A broken arm can come out of nowhere. Most people are not prepared for the physical discomfort that comes with a fractured arm, especially if it’s their dominant arm. Often, the injury can limit work and so earnings. Plus, broken bones may have significant treatment costs required to regain full functionality. A broken arm can change one’s financial standing entirely.
This guide will break down the expected costs of a broken bone in New York depending on the type and severity of break, as well as explore why a lawsuit could be a viable path to financial recovery.
Finding the Break Location
The arm is a complex biological machine. But its skeletal structure is primarily dominated by three major bones:
- The humerus is the largest bone in the arm and it runs from the shoulder socket to the elbow joint
- The radius is one of two forearm bones. It’s located on the thumb side of the forearm and it spins around the ulna when the palm is moved up and down
- The ulna is the other forearm bone, located on the pinky finger side of the forearm. It is immobile compared to the radius
One’s arm can break along any of these three major bones. Alternatively, multiple bones may be broken depending on the cause of the injury and its exact location.
How Much Does a Broken Humerus Cost in New York?
Because the humerus is so large, any breaks with this bone usually require a full cast. For the un-insured or the under-insured the costs to treat a broken humerus are numerous and include:
- An x-ray to confirm that the bone is broken and to locate the exact break. This will cost anywhere between $150 and $220
- A cast since a splint will not likely be stable enough to help a humerus bone recover. Casts for upper arm injuries can cost between $228 and $242 on average
- Furthermore, a broken humerus bone will require additional costs, including therapy, which can run as much as $200 per session, as well as cast changes and the addition of a splint toward the end of recovery, which will add several hundred dollars per appointment as well
- Every visit to the doctor or clinic will cost between $150 and $300
Therefore, broken arm victims might expect to pay anywhere between $1,000 in $2,000 on average for a broken humerus.
Humerus Fracture Complications
Humerus fractures are not always clean. Sometimes they come with complications, such as injured blood vessels, shredded muscle tissue, or shattered bone tissue.
Any of these complications may require surgery to fix the underlying problems before the bone can be reset for healing. Surgical treatments for humerus bone fractures often cost as much as nearly $15,000.
Therefore, broken arm victims are likely to pay much more than a few thousand dollars depending on the damage sustained by their bone(s).
How Much Does a Broken Radius or Ulna Cost in New York?
The radius and ulna are not as large as the humerus bone. But they are thinner and can often break more easily, as well as shatter more often.
In general, radius or ulna fracture victims will pay similar costs for their treatments compared to humerus bone fracture costs. However, some radius and ulna fractures only require a splint instead of a cast. Splints are usually a little less expensive than full-arm casts and may cost up to $239.
Furthermore, these broken arm injuries do not always require as many doctor’s visits. Therefore, total costs could be approximately $1,000 or so.
H3: Complications with Radius and Ulna Fractures
Due to their proximity, it’s not uncommon for both the radius and the ulna to be fractured at the same time. If this is the case, surgery may be required to treat both bones and to make sure that they do not heal improperly.
Like with humerus fracture surgeries, radius and ulna fracture surgeries can easily cost up to $16,000 or more. Without health insurance, the injury can cause a significant burden.
The Costs Add Up – Surgery and Hospital Stays Can Be Expensive
In addition to the raw medical costs for things like casts and x-rays, victims often have to pay ancillary charges. These include:
- A possible CT scan, which can cost up to $1,000
- Up to $1,000 for a possible emergency room visit
- Up to $950 for general treatment costs
- Supply charges from the hospital for things like braces and bandages
- And more
It’s no surprise that the average cost for a broken arm in the United States is $2,500. Note, however, that this price is for individuals who do not need surgery.
Loss of Income
Many victims of broken arms suffer even more, however, as they may not be able to return to work for some time. Even if they can return to their jobs, they may not be able to work as many hours or in the same capacity.
Victims are often forced to pay out-of-pocket for certain medical expenses, even if they have health insurance.
All of these factors can lead to a loss of income, further lowering the victim’s monetary stability. Due to all of these costs and more, those who suffer from broken arms may consider filing a lawsuit against the party responsible for their fracture(s). It’s a way for the victim to recover financially and get the money they need to pay for their medical bills and other expenses.
Common Causes of Broken Arms
Broken arms are common in part because they can be caused by so many things. Common causes include:
- Falls, either on personal property or on a business’s premises
- Sports injuries, especially if it is a contact sport
- Car accident trauma, especially during T-bone or head-on collisions
Many broken bones are caused at least in part due to the negligence or aggression of another person. Because of this, many broken bone victims choose to file lawsuits to recoup their costs and to make sure they can pay for their past and future medical bills.
Contact New York Broken Bone Attorneys Today
Anyone suffering from a broken bone should contact Sobo & Sobo: New York’s broken bone attorneys. Not only can they help victims recover financially from their troubles, but they will provide a free consultation as soon as they receive a call. Contact them today for more information.
