Seemingly mild, minute injuries can ruin an entire day. Take, for instance, hitting your toes against a hard surface. The pain will be overpowering, thereby, causing a limp and obstructing simple daily tasks. In the instance of an olecranon fracture, the same principle of pain and functionality works
What Is An Olecranon Fracture?
A fracture of the olecranon is a break in the elbow’s bony tip. This pointed bone fragment is part of the ulna, one of three bones that make up the elbow joint.
The olecranon does not receive much protection from muscles or other soft tissues. It is located right underneath the skin of the elbow, leaving it exposed.
In addition, it is easily breakable if someone takes a direct blow to the elbow or lands on its tip. Elbow mobility may be extremely painful and even impossible after a fracture.
Furthermore, according to a study, olecranon fractures account for almost 10% of upper extremity fractures. Hence, making their incidence 12 per 1000 people. The persistence and pain accompanied by this kind of fracture lend it not only medical but also legal significance.
In some cases of olecranon fracture, there will be no liability to anyone. However, a third party can be held liable for the fracture in other cases.
Where a third party is at fault in an olecranon fracture case, legal animation can be used to portray the cause. It can show how the defendant’s act is a proximate cause of the fracture and the extent to which the plaintiff suffered.
What Are The Causes Of Olecranon Fracture?
An olecranon fracture may be caused by different factors. Therefore, the circumstances surrounding the cause of action would determine if the case could be instituted in court.
Here are some of the causes of olecranon fracture that can be sued for in court:
Slip and fall
More often than not, an olecranon fracture occurs not from direct trauma. It can come from an indirect trauma brought on by a fall on the elbow.
Therefore, when there has been a slip and fall, the person liable for it may be sued while highlighting how they caused the fall.
In some instances, a slip and fall may relate to premises liability. Hence, holding the at-fault party liable for the condition found on their premises that led to the incident.
Therefore, if there is inadequate lighting, slippery floors, unkempt floors, uncleared bushes, and disarranged equipment, there is a possibility of a slip and fall that causes olecranon fractures.
Some of these incidents lead to severe, permanent injuries.
An example of a case where a slip and fall led to an olecranon fracture is that of Robinson v. City of Omak.
In this case, the plaintiff fell on a Department of Transportation (DOT)-constructed sidewalk curb in Omak. The fall led to an olecranon fracture and a complication of permanent nerve damage. She was awarded full economic damages against the defendant.
For a case with similar circumstance, to receive higher compensation and better representation, legal animation can be used to depict the condition of the premises, the plaintiff’s interaction with the premises, and how that led to the accident.
Assault
Even though the rate at which an assault can lead to an olecranon fracture is low, it can’t be completely ruled out. It must be noted that a direct blow with the hands or other equipment to the elbow can lead to a fracture.
Similarly, if the assaulter exerts force so that the victim falls on their elbows, the result of an olecranon fracture should not be a surprise.
In a situation where it may be difficult to prove the correlation between an assault and an olecranon fracture, legal animation can be used to properly visualize the case and erase any doubt in the hearts of the jurors.
Car Accident
Another cause of olecranon fractures is car accidents. These incidents are pretty popular in the US and are rife with various injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, skeletal injuries, muscle injuries, and olecranon fractures. In some of these situations, the victim may have to undergo surgery.
An example is the case of Delmon A. v. Saul. Here, the plaintiff sustained an olecranon fracture and a tibial plateau fracture after being hit by a car while riding his bike. Therefore, had to undergo corrective surgery after the incident.
Workplace accident
Workplaces such as construction sites, manufacturing companies, factories, farmlands, mines, and many more rugged work descriptions are known for constant accidents.
This is sometimes due to employers’ negligence in providing adequate safety gear for workers. In other instances, it may be due to the careless act of the worker themselves or their colleagues.
For cases where the trauma that led to an olecranon fracture was caused by the negligence of employers or fellow workers, it may be possible to recover compensation.
In some companies, regardless of the at-fault party of an accident, it is possible to recover compensation for any injury sustained.
An example of a case where an olecranon fracture was a workplace injury is the case of Beal v. Coastal Carriers, Inc.
In this case, the plaintiff sustained multiple injuries while lifting furniture to the second floor of the building while in the defendant’s employ.
Unfortunately, some of the injuries he suffered included a left elbow comminuted intra-articular olecranon fracture; fractures of the left sphenoid wing, left lateral orbital wall, left maxillary sinus, and left zygomatic arch; a comminuted right distal radius and ulna fracture; multiple left rib fractures; a ruptured spleen; and a mild subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Olecranon Fracture Animation
In all of these instances, it is possible to recover due compensation with the help of legal animation. Legal animation will help illustrate the injury’s extent, complications, and how it would affect the plaintiff’s life.
For cases like those mentioned above, to use legal animation, the experience and integrity of the legal animation company must be tested.
Fox-AE is an example of a legal animation company that has stood the test of time, integrity, and success.
It is a legal animation company dedicated and committed to creating accurate, legally admissible, relevant, and weighty legal animations. With an olecranon fracture animation created by our animators, you’re sure to get a demonstrative exhibit that clearly illustrates the cause of the fracture.
In conclusion, we work closely with expert witnesses and attorneys on the case to ensure we leave no stone unturned when creating our demonstrative exhibits.
