A humerus fracture is a serious orthopedic injury that can significantly affect a person’s ability to work, care for their family, and perform even the simplest daily activities. Because the humerus is the long bone extending from the shoulder to the elbow, fractures often impair movement throughout the entire arm. Many victims require surgery, metal plates or rods, extensive rehabilitation, and months away from work. In severe cases, permanent nerve damage, chronic pain, and reduced arm function may remain long after the bone has healed.
At Flynn Law, our experienced humerus fracture lawyers represent injury victims throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New York who have suffered broken arm injuries because of another person’s negligence. Whether your injury resulted from a motor vehicle accident, workplace accident, slip and fall, or another preventable event, our legal team is committed to helping you pursue the compensation you deserve.
Flynn Law proudly represents clients throughout Philadelphia, Camden, Wilmington, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island, providing experienced representation in catastrophic injury and workers’ compensation claims.
What Is a Humerus Fracture?
The humerus is the large bone of the upper arm that connects the shoulder to the elbow. It plays a vital role in nearly every arm movement, including lifting, pushing, pulling, carrying, and reaching.
A humerus fracture can occur near the shoulder (proximal humerus), along the shaft of the bone, or near the elbow (distal humerus). Depending upon the severity of the break, treatment may involve immobilization, surgery, or lengthy rehabilitation.
Our humerus fracture lawyers understand that these injuries frequently interfere with employment, especially for individuals who perform physical labor.
Common Causes of Humerus Fractures
Most humerus fractures result from significant trauma.
Common causes include:
- Car accidents
- Commercial truck accidents
- Motorcycle crashes
- Bicycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Construction accidents
- Workplace accidents
- Falls from ladders
- Falling objects
- Sports injuries
- Premises liability accidents
Many of these accidents occur because another person, business, or property owner failed to exercise reasonable care.
Symptoms of a Broken Humerus
Symptoms often appear immediately following the injury.
Common signs include:
- Severe upper arm pain
- Shoulder pain
- Elbow pain
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Limited arm movement
- Visible deformity
- Grinding sensations
- Weakness
- Inability to lift the arm
- Numbness
- Tingling
Prompt medical treatment helps reduce the risk of long-term complications.
Types of Humerus Fractures
Orthopedic surgeons classify humerus fractures according to their location.
Common types include:
- Proximal humerus fractures
- Mid-shaft humerus fractures
- Distal humerus fractures
- Displaced fractures
- Non-displaced fractures
- Spiral fractures
- Comminuted fractures
- Compound (open) fractures
Each type presents unique treatment challenges and recovery timelines.
Serious Complications
Although many fractures heal successfully, serious complications may occur.
Potential complications include:
- Radial nerve injury
- Blood vessel damage
- Chronic pain
- Shoulder stiffness
- Elbow stiffness
- Arthritis
- Malunion
- Nonunion
- Muscle weakness
- Permanent loss of motion
- Permanent disability
Some individuals require multiple surgeries before achieving maximum recovery.
Humerus Fractures Following Motor Vehicle Accidents
Motor vehicle collisions remain one of the leading causes of severe humerus fractures.
Victims frequently sustain these injuries during:
- Head-on collisions
- Side-impact crashes
- Commercial truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Rollover accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
The tremendous force generated during these accidents often causes additional injuries involving the shoulder, collarbone, ribs, spine, and head.
Flynn Law aggressively pursues compensation for injured motorists throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New York.
Workplace Humerus Injuries
Construction workers, warehouse employees, delivery drivers, healthcare professionals, electricians, and manufacturing workers face increased risks of upper arm fractures.
Common workplace accidents include:
- Falls from ladders
- Scaffold collapses
- Forklift accidents
- Machinery accidents
- Falling equipment
- Crush injuries
- Struck-by accidents
Workers’ compensation benefits may provide medical treatment and wage replacement. Depending upon the circumstances, injured workers may also have third-party personal injury claims against negligent contractors, equipment manufacturers, or property owners.
Medical Treatment
Treatment depends upon the location and severity of the fracture.
Medical care may include:
- Emergency evaluation
- X-rays and CT scans
- Arm immobilization
- Sling or brace
- Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF)
- Plates and screws
- Intramedullary rods
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Long-term rehabilitation
Recovery often requires several months, particularly when surgery is necessary.
Compensation Available
Victims of humerus fractures often experience substantial financial losses.
Compensation may include:
- Emergency medical treatment
- Hospital expenses
- Surgical costs
- Rehabilitation
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Permanent disability
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Future medical care
Flynn Law works with orthopedic surgeons, rehabilitation physicians, vocational experts, life-care planners, and economists to fully evaluate every client’s damages.
Why Choose Flynn Law?
A humerus fracture can permanently affect a person’s ability to perform manual labor, participate in recreational activities, and complete everyday tasks.
Insurance companies frequently underestimate these injuries by focusing only on the initial fracture while ignoring long-term mobility limitations, chronic pain, future surgeries, and diminished earning capacity.
Flynn Law works closely with:
- Orthopedic trauma surgeons
- Rehabilitation physicians
- Physical therapists
- Occupational therapists
- Life-care planners
- Vocational experts
- Economists
Our attorneys prepare every case with the goal of maximizing compensation for both current and future losses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I need surgery for a humerus fracture?
Many humerus fractures heal without surgery, but displaced, unstable, or comminuted fractures frequently require surgical repair using plates, screws, or rods.
How long does recovery take?
Recovery varies depending upon the severity of the injury. Some fractures heal within several months, while complex injuries requiring surgery may take a year or longer.
Can a broken humerus cause permanent nerve damage?
Yes. The radial nerve travels alongside the humerus and may be injured during the fracture, resulting in numbness, weakness, or difficulty moving the wrist and fingers.
How long do I have to file a claim?
The deadline depends on the laws of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New York. Speaking with an experienced attorney promptly helps preserve evidence and protect your legal rights.
Contact Flynn Law’s Humerus Fracture Lawyers
A humerus fracture can interfere with your career, independence, and quality of life. If you or someone you love suffered a broken upper arm because of another person’s negligence, Flynn Law is prepared to help.
Our humerus fracture lawyers proudly represent clients throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New York, including Philadelphia, Camden, Wilmington, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island. Contact Flynn Law today for a free consultation and learn how our experienced legal team can help you pursue the compensation you deserve after a serious upper arm injury.