What is the Average Value of an Ankle Fracture Case?

Going by insurance claims paid out in the last few years, it would seem that the average settlement for an ankle fracture is between $18,000 and $75,000. In reality, how much an accident victim receives in compensation varies considerably depending on many factors, like the required medical treatments, the severity of injury, and whether the victim’s ability to work is impaired.

Taking all the variables into account for a foot and ankles injury claim, the value of an ankle fracture case may be around $100,000 to $200,000 for serious injuries with long-term complications. If your injury is severe enough to cause permanent disability, there is a good chance that the amount of compensation from a settlement or jury verdict will exceed $1,000,000.
Accidents Resulting in a Fracture to the Ankle
You often see ankle injuries among those who are in car or fall accidents (slip and fall or trip and fall). In these situations, the ankle and foot are very vulnerable and likely to sustain trauma that’s forceful enough to cause a fracture.

We talked before about the level of injury and how that plays a crucial role in case values for an ankle fracture. Another factor that can’t be ignored is the plaintiff’s occupation, i.e., what you do for a living. Based on their job duties, an ankle injury may keep them out of work for weeks or months. IF the injury results in complications to where the victim is disabled, it’s possible that they may need to find another job or quit working altogether. Impairments in your ability to resume your position at work can easily result in compensation rates of 6 to 7 figures.

How Much Do Ankle Fracture Cases Settle For?
Ultimately, there is no simple answer to this question, which is why there is so much conflicting information when you research this topic. You’ll come across insurance payouts that start at just $5,000, while others receive jury verdicts that are $5,000,000 and above.

The huge disparity has to do with many issues, including whether we are talking about settlements or jury verdicts. In our experience, only around 5% of all cases are tried in court, and these cases result in jury awards of $700,000 to $1,500,000 – as long as the ruling is in favor of the plaintiff. On the other hand, the median value for a settlement reached out of court is $75,000 or less.

That doesn’t mean that you won’t find insurance payments of $1,000,000 or more in cases where a settlement is reached between the two parties. If the fracture and its resulting complications are severe enough, the physical, emotional, and financial impact on the victim’s life may be significant enough to merit that level of compensation.
Factors that Play a Role in Ankle Fracture Settlement Values
In this section, we will go into further detail concerning the elements that are relevant to the valuation of an ankle fracture lawsuit. As we’ve already discussed, the most crucial factor is the injury, which has a direct correlation to the medical expenses, lost wages, and other economic damages you are entitled to.

The evidence you can locate also drives up the case value for an ankles fracture, especially if you had surgery and have compelling evidence from the surgeon and other medical experts that were involved in your treatments. This is why you must go to the hospital right away if you hurt your ankle in an accident, and ensure that you keep up with all appointments following the initial visit. There are instances where outside medical experts are hired to provide their own opinion, but testimony from your own doctor is the most compelling evidence.

Going back to case values based on jury verdicts, we know this option is appealing to many victims because of the potential for higher payouts. But going to trial should always be the last resort, as court cases are extremely expensive and take considerably longer to resolve than settlement negotiations. Plus, there is a risk of having the jury rule in favor of the other party, or awarding you a payment that’s considerably lower than you had expected. That’s why reaching a settlement is the option that’s recommended by the court system, but yes, there are a small percentage of lawsuits that can only be resolved by court intervention.

Free Second Opinion Consultation
Our law firm offers free second opinions on ankle fracture cases, which you can take advantage of by contacting our office 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A second opinion can serve multiple purposes that help you make an informed choice about your legal rights. For example, you may want reassurance that your attorney’s evaluation of your case value is fair and reasonable. Or, you are unhappy with the quality of representation you are receiving and want to discuss the pros and cons of switching your lawyer.

We are happy to provide you with a free consultation, where we can discuss the concerns you having with a pending ankle fracture claim. All you have to do is reach out to us at your earliest convenience and ask for a second opinion from one of our legal experts.
No Upfront Cost to Hire an Attorney
The personal injury lawyers of Kenmore operate under the Zero Fee Guarantee. As a result, you never pay upfront for the cost of legal representation. All of our expenses are billed to the negligent party and included in the compensation you receive from a successful lawsuit. That’s why we can assure you that you won’t be asked to pay for legal fees if we don’t recover your settlement.

If you are ready to discuss your rights and the legal actions that are available to you, contact the offices of Kenmore Law Group.