West Palm Beach Bone Fracture Lawyers
Bone fractures are among the most common and painful injuries that occur in the workplace. While some broken bones heal relatively quickly, others require surgery, long-term rehabilitation, and may result in permanent impairment. Our West Palm Beach bone fracture lawyers help injured workers get the workers’ compensation benefits they need to recover after serious workplace accidents, including those that lead to bone fractures. Whether you work in construction, healthcare, transportation, or another high-risk industry, we are here to make sure you don’t face the financial burden of your injury alone.
The Seriousness of Bone Fractures
Although bone fractures are often dismissed as “simple” injuries, they can have long-lasting effects that interfere with a person’s ability to work and maintain their quality of life. Common complications include:
- Delayed healing or non-union fractures that require multiple surgeries or bone grafts.
- Chronic pain and stiffness in the affected area.
- Nerve or vascular damage near the fracture site.
- Post-traumatic arthritis or reduced range of motion, particularly in weight-bearing joints.
Even after the bone itself heals, many workers deal with secondary injuries such as muscle weakness, limited mobility, or psychological challenges from being out of work for extended periods.
Common Causes of Bone Fractures on the Job
Workers in West Palm Beach face a wide range of occupational hazards that can lead to broken bones. Some of the most frequent causes include:
- Slips, trips, and falls: A fall from a ladder, scaffolding, or even ground-level can cause serious fractures to the arms, legs, hips, or back.
- Motor vehicle accidents: Delivery drivers, truckers, and construction vehicle operators are at risk of broken bones in traffic crashes or heavy equipment accidents.
- Falling objects: Construction workers, warehouse employees, and retail staff can suffer fractures when struck by dropped tools, merchandise, or equipment.
- Repetitive stress or overexertion: While most fractures occur suddenly, stress fractures can develop over time from repetitive physical strain.
- Acts of violence: Unfortunately, some workers—including healthcare employees and nursing home staff—are at risk of being struck or assaulted, leading to broken bones.
High-Risk Industries for Bone Fractures
Nearly any worker can sustain a fracture, but certain industries in Palm Beach County see higher rates of these injuries:
Construction
Falls from heights, heavy equipment accidents, and structural collapses frequently result in bone fractures among construction workers. A broken leg or pelvis can keep a construction worker off the job for months or even permanently.
Healthcare and Nursing Homes
Nurses and nursing assistants are at risk of fractures when patients fall on them or during lifting accidents. In nursing homes, staff often face sudden, heavy physical strain, which can result in broken wrists, shoulders, or backs.
Hospitality and Service Jobs
Housekeepers, restaurant staff, and hotel workers may slip on wet floors or trip over clutter, causing fractures that interfere with their ability to perform physically demanding duties.
Transportation and Delivery Services
Drivers face a constant risk of car and truck accidents. A broken arm or ankle can not only prevent a worker from driving but also from performing secondary tasks like lifting packages or operating equipment.
Manufacturing and Warehousing
These workers face dangers from forklifts, conveyor belts, and falling objects. Broken fingers, hands, or ribs are common in industrial accidents.
Workers’ Compensation for Bone Fractures in Florida
Florida’s workers’ compensation system provides benefits to employees who suffer bone fractures on the job, regardless of who was at fault. These benefits include medical expenses coverage for hospital visits, surgeries, medication, physical therapy, and assistive devices like crutches or braces. Employees who are unable to work during recovery are entitled to wage replacement through temporary disability benefits. If your fracture results in long-term limitations or reduced mobility, permanent impairment benefits may be appropriate as well. The law also provides vocational rehabilitation assistance in training for a different job if you can’t return to your previous line of work.
Employers and insurance companies may try to minimize the severity of a fracture or argue that a worker can return to the job sooner than is realistic. That’s why having an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer in West Palm Beach is critical.
Challenges in Bone Fracture Claims
Not all fracture-related claims are straightforward. Some of the most common challenges include:
- Disputes over whether the injury is work-related: Stress fractures or repetitive-use injuries may be contested by insurers.
- Delays in medical approval: Surgeries, MRIs, or specialist visits often require approval, which insurers may drag out.
- Underestimation of long-term disability: A fracture that doesn’t heal properly can leave lasting impairments, yet insurers often undervalue these claims.
- Pressure to return to work prematurely: Injured workers are sometimes pushed to resume job duties before they are physically ready, leading to reinjury.
Our attorneys are skilled at countering these tactics, ensuring that clients receive the full range of benefits they are entitled to.
How Bone Fractures Affect Your Life Beyond Work
A bone fracture doesn’t just keep you from earning a paycheck. It can disrupt nearly every aspect of your daily life. Fracture sufferers may experience difficulty walking, driving, or performing household chores while encountering the need for long-term physical therapy and repeated medical appointments. Many deal with emotional distress caused by prolonged pain, financial stress, and dependency on others. Others have to adapt to lifestyle changes such as reduced physical activity, which can lead to secondary health issues.
We work to ensure that the compensation you receive reflects the true impact of your injury, not just the immediate medical costs.
What to Do After a Workplace Fracture in West Palm Beach
If you suffer a bone fracture on the job in West Palm Beach, it’s important to take immediate steps to protect both your health and your legal rights:
- Seek medical attention immediately. Delaying treatment can worsen the injury and create disputes about its severity.
- Report the injury to your employer. Florida law requires workers to notify their employer within 30 days of a workplace accident.
- Document everything. Keep records of medical visits, expenses, and any communication with your employer or insurer.
- Consult an experienced workers’ compensation attorney. Early legal guidance can prevent mistakes and strengthen your claim.
Our Commitment to Injured Workers in West Palm Beach
At The Law Offices of David M. Benenfeld, P.A., we understand how disruptive a serious fracture can be. We represent workers from all walks of life—construction workers, nurses, hotel employees, truck drivers, and more—who have been sidelined by broken bones on the job. We know how to push back when insurers deny, delay, or undervalue claims, and we fight for the full benefits our clients deserve.
If you’ve suffered a bone fracture in a workplace accident or while performing your job duties, you do not have to go through the workers’ compensation process alone. Our West Palm Beach bone fracture lawyers are ready to stand by your side, protect your rights, and guide you toward a secure recovery.
Call us today for a free consultation to discuss your case and learn how we can help.
