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If someone else's carelessness caused your broken bone in Elgin, Illinois, law may allow you to pursue compensation. An Elgin broken bones injury lawyer at Conboy Law can investigate what happened, work to identify every liable party, and handle the insurance claim while you focus on healing. A fracture can mean surgery, weeks off work, and months of physical therapy.
Those costs add up fast, and Illinois sets strict filing deadlines for injury claims. The at-fault party's insurer may also move quickly to limit what it pays. Call Conboy Law at 312-726-9000 to discuss your fracture injury and your legal options with our team.
How Conboy Law Can Help After a Broken Bone Injury in Elgin
We represent people in Elgin and throughout Kane County who suffered fractures in crashes, falls, and workplace incidents. As an Elgin personal injury lawyer team, we gather medical records, consult experts, and document how the injury affects your work and daily life.
Our fracture-related results include the following:
- $3.8 million for a worker who suffered multiple leg and pelvic fractures after a salt truck lost a wheel on I-294.
- $2.6 million in a multi-vehicle crash case involving fractured ribs and a fractured clavicle.
- $800,000 premises liability settlement for a client with a broken clavicle and humerus.
- $250,000 settlement for a compression fracture following a rear-end collision.
You can review more of our case results, though past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Our founding attorney was selected to Super Lawyers Rising Stars from 2019 to 2022 and belongs to the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association. We handle injury cases on a contingency fee basis and explain the fee terms during your case evaluation.
How Common Are Broken Bone Injuries in Elgin, IL?
Crashes and falls cause many serious fractures each year. Public agencies do not publish a separate count of broken bones in Elgin, but state and national data show how often these injuries happen:
- Illinois recorded 303,913 motor vehicle crashes in 2024, and 63,109 of them were injury crashes, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation's 2024 Crash Facts report.
- Nearly 319,000 older adults are hospitalized for hip fractures each year, based on CDC data on older adult falls.
- Falls caused 88% of emergency room visits and hospitalizations for hip fractures among older adults.
Locally, the Elgin Police Department's Traffic Unit investigates and reconstructs crashes involving serious injuries. Those reports can become key evidence in a fracture claim.
Common Types of Broken Bones We See in Elgin Injury Claims
The type and location of a fracture shape your treatment, your recovery time, and the value of your claim. We regularly see the following injuries:
- Open fractures: The broken bone breaks through the skin, which raises the risk of infection.
- Displaced and comminuted fractures: The bone shifts out of alignment or shatters into several pieces, often requiring surgery.
- Hip and pelvic fractures: These injuries can limit walking and independence, especially for older adults.
- Wrist and arm fractures: People often break these bones while trying to catch themselves during a fall.
- Rib fractures: Broken ribs can make breathing painful and may accompany internal injuries.
- Vertebral compression fractures: A collapsed vertebra can cause lasting back pain and limited mobility.
What Types of Bone Fractures Can Lead to Serious Claims?
Some fractures are more complex and may lead to longer treatment, higher medical costs, and lasting limitations.
Examples include:
- Comminuted fractures: The bone breaks into several pieces and may require surgical repair.
- Displaced fractures: The broken ends move out of alignment and may need reduction or surgery.
- Compound or open fractures: The bone breaks through or communicates with an open wound, increasing the risk of infection.
- Compression fractures: These often affect the spine and may cause ongoing pain or limited mobility.
- Joint fractures: Breaks involving areas such as the hip, knee, ankle, shoulder, or wrist can affect movement and may contribute to long-term stiffness or arthritis.
The seriousness of a claim depends on the treatment required, recovery time, permanent limitations, and how the injury affects work and daily life.
What Is My Elgin Broken Bones Injury Case Worth?
No two fracture claims have the same value. A simple break that heals in a cast differs from a shattered bone that needs plates, screws, and multiple surgeries.
Factors that can affect the value of your claim include:
- Whether you needed surgery or implanted hardware
- How long the fracture takes to heal
- Any permanent impairment, arthritis, or limited range of motion
- Missed work and any loss of future earning ability
- Your share of fault, if any
- The insurance coverage available to the at-fault party
We review your medical records and future care needs before we place a value on your claim.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Broken Bone Injury Clients?
Illinois injury claims can include economic and non-economic damages. Each category covers a different part of your loss.
Economic Damages
Economic damages cover losses with a dollar amount, such as:
- Emergency care, surgery, and hospital stays
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Lost wages during recovery
- Reduced future earning capacity
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages reflect harm that bills cannot capture, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Punitive Damages
In rare cases involving especially reckless or intentional conduct, a court may allow punitive damages. These damages aim to penalize the at-fault party rather than repay a specific loss.
injured? We’re ready to fight for you
Can I Recover Damages If I'm Being Blamed for a Broken Bone Injury in Illinois?
