Attorneys
Last Updated: 5/4/2023
If you’ve been involved in a workplace accident where your upper arm was impacted, you may have sustained a humerus fracture. A humerus fracture can be a very serious injury type, and can take weeks to fully repair. For help filing a claim for damages, contact a workers’ compensation attorney.
When a Broken Humerus is a Work-Related Injury
The humerus is the medical name for the upper arm bone, which is located between the elbow and shoulder. Colloquially, the humerus is often referred to as the funny bone. When the humerus is traumatized, a fracture can occur.
In the workplace, a humerus fracture may occur as a result of many things.
- A motor vehicle accident
- A slip and fall accident
- A direct blow from machinery or equipment
Symptoms of a Humerus Fracture
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons states that the three main symptoms of a humerus fracture are as follows.
- Swelling
- Severe pain
- Very limited movement of the shoulder
Other symptoms may include bruising, tenderness, and stiffness.
Treatment for a Humerus Fracture
If the fracture of the humerus is severe, then surgical treatment may be required to remedy the injury. Surgery is most commonly necessary if the fracture is displaced or if the fracture has resulted in bones piercing the skin. Surgery includes putting the bone – or pieces of bone – back into place using pins, wires, screws, plates, or even stitches in the bones or tendons.
Will workers’ compensation cover my fracture injury?
When a humerus fracture occurs, it’s not uncommon for a worker to have to miss work as a result. Depending upon the extent of the injury, recovery can range from weeks to months. If your humerus fracture was the direct result of a work-related task, then you have the right to file a claim for workers’ compensation insurance.
Both medical benefits and disability benefits are available under workers’ compensation, according to a FAQ page published by the Iowa Division of Workers’ Compensation, as well as Iowa Workers’ Compensation Code section 85.71. However, there may be situations contingent upon time and place, such as if you were injured at a company event.
A Des Moines Workers’ Compensation Attorney Can Represent You!
If you have incurred a humerus fracture while on the job, and if an employer who has workers’ compensation insurance employs you, then you have the right to file a claim. You can learn more about workman’s comp in our free eBook, Iowa Workers’ Compensation: An Insider’s Guide to Work Injuries.
To help ensure that your claim is approved, you need an attorney. The workers’ compensation attorneys at Walker, Billingsley & Bair know the law, and are ready to represent you. For legal help today, call us now at (888) 435-9886.
