Settlement Compensation for Fractured or Broken Bones

October 4, 2022 Personal Injury Lawsuits

Every day, people in and around Los Angeles are injured in accidents of one type or another. Whether it is

Every day, people in and around Los Angeles are injured in accidents of one type or another. Whether it is the result of a slip and fall, a car accident, a workplace injury, or another unexpected event, a fracture or broken bone can lead to exorbitant medical bills and a long road to recovery. Luckily, a personal injury victim who suffers a broken bone can receive compensation for their losses.

Knowing how to calculate damages is an important step in ensuring fair compensation. The serious injury lawyers at Salamati Law have the know-how to quantify your losses and the determination to hold those responsible accountable.

Factors Affecting Broken Bone Settlement Value

The settlement amount for a fracture or broken bone will always depend on the circumstances. However, certain factors have often influenced jury verdicts and settlement amounts involving these types of injuries. A few examples include:

  • Severity of the Injury – Not all fractures are equal. For example, a compound fracture or spiral will be worth more than a hairline fracture. A broken femur can cause more damage than most broken fingers.
  • Medical Costs and Related Expenses – These include emergency treatment right after the accident, as well as any other necessary medical costs like follow-ups, rehabilitation, prescriptions and over-the-counter medication, and medical devices.
  • Prognosis – A permanent injury will net larger a compensation package than an injury that is expected to resolve fully. A permanent or long-term injury can require future treatment and medication, as well as interfere with daily tasks.  
  • Lost Wages – A minor break can cause at least a few days of missed work. A serious broken bone may limit the work that the individual can perform throughout their career. This can lead to missed promotions or other job opportunities, compounding the lost pay.
  • Non-economic Impact – Damages for physical pain and suffering, emotional impact, loss of consortium, and other non-economic losses are also recoverable.
  • Fault – In California, even if you were partly to blame for an accident, you may recover from another at-fault party. This is true even if you bore 99% of the fault. However, the amount recoverable as damages will be reduced in proportion to your share of the fault.
  • Comparable jury verdicts – Even if you never set foot in a courtroom, the jury verdicts in your location for similar injuries often play a factor in settlement value.

How a Fracture or Broken Bone Settlement Value Is Reached

Receiving the maximum personal injury settlement due is often the result of meticulous organization and strong advocacy. Your lawyer will gather evidence of fault and damages and present them to start the negotiation. For example, if you sustained a broken bone, your lawyer will gather evidence to show how the injuries have negatively impacted your life.

If you suffer a broken hip, a Los Angeles hip fracture lawyer will present not just your medical bills but also evidence of how this serious injury is deleteriously affecting the important areas of your life.

The other party’s insurance company or attorney may work hard to devalue your claim, but a skilled attorney will be prepared to set the record straight and fight for what you deserve.

Speak With a Broken Bone Lawyer

If you or a loved one suffered a serious fracture or broken bone in an accident and believe someone else was at fault, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact Salamati Law to find out more about your rights. Consultations are free and confidential, and there is never a fee unless we secure compensation for you.

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Is It Worth It to Sue Over a Small Fracture?

October 4, 2022 Personal Injury Lawsuits

Yes, if your bone fracture injury was caused by the negligent actions or inactions of another party, it is worth

Yes, if your bone fracture injury was caused by the negligent actions or inactions of another party, it is worth it to sue for compensation to cover your full losses. No matter how minor a broken bone or bone fracture may seem to be initially, these injuries can require consistent, long-term medical treatment and cause the victim to incur further losses, such as missed wages and loss of quality of life. Medical costs to treat broken bones can quickly add up to tens of thousands of dollars, and an individual who suffers even a small fracture might need unpaid time away from work and incur expenses for therapy and rehabilitation.

Medical attention and proper treatment are necessary for all bone fractures, regardless of how small the fracture might seem to be, to prevent serious infections, to confirm that the broken bone is aligned properly, and to prevent permanent deformity.

The serious injury lawyers at Salamati Law in Los Angeles are here to discuss the circumstances of your case and clearly communicate all of your options for legal recourse. Not every injury is compensable through a personal injury lawsuit, but only when you have discussed your case with an attorney experienced in this field of law will you know for sure if you have the right to sue and what the likelihood of success will be. We invite you to schedule a free consultation at your convenience.

