A Single Broken Bone Could Result in Tens of Thousands of Dollars in Losses. Here’s the Breakdown.

A Single Broken Bone Could Result in Tens of Thousands of Dollars in Losses. Here’s the Breakdown.

A single broken bone from an accident frequently leads to financial losses that extend far beyond the initial emergency room bill. 

While average settlement ranges for a broken bone can be anywhere from mid-five figures to low six-figures, severe cases can climb much higher. The true cost isn't just the medical treatment you see on paper; it's the hidden expenses, the lost time, and the way the injury rewrites aspects of your life. These costs include ongoing physical therapy, lost earning potential if you can't return to your old job, and compensation for the pain you are forced to endure. 

If you have questions about the costs you are facing after an accident, you deserve to get clear answers. Call the Chicago broken bone and fracture lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. for a free consultation at (312) 924-7575.

Unpacking the Full Cost of a Fracture

The initial shock of a fracture is usually followed by the shock of the first medical bill. But that is just the beginning. 

The total financial impact unfolds over months, and sometimes years, revealing a wide gap between the immediate expenses and the true, long-term cost of the injury.

The Obvious, Immediate Costs

These are the expenses that appear right away, leaving you with a sudden and significant financial burden.

• Emergency Medical Care: This is the first wave of expenses and includes the ambulance ride, the emergency room visit itself, and diagnostic imaging like X-rays or CT scans needed to assess the damage. Initial treatments to stabilize the fracture, such as setting the bone and applying a cast, also fall into this category. Without insurance, these initial costs alone easily run into thousands of dollars.
• Surgical Intervention: Many severe fractures, such as a comminuted fracture (where the bone is in three or more pieces) or a compound fracture (where the bone breaks the skin), require surgery. These procedures often involve implanting plates, screws, or rods to hold the bone together. The cost for surgery on a broken leg can end up in the multiple tens of thousands or more without insurance.
• Immediate Lost Wages: For nearly everyone, a broken bone means time away from work. The income you lose during this initial recovery period is a direct and immediate financial hit.

The Hidden, Long-Term Costs That Emerge Over Time

As the weeks and months pass, a new set of costs begins to surface. These are frequently overlooked in the early days but in some cases represent the largest portion of your total financial losses.

• Ongoing Rehabilitation: Healing from a fracture requires months of physical and occupational therapy to restore movement, strength, and function. Each session adds to the growing pile of medical bills.
• Future Medical Procedures: Your medical journey may not end after the bone has mended. In some cases, a second surgery is needed to remove the hardware (plates and screws) that was implanted. Furthermore, long-term complications like post-traumatic arthritis or chronic pain may develop, requiring ongoing medical management or even joint replacement surgery down the road.
• Loss of Earning Capacity: It is different from immediate lost wages. Loss of earning capacity refers to the reduction in your ability to earn money in the future. If your injury prevents you from returning to your previous job or limits the hours or type of work you can do, you may suffer a lifelong decrease in your income. 
• Home and Vehicle Modifications: A severe fracture, particularly of the leg, hip, or spine, can permanently alter your mobility. You might need to install ramps, grab bars, or a walk-in shower in your home. In some cases, you may even need to purchase a different vehicle to accommodate a wheelchair or other mobility device.

How Illinois Law Values a Broken Bone Injury

When someone else's carelessness is the reason you are hurt, the law provides a path to hold them financially responsible. The legal foundation for most personal injury claims is a concept called negligence. This means proving that another person or entity had a duty to act with reasonable care, that they failed in that duty, and that this failure directly caused your broken bone and all the losses that followed.

The compensation you can pursue, legally known as "damages," is divided into two main types.

• Economic Damages: This is compensation for every verifiable financial loss you have incurred because of the injury. These include:

• All of your past medical bills and what you can reasonably expect to pay for future medical care.
• All of your past lost income and any future loss of earning capacity.
• The costs of vocational rehabilitation if you need training for a new line of work.
• The price of prescription medications, crutches, braces, and other medical equipment.
• Non-Economic Damages: This is compensation for the profound, personal, and non-financial ways the injury has affected your life. These losses do not come with an itemized bill, but they are just as real and deserving of compensation. In Illinois, there are no caps on these damages. They include:

• Pain and Suffering: For the physical pain and discomfort you have endured.
• Emotional Distress: For the anxiety, depression, and psychological impact of the trauma.
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If you can no longer participate in hobbies, sports, or daily activities that once brought you joy.
• Disfigurement and Scarring: For the permanent physical changes to your body resulting from the injury or necessary surgeries.

Courts and insurance companies may use methods like the "multiplier method" to calculate these non-economic damages, where your economic losses are multiplied by a number (typically between 1.5 and 5) that reflects the severity of your injury and its impact on your life.

What Factors Determine a Settlement Amount for a Broken Bone?

No two fractures are exactly alike, and neither are the settlement amounts. A broken toe that heals in a few weeks will be valued very differently from a shattered femur that requires multiple surgeries and results in a permanent disability. 

