2025 Elite LawyerBroken bones may sound like a routine injury — but the reality is that fractures can lead to chronic pain, mobility issues, long-term therapy, and even permanent disability. Whether it’s a clean break or a complex, multi-fracture injury, the road to recovery can be long and costly. If your injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation.
Attorney Michael J. Brennan represents individuals across Orland Park, Tinley Park, Oak Lawn, Palos Heights, and the surrounding South Suburbs who have suffered serious fractures in car accidents, falls, workplace incidents, and more. He helps clients pursue compensation for medical bills, time away from work, and the long-term consequences of their injury.
Key Takeaways
- A fracture claim depends on proving fault, the cause of the injury, and documented losses.
- The type of break, treatment, work restrictions, and lasting limitations affect the claim.
- Most Illinois injury lawsuits have a two-year filing deadline; local-government claims generally have one year.
- Being partly at fault does not automatically prevent recovery.
Severe Fracture Injury Attorney in Orland Park
Fracture injuries vary in severity — from hairline fractures to compound breaks that require pins, plates, or reconstructive surgery. Michael investigates the cause of your injury and works to establish liability against the responsible party. If you’ve suffered a serious fracture in an accident caused by someone else, don’t let the insurance company decide what your recovery is worth. Attorney Michael J. Brennan is ready to listen, evaluate your claim, and help you pursue the compensation you need.
Common Causes of Fracture Injuries
Car, Truck & Motorcycle Accidents
Collisions deliver sudden, high-energy impact forces that commonly fracture the arms, legs, ribs, and pelvis.
Slip and Fall or Trip and Fall Incidents
A fall on an unsafe property can easily fracture a wrist, hip, or ankle, especially for an unsuspecting visitor.
Workplace Injuries
Heavy equipment or falling objects can cause severe fractures. A third-party claim may be available separate from workers’ compensation.
Pedestrian or Bicycle Accidents
A collision with a vehicle can fracture bones even at relatively low speeds.
Construction Accidents
Unsafe scaffolding or ladders contribute to falls that fracture the spine, hip, or pelvis.
Dog Attacks
A sudden dog attack can cause a fall or direct trauma resulting in a fracture.
Fractures can occur in any part of the body, but the most serious often involve the spine, hip, pelvis, or joints — areas that affect your ability to move, work, and care for yourself. Call today to schedule your free case evaluation. Michael represents injury victims in Orland Park, Tinley Park, Oak Lawn, Palos Heights, and throughout the South Suburbs.
Types of Fracture Injuries and Why the Type Matters
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons explains the main fracture types and how treatment depends on the break and its severity.
Not every broken bone requires the same treatment, and not every fracture carries the same long-term risk. The type of fracture you suffered often drives both the medical course of treatment and how a claim is valued, because a more complex break generally means more treatment, a longer recovery, and a greater chance of lasting impairment.
| Fracture Type | What It Means | Why It Matters for a Claim |
|---|---|---|
| Hairline or stress fracture | A thin crack in the bone, often from repeated stress rather than a single blow | May be harder to see on an initial X-ray; can still cause real pain and require imaging follow-up to confirm |
| Simple or closed fracture | The bone breaks but does not pierce the skin | The skin remains intact, but severity varies; surgery, therapy, and time away from work may still be necessary |
| Compound or open fracture | A wound exposes the fracture to the outside; the bone need not protrude through the skin | Carries a higher infection risk and often requires surgery, making future medical costs a larger part of the claim |
| Comminuted fracture | The bone shatters into three or more pieces | Frequently requires surgical hardware (pins, plates, screws, or rods) and a longer, more uncertain recovery |
| Displaced or intra-articular fracture | The broken bone shifts out of alignment, or the break extends into a joint surface | Raises the risk of permanent stiffness, reduced range of motion, or early-onset arthritis in the joint |
| Spinal, hip, or pelvic fracture | A break involving the vertebrae, hip, or pelvis | Can affect mobility, independence, and the ability to work, and often carries the highest long-term impact |
Michael reviews the specific type and location of your fracture, along with your treating physician’s records, to make sure the claim reflects the real medical picture — not just an initial emergency room diagnosis that may understate how serious the injury turned out to be.
Insurance Companies Often Underestimate Fracture Injuries
Insurance companies often treat fractures as minor injuries, especially when surgery isn’t required right away. But even a single broken bone can result in nerve damage, loss of mobility, or the inability to return to work. An offer made before the medical outlook is clear may leave future treatment and lasting limitations unaccounted for.
Evidence That Supports a Fracture Injury Claim
Proving a fracture claim means connecting the injury to the accident with real documentation, not just an account of what happened. The evidence that typically matters most in a fracture case includes:
- Medical imaging: X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs that document the fracture, its location, and its severity.
- Orthopedic treatment records: records from the physician or surgeon who diagnosed and treated the break, including any surgical reports describing hardware such as pins, plates, screws, or rods.
- Physical therapy and follow-up records: documentation of how the recovery is actually progressing, which matters for fractures that take months to fully heal.
- Wage and employment documentation: pay records and employer statements showing time missed from work because of the fracture and its recovery.
- Photographs and incident reports: images of the accident scene and any contributing hazard, along with a report made to the property owner, employer, or police.
Pre-Existing Bone Conditions Don’t Automatically Defeat a Claim
Insurance companies sometimes argue that a fracture resulted from a pre-existing condition, such as osteoporosis or a prior injury, rather than the accident. Under Illinois law, a defendant generally remains responsible for aggravating or worsening an existing condition, even if a healthier bone might not have broken as easily. Medical records that clearly document your condition before and after the accident are often the key evidence on this issue.
