A broken jaw, or mandibular fracture, is the second most common type of facial fracture after a nasal fracture. If you have broken your jaw due to someone else’s negligent, careless or intentional actions, or due to a dangerous condition on someone else’s property, you may recover monetary compensation for your injuries through a personal injury claim. A California personal injury lawyer can help you recover damages for your injuries and hold responsible parties accountable for the financial consequences of your injuries. Monetary compensation for a broken jaw personal injury claim can include money for medical care expenses, oral and plastic surgeries, lost earnings, and emotional pain and suffering.
Broken Jaw Symptoms
Some signs and symptoms of a broken mandible include:
- Pain (the most common symptom)
- Difficulty opening your mouth or talking
- Malocclusion (feeling like your teeth don’t fit together correctly)
- Numbness of chin
- Numbness of lower lip
- Bruising under the tongue
- Bleeding in the mouth
- Swelling of the jaw.
A jaw fracture can occur in a number of ways, usually after a direct impact to the side of the face. Violent assaults, gunshots, stabbings, auto accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, dog bites, and construction accidents are all potential causes of jawbone fractures.
Other Associated Injuries
An impact that is severe enough to break your jawbone may also cause significant damage and other fractures to your head, face, and neck. A jaw fracture could also result in airway obstruction, internal bleeding, concussion, traumatic brain injury, nasal fracture, C1 vertebrae fracture, linear skull fracture, or even a spinal cord injury. With any unstable fracture that requires surgery, there is also a concern of complications and infection.
Jaw Fracture Treatment
If you suspect a possible broken jaw or fracture of your mandible bone, seek medical attention as soon as possible. If possible, apply ice to the jaw and keep it stabilized, either with your hand or a bandage. A doctor will examine the injury and may consult with a maxillofacial surgeon or dentist. If the fracture is stable, your physician may wire your upper and lower jaws together for up to six weeks. If the fracture is unstable, a surgeon may secure plates to the mandible bone on each side of the fracture.
Jaw Fracture Compensation
A broken mandible can be a devastating injury, no matter how it occurs. Jaw fractures are painful injuries that may permanently alter your appearance and enjoyment of life. The healing period for a jaw fracture can take several months, during which your jaw may be permanently wired shut and you will have to consume your meals through a straw. During this time, you may not be able to work. If you have suffered a jaw fracture or any other bone fracture injury, contact an attorney who can help you protect your legal rights and recover compensation for your injuries. Contact Estey & Bomberger today at (800)925-0723 for a free consultation. Our attorneys are available to discuss your case and answer your questions 24 hours a day. If we handle your claim, we will not charge any fees unless we recover money for you.