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Orthopedic injuries — including fractures, joint damage, torn ligaments, and tendon ruptures — are among the most common and most misunderstood injuries in Ontario accident claims. Although bones often heal within months, orthopedic trauma can cause long-term pain, reduced mobility, arthritis, strength loss, gait abnormalities, and permanent functional limitations that affect a person’s ability to work and participate in daily life.

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Our Ontario orthopedic injury lawyers represent clients with serious fractures and musculoskeletal injuries caused by motor vehicle accidents, slip and falls, bicycle collisions, motorcycle crashes, and other negligent acts. We understand how orthopedic injuries progress medically and how they are evaluated legally under Ontario’s tort system and the Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule (SABS). Our goal is to ensure clients receive fair compensation and access to the treatment and support they need over the long term.

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Common Causes of Orthopedic Injuries in Ontario

 

Serious orthopedic trauma frequently results from:

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• Car accidents
• Motorcycle crashes
• Bicycle and e-bike collisions
• Pedestrian accidents
• Slip and falls on unsafe property
• Falls from height or collapsing structures
• Recreational or sports incidents

 

In motor vehicle accidents, orthopedic injuries can require extensive treatment funded through SABS benefits, including physiotherapy, orthopedic consultations, diagnostic imaging, and assistive devices such as braces, splints, mobility aids, and orthotics.

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Types of Orthopedic Injuries We Represent

 

We assist clients with a full range of orthopedic and musculoskeletal injuries, including:

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Fractures and Broken Bones

• Displaced and non-displaced fractures
• Comminuted fractures (multiple fragments)
• Open or compound fractures
• Fractures requiring surgical repair (ORIF)
• Hardware implantation or removal
• Malunion, nonunion, and delayed-union fractures
• Pelvic and hip fractures
• Tibia, fibula, ankle, and foot fractures
• Wrist, hand, radius, and ulna fractures
• Clavicle, humerus, and shoulder fractures
• Rib and sternal fractures
• Vertebral compression fractures

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Soft-Tissue and Joint Injuries

• ACL, MCL, PCL, and meniscus tears
• Shoulder dislocations and labral tears
• Rotator cuff tears
• Tendon ruptures (Achilles, biceps, quadriceps)
• Chronic instability and ligament laxity
• Severe sprains with long-term impairment

 

These injuries often appear “healed” on imaging long before the individual regains full function. Weight-bearing joints (hips, knees, ankles) and high-mobility joints (shoulders, wrists) are especially prone to post-traumatic arthritis, chronic instability, or the need for future surgical intervention.

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How Orthopedic Injuries Are Diagnosed and Documented

 

Accurate diagnosis is essential in both medical recovery and legal claims. Orthopedic injury cases commonly rely on:

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• X-rays to assess fractures, displacement, and hardware integrity
• CT scans for complex fractures and joint involvement
• MRI scans for ligament tears, tendon ruptures, cartilage damage, and joint degeneration
• Ultrasound for soft-tissue injuries
• Functional assessments (FAE/FCE) to document strength, mobility, and work-related functional limits
• Gait analysis and mobility evaluations to assess long-term impairment

 

Proper documentation of imaging and functional limitations is crucial when establishing income loss, future care needs, and long-term disability.

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Legal Compensation for Orthopedic Injuries in Ontario

 

Individuals injured through negligence may be entitled to compensation for:

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• Pain and suffering
• Past loss of income
• Future loss of income and earning capacity
• Medical and rehabilitation expenses
• Housekeeping and home maintenance losses
• Future care costs
• Out-of-pocket expenses

 

Orthopedic injuries often require extended physiotherapy, bracing, injections, and — in many cases — future surgeries such as hardware removal, arthroscopy, joint reconstruction, or knee and hip replacements. These anticipated needs must be documented early so they can be included in a claim for future damages.

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If the injury occurred in a motor vehicle accident, we also assist clients with their SABS claims, including income replacement benefits, treatment plans, orthopedic assessments, and catastrophic impairment considerations in complex cases.

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When Orthopedic Injuries Lead to Long-Term Impairment

 

Not all fractures carry the same long-term consequences. Some injuries appear to recover well initially but cause significant disability over time. Common long-term outcomes include:

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• Post-traumatic arthritis
• Reduced range of motion
• Chronic joint pain
• Loss of strength or dexterity
• Altered gait mechanics
• Recurrent instability or dislocations
• Nerve irritation or neuropathic pain
• Hardware irritation or surgical revision
• Need for future joint replacement surgery
• Functional disability affecting employment

 

These long-term impairments often form the foundation of claims for future loss of income and future care costs.

 

Expert Evidence in Orthopedic Injury Claims

 

Orthopedic injury cases frequently depend on expert medical evidence. Our firm regularly works with:

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• Orthopedic surgeons
• Physiotherapists and occupational therapists
• Physiatrists
• Radiologists
• Vocational experts
• Future care planners

 

Expert opinions help establish:

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• Causation
• Extent of injury
• Prognosis
• Likelihood of future surgeries
• Expected progression of arthritis
• Impact on work and daily activities
• Long-term medical and rehabilitation needs

 

When supported by strong expert evidence, orthopedic injury claims often resolve favourably without trial.

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Orthopedic Injuries and Catastrophic Impairment (SABS)

 

Most orthopedic injuries do not qualify for catastrophic designation on their own. However, certain severe cases may meet the criteria under Ontario’s catastrophic impairment framework, including:

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• Multiple fractures resulting in a Whole Person Impairment (WPI) of 55% or greater
• Amputations
• Severe crush injuries
• Orthopedic injuries combined with psychological or neurological impairments

 

Catastrophic designation can provide access to significantly enhanced benefits, including extended medical and rehabilitation funding. Our catastrophic injury lawyers assist clients and treatment teams in determining whether a catastrophic impairment application may be appropriate.

 

Why Choose Our Firm for Orthopedic Injury Claims

 

Orthopedic injury cases require a detailed understanding of both medicine and law. We offer:

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• Experience litigating complex fracture and orthopedic cases
• Knowledge of how orthopedic injuries evolve over time
• Access to leading orthopedic and rehabilitation experts
• Strong understanding of future surgical needs and degenerative progression
• A methodical approach to documenting long-term impairment
• Trial experience that encourages fair settlements

 

Our goal is to ensure that clients receive the compensation needed to support their medical recovery, financial security, and long-term quality of life.

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Free Consultation with an Ontario Orthopedic Injury Lawyer

 

If you suffered a fracture or serious orthopedic injury due to someone else’s negligence, please call 705-408-4438 or complete the form below for a free consultation. We do not charge a fee unless your claim is successful.