How a Small Fracture Can Become a Big Problem

If left untreated, a small bone fracture can heal with improper alignment, which can lead to chronic pain, joint and limb dysfunction, and osteoarthritis. Repairs or resections of maligned bones require major surgery that will require weeks or months of recovery time.

A fracture site is naturally weaker, and a bone with a small hairline break is susceptible to more serious fractures. A small fracture in a spinal or neck bone can pose a risk of paralysis.

An accident victim who accepts a low insurance settlement for a small bone fracture without considering the long-term ramifications of the injury will almost certainly forfeit the opportunity to recover the full measure of damages that they are entitled to receive.

How Individual or Unique Circumstances Can Complicate Small Fractures

The compensation that an accident victim can recover for minor bone fractures will always depend, in part, on the victim’s unique circumstances. Consider, for example:

  • A small fracture will have a more adverse effect on a growing child or a teen than on an adult if the fracture has any impact on bone growth plates
  • A senior adult with brittle bones will likely experience greater pain and suffering and slower recovery from a small bone fracture
  • A manual laborer will lose more wages if the bone fracture prevents him or her from using their hands or standing for long periods of time.  

How Small Bone Fractures in Lower Extremities Can Lead to Large Damages Awards

Broken leg, knee, ankle, and foot bones can be very limiting, even if they are not major breaks. If an ankle bone fracture requires surgery, the average cost of that surgery in Los Angeles is between $16,000 and $44,000.

Talk to a knowledgeable and experienced Los Angeles ankle fracture attorney to understand the full scope of your potential damages when you suffer a lower extremity bone break in an accident.

Call Salamati Law

The personal injury attorneys in the Los Angeles offices of Salamati Law understand the economic and non-economic costs associated with bone fractures, and we fight tirelessly to recover the largest possible damages awards for our clients.

Call our offices at any time for straightforward advice on your options to sue for losses and injuries associated with a small bone fracture.

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Injuries After School-Sponsored Athletics

October 4, 2022 Brain Injuries, Personal Injury Lawsuits

Sports injuries are unfortunately common among students in California. When injuries after school-sponsored athletics events occur due to an act

Sports injuries are unfortunately common among students in California. When injuries after school-sponsored athletics events occur due to an act of negligence, financial compensation could be available. Our team of serious injury lawyers could assist with pursuing these claims.

Often, school districts are careless in how they regulate or officiate these events. Their actions could have contributed to your, or your loved one’s, injuries.

Common sporting event injuries

There are countless ways for student athletes to suffer an injury at school-sponsored events. While contact sports like football are especially dangerous, even low-contact events can result in devastating injuries when negligence is involved. From gymnastics to baseball, injuries are commonplace.

Some injuries could have been prevented had the school taken active steps to protect their students. In these cases, it could be possible to seek a monetary award. Some of the injuries that are common at school events include:

  • Heat stroke
  • Traumatic brain injuries, including concussions
  • Transmitted diseases and infections
  • Spinal injuries and paralysis
  • Tendon and ligament damage

Some of these injuries are unfortunately unpreventable. When an injury could have been avoided, it could be time to pursue damages through a civil lawsuit.

When is a school negligent?

There are also different ways that a school could, through negligence, contribute to or fail to prevent a serious injury. This includes injuries that happen on or off the field.

Often, schools face allegations of liability based on their hiring practices. It is the role of the school district to carefully review candidates for job positions. Hiring coaches or athletic trainers that lack the skill or experience to do the job could put kids at risk.

The key to a negligence claim is establishing that it would not have occurred but for the failure of the school to act. Had the school provided safe equipment or refused to hire the unqualified staff member, you would have avoided injury entirely. Your attorney can evaluate every aspect of an injury at a school-sponsored event to determine if negligence was involved.

Talk to an attorney about injuries at school-sponsored athletic events

Dealing with an injured child is never easy. If that injury occurred at a school-sponsored event, you could also be facing a school district that is focused on avoiding responsibility and deflecting blame. You deserve a Los Angeles head injury lawyer that will fight for a fair outcome following an injury at a school-sponsored event.   The team at Salamati Law is prepared to help you seek justice for your injuries. If you are ready to get started with your case, now is the time to seek help. Call as soon as possible to schedule your free consultation.

