What affects the value of a broken bone (fracture) claim
- Type of fracture: simple, displaced, compound or comminuted
- Surgery with plates, screws or rods, and any later hardware removal
- Recovery time and missed work
- Lasting stiffness, arthritis risk or reduced range of motion
- Your state's comparative fault rule
Worked example
A cyclist in Washington breaks a wrist when a car turns across the bike lane; surgery with a plate and 10 weeks off work. The insurer says the cyclist was 15% at fault. Treatment costs are $38,000 so far with $3,000 expected, and lost wages are $12,000. Using the "serious" severity (3× to 4×) and Washington's pure comparative negligence rule with 15% fault:
| Economic damages | $53,000 |
| Pain and suffering | $159,000 to $212,000 |
| Estimated settlement range | $180,000 to $225,000 |
| After a 33% attorney fee | $121,000 to $151,000 |
Hypothetical case calculated with the estimator above. It illustrates the method; it is not the average of real settlements.
Typical recovery and claim timeline
- Day 1: X-rays or CT scans confirm the fracture.
- Weeks 1 to 8: casting, splinting or surgery (plates, screws or rods).
- Months 2 to 6: physical therapy to restore strength and movement.
- Later: some fractures leave stiffness or arthritis, or need hardware removal.
Evidence that supports your claim
- Imaging reports confirming the fracture type
- Operative notes if you had surgery
- Physical therapy records and a final range-of-motion assessment
- Doctor's opinion on lasting limitations or arthritis risk
- Proof of time off work and any change in duties
Common treatments
- Casting or bracing
- Open reduction internal fixation (ORIF)
- Physical therapy
When to get professional help
Fractures needing surgery, joint involvement or a lasting loss of function are usually worth a professional review, especially if fault is disputed.
The estimator above starts with the most common severity for this injury. Change it if your treatment or recovery was different. See the methodology for how each number is calculated, or use the full personal injury settlement calculator.