How long does it take to Settle a Rib Fracture Injury Lawsuit?

What is a Rib Fracture Injury?

A rib fracture, or broken rib, refers to a break or crack in one of the bones in your rib cage. This is a sensitive area, which is why cracks in the rib are not uncommon from playing sports and household accidents. But these injuries can also occur from traumatic accidents where there the victim sustains a forceful impact to the chest or the side of their torso.

To prevent long-term complications, please see a doctor right away if you have pain in the chest or ribs after an accident. Medical intervention is critical to ensure that there is no damage to your internal organs, which the ribs are designed to protect. Below are some complications that can result from an accident involving a rib fracture:

• Damage to a major blood vessel, like the aorta, which can happen when there is a break in one of the top three ribs.
• Puncturing of the lung if a broken rib penetrates the organ. This can cause the lung to collapse.
• If the bottom two ribs are fractured, the sharp and jagged ends can puncture you liver, kidney, or spleen.

Compensation can help you with the costs of recovery if your accident was caused by someone else. To learn about your rights and legal options, contact our law firm and schedule a free case review.

Accidents that can Cause a Rib Fracture Injury

Fractured rib injuries often associated with the following accidents:

• Auto accidents (car, truck, bus, etc.)
• Pedestrian accidents (hit and run, for ex)
• Bike / motorcycle accident
• Slip and fall
• Trip and fall
• Physical altercations (assault and battery)
• Falling objects
• Workplace accident

Some accidents are unavoidable, but others could have been prevented with reasonable measures, like routine maintenance, cleaning, and following basic traffic laws. If you’re the victim of a rib injury that was caused by negligence or misconduct, make sure to speak with a lawyer right away. You may be entitled to compensation from the party at fault, which is essential to recover from your financial and emotional losses.
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How long does it take to Settle a Rib Fracture Case?

The average amount of time to settle a rib fracture injury case is 6 months to 2 years. However, there’s no universal method for predicting how long it will take to recover a settlement. As a general rule, we can say that cases with minor injuries are settled within 30 days to a few months. Claims for serious injuries can take 2 years or longer if they progress to a lawsuit. Claims that end up in court will take the longest, but this is rare as most insurance companies are not interested in going to trial. However, it can still take up to 2 years to negotiate a settlement, depending on the other side’s willingness to make a fair offer.

Why does it take so Long to Settle a Rib Fracture Case?

One big issue that can hold up a rib fracture case is the other side’s willingness to admit liability. This can be hard to prove in the legal sense, as different entities have their own set of rules that make them responsible in the eyes of the law. Every fine point of these laws will be argued and disputed by the insurance company, especially in serious accidents with long-term or lifelong injuries.

Even if the insurer agrees to pay you, the first offer is typically less than what you deserve. Please don’t be discouraged when this happens. Instead, talk to a lawyer who can fight for the full value of your losses. The personal injury lawyers of Normandie are here for you during this difficult time in your life. We will ensure that you are fairly compensated by the responsible parties.

Elements that can Prolong Your Case Timeline

The timeline of a rib fracture injury claim may be prolonged for a number of reasons. Here are some of the most common issues that we come across at our law firm:

• The severity of your injuries and how much compensation is needed as a result.
• Disputes over non-economic damages, like emotional distress and pain and suffering.
• Third party liability, i.e., more than one individual / entity is responsible for your accident.
• Insurance bad faith, which refers to intentional misconduct by the insurer, like delaying an accident investigation or stalling a payment.

If these elements are present in your case, they must be taken care of right away. We have our methods for overcoming these issues and getting a client’s case back on track. But it does take time to work through these problems, which can cause delays in the settlement process.

Why is the Insurance Company Stalling on my Payment?

There’s no denying that some insurance companies engage in bad faith insurance, like using stall tactics to avoid making a payment. On the other hand, they could also be taking their time to investigate your accident. This is generally the case for accidents with complex details, like severe injuries, fatalities, or multiple parties that may be liable. It’s fair that the insurance company wants to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure that your monetary demands are legitimate. Though it’s frustrating, this is another factor that can add to the amount of time it takes to settle your case.

Future Medical Treatments and Cost of Care

A serious rib injury can cause numerous health complications, which you may have to deal with for life. Future medical costs can help cover these expenses, but this is one area where you can expect pushback from the insurance company. This is understandable, as future cost of care can significantly increase the amount you are entitled to. However, it’s crucial to fight for these damages, which can affect your quality of life for many years to come.

Can I Sue for my Rib Fracture Injury?

Yes, if another person or entity is at fault for your rib injury, you can sue them for monetary compensation. The hard part is proving that they are legally responsible, which is why a lawyer is highly recommended. Aside to filing an injury claim on your behalf, your lawyer can find solid evidence to support your right to damages. However, many forms of evidence can be lost or degrade over time, so you must work with an attorney who will take immediate action on your case.

Here at Normandie, our number one goal is to settle your case as soon as possible, thereby allowing you to move forward with your life. To speak with one of our attorneys, contact our office and schedule a free consultation.

How can I Settle my Rib Fracture Case Faster?

Each case has its own set of circumstances, and some lawsuits will take much longer to settle than others. However, an experienced personal injury lawyer will give you the best chance of settling your case in a timely manner. The problem is, many clients end up with lawyers that are inexperienced in their type of accident. Another problem could be that the lawyer is prioritizing claims based on case value, which is simply a matter of greed.

Luckily, you do have the right to change lawyers, even if you’re in the middle of a lawsuit. But firing an attorney is a big decision no matter where you are in your case. So how can you be sure that switching lawyers is the right choice? 

Free Second Opinion

If you’re unhappy with your current lawyer, please come and see us for a free second opinion. Switching your lawyer may be the best option, but you should make sure that you understand the consequences of changing counsel. If this is something that interests you after your consultation, we’ll take care of the entire transfer process so that you have one less thing to worry about.

Depending on the details of your accident, we may be able to settle your case in 30 days, No matter what, you can be confident in our ability to take immediate action and bring you the compensation you deserve. To schedule a free second opinion, please give us a call at our office.

Advice from a Lawyer that Specializes in Rib Fracture Injuries

Regardless of how you were injured, an experienced attorney is the key to recovering a fair settlement if another person or entity is at fault for your accident. Unfortunately, many people assume that they are unable to afford legal representation. That won’t be the case when you choose Nomandie Law Firm, since we operate under a Zero fee guarantee. Under this agreement, you retain one of our attorneys at no upfront cost. We only get paid when you receive your settlement, and if we don’t recover your damages, you pay us absolutely nothing.

Since there’s nothing to lose, please contact our office at your earliest convenience. We look forward to speaking with you during a free case evaluation.

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