Case Study: Trimalleolar Ankle Fracture with ORIF Surgery

Background: Michael Johnson, a 50-year-old warehouse worker, suffered a trimalleolar ankle fracture after slipping on an unmarked wet floor in a grocery store. He underwent open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) surgery, requiring plates and screws to stabilize the fractures. Despite surgery and extensive rehabilitation, Michael experienced ongoing pain, stiffness, and limited mobility, affecting his ability to return to work and perform daily activities.

Challenges: The defense attempted to argue that Michael’s outcome was favorable and that he could return to work without significant limitations. They also contended that his future medical needs and lost earnings were overstated.

1. Life Care Plan

A life care planner conducted a thorough assessment of Michael’s ongoing medical needs, including physical therapy, pain management, assistive devices, and future revision surgery or post-traumatic arthritis treatment. This plan clearly illustrated the long-term impact of his injury.

2. Present Value Assessment of Life Care Plan

An economist calculated the present value of Michael’s future medical expenses to ensure the jury understood the full financial impact over time. This helped counter defense claims that minimized the costs of long-term care.

3. Vocational Loss of Earnings

A vocational expert analyzed Michael’s ability to return to work, considering his physically demanding job and permanent mobility limitations. The expert determined that Michael could not return to his previous position and had limited employment opportunities, supporting a claim for significant lost earnings.

4. Present Value Assessment of Loss of Earnings

An economist provided a detailed present value assessment of Michael’s lost wages and diminished earning capacity, factoring in career trajectory and retirement projections. This reinforced the financial impact of his injury on his future earning potential.

5. Medical Bill Reasonableness of Charges Analysis

A certified life care planner reviewed Michael’s past medical expenses to verify that they were reasonable and customary. This analysis helped prevent the defense from challenging the legitimacy of his medical costs.

Outcome: With a comprehensive presentation of damages valuation expert reports and testimony, Michael’s legal team established medical expenses, lost earnings, and pain and suffering, to ensure he had the financial resources necessary for ongoing care and stability.

Conclusion: For injury attorneys, utilizing life care plans, economic assessments, and vocational evaluations is essential in orthopedic injury cases. By presenting expert-backed evidence, attorneys can effectively counter defense arguments and acheive a just outcome for their clients.