Attorneys
Last Updated: 1/4/2023
Tibia (shinbone) fractures, an extremely painful type of break, are actually the most common type of fractured long bone in the body, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). They can take four months or longer to heal, and often require the use of crutches or a walker during the healing process.
Tibia Fractures on the Job
There are numerous ways in which individuals can suffer a tibia fracture work injury. They may slip and fall, trip over an object, run into a misplaced piece of equipment, get a leg wedged in a piece of equipment, or get injured in a work-related car accident.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) cites the two most common causes of workplace fractures as such.
- Falls on the same level (31 percent of cases)
- Being struck by an object or equipment (21 percent of cases)
A tibia fracture work injury will take a worker off the job for some time. Walking is out of the question until the doctor permits it. According to the BLS, workers take an average of 30 days off for a tibia fracture work injury.
Treatment for Tibia Fractures
Treatment for tibia fractures depends upon how severe the break is and the overall health of the worker. In clean breaks with little bone displacement, the doctor may utilize non-surgical treatments, such a splints, casts, and braces.
For more severe fractures with open wounds or a lot of displacement, surgery may be necessary. Surgery can include the use of intramedullary nailing, plates and screws, and external fixation (pins and screws on the outside of the body.)
There are quite a few serious complications that can occur, such as those listed below.
- The bone does not align or heal properly
- Infection
- Damage to the nerves or veins
- Blood clots
The AAOS explains that with open fractures, secondary surgeries may be needed: “Open fractures, in which the bone fragments are displaced enough to exit the skin, typically sustain greater injury and are at increased risk for infection. This may stall or prevent healing. These fractures are more likely to require secondary surgical procedures.”
Filing for Workers’ Compensation
If you suffered a tibia fracture work injury, you’re most likely entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, which should cover the following.
- Related medical expenses
- Prescriptions and surgeries
- Rehabilitation
- A percentage of your pay while you’re recovering
In addition to notifying your employer, you’ll also need to file a claim for benefits. To ensure your claim is handled correctly and that you get the full extent of the benefits you’re entitled, you might want to run you case by a work injury attorney.
Avoid Common Mistakes on Iowa Work Injury Claims
If you were injured on the job, we encourage you to learn all you can about your rights and responsibilities so that your claim goes as smoothly as possible. Feel free to download Walker, Billingsley & Bair’s free eBook, Iowa Workers' Compensation An Insider's Guide to Work Injuries: 7 Deadly Mistakes To Avoid If You Are Hurt At Work, which will tell you much of what you need to know.
To speak with a work injury attorney in Iowa, contact us for a FREE legal consultation today at (515) 440-2852.
