Filing a Personal Injury Claim for a Broken Hip After an Accident

How a Personal Injury Attorney Can Help If You Suffered a Hip Injury

A broken hip can transform an ordinary day into a life-altering ordeal. When caused by a car wreck, a slip and fall on hazardous property, or another preventable accident, the injury often leaves victims facing severe pain, escalating medical expenses, and a lengthy recovery process. Surgeries, months of rehabilitation, and the loss of independence become part of reality, alongside the emotional strain on both the injured individual and their loved ones.

In Georgia, filing a personal injury claim is an important step for individuals who suffered a broken hip due to another party’s negligence. Beyond addressing immediate medical expenses, it provides the financial support necessary to rebuild a life disrupted by the injury.

Common Hip Injuries from Georgia Car Accidents and Falls

The hip is an important joint that supports mobility and weight-bearing functions, making it one of the most critical parts of the body. However, its position and structure also make it highly susceptible to severe injuries in high-impact accidents. The consequences of these injuries often require extensive medical intervention, long-term rehabilitation, and compensation to address the resulting physical, emotional, and financial burdens.

Below are some of the most severe hip injuries, how they typically occur, and why Georgia law says victims deserve compensation when negligence is involved:

Hip Fractures: These occur when the femoral neck or acetabulum (hip socket) sustains a break. Commonly caused by direct impacts in car crashes or falls from significant heights, these injuries often require surgeries like internal fixation or hip replacement. Negligent conditions, such as unsafe premises or reckless driving, often make the responsible party liable for damages.
Dislocations: The immense force of a side-impact car accident or a workplace machinery mishap can push the hip joint out of its socket, causing excruciating pain and requiring emergency medical intervention. Dislocations frequently occur in accidents involving negligent parties, such as distracted drivers or unsafe work environments.
Soft Tissue Damage: Torn ligaments, muscles, or cartilage surrounding the hip joint often result from slip and fall accidents on poorly maintained surfaces or rear-end collisions. These injuries can lead to chronic pain and limited mobility, and the property owner or driver responsible for the accident may owe compensation.
Acetabular Fractures: These severe fractures occur when the socket of the hip joint is broken, often from high-speed car crashes or falls from elevated surfaces. Victims usually require extensive surgery and rehabilitation, with liable parties often including negligent drivers or employers who failed to ensure a safe workplace.
Pelvic Fractures: Frequently seen in multi-vehicle pileups or crushing incidents, pelvic fractures affect the hip’s surrounding structure and may cause life-threatening internal damage. These injuries highlight the importance of holding negligent drivers or other responsible parties accountable for their actions.
Labral Tears: High-impact collisions or repetitive stress injuries can damage the cartilage that lines the hip socket. Labral tears may not heal without surgical intervention, and the party responsible for causing the accident may owe compensation for the long-term impact.
Osteonecrosis (Avascular Necrosis): This condition occurs when the blood supply to the hip is disrupted, often following trauma such as a hip fracture or dislocation. Victims may face hip replacement surgery, with liability often traced back to those responsible for the accident.
Femoral Head Fractures: A fracture of the femoral head, where the thighbone meets the hip socket, often occurs in high-speed collisions or falls from great heights. These injuries typically require surgical intervention and can lead to long-term complications, such as arthritis or the need for hip replacement. Liability often rests with negligent drivers or property owners who failed to address hazards.
Hip Impingement (Femoroacetabular Impingement - FAI): Caused by abnormal bone structure or trauma from accidents, this condition can lead to pain and restricted motion in the hip joint. Often linked to workplace injuries or repetitive strain, victims may require corrective surgery, with employers or third parties potentially liable for unsafe conditions.
Trochanteric Bursitis: Inflammation of the bursa (fluid-filled sac) over the outer part of the hip often results from trauma in side-impact collisions or falls. Though not a fracture, it can cause significant pain and mobility issues, particularly when left untreated. Negligence in maintaining safe premises or operating vehicles responsibly may be to blame.
Avulsion Fractures: These occur when a small piece of bone attached to a tendon or ligament is pulled away from the main part of the bone, often during a sudden impact or twist in an accident. These injuries may require physical therapy or surgery, and liability may fall on a negligent party, such as a distracted driver or an employer ignoring safety protocols.
Sciatic Nerve Damage: Trauma to the hip area, especially in high-impact accidents, can compress or damage the sciatic nerve, leading to pain, numbness, or weakness in the legs. This condition often stems from crashes caused by reckless or impaired drivers, making liability clear.
Iliac Crest Fractures: Injuries to the top part of the hip bone (iliac crest) often result from severe side impacts or crushing accidents. These fractures may cause internal bleeding or damage to nearby organs, highlighting the need for substantial compensation from liable parties.
Hip Joint Infections (Septic Arthritis): In rare cases, infections can develop in the hip joint following open fractures or surgeries necessitated by traumatic accidents. If negligence, such as improper medical care or unsafe conditions, contributes to the infection, victims may have grounds for a claim.

Each of these injuries presents unique medical challenges, including prolonged recovery times, ongoing pain management, and permanent mobility limitations. When these injuries are the result of negligence — whether from a careless driver, unsafe property conditions, or workplace hazards — the injured party deserves compensation to cover both immediate and long-term costs.