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How COVID-19 May Impact Your Personal Injury Lawsuit

February 16, 2021 Personal Injury Lawsuits

Like most other aspects of our lives, personal injury lawsuits have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Lawyers, insurance companies,

Like most other aspects of our lives, personal injury lawsuits have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Lawyers, insurance companies, and courts have all had to adjust the way they operate, and some delays in the process may be inevitable. However, there is no reason to delay in reaching out to an attorney if you have been injured due to another person’s negligence, as personal injury cases are still moving forward, and the sooner you begin the process, the sooner you can obtain compensation for your losses. Furthermore, statutes of limitation (deadlines by which you much file an injury lawsuit) have not been suspended, so waiting to initiate your claim for damages could result in your having to forfeit your right to compensation.

The economic downturn and historic unemployment rates that have characterized the pandemic have had a definite impact on personal injury litigation. Traditionally, in times of financial hardship some people choose not to reach out to a personal injury lawyer because they are worried about the cost of attorney fees. This is an unnecessary concern, however, since most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency basis, meaning that plaintiffs pay no legal fees upfront and nothing out of pocket unless they recover money damages.

Additionally, insurance companies will try to take advantage of troubled financial times by being more aggressive in making low-ball settlement offers, believing that injury victims are so desperate for funds that they will jump at the first offer and be willing to accept less than their claim is truly worth. 

California personal injury lawyer Sean Salamati can help you navigate these and other challenges of personal injury litigation during COVID-19. Find out how much your injury case might be worth and what to expect on the road ahead during a free consultation. Meanwhile, here are some further ways that the pandemic is affecting personal injury cases.

Healthcare Might Be Put on Hold

Hospitals and doctors’ offices around the country are treating an unprecedented volume of patients. COVID-19 patients are skipping to the front of the line in some locations, delaying the treatment of non-critical care and rehabilitation appointments. It is important for you to follow your medical provider’s instructions, keep detailed notes about your own progress, and call in to a telehealth provider when needed. If you’re not able to receive follow-up appointments in a timely manner, it could take longer for you to reach “maximum medical improvement,” where we can get an accurate valuation of what your claim is worth.

You May Feel Greater Pressure to Settle

So many Americans are experiencing financial hardship now. As your medical bills pile up and you’re forced to take time off work, you may be in this camp of people. An attorney can work with you to find financial options you may have overlooked to help you get by while you wait for your personal injury settlement. Often, lawyers can put a temporary halt on communications from bill collectors at this time. You may worry that the insurance provider is going to play hardball at the negotiating table to put pressure on you to settle for less than your case is worth, or you may worry that the defendant’s finances are too strained to honor the payment agreement. The Salamati Firm will work hard for you to ensure you receive a fair settlement, paid in full.   

Court Procedures Will Look Different

When the Coronavirus pandemic broke out, the Los Angeles Superior Court closed its doors to trials and non-essential matters through June 10, 2020. In April, Emergency Rule 11 allowed depositions to be conducted remotely, with the court reporter and other parties in different locations using Zoom. In addition to remote depositions, we have always used tools like the electronic sharing of exhibits, remote mediations, extensive written discovery, and virtual focus groups. These processes have enabled cases to continue moving along, despite social distancing protocols.

Contact a Los Angeles Personal Injury Lawyer

Whether you’ve been in a car crash, a slip and fall accident, or sustained another type of personal injury, the Salamati Law Firm is standing by to help. Though it may be tempting to wait until the threat of COVID-19 subsides, the clock is still ticking on the statute of limitations. Failure to initiate your personal injury claim within two years of the accident date could forfeit your right to pursue compensation through the civil court system, so it is in your best interest to contact a lawyer as soon as possible, regardless of how the pandemic plays out.

Our experienced lawyers work on a contingency basis, meaning you pay nothing out-of-pocket for legal representation, and only owe a legal fee after we recover money on your behalf. Fortunately, we can handle nearly all personal injury matters over the phone or computer, so there is no reason to avoid seeking the compensation you deserve.

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What are the Most Common Causes of Fatal Car Accidents?

November 25, 2019 Auto Accidents, Personal Injury Lawsuits, Wrongful Death Claims

Both throughout the nation and in California, far too many deaths are caused by car accidents. What are the most

Both throughout the nation and in California, far too many deaths are caused by car accidents. What are the most common causes of fatal car accidents? Read on.

The #1 Most Common Cause: Driving Under the Influence

Drunk driving, or driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol, is the cause of roughly 33% of all fatal car accidents in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

In most states, including California, a driver is considered to be DUI if they have a blood alcohol count (BAC) of 0.08% or above.