Why Choose Michael J. Brennan, Esq.
As a former Assistant State’s Attorney in Cook County and seasoned Orland Park personal injury lawyer, Michael builds every case to reflect the full physical and financial toll of your injury. He works directly with clients to understand their recovery process and the full extent of how the injury has affected their daily life.
Orland Park, IL Fracture Injury FAQs
What types of fractures qualify for a personal injury claim?
Any fracture caused by another party’s negligence may qualify. These include arm, leg, rib, spinal, hip, and facial fractures — particularly when they result in surgery, disability, or lost income.
How do you prove damages for a broken bone?
Michael uses medical records, imaging reports, and documentation of lost wages or reduced ability to work. He also considers the long-term impact on mobility and quality of life.
What if the fracture happened at work?
If a third party — like a contractor, vendor, or equipment manufacturer — caused the injury, you may have a separate personal injury claim. Michael does not handle workers’ compensation cases. Note that if you already received workers’ compensation benefits for the same injury, your employer or its insurer may be entitled to reimbursement from a third-party recovery (820 ILCS 305/5(b)).
How much does it cost to hire Michael J. Brennan?
There’s no cost to get started. Scheduling a free case evaluation is free, and representation comes with no upfront cost — fees are paid only from compensation Michael recovers for you.
What should I do after a fracture injury in Illinois?
Immediate steps to take:
- Seek immediate medical attention even if the injury seems minor.
- Take photographs of the scene, your injuries, and any contributing factors such as a wet floor or broken railing.
- Report the incident to the property owner, your employer, or the police depending on the circumstances. Get information from witnesses who saw what happened.
- Contact a lawyer as soon as possible to avoid mistakes that could harm your case.
Mistakes to avoid:
- Don’t provide recorded statements to insurance companies without first obtaining legal advice.
- Don’t delay treatment or miss follow-up appointments — this can be used against you.
- Don’t agree to a deal too early — insurance companies often offer quick, low payouts before the full extent of your injury is known.
What is a fracture injury?
A fracture is a partial or complete break in the structural continuity of a bone, caused by a direct blow, a fall, a twisting force, or repeated stress on the bone over time. Not all fractures are the same; some heal with rest and immobilization, while others require surgery, physical therapy, and a long recovery period that can last months. Fractures are not only very painful, but they can also have long-term effects on mobility, ability to work, and quality of life.
What do I need to prove to win a fracture injury claim in Illinois?
To succeed in a personal injury claim for a fracture, you generally must prove four things: the other party owed you a duty of care; the other party breached that duty through negligence or reckless conduct; that breach was the proximate cause of your fracture; and you suffered a measurable loss (medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering) as a result.
Illinois also follows a modified comparative fault rule: if you are found 51% or more at fault for the accident, Illinois law bars you from recovering compensation (735 ILCS 5/2-1116). Michael J. Brennan, with his experience as a former Assistant State’s Attorney in Cook County, builds strong legal arguments for his clients. Whether your case involves a careless property owner, a careless driver, or a negligent third party such as a contractor or equipment manufacturer, Michael knows how to hold the responsible party accountable.
How long do I have to file a fracture injury claim in Illinois?
In most cases, Illinois law gives you two years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury lawsuit (735 ILCS 5/13-202). If your claim involves a local government entity — such as a park district, municipality, or other public body — that deadline is shortened to one year (745 ILCS 10/8-101). Because evidence can disappear and witnesses’ memories fade, it’s best to contact Michael as soon as possible after your injury.
Can I still file a claim if I had a pre-existing bone condition like osteoporosis?
Often, yes. Illinois law generally holds a negligent party responsible for aggravating or worsening an existing condition, not just for causing an injury to an otherwise healthy bone. If the accident is what actually caused the fracture, or made an existing weakness significantly worse, a claim may still succeed. Clear medical records documenting your condition before and after the accident are important evidence in this situation.
What if my fracture required surgery or hardware like plates, screws, or rods?
Fractures that require surgical fixation — such as a plate, screws, pins, or a rod — typically involve higher medical costs, a longer recovery, and a greater chance of permanent effects, including stiffness or reduced range of motion. Surgical records and follow-up imaging documenting the hardware are important evidence, and future needs such as hardware removal should be factored into the value of the claim.
What compensation can I recover for a fracture injury?
Depending on the facts of your case, compensation may include past and future medical expenses (including any additional surgery), lost wages and reduced future earning capacity, and pain, suffering, and disability tied to the fracture. There is no set formula — the value depends on the documented medical evidence and how the injury has affected your daily life.
Contact an Orland Park Fracture Injury Attorney Today
If you have suffered a fracture as a result of another person’s negligence, whether it be due to a slip and fall, a car accident, or unsafe home conditions, it is crucial to act promptly. Insurance companies and those responsible will not hesitate to put up defenses, and the longer you wait, the harder it will be to prove your case and receive full compensation.
Fracture-related injuries often involve lengthy recovery times, lost wages, ongoing pain, and significant medical expenses. You need an attorney who not only understands the legal system but also knows how to navigate powerful insurance companies and defense teams. Michael J. Brennan, with over 40 years of personal injury experience, has the tools and determination to fight for your rights.
You won’t be transferred to a case manager — you will work directly with Michael, who treats each case with the care and respect it deserves. If you have been injured and are unsure where to turn, don’t delay. Request a free case evaluation to discuss the facts, the available evidence, and your legal options with Michael.
Speak Directly With Michael J. Brennan
Call (708) 460-9300 or use the contact form to schedule a free case evaluation. Contingency fee, no upfront cost.