Tibial Plateau Fracture Lawsuit Settlement

Our team of car accident lawyers have extensive experience with tibial plateau fracture lawsuits against drivers, trucking companies, bus companies, and others. This is one of the most common serious injuries resulting from traffic accidents.

Attorneys at Pritzker Hageman recently won $5.1 million for a man whose injury was so severe that his leg eventually had to be amputated. He endured multiple surgeries before his leg had to be removed below the knee. If you have been inured, contact our attorneys using the form below.

Semi Trailer Truck Inspection Lawyers — Attorneys from Pritzker Hageman inspect a semi-trailer after a crash caused by a commercial truck driver.

A Tibial Plateau Fracture is a Severely Broken Leg

The tibia (or shin bone) is the larger of the two bones in the lower leg. At the very top of the tibia is the tibial plateau. When it is broken or fractured, it can be very serious, with long-term consequences. About half of all tibial plateau fractures cause damage to the adjacent soft tissue. When the damage to the bone and/or tissue is significant, there can be long-term mobility issues, and partial or total knee replacement surgery may be required.

A lawsuit should seek compensation for any expected future surgeries. When a truck or bus company is involved, their insurance representative may press you to settle quickly if you are not represented by an attorney. Many injuries like tibial plateau fractures, hip fractures, and traumatic brain injury (TBI) can get worse over time. Serious complications, such as infections, may not appear for weeks or months. Your need to get full compensation for all harm to you resulting from the crash.

Tibial plateau fractures are classified by the Schatzker classification.

Lateral split – usually in younger patients, with no depression at the articular surface;
Split with depression – typically older patients with osteoporosis;
Pure lateral depression – without splitting through the articular surface;
Pure medial depression – medial tibial plateau crumbles into fragments;
Bicondylar – split fractures through both the medial and lateral tibial plateaus;
Split extends to metadiaphyseal region – severe stress fractures that result in separation of the tibial plateau from the underlying tibia.

Possible Complications of a Tibial Plateau Fracture

Edema
Loss of ROM
Loss of strength
Loss of function
Deep vein thromboses
Myositis ossificans (muscle pain accompanied by bony deposits in the muscle)
Pseudoarthrosis (formation of a false joint formed by fibrous tissue)
Leg amputation.

Secondary Conditions

If the driver or passenger of a vehicle involved in an accident suffers a tibial plateau injury, there can be related complications, including those discussed below.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis breaks down the cartilage in the knee and causes pain, swelling and reduction of motion. Because this is often a permanent disability, partial or total knee replacement may be the only treatment option that brings back at least most of the mobility.

Meniscal Injury

Menisci, which are pieces of cartilage that sit between the femur and tibia (thighbone and shinbone), can be torn during an accident. Treatment may require a surgeon to perform arthroscopic surgery to examine and trim damaged menisci.

Medial Collateral Ligament Injury

The medial collateral ligament is a thick tissue band that runs down the knee. This ligament keeps the knee stable. It is often damaged in an accident that causes a tibial plateau fracture.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury

The anterior cruciate ligament in the knee can be torn, either partially or completely. Surgery is required to repair this injury.

Compartment Syndrome

Compartment syndrome is a medical condition where there is increased pressure in one of the “compartments” surrounding leg muscles. This pressure can cause muscle and nerve damage. If this pressure is high enough, it can stop blood from flowing, which can lead to permanent disability due to the severity of the damage to the muscle and nerves. Immediate surgery is necessary to prevent permanent damage.

Your tibial plateau fracture lawsuit should seek enough money to compensate you for all of your injuries, including any of the above complications.

Treatment Costs and Lost Income Can Be Pursued in a Tibial Plateau Lawsuit

Many factors influence treatment, including the following:

degree of displacement
number of particles of bone
extent of soft tissue and ligamentous injuries
associated neurovascular injuries
open/closed status of fracture

Once treatment has been decided, it is important to get therapy. Initially the therapy will consist of early range of motion (ROM) without putting any weight on the affected leg. A realistic goal is to gain 90 degrees of flexion by 4 weeks. It is vitally important to not bear weight on the affected leg for 12 weeks. Because of the long recovery period, in many cases there is significant lost income.

A tibial plateau lawsuit settlement should include amounts for medical expenses and lost income.