Jacksonville Broken Bones Fracture Lawyer
John M. Phillips is a Board Certified civil trial attorney with 25+ years of experience securing maximum compensation for broken bones and fracture injuries. His $495,123,680 verdict stands as the largest in Jacksonville history—a catastrophic judgment that demonstrates his ability to take serious fracture cases to trial and win decisively. Forbes named him a Top 200 Lawyer in America (2025) and a Top 20 Lawyer in Florida.
Broken bones are deceptively serious. A simple fracture can spiral into chronic pain, permanent disability, and a lifetime of lost earning capacity. Compound fractures expose bone and soft tissue to infection. Fractures near joints often cause arthritis. Healing is not guaranteed to be perfect—malunion, nonunion, and post-traumatic arthritis are common complications.
Insurance companies understand fracture injuries and aggressively defend them. They’ll argue the fracture was minor, that you healed perfectly, that any ongoing symptoms are psychosomatic or pre-existing. They’ll minimize your medical expenses, question your need for surgery, and pressure you to settle for a fraction of your case’s true value.
At Phillips, Hunt & Walker, we handle fracture cases that demand maximum compensation. We front all costs and litigation expenses at no interest (competitors charge LIBOR + 8%). We investigate thoroughly. We secure expert testimony. And we hold defendants accountable for the full extent of fracture-related harm.
Types of Fractures and Injuries We Handle
Simple (Closed) Fractures are breaks where the bone fragments do not pierce the skin. While “simple” suggests less serious, even simple fractures can cause severe pain, swelling, and disability. A simple wrist fracture can end a musician’s career. A simple ankle fracture can prevent an athlete from returning to sport.
Compound (Open) Fractures are breaks where bone fragments penetrate the skin, creating an open wound. Compound fractures risk infection, including life-threatening sepsis. Surgery is often required to clean the wound, align the bone, and stabilize it. Scarring and tissue damage are permanent.
Comminuted Fractures involve shattering of the bone into three or more fragments. These fractures are inherently unstable and often require surgical fixation with plates, screws, or intramedullary rods. Comminuted fractures have higher rates of nonunion and malunion.
Stress Fractures result from repetitive force or overuse. Athletes, runners, and military personnel commonly suffer stress fractures. While individual stress fractures may be “hairline,” repeated stress fractures indicate serious overuse injury and permanent loss of athletic capacity.
Pathological Fractures occur when underlying disease (cancer, osteoporosis, infection) weakens bone, allowing fracture from minimal trauma. If the defendant’s negligence exposed you to the force that fractured pathologically weakened bone, they are liable for the entire injury.
Crush Injuries and Fractures occur when limbs are trapped under weight. Crush injuries combine fracture with soft-tissue crushing, rhabdomyolysis, and risk of compartment syndrome. Crush injuries are often catastrophic and may result in amputation.
Fracture Sites and Specific Injuries
Hip Fractures are particularly serious in elderly patients. Hip fractures often require surgery (hip replacement, ORIF) and extensive rehabilitation. Many elderly patients never fully recover mobility after hip fracture. Loss of independence and quality of life are severe.
Pelvis Fractures are high-energy injuries that damage surrounding organs, blood vessels, and nerves. Pelvic fractures often cause internal bleeding, urinary tract injuries, and sexual dysfunction. Recovery is long and complications are frequent.
Rib Fractures cause severe pain, particularly with breathing and coughing. Multiple rib fractures can impair respiratory function. Rib fractures sometimes perforate lungs or lacerate liver, heart, or spleen.
Vertebral Fractures damage the spine and risk neurological injury. Fractures at C-spine (neck) or thoracic spine risk paralysis. Lumbar fractures risk nerve compression and chronic back pain.
Long Bone Fractures (femur, tibia, humerus) are serious injuries that impair mobility, require surgical fixation, and risk permanent disability. Femur fractures in particular can cause fat embolism, a life-threatening complication.
Facial and Jaw Fractures affect appearance, function, and self-image. Orbital fractures risk vision loss. Jaw fractures impair eating and speech. Correction often requires multiple surgeries.
Complications and Long-Term Effects
Nonunion and Malunion occur when broken bone segments fail to heal properly or heal in misalignment. Nonunion requires revision surgery. Malunion leaves the bone permanently deformed, impairing function and causing chronic pain. Both are common complications of untreated or improperly treated fractures.