The #2 Most Common Cause: Speeding

Driving over the speed limit is estimated to be the second most common cause of deadly crashes, resulting in roughly 30% of traffic deaths.

It’s important to be aware that speeding is a contributing cause of multiple types of accidents. Side collisions, for example, are fatal 27% of the time, partly because that category of accident includes the type termed T-bones, where a car hits another directly in the side, impacting people sitting on that side.

T-bone accidents are frequently caused by a driver going too fast to stop properly at an intersection. The driver whose turn it is pulls out, not realizing the other driver isn’t stopping.

The #3 Most Common Cause: Reckless Driving

Reckless driving is the third most common cause of traffic fatalities. This includes failure to stop at intersections, passing improperly, following other cars too close, and violating other rules of the road. Rear-end crashes, which can be caused by following other vehicles too closely, cause 29% of all accidents.

Reckless driving also includes not paying attention to weather or climate conditions. Rain can make southern California roads very dangerous, increasing the risk of hydroplaning. Smoke or fog can affect visibility, which increases the risk of collisions. Drivers need to take into account weather and climate conditions.

The #4 Most Common Cause: Distracted Driving

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving caused 10% of all fatalities in 2015. Distracted driving can be caused by using smartphones while driving (to message, read, or talk on the phone). It can also be caused by a driver paying more attention to passengers or the passing scene than the road.

Distracted driving has been an increasing threat to motorists for at least a decade.

When You Need a Car Accident Lawyer in Los Angeles

Fatal car accidents are a tragedy, especially because so many are easily prevented.

If you or a loved one was the victim of a car accident, Sean Salamati can help. Please call the expert Los Angeles auto accident attorneys at the Salamati Law Firm at 800-957-9898 today to discuss your case. We are experienced personal injury and wrongful death attorneys in Los Angeles.

Your case will be reviewed by seasoned professionals and there is no charge to you for an initial consultation.

Additional Resources:

  1. Campanella, Joe. 5 Common Causes of Car Accidents and How to Avoid Them. The Allstate Blog. https://blog.allstate.com/common-causes-of-car-accidents/
  2. King, Laiza. “Top 15 Causes Of Car Accidents And How You Can Prevent Them.” Huffington Post. August 31, 2016. https://www.huffingtonpost.com/laiza-king-/top-15-causes-of-car-accidents_b_11722196.html
  3. United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Motor Vehicle Safety. Impaired Driving. Sobering Facts: Drunk Driving State Fact Sheets. https://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/impaired_driving/states.html
  4. United States Department of Transportation. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Distracted Driving 2015. https://www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.dot.gov/files/documents/812_381_distracteddriving2015.pdf
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How Much Time Do You Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Los Angeles?

March 29, 2019 Personal Injury Lawsuits

Time restrictions apply when it comes to filing a personal injury lawsuit in California. If you do not file your

statute of limitations

Time restrictions apply when it comes to filing a personal injury lawsuit in California. If you do not file your claim within the allotted window of time, you may lose your right to receive substantial money damages to cover the cost of your injuries, including medical bills and lost wages. Don’t leave money on the table by failing to file your claim in a timely manner! Contact seasoned Los Angeles personal injury lawyer Sean Salamati to learn about the deadlines for bringing a claim and to find out how much your case might be worth.

California Statute of Limitations

California has a statute of limitations that governs how long an injured party has to file a personal injury lawsuit. A statute of limitations is a specific span of time, after which no suit can be brought.

If you or a loved one has been injured, impaired, or become ill due to the negligent actions of another party, you may be eligible to file a personal injury lawsuit. The other party can be a person, a company, or a service provider, such as a landlord or doctor. However, the injured party must file a claim within the timespan allowed by the statute of limitations.

The statute of limitations in California for personal injury lawsuits is two years from the date of the accident, or the date when the injured person first knew they were injured. Not all injuries or illnesses manifest right away. It can take years for a person whose workplace contained cancer-causing components, for example, to develop cancer.

What Is Negligence?

In all cases, to be negligent, the party you bring an action against must bear responsibility for either behaving in a safe manner or keeping property or clientele safe. A person, for example, is responsible for operating a car safely and according to California law. A company is responsible for maintaining the reasonable safety of its products and its workers. A landlord must keep her property safe for tenants. A doctor must do no harm to her patients.

