Ankle Injury Claims
Walking and running were once easy for you. But now, even the thought of your foot touching the ground makes you cringe. Ankle injuries can make it difficult and painful to get around. They also interfere with your work and personal life.
If your injury is the result of an accident at work, the negligence of another driver in a motor vehicle collision or a slip and fall, you may be eligible for compensation.
Common types and causes of ankle injuries
The ankle is the joint that occurs where the fibula and tibia meet with the talus bone. This joint consists of tendons and ligaments that allow it to move to a certain degree. There are various bones in the ankle that facilitate the movement of the joint.
Ankle injuries can be broadly classified as:
- Fractures
These occur when any of the bones that make up the ankle joint (the fibula and tibia as well as the talus bone) break or fracture. These types of injuries are common in car accidents as well as with slip and fall incidents.
- Sprains
These occur when the ligaments that make up the ankle joint are torn. Over 25,000 people suffer this type of injury every day. A sprain can be very painful. This type of injury often requires rest and cold compression to relieve swelling. Pain killers may be administered to relieve pain. The foot should be rested to allow for the natural healing process to take place. Typically, the value of a sprained ankle claim is not as high as with an ankle fracture or a tendon or ligament tear.
- Strains
Strains occur when tendons or ligaments are stretched and pulled too far.
- Tendonitis
This is an irritation of the tendons in the ankle joint. The tendons become inflamed. Tendonitis can be very painful and result in impaired mobility.
If you have an ankle injury and believe that someone else is responsible for the accident that resulted in the injury, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. This will ensure that you have a medical diagnosis and are treated for your injury. Your next step would be to seek the assistance of an experienced personal injury attorney. This will ensure that your legal rights are protected.
Causes of ankle injuries
You can sue for compensation if your ankle injury was the result of:
- A slip and fall accident. The accident should have occurred on another person’s property. You will have to show that the fall resulted from unsafe conditions on the property.
- A car accident. You will have to show that the accident was a result of the other driver’s carelessness.
- Malfunctioning of a machine or product. You can hold the manufacturer liable for defects that resulted in the accident.
The settlement or award for your ankle injury claim
Your settlement or award in an ankle injury case will depend on the severity of the injury, the circumstances surrounding your injury, your medical expenses, any lost wages or income resulting from your injury, your ability to return to a “normal level of activity”, as well as the pain you suffered while you were injured and the expectation that you will continue to suffer pain even after you have completed treatment.
Because the settlement value of ankle injury claims vary so widely and because these cases can be so complex, it is prudent to choose an attorney who has a proven ability to achieve substantial settlements and awards in these cases.
