Ankle Injuries

While it is easy to take your ankles for granted, they are an important part of your ability to be mobile. If you suffer an ankle injury it can hamper your ability to go to work or to do daily tasks. Ankle injuries are commonly the result of a car accident foot injury or slip and fall accidents. Types of ankle injuries include:

What Is a Sprained Ankle Lawsuit?

A sprained ankle lawsuit is a personal injury claim filed by someone who suffered a sprained ankle because another person or business acted negligently. If your injury occurred in a car accident, motorcycle accident, slip and fall, or another preventable accident, you may be entitled to seek compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.

Although many ankle sprains heal with rest and physical therapy, more severe injuries can involve torn ligaments, chronic pain, ankle instability, or surgery. When a sprained ankle results in long-term complications that were caused by someone else’s negligence, filing a sprained ankle lawsuit may help you recover the financial compensation you need to move forward.

How Much Is a Sprained Ankle Lawsuit Worth?

There is no average value for a sprained ankle lawsuit because every case is unique. The value of a claim depends on several factors, including:

• The severity of the sprained ankle and whether ligaments were partially or completely torn
• Whether surgery or extensive rehabilitation is required
• The cost of past and future medical treatment
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Whether the injury results in permanent limitations or chronic ankle instability
• The available insurance coverage and the strength of the evidence establishing fault

Even what initially appears to be a minor ankle sprain can become a significant injury if it leads to ongoing pain, reduced mobility, or the need for future medical care.

Disclaimer: Every sprained ankle lawsuit is different, and settlement values can vary significantly based on the facts of the case, the severity of the injury, available insurance coverage, and other legal factors. Speaking with an experienced ankle injury lawyer is the best way to understand what your specific claim may be worth.

Common Types of Ankle Injuries

Ankle Sprains

An ankle sprain is an injury to a ligament that holds the bones and joints of the ankle together. A sprained ankle occurs when ligaments become stretched or torn. This is usually the result of twisting or rolling the ankle beyond its normal range of motion. Ankle sprains are graded based on severity:

• Grade I:  a mild sprain where the ligaments have been stretched but are usually not torn. There may be swelling and some soreness but no loss of stability. Grade I sprains usually heal in a couple of weeks.
• Grade II: a moderate, more painful sprain where the ligament is partially torn. There is usually some swelling and bruising throughout the foot and ankle. The ankle may feel loose and unstable. Treatment includes immobilization of the ankle in a brace or splint. Grade II sprains can take up to 8 weeks to fully heal. 
• Grade III: a severe sprain with gross instability in the joint. It typically results in a complete tear of the ligament. There is sharp and severe pain with significant swelling and bruising. Often the instability makes it difficult to walk, and crutches and a boot are needed. In some cases, surgery may be required and can take up to 6 months for a full recovery.

Ankle Strain

An ankle strain deals with the muscles and tendons of the ankle, and not the ligaments. An ankle strain occurs when muscles or tendons are stretched or torn. Ankle strains are less common than ankle sprains.

Ankle Fractures

An ankle fracture is a partial or complete break in the bone. A broken ankle involves the far or distal end of the tibia and/or fibula. Ankle fractures typically occur at the ankle joint. Doctors classify ankle fractures based on the area of the ankle that is broken.

Sprained Ankle Lawsuit Examples

$120,000 – Sprained Ankle Lawsuit Settlement

Our client was riding his motorcycle eastbound on Manatee Avenue as he approached the intersection at 26th Street West when another driver suddenly turned left directly into his path, causing a serious collision.

One of the biggest challenges in this ankle injury case was determining who was at fault. Our client believed the traffic light was yellow when he entered the intersection and maintained that the other driver had turned on a red light. The other driver, however, claimed she had a green arrow and that our client had failed to yield. Because there were no witnesses or surveillance cameras, the responding police officer could not determine fault, and neither driver received a citation.

After the crash, our client was taken to the hospital with significant pain and swelling in his right ankle, along with a severe groin contusion. Once he was stabilized, he continued treatment with a chiropractic clinic after developing neck and lower back pain.

As part of his treatment, doctors ordered MRI scans of his lower back and right ankle. The imaging revealed a herniated disc in his lumbar spine and a tear of the deltoid ligament in his ankle. He was referred to an orthopedic surgeon, who confirmed the MRI findings after performing a physical examination. The surgeon determined that our client was a candidate for surgery on both his lower back and his ankle and explained that his symptoms would likely worsen over time, eventually making surgery necessary.

Once our client’s medical treatment was complete, we submitted a settlement demand to State Farm. The insurance company argued that, because fault could not be clearly established, our client should be held 50% responsible for the motorcycle accident.

We strongly disputed State Farm’s liability argument, maintaining that their insured driver had violated our client’s right of way. We also emphasized the seriousness of his ankle injury, his ongoing symptoms, and the likelihood that he would require future surgery.

State Farm gradually increased its offers to $50,000 and then $75,000, but we rejected both. We ultimately informed the insurance company that unless it agreed to pay $120,000, we would file a lawsuit against its insured driver.

Rather than defend the case in court, State Farm accepted our demand, and the case settled for $120,000.

Contact a Trusted Ankle Injury Lawyer Near You

If you sustained an ankle injury due to someone’s negligence, it is important to contact a trusted personal injury attorney as soon as possible. At Abrahamson & Uiterwyk, our attorneys in Tampa, FL, have extensive experience helping the injured. Contact us online or call us at 1-800-538-4878 today to schedule your free consultation.