The responsible party must have had time to rectify any unsafe conditions. A landlord, for instance, needs time to repair a broken stair. But the time cannot be unreasonable: unsafe conditions need to be fixed promptly. The time should be no longer than required to notice an unsafe condition and have it repaired.

If they do not act in accordance with safety standards, and either know their actions to be unsafe or should have known, they can be held liable for any personal injury that occurs as a result of their negligence.

For other parties to be liable, the injury, impairment, or illness you sustained has to have been caused by the actions. That may seem obvious, but it’s part of the law. In other words, you may have a broken leg caused by slipping on ice. But for your landlord to be responsible, the ice you slipped on has to have been part of his property or directly related to it, such as the sidewalk in front.

If You Need a Personal Injury Attorney in California

If you were injured, impaired, or became ill because of another party’s negligence, reckless behavior or wrongdoing, Sean Salamati will fight for your right to monetary compensation. The Salamati Law Firm has successfully recovered millions of dollars in damages for our clients. Call us today for a free consultation. There is no charge unless we win your case!

Additional References:

  1. California Courts. Statute of Limitations. https://www.courts.ca.gov/9618.htm.
  2. California Courts. Before You File Your Case. https://www.courts.ca.gov/12414.htm.


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What Are PTSD Personal Injury Claims?

March 13, 2019 Personal Injury Lawsuits

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychological condition that can be caused by life-threatening events. While the term came into

Doctor analyzing human skull x-ray

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychological condition that can be caused by life-threatening events. While the term came into wide use after the Vietnam War, and veterans can have PTSD, other kinds of traumatic experiences can also cause the condition.

A severe car crash, for example, can result in PTSD. In fact, it is estimated that between one-fourth to one-third of car accident victims develop PTSD. A physical or sexual assault, or even natural disasters, such as a fire or flood, can also cause the condition.

Symptoms Can Impair Sufferers

A PTSD sufferer sometimes relives the emotions of the life-threatening event. As a result, they can be severely impaired in performing functions the rest of us take for granted. Everything from going to a job every day to relationships can become challenging or impossible. They may not be able to drive if the precipitating cause was a car accident. They may fear going out, or fear places similar to where the life-threatening event occurred.

PTSD sufferers may feel severely anxious, depressed, and jittery. They may start to avoid contact with people or certain situations. They can become isolated. They may attempt to self-medicate with alcohol or drugs.

These symptoms can develop immediately or develop gradually over time. If untreated, they can last indefinitely and may worsen over time.

Personal Injury Claims for PTSD

If you or a loved one has developed PTSD as a result of a life-threatening event caused by the negligent actions of another party, you may be entitled to bring a personal injury lawsuit to receive compensation for damages.

Compensation can include payment of medical or psychiatric bills, therapy costs, and even lost wages if PTSD has made if difficult or impossible to work. Payment for retraining for another occupation may also be possible.

PTSD cases require a thorough evaluation of your condition by qualified medical personnel. A legal case will also require expert testimony on what PTSD is, the symptoms, and what problems it can cause.

In California, PTSD personal injury cases have a statute of limitations, after which the court will not hear a case. The time frame you have in which to file your claim is generally two years from the time of the life-threatening event or the time when PTSD symptoms first manifested.

PTSD Personal Injury Lawyer in Los Angeles

If you’ve developed PTSD that has impaired your life because of another party’s negligence, reckless behavior or wrongdoing, it’s good to know the law in California is on your side. Los Angeles personal injury lawyer Sean Salamati has successfully recovered millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for his clients. We are an aggressive firm that will protect your rights.

Call us today for a free consultation. There is no charge for our services unless we win your case!

Additional Resources:

  1. American Psychological Association. Clinical Practice Guideline for the Treatment of PTSD. February 24, 2017. https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/ptsd.pdf.
  2. National Institute for Mental Health. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/index.shtml.


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Can You Sue Your Spouse for Personal Injury?

March 12, 2019 Personal Injury Lawsuits

At first glance, it might seem rare for one spouse to file a personal injury lawsuit against the other spouse.

At first glance, it might seem rare for one spouse to file a personal injury lawsuit against the other spouse. However, this situation is more common than you might think. Furthermore, the act of suing one’s spouse doesn’t only happen in cases of marital separation or a pending divorce. In fact, it’s quite possible for both spouses to maintain good relations with each other, yet still proceed with a lawsuit. Here’s a quick breakdown of how and why this happens.

