Leg Injury
Before your leg injury, you took walking for granted. In just seconds, that ability was compromised, whether temporarily or permanently.
Any type of leg injury impacts your life. You may no longer have the ability to work or perform normal activities. Depending on the type of injury, you may require care and can no longer live independently. If your leg injury occurred due to another party’s negligence or recklessness, it is critical to obtain legal advice as soon as possible.
Even if your leg injury still permits you to walk, it is with reduced mobility and pain. Leg accident victims may spend weeks or months in casts, and rely on crutches, walkers or wheelchairs. Although unable to work, the bills keep piling up, causing serious financial distress to the accident victim and their family.
The Los Angeles personal injury lawyers at Ellis Injury Law will hold those responsible for your leg injury accountable. Our attorneys have recovered millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for injured clients.
Leg injuries
The most frequent types of leg injuries include:
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears
- Crush injuries
- Fractures –Leg fractures will involve the femur, tibia or fibula, or the thigh, shin, or calf bones.
- Lacerations
- Nerve damage
- Torn meniscus –Tearing of the knee cartilage.
Many of these conditions require surgical repair. Some may result in long-term or permanent disability. A broken femur most often results from a car crash, as it is among the strongest bones in the body and significant impact is needed to break it. While some leg fractures may heal within a few months, a broken femur may take six months or more. Because it is so debilitating, such a break is potentially life-threatening.
In a worst-case scenario, the leg is so irreparably damaged that amputation is necessary.
Catastrophic leg injuries
For many accident victims, the leg injury is a short-term impairment and they will eventually regain mobility. However, when a person suffers a catastrophic injury, they will never recover and cannot work. A catastrophic leg injury is generally related to a spinal cord injury, and the person cannot walk. Amputation is another catastrophic leg injury, and the same is often true for crush injuries.
Leg injury causes
Leg injuries frequently occur in motor vehicle accidents, but other situations in which another party was negligent are also responsible for such injuries. These include slip and fall accidents, in which the injury was caused by the failure of a property owner to maintain premises safely.
Leg injuries may also happen due to assault. Construction accidents are another common cause of leg accidents. Pedestrians and bicyclists may suffer leg injuries if struck by cars.
Leg injury damages
Damages, or compensation, available for leg injuries may include:
- Medical expenses, current, and future
- Lost wages
- Lost future earnings
- Pain and suffering
If the leg injury involved a motor vehicle, property damages may also come into play.
Pain and suffering damages will depend on various circumstances. These may include the victim’s age, occupation, and prior level of mobility. For example, if a person regularly participated in athletics and now can no longer do so, they may receive damages for “loss of enjoyment of life,” since these activities are now prohibited due to the injury.
Keep good records of out-of-pocket expenses relating to the leg injury. That may include transportation to and from healthcare provider appointments and the costs of any devices needed during recuperation. If you had to hire someone to care for your children, take care of your home, or walk your dog while recovering, you can receive reimbursement.
Contact a Los Angeles accident lawyer
If you have been injured in an accident resulting in a leg injury due to negligence, you may be entitled to significant compensation. The Los Angeles catastrophic injury lawyers at Ellis Injury Law are experienced in getting maximum reimbursement for our clients.
Call or text us 24/7 to arrange a free consultation, or submit our online form to arrange an appointment. We will evaluate your claim and advise you of your options. While the majority of leg injury cases are settled, we will take the case to court if the insurance company will not agree to a fair settlement.
There is never a fee unless you receive compensation, as we work on a contingency basis.