Post-Traumatic Arthritis develops when fractures damage joint cartilage. Years or decades after the fracture, arthritis develops in the injured joint, causing chronic pain and eventual joint replacement. Post-traumatic arthritis is an inevitable long-term consequence of many fractures.
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic pain condition that sometimes develops after fracture. CRPS causes burning pain, swelling, skin changes, and loss of function that can persist for years and be severely disabling.
Compartment Syndrome is a surgical emergency that occurs when swelling within a muscle compartment increases pressure, cutting off blood supply and causing muscle death. Untreated compartment syndrome leads to amputation. Early fasciotomy is the only treatment.
Infection and Osteomyelitis are risks in compound fractures. Bone infection (osteomyelitis) is difficult to treat, may require multiple debridements, and can lead to amputation.
Fat Embolism Syndrome is a rare but life-threatening complication of long bone fractures (femur). Fat from bone marrow enters the bloodstream, causing respiratory failure, neurological symptoms, and death in severe cases.
Fracture Treatment and Medical Costs
Immobilization (Cast or Splint) is appropriate for stable, non-displaced fractures. Immobilization costs are minimal but loss of function and quality of life during healing can be significant.
Surgical Fixation with Hardware is required for unstable, displaced, or comminuted fractures. Plates, screws, intramedullary rods, and external fixators stabilize broken bone. Surgery costs $20,000-$100,000+. Hardware removal surgery (if required) adds additional cost.
Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation are essential for fracture recovery. Therapy typically lasts 3-12 months and costs $5,000-$30,000. Some fractures require long-term therapy indefinitely.
Revision Surgery is sometimes necessary if the fracture fails to heal, heals in malposition, or becomes infected. Revision surgery is more expensive and recovery is slower.
Total medical costs for a serious fracture can easily exceed $50,000-$200,000, and lifetime costs for complications (arthritis, CRPS, revision surgeries) can reach $500,000+.
Why Phillips, Hunt & Walker
Board-Certified Trial Excellence. John M. Phillips is Board Certified in Civil Trial Law—held by fewer than 5% of Florida attorneys. This credential demonstrates extensive trial experience, peer review, and mastery of trial practice. He’s been Board Certified since 2013.
Institutional Recognition. Forbes named John a Top 200 Lawyer in America (2025) and a Top 20 Lawyer in Florida. He holds AV-Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell and is listed in Florida Super Lawyers.
Trial Strength. Our $495,123,680 verdict—the largest in Jacksonville history—demonstrates our ability to take serious cases to trial and win decisively. Insurance companies know we don’t settle prematurely.
No-Cost, Interest-Free Litigation. We front all costs at no interest. Competitors charge LIBOR + 8%, adding $50,000+ to your bill. We don’t.
Personalized Representation. John handles your case personally. You’re not transferred to an associate or paralegal. You get a Board-Certified trial lawyer’s expertise from day one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much is my broken bones case worth?
A: Value depends on fracture type, surgical vs. conservative treatment, age, pre-injury occupation, and long-term complications. A simple ankle fracture might settle for $25,000-$75,000. A comminuted femur fracture with arthritis risk could be worth $200,000-$800,000+. We evaluate each case individually.
Q: Do I need surgery for maximum compensation?
A: No. Compensation depends on documented injury, demonstrable harm, and expert testimony—not the treatment chosen. Conservative care cases often settle substantially.
Q: What if the fracture was already healing when I sued?
A: Healing doesn’t reduce your recovery. If you suffered post-traumatic arthritis, malunion, or nonunion, those complications are part of your damages. We prove lifetime effects through expert testimony.
Q: How long does a fracture case take?
A: Simple cases settle in 6-18 months. Complex cases with complications require 2-4+ years. We move strategically, not slowly.
Contact Phillips, Hunt & Walker
If you suffered a serious fracture due to negligence, don’t accept a low settlement. Get a Board-Certified trial lawyer in your corner.
Free consultation. No cost to you. No interest on litigation expenses.
Call (904) 444-4444 today.
Phillips, Hunt & Walker
660 Park Street
Jacksonville, FL 32204
(904) 444-4444
Board-Certified Civil Trial Attorney. Offices in Jacksonville, Brunswick, and Fort Pierce.