cruz & Associates is committed to providing comprehensive legal services tailored to your needs. Our experienced personal injury lawyers understand the importance of community involvement and its impact on client satisfaction. Contact us today to learn how our client-centric approach, informed by community engagement, can help you find the best possible legal solutions for your unique situation.

What’s Next After You Win Your Personal Injury Claim?

With the help of your lawyer, you have won your personal injury case, either through a settlement agreement or a court verdict. You even have a signed document to prove it. So, what’s going to happen after this?

If You Won a Settlement

As far as collecting your compensation, entering into a settlement agreement is the best-case scenario, as it leads to a quicker and less complicated disbursement process. The other party, usually an insurance company, has accepted liability and agreed to compensate you. Most insurers pay settlements within weeks of reaching the agreement, with a specific due date.

You will sign a release once your attorney notifies the court that the case has been settled.

If You Won a Court Verdict

The judge has ruled in your favor, declaring that the other party is legally obligated to provide compensation for your losses. Once the trial is over, some defendants voluntarily pay. In many cases, however, there are still hurdles to overcome.

• The Other Party Files an Appeal
  The only difference for you is a delay in receiving your final payment if the court continues with its initial decision. The insurance company might be using an appeal to get you to settle for a reduced amount instead of waiting for the process to finish. An appeal could also lead to a retrial, creating further delay.
• The Other Party Refuses to Pay
  Most insurers comply with settlements and court orders. However, if your final payment is above or outside the defendant’s insurance coverage, it may become a challenge to recover your damages. Fortunately, your lawyer can use post-judgment remedies to get the liable party to pay.

Your Potential Financial Obligations

Before you receive any funds, you may have some financial responsibilities, including:

• Contingency Fees
  You will owe a part of your award as legal fees if your attorney took your claim on contingency. If your lawyer advanced the expenditure of your case, you will also need to pay these back out of your compensation.
• Medical or Government Liens
  Your healthcare provider may have placed liens on your recompense based on treatments that need to be paid. If you used Medicare or Medicaid to pay your medical bills, you will be required to pay them back out of the proceeds of your settlement.
• Taxes
  Most personal injury court awards and settlements are not subject to tax. However, specific damages may be taxable, including:
  • Awards for lost income
  • Interest on your settlement
  • Previously deducted medical costs
  • Punitive damages

In any case, your attorney can assist you in understanding your obligations and ensure you meet them after you win your personal injury claim.

Let Our Legal Team Review Your Case

A personal injury victim’s journey to recovery can take a long time, but justice is achievable. Our experienced lawyers at Cruz & Associates in Phoenix, Arizona will help you move forward and make the right decision in your case. Contact us today for a consultation.

Monday, June 17, 2024

Cruz & Associates and Cook Law Group, LLC, have successfully negotiated a settlement in a case involving a pedestrian struck by a commercial vehicle while crossing the street on her way to work. The accident resulted in permanent injuries to the pedestrian’s right leg.

The case is notable for two reasons: first, the settlement amount is substantial despite the incident not involving a fatality; second, the settlement was reached after a motion for sanctions was filed, highlighting the concealment of the actual insurance coverage available to the client.

For almost a year, IRG Ventures, represented by Hall Booth Smith, claimed that their insurance policy covered only $1 million. “Given the size of the Defendant’s business, we were suspicious of the low coverage, so we decided to file suit,” stated Ruben Cruz of Cruz & Associates. Again, the defense requested all insurance policies, only to receive the same representation that only $1 million of coverage existed.

However, when the plaintiff’s trial team began requesting and scheduling depositions of the roofing company’s executives, the narrative shifted: after months of discovery asserting there was only $1 million in liability coverage, the defense finally admitted there was actually an additional $10 million excess policy covering the plaintiff’s injuries.

Given the numerous requests made to the company and Hall Booth Smith, P.C., the plaintiff filed a Motion for Sanctions, asking the court to hold a hearing to investigate why the policy was not disclosed and to determine if similar “mishaps” had occurred in other cases involving the same parties.

The filing for the hearing triggered Hall Booth Smith’s departure from the case, resulting in the cancellation of the hearing. The firm was replaced by Dave Dial and Brannon Arnold of Weinberg Wheeler Hudgins Gunn & Dial, who settled the case for $10.1 million, just under the total $11 million policy limit. 

“This case is a prime example of why thorough and complete discovery is essential,” said Matt Cook, lead attorney for the plaintiff. “Without pursuing full discovery and depositions, our client could have easily been misled into accepting what she believed was the full extent of the available insurance and would have never known about the excess policy.”

Josh Bearden of Cook Law Group, LLC, who authored the motion for sanctions, stated, “When such concealments are uncovered in litigation, we have no choice but to turn to the courts for answers regarding why the information was hidden and what other critical details might still be undisclosed.”

Matt Cook further added, “Had we trusted the opposing counsel’s statements about coverage, as we are entitled to do, our client would have been deprived of a just recovery. This kind of misconduct is particularly egregious because concealing coverage in cases involving substantial injuries harms the most vulnerable and deserving clients. The conduct is shameful.”

“The vast majority of my clients are Hispanic, and I’ve noticed there is a tendency for insurance companies and defense firms to lowball Hispanic cases. They try to take advantage of them because they think they’re going to settle for less … And that’s something I’m always very vigilant about and I’m always suspicious about whether we have all the coverage that’s really out there,” Cruz said, recounting that when he first saw the company only had $1 million in policy limits “it didn’t look right” and he enlisted Cook’s firm in the case.

The case was Prieto v. Burkett, et al. and was pending in Gwinnett County State Court.

For further information contact: Ruben Cruz at 404.316.9288