By pursuing a personal injury claim, victims can seek justice and ensure they receive the financial resources necessary for their recovery and future well-being.

Can You Still Walk With a Broken Hip?

In most cases, walking with a broken hip is extremely difficult and dangerous without immediate medical intervention. Hip fractures typically result in intense pain, swelling, and loss of function, making it unsafe to bear weight on the affected leg. Attempting to walk on a broken hip can worsen the injury and lead to complications such as displaced bone fragments, increased soft tissue damage, or a longer recovery period.

Immediate treatment, which may involve surgical repair or hip replacement, is crucial to restoring mobility. After surgery, physical therapy helps victims regain strength and resume walking safely over time. If your injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, consulting an experienced Georgia personal injury lawyer can ensure you receive compensation for your medical treatment and recovery needs.

Steps to File a Personal Injury Claim After a Hip Injury in Georgia

After suffering a broken hip in an accident, filing a personal injury claim can help a victim secure the resources needed for recovery. While the process may seem overwhelming, taking it step by step ensures that no crucial details are overlooked.

Seek Immediate Medical Treatment

When a hip injury occurs, medical care is the first priority. Emergency treatment often includes imaging, surgery, and pain management, laying the groundwork for recovery. Keep detailed records of:

All treatments, including surgical procedures, medications, and therapy sessions.
Follow-up appointments and future care plans, as these document the injury’s long-term impact.

Timely medical care not only aids recovery but also strengthens a legal claim by linking the injury directly to the accident.

Document the Accident

Evidence from the accident scene plays a vital role in proving negligence. To support a claim:

Report the incident to authorities, whether it’s the police for a car accident or a property owner for a slip and fall.
Take photos of the scene, any visible hazards, and your injuries.
Collect witness contact information to corroborate your account of events.

This documentation lays the foundation for building a strong case against the at-fault party.

Consult an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer

Navigating a personal injury claim on your own can be daunting. A lawyer can:

Evaluate the case to determine the potential for compensation.
Handle communication with insurance companies and opposing parties.
Guide victims through the claims process while they focus on recovery.

The right lawyer ensures that no detail is overlooked and that a victim’s rights are fully protected.

Provide Comprehensive Information to the Lawyer

In every case, a lawyer will need all relevant documentation to build a strong case. Share:

Medical records and bills related to the hip injury.
Accident reports, photos, and witness statements.
Any evidence of lost wages or diminished earning capacity.

With this information, a lawyer can calculate the full extent of damages and advocate for fair compensation.

What Compensation Can You Expect for a Broken Hip Injury Claim?

Compensation for a broken hip varies depending on factors like injury severity, recovery time, and the circumstances of the accident. In Georgia, settlements for hip injuries generally include compensation for:

Medical Expenses: Immediate costs such as surgeries and hospital stays and ongoing expenses like rehabilitation and home modifications.
Lost Income: Compensation for wages lost during recovery, with severe injuries leading to diminished earning capacity.
Pain and Suffering: Recognizing the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the injury, often accounting for significant portions of settlements.
Future Costs: Provisions for anticipated medical needs, such as additional surgeries or assistive devices.

Settlement amounts for broken hips typically are in the range of tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars with catastrophic cases potentially exceeding $500,000. However, these averages depend on the specifics of each case. A skilled lawyer can ensure a claim reflects the full extent of an individual’s losses, helping them avoid undervaluation by insurance companies.

Why You Need a Georgia Personal Injury Lawyer for a Broken Hip Claim

Filing a personal injury claim for a broken hip in Georgia comes with unique challenges that require a deep understanding of state-specific laws and legal strategies. From proving negligence to countering insurance companies that aim to minimize payouts, an experienced Georgia personal injury lawyer provides invaluable legal authority:

Gathering Evidence: In Georgia, accident cases often rely on comprehensive evidence, such as police reports, medical records, surveillance footage, and expert testimony. A lawyer ensures that critical evidence is preserved and presented effectively to demonstrate negligence and the full extent of the injury. For example, in a car accident, crash reconstruction experts may be consulted to show how a driver’s actions directly caused the injury.
Negotiating Settlements: Insurance companies in Georgia frequently attempt to undervalue claims, arguing that the injury is less severe or that future medical costs are overstated. A skilled lawyer advocates for fair compensation, leveraging knowledge of local trends and settlement precedents to ensure all current and future damages, such as medical expenses and lost wages, are fully covered.
Navigating Georgia’s Comparative Negligence Laws: Georgia follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which can reduce or even eliminate compensation if the injured party is found 50% or more at fault. Insurance companies often exploit this rule, attempting to shift blame onto the victim to minimize their payout. A lawyer with experience in Georgia law counters these tactics by clearly establishing liability and protecting the client’s rights.

Take Action After a Georgia Hip Injury — Contact Us Today

At the Law Offices of Gary Martin Hays & Associates, P.C., we have a proven track record of helping Georgia families secure substantial compensation for life-altering injuries like broken hips. Our results include a $170,000 settlement for a police officer who required a total hip replacement after a work-related injury and a $150,000 settlement for a worker who suffered a broken hip, broken foot, and herniated disc in a fall from a scissor lift.

If you’ve suffered a broken hip due to someone else’s negligence, contact us today for a free consultation. Let us fight for the justice and compensation you deserve so you can focus on rebuilding your life.

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