What is an Open Femur Fracture?
Even though some accidents might appear minor, they can lead to significant injuries. In some cases, these injuries might also place someone in a hospital. According to statistics that were published by the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA):
- More than seven million car accidents took place in 2016.
- In these accidents, more than three million people suffered severe injuries.
- Close to 38,000 people were killed, which is over 100 fatalities per day.
- This means that one person was killed in a car accident every 15 minutes.
Those who survive car accidents might have serious injuries that require medical care. One example of an injury is an open femur fracture.
What is an Open Femur Fracture?
A femur fracture is a break in the bone that runs between the hips and the knees. This is a thick bone that can withstand a lot of stress; however, the forces in an auto accident can be severe and could lead to an open fracture. In an open femur fracture, a fragment of the bone has protruded through the skin and is exposed to the air. Symptoms of an open fracture of the femur include:
- The inability to walk.
- Extreme pain at the site of the injury.
- Active blood coming from the leg.
- Possible numbness or tingling along certain parts of the leg.
- A visible bone fragment poking through the skin.
This injury is a medical emergency. Serious complications can develop which might be life-threatening.
What are the Complications of this Injury?
An open femur fracture is a serious injury that requires immediate medical attention. There are significant complications that can develop as a result of this injury, which may include:
- An infection at the site of the injury.
- Blood loss coming from the open wound.
- Possible damage to nerves and blood vessels.
If an individual loses too much blood, he or she could require a blood transfusion. In addition, most individuals will also need antibiotics to stave off any potential infections that might enter through the open wound. This injury typically requires a trip to the operating room to reset the bone and close the skin. After this, the leg is placed in a cast so that is can heal properly.
Watch YouTube Video: Emergency Medical Care: How to Treat an Open Fracture During First Aid. In this video, emergency medical technician Rebecca Boutin demonstrates how to treat an open femur fracture.
Contacting a Femur Fracture Lawyer
When a femur fracture is exposed to the air, this can lead to significant complications. This could also place someone in a hospital for an extended period. Because of this, families often have questions and concerns that a femur fracture attorney can help with, which may include:
- Helping families through a challenging series of steps, acting as a steady, objective presence.
- Reviewing accident records to make sure that details have not been missed.
- Ensuring that liability in the motor vehicle collision has been assigned correctly.
- Assisting families in pursuing damages for pain, suffering, and injuries.
- Helping an injured party recover compensation for past and future wage loss and medical costs.
- Filing paperwork with the courts, if necessary.
Do not hesitate to reach out and ask for help when it is needed. No family should ever have to go through this alone. Meeting with a femur fracture lawyer in Sacramento can be helpful. You may be entitled to financial compensation.
Femur Fracture Attorneys in Sacramento
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento Femur Fracture Lawyer. An open femur fracture can lead to a severe infection, significant blood loss, or prolonged recovery. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a car accident, call me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly legal advice.
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What is an Open Femur Fracture?: AutoAccident.com
Image Attribution: The photo at the start of this article is seen in its original form on Unsplash. The image has been reproduced here with permission/ What is an Open Femur Fracture?
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