Interspousal immunity torts

Historically, it has been prohibited for one spouse to sue the other under interspousal immunity torts. Interspousal immunity is based on the concept that a woman’s legal identity becomes inseparable from her husband’s legal identity when the two marry. This legal concept originated prior to the strengthening of the women’s rights movement in the U.S. Since that time, interspousal immunity has been abolished in nearly every state, including California.

Why one spouse might sue the other spouse

Personal injury lawsuits often stem from car accidents. If you consider that many spouses spend a great deal of time together in a vehicle, it makes sense that many accidents occur when two spouses are in the same car, and that in some of those accidents, one of the spouses is at fault for the crash. This is one reason why interspousal lawsuits are more common than you might think.

Furthermore, auto insurance companies are notorious for using every possible loophole to get out of paying for damages. If the insurance settlement won’t cover the medical expenses and other damages, then it may be necessary to have a personal injury attorney file a lawsuit. The lawyer may file a lawsuit against one spouse on behalf of the other in an effort to force the insurance company to pay up. That’s why an intermarital lawsuit doesn’t necessarily indicate that the marriage is on the rocks.

However, some spouses can and do sue each other as the marriage is disintegrating. These lawsuits might stem from incidents of domestic violence, including physical and sexual assault. A personal injury attorney can file a civil lawsuit on behalf of a victim, even if there is a criminal case already pending against the spouse. The civil lawsuit may demand compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and emotional distress, among other damages.

What to know about domestic torts

When one spouse has intentionally inflicted harm on the other spouse, the civil lawsuit that may be filed may be referred to as a domestic tort. Like many other legal matters involving personal injuries, there is a statute of limitations. In California, this deadline is two years. However, the statute of limitations for false imprisonment is only one year. It’s always best to seek legal guidance from an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible.

Where to turn for legal help in Los Angeles

Sean Salamati and his legal team at the Salamati Law Firm have extensive experience handling complex litigation. Each of our clients is given the highest level of compassionate, personal attention. During the past 20 years, our law firm has successfully recovered maximum compensation on behalf of our personal injury clients in southern California. Call now to request a confidential consultation with our Los Angeles personal injury attorney.

Additional resources on personal injury lawsuits:

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November 9, 2018 Personal Injury Lawsuits

Certain injuries, even if not life-threatening, can be relatively disturbing. Whether it is due to a natural protectiveness of the

Doctor analyzing human skull x-ray

Certain injuries, even if not life-threatening, can be relatively disturbing. Whether it is due to a natural protectiveness of the eyes, to the cosmetic effects of facial disfigurement, or another reason, many people are more disturbed by the thought of a facial injury than by the thought of another injury of similar severity elsewhere on the body. For those who have suffered a facial fracture, it is important to allow for sufficient healing time or the area could be re-injured. If you have been injured due to someone else’s negligence or intentional act, speak with an expert Los Angeles facial fracture attorney at Salamati Law today.

Assessing a facial fracture

Facial fractures are broken bones of the face or the mouth. Common facial fractures are:

  • Nasal (nose)
  • Orbital (eye)
  • Maxillary or mandibular (upper or lower jaw)
  • Zygomatic (cheekbone)
  • Frontal (forehead)

It is important to be examined if you have any of these injuries because there could also be head or neck injuries that have gone undetected. Antibiotics may also be necessary if there is a chance the fracture could lead to an infection.

Healing time for facial fractures

The length of time it takes for a facial fracture to heal depends on the type and severity of the injury. In general, however, patients are often instructed to wait 6-8 weeks before engaging in physical activities that could cause further facial injuries.

Facial bruising and swelling may be cleared up in only 2-3 weeks. Nerve damage affecting physical sensation may take weeks or months to heal, and in some cases it may only partial heal or there may even be no recovery at all. Early evaluation and treatment can help prevent complications.

Complications can delay facial fracture healing

In some cases, a fracture will need to be set in order to heal properly, also referred to as “reduction”. This is understandably a bit complicated and it can done without surgery (a closed reduction) or in more complicated cases, require surgery (an open reduction) and the use of plates, screws, or other devices to keep the repair in place.

In any case, but especially in cases with complex fractures, there can be complications. When titanium plates or screws are used to set the break, they are meant to be permanently implanted. However, the devices may become infected or unbearably uncomfortable and require a revision surgery to remove or replace. While titanium parts are in place, they could also prevent the patient from having a CT scan or MRI.