Several key factors will influence the final value of your claim.

Key factors include:

• The Type and Location of the Fracture: A broken femur is one of the most serious fractures and typically falls in the low six-figure range. This is because of its central role in mobility and the long, difficult recovery it entails. In contrast, a broken arm might have an average settlement value closer to the mid-tens of thousands. 
• The Severity and Need for Surgery: A complex, displaced, or comminuted fracture that demands surgical intervention with plates, screws, or rods will always command a higher settlement value than a simple, stable fracture that can be treated with just a cast. The invasive nature of surgery means more pain, higher medical bills, longer recovery, and increased risk of complications.
• The Long-Term Prognosis: The analysis of your future is a huge component of your claim's value. Will you make a complete recovery? Or will this injury leave you with long-term complications like chronic pain, nerve damage, stiffness, or arthritis? A permanent impairment that affects your ability to work or live your life as you did before the accident will significantly increase the value of your case.
• The Impact on Your Life: How has this injury truly affected you? Can you no longer lift your child, work in your garden, or engage in the hobbies that define you? The more your daily life has been disrupted, the greater the value of your non-economic damages for loss of enjoyment of life. This is a very personal and powerful part of your story that must be told.

The Clock is Ticking: Why You Cannot Afford to Delay

After an injury, it's easy to feel like you need to wait and see how your recovery goes before taking any action. However, the law in Illinois sets a strict deadline for filing a personal injury lawsuit. This legal time limit is called the statute of limitations.

For most personal injury cases in Illinois, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a claim, according to 735 ILCS 5/13-202. If you fail to file your lawsuit within this two-year window, the court will almost certainly dismiss your case, and you will lose your right to pursue compensation forever, no matter how strong your claim is.

There are practical reasons to act quickly as well. The sooner you begin the process, the easier it is for your legal team to preserve evidence, such as surveillance footage, and to interview witnesses while their memories are still clear and reliable. A prompt start also allows for the methodical documentation of your injuries and financial losses from day one, building a stronger foundation for your claim.

What if My Fracture Happened at My Workplace?

If your broken bone occurred while you were on the job, the process for obtaining compensation is different. Your first and primary path to recovery is usually through the Illinois workers' compensation system. The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act is designed to provide benefits for medical treatment and a portion of your lost wages, regardless of who was at fault for the accident.

You do not need to prove that your employer was negligent to receive these benefits. However, in some situations, you might have more than just a workers' compensation claim. If your injury was caused by the negligence of a third party—someone other than your employer or a co-worker, such as an outside vendor or a driver from another company—you may be able to file a separate personal injury lawsuit against that party. This is a complex area of law, and our firm can help you explore all potential sources of recovery to ensure you receive the maximum compensation available.

FAQ for Broken Bone Injury Claims

What if I had a pre-existing condition that made my fracture worse?

This is a common concern, but the law is on your side. Under a legal principle known as the "Eggshell Plaintiff Rule," the at-fault party is legally responsible for the full extent of the harm you suffer, even if you were more fragile or susceptible to injury than an average person. The defendant does not get a "discount" on the damages they owe simply because you had a prior condition. They must take the victim as they find them.

How long will it take to resolve my broken bone case in Illinois?

There is no exact timeline, as every case is unique. Simple cases with clear liability and modest injuries might resolve in a matter of months. However, more complex cases involving severe fractures, questions about future medical needs, or disputes over fault can take longer, sometimes 12 to 16 months or more, to reach a fair settlement.

Can I still get compensation if I was partially at fault for the accident?

Yes, in many cases you can. Illinois follows a legal rule called "modified comparative negligence." This means you can still recover damages as long as you are not found to be more than 50% responsible for the accident. If you are found partially at fault (50% or less), your total compensation award will simply be reduced by your percentage of fault.

Do I have to go to court for my broken bone claim?

It is highly unlikely. An overwhelming majority of personal injury claims, more than 95%, are resolved through a negotiated settlement with the insurance company without ever stepping into a courtroom. A settlement avoids the time, expense, and uncertainty of a trial and provides a guaranteed outcome.

Why can't I just handle the claim with the insurance company myself?

Insurance adjusters are skilled negotiators whose primary incentive is to protect the company's bottom line by paying out as little as possible. They may seem friendly and helpful, but they are not on your side. They might offer you a quick settlement before you even know the full extent of your injuries or what your future medical care will cost. An experienced personal injury attorney works for you, ensuring that any settlement offer fully accounts for all your past, present, and future losses, not just the amount the insurer wants to pay today.

Secure Your Financial Recovery

Hopefully, now you understand that a broken bone can create a serious financial crisis if not handled properly. That’s where experienced legal representation comes in. We will take on the financial fight for you, ensuring every loss is documented and every angle is covered.

If you or a loved one has suffered a fracture because of someone else's actions, call Abels & Annes, P.C. today at (312) 924-7575. We offer a free, no-obligation conversation to help you understand your rights and the true value of your claim.