Personal Injury Attorney for Collarbone Fractures in Missouri & Kansas
Broken bones are common accident injuries in Missouri and Kansas. Fractures and broken bones can be extremely painful. Treatment for broken bones can be costly, and victims could sustain permanent impairments and injuries. A fractured collarbone is a common accident injury we see at our personal injury law firm in Kansas City, Missouri.
If you suffered a broken collarbone due to the negligence of another, there are certain things you must do to protect your rights and ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries.
Call our personal injury attorney in Kansas City, Missouri at 816-203-0143, for a free, no obligation consultation. We handle personal injury cases throughout Missouri and Kansas and are ready to offer guidance and support.
Understanding the Collar or Clavicle Bone
The collarbone or clavicle bone connects your arm to your body. It is a long thin bone that runs between the sternum (breastbone and the shoulder. You have two collarbones, one on each side of the breastbone. In addition to connecting the arm to your body, your collarbone also helps keep your shoulders in line.
In addition to being an important structural bone, the clavicle is surrounded by nerves, blood vessels, and arteries. Fortunately, these structures are rarely damaged when the collarbone breaks or sustains a fracture. However, it does happen in some cases.
What Can Cause a Collarbone to Break or Fracture?
Because the collarbone is thin and long, it is susceptible to fractures and breaks. At our personal injury law firm in Kansas City, here are the types of accidents that we often see as causing a broken collarbone:
- Car accidents
- Motorcycle crashes
- Truck accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Bicycle crashes
- Pedestrian accidents
- Playground accidents
Anyone can fracture their collarbone. However, broken collarbones are common for children and teens because the bone does not completely harden until adulthood.
Symptoms of Broken Collarbones After Accidents in Kansas and Missouri
The symptoms of a fractured collarbone vary, depending on the severity and location of the fracture. Many people with clavicle fractures experience:
- Pain and tenderness
- Bruises and swelling around the collarbone
- A sagging shoulder forward and downward
- A grinding sensation and/or cracking noise when you try to raise your arm
- Inability to lift your harm because of intense pain
- A bump, bulging, or deformity over the break
- Difficulty and/or pain when moving your shoulder
Symptoms of a collarbone fracture that could indicate a serious complication or condition include a bone that pushes against or through the skin and decreased feeling or tingling in your fingers or arm.
It is generally best to see a doctor as soon as possible if you experience any symptoms of a broken collarbone. However, you may require emergency medical treatment if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Your arm becomes numb, or you have a “pins and needles” feeling in your arm
- It is difficult or impossible to move your fingers
- The pain does not decrease with pain medication
- Your shoulder appears deformed, or you can see the bone protruding against or out of the skin
- Your fingers appear white, pale, black, or blue
- You cannot get your hands or arm warm, or they are cold to the touch when no other areas of your body are cold to the touch
Most people with a broken collarbone recover without serious complications or impairments. However, that is not always the case. Therefore, it is wise to document your injury with prompt medical treatment.
Because bruising, swelling, and deformities may disappear soon after the break, you should also take pictures of the injury as soon as possible. Preserving evidence of your injury is crucial for recovering fair compensation for a broken collarbone.
Treatment of Broken Collarbones in Missouri & Kansas
In many cases, your doctor will take x-rays to confirm a broken collarbone after an accident in Kansas or Missouri. The doctor might order a CT scan to view fractures in more detail.
The type and severity of the break determine the treatment for a broken clavicle. For example, if the broken ends of the collarbone align, the doctor may prescribe rest, pain medications, and a sling.
However, if the broken ends of the bone do not align, you could require surgery to repair the break. The surgeon may need to use screws, plates, and pins to reposition the bones and hold them in place.
Many individuals with broken collarbones also require physical therapy to regain flexibility, strength, and range of motion. Severe cases may require significant rehabilitation to restore movement and function.
Complications After a Broken Collarbone in a Kansas City Accident
While many people heal without problems, there are some instances of complications from broken collarbones. Possible complications from a broken collarbone and/or surgery could include:
- Infections
- Blood clots
- Bleeding
- Damage to nerves or blood vessels
- Addiction to pain medication
- Fractures that move out of place before healing
- Problems associated with metal plates, screws, or pins used to repair the break
- Muscle damage
Some individuals may develop a permanent impairment because of a broken collarbone. If so, they could be entitled to compensation for their injuries, damages, and permanent impairments.
Contact Our Kansas City Personal Injury Attorney for Help
If you broke your collarbone in an accident, contact our personal injury law firm in Kansas City, Missouri to find out more how to protect your rights. You could be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, disfigurement, pain, and suffering. We can help you hold the negligent person responsible for your accident liable for your damages.
Contact The Law Office of Kevin J. McManus for a free consultation with a Kansas City personal injury lawyer by calling 816-203-0143 or completing our online contact form. You deserve to be compensated for your injuries and losses. Let us help you get the money you deserve after an accident that results in a broken bone in Missouri or Kansas.