Recovering for facial fractures after an accident in Southern California

There are rare cases of facial fractures due to non-traumatic causes, but most facial fractures are due to accidents or violence. In addition to the distress caused by facial disfigurement, patients often need to worry about medical bills, lost wages, and other financial and emotional losses.

California law recognizes the right of those injured by someone else’s negligence to receive the financial compensation necessary to be made whole. If you have been injured in Los Angeles through no fault of your own, speak with the facial fracture lawyers at Salamati Law and get the justice you deserve.

Additional facial fracture resources:

  1. Cambridge University Hospitals, Facial fractures, https://www.cuh.nhs.uk/addenbrookes-hospital/services/oral-and-maxillofacial-surgery-and-orthodontics/facial-fractures
  2. Cleveland Clinic, Facial Fractures, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/facial-fractures
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Anniversary of Las Vegas Shooting Marked with Memorials

October 5, 2018 News, Personal Injury Lawsuits, Wrongful Death Claims

Monday, October 1, 2018, marked the one-year anniversary of the Las Vegas shooting that took the lives of 58 attendees

Group of people holding candle vigil

Monday, October 1, 2018, marked the one-year anniversary of the Las Vegas shooting that took the lives of 58 attendees of the Route 91 Harvest music festival. Hundreds more were injured in the attack. People in and around Las Vegas marked the event with memorials. Meanwhile, investigations have still not revealed a clear motive for the massacre.

Shooting anniversary marked by memorials and homecoming

Officials throughout Nevada recognized the enormity of the anniversary. Governor Brian Sandoval ordered that all state and federal flags fly at half staff from sunrise to sunset. The Las Vegas Portraits Project, a display of artwork of the victims, is on display at the Clark County Government Center through October 19. A shooting survivor from Los Angeles, Dennis Guerrero, started a nonprofit called LoveWins and it is raising money to help the families left behind by the 58 who died.

Remarkably, just a few days before the anniversary, Rosemarie Melanson was released from the hospital. There were over 800 people injured in the shooting and Melanson was the last of the victims to remain hospitalized. She suffered bullet wounds to several organs and was placed on life support immediately after the shooting. Miraculously, she survived, and after nearly a year in the hospital, she finally returned home.

Federal court denies request of venue owner MGM

More than 20,000 people were attending the Route 91 Harvest music festival when Stephen Paddock opened fire on the crowd, killing 58 people and injuring hundreds more. Since then, more than 2,000 people have either sued or threatened to sue those connected with the venue or the shooter.

Hundreds of victims have joined in five lawsuits in state courts in California and Nevada, naming as defendants MGM Resorts International for allegedly not having proper security procedures and trained staff; concert organizer Live Nation for allegedly not having adequate exits and trained employees; and the estate of shooter Stephen Paddock.

MGM, the owner of Mandalay Bay, took a highly unusual step and filed a federal lawsuit naming about 2,000 people who were have sued or threatened to sue the company, requesting that the court issue a declaratory judgment stating that MGM is not liable, and requesting that all of the lawsuits against it be pooled together in multi-district litigation (MDL). Earlier this month, MGM’s requests were denied, allowing existing and future lawsuits against it to proceed in state courts without being transferred to an MDL docket.

Fighting for rights of injury victims in California

Los Angeles personal injury attorney Sean Salamati understands the legal battle that the shooting victims and their families face. The Salamati Law Firm has dedicated the past two decades to fighting for the rights of personal injury victims in LA and around Southern California. If you have been injured and believe someone else bears legal responsibility, call today to schedule a free confidential consultation.

Additional resources on Las Vegas shooting updates:

  1. Bloomberg, MGM Resorts Can’t Centralize Mass Shooting Lawsuits Panel Rules, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-10-03/mgm-resorts-can-t-centralize-mass-shooting-lawsuits-panel-rules
  2. Fox News, Las Vegas shooting: Memorial events mark 1-year anniversary as massacre motive still shrouded in mystery, https://www.foxnews.com/us/las-vegas-shooting-memorial-events-mark-1-year-anniversary-as-massacre-motive-still-shrouded-in-mystery
  3. Fox News, Las Vegas massacre survivor leaves hospital year after shooting, https://www.foxnews.com/us/las-vegas-massacre-survivor-leaves-hospital-year-after-shooting
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