Yes, in many cases. Illinois uses a modified comparative fault rule under 735 ILCS 5/2-1116.
You are barred from recovering damages only if your fault is more than 50% of the proximate cause of your injury. At 50% or less, your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, a client found 20% at fault for a $100,000 loss could still recover $80,000.
What If More Than One Party Caused My Fracture?
Under 735 ILCS 5/2-1117, all defendants found liable are jointly and severally liable for past and future medical expenses, with some exceptions. For other damages, a defendant 25% or more at fault is jointly and severally liable, while a defendant less than 25% at fault is only severely liable.
We'll Fight to Recover Compensation for All of Your Broken Bone Injuries
The force that breaks a bone often causes other harm. Fractures frequently come with nerve damage, head trauma, internal injuries, or deep lacerations. Our team documents every injury linked to the incident, not only the fracture. We work with your treating doctors to show how each injury affects your recovery and future.
What Causes Most Broken Bone Injuries in Elgin, IL?
Many fractures come from sudden, forceful events. The cause of your injury also determines which Illinois laws apply to your claim.
Car, Truck, and Motorcycle Crashes
Collisions can crush limbs, fracture ribs against a steering wheel, or throw riders and pedestrians to the pavement. An Elgin car accident attorney on our team can review the crash report, vehicle damage, and witness statements.
Slip, Trip, and Fall Accidents
Wet floors, broken stairs, and uncleared ice can lead to wrist, hip, and ankle fractures. Under the Illinois Premises Liability Act, property owners owe lawful visitors reasonable care under the circumstances. Talk with an Elgin slip and fall accident lawyer about whether the owner failed to meet that duty.
Construction and Workplace Accidents
Falls from ladders, scaffolding collapses, and falling objects cause serious fractures on job sites. Under 820 ILCS 305/6(d), a workers' compensation claim must be filed within 3 years of the accident or within 2 years of the last compensation payment, whichever is later. An Elgin construction accident lawyer can also check whether a negligent third party, such as a subcontractor or equipment maker, shares responsibility.
Dog Attacks and Knockdowns
A large dog can knock a child or older adult to the ground hard enough to break a bone. Under 510 ILCS 5/16, an owner is liable for the full amount of injury when an animal, without provocation, attacks or injures a person who is peacefully in a place they may lawfully be.
What Should I Do After Breaking a Bone in an Elgin Accident?
The steps you take early can protect both your health and your claim. Follow this order when you can:
- Get medical care right away, even if you think the injury is minor.
- Report the incident to the police, a property manager, or your employer.
- Photograph the scene, the hazard, and your visible injuries.
- Collect names and contact details from witnesses.
- Follow your doctor's treatment plan and attend every appointment.
- Keep copies of medical bills, pay stubs, and receipts.
- Decline to give a recorded statement to the other party's insurer.
- Call an attorney before accepting any settlement offer.
If a crash caused your fracture, you can request an Elgin crash report from the police department or order it online.
How Do I Prove Negligence After a Broken Bone Injury in Illinois?
Most fracture claims rest on negligence. To prove it, you generally must show the following:
- The at-fault party owed you a duty of reasonable care.
- That party breached the duty through a careless act or failure to act.
- The breach caused your broken bone.
- You suffered real losses as a result.
Evidence That Supports a Fracture Claim
Strong evidence connects the negligent conduct to your specific injury. Useful evidence includes:
- X-rays, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) results, and other imaging studies
- Surgical and orthopedic treatment records
- Police, incident, or accident reports
- Surveillance or dashcam video
- Testimony from medical and accident reconstruction experts
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Broken Bone Injury in Illinois?
Most Illinois injury lawsuits must be filed within 2 years after the cause of action accrues under 735 ILCS 5/13-202. Some fracture claims follow different deadlines:
- Government defendants: Claims against a local entity, such as a city or park district, generally must be filed within 1 year under 745 ILCS 10/8-101(a).
- Workplace injuries: Workers' compensation claims follow the separate filing periods described above.
Evidence such as video footage and witness memories can disappear quickly. Starting early gives our team more time to preserve it.
Contact an Elgin Broken Bones Injury Lawyer for a Free Consultation
A broken bone can put your job, your finances, and your independence on hold. An Elgin broken bones injury lawyer at Conboy Law can explain your rights, calculate your losses, and pursue compensation from every liable party.
Attorney Joseph Conboy and our team are ready to review your case. Call Conboy Law at 312-726-9000 today to schedule your case evaluation.
Joseph M. Conboy is the founding attorney of Conboy Law and represents victims and families in serious personal injury, medical malpractice, and wrongful death cases throughout Illinois. He has obtained numerous multi-million-dollar results and has been recognized by Super Lawyers as a Rising Star. As the firm’s primary litigator, he works closely with clients to build strategies tailored to the facts of each case.
