Kibbey Wagner Injury & Car Accident Lawyers | January 5, 2026 | Personal Injury
In a traumatic accident like a car crash or a slip and fall incident, it’s possible to fracture your sternum, also known as your breastbone. It is a T-shaped bone that sits in the center of the chest. It functions like an anchor for the rib cage and helps protect vital organs, such as your heart and lungs.
If you sustain a fracture to this bone, you can experience severe pain and other complications. You may wonder what symptoms you can have and whether there are legal options to help you recover your losses if another party was responsible for the injury.
How Can You Tell if You Might Have a Sternum Fracture?
Your sternum is part of your ribcage and helps protect your heart and lungs. It offers support to various other bones, including your clavicle and ribs. If you sustain a sternum fracture, you could experience numerous symptoms.
One of the most obvious is significant pain. You can experience a sharp, stabbing pain right above the breastbone. This pain typically gets worse if you laugh, sneeze, or cough. Even taking deep breaths could be painful. This discomfort could leave you struggling to breathe correctly.
You will likely have trouble touching the area. Even brushing against it with a finger could be painful. You may also notice significant bruising, which is vital to take seriously, as it could indicate internal bleeding or organ damage. Those injuries can be catastrophic and could put your life at risk.
Moving can be very painful, too. Twisting or using your arms might be impossible. You may struggle to handle everyday tasks. You might be able to feel the break if you touch the impacted area. In some cases, you could even see the break. You may spot a “stair-step” shape.
Personal Injury Cases After a Fractured Sternum
If you have suffered a fractured sternum because of another party’s negligent or wrongful conduct, it’s vital that you consider filing a personal injury claim. A claim is a civil legal process that may help you recover damages for an injury caused by someone else’s negligence.
It might seem simple to demonstrate that another party caused your injuries, but it’s typically not. You will likely be fighting against insurance companies that will do everything possible to prevent you from receiving the assistance you need. Their goal is to protect their bottom line, and one way they achieve this is by reducing payouts to injury victims as much as possible.
Do I Need to Hire a Lawyer After a Sternum Fracture?
To have the best chance to receive compensation to address medical expenses, lost wages, and other losses, you need assistance from an attorney. Personal injury lawyers can help you demonstrate that the other party’s negligence caused your injuries. They will be able to gather all the necessary evidence and speak with expert witnesses who can strengthen your case.
Additionally, an attorney will ensure you don’t miss the statute of limitations. This is the amount of time you have to begin the claim, and it can vary, depending on the exact circumstances that led to your injury. If you miss this deadline, you’ll likely be barred from recovering anything, so speaking with a lawyer is essential.
Contact Our Stuart Personal Injury Attorneys at Kibbey Wagner Injury & Car Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
If you have been in any kind of accident that resulted in a fractured sternum, it’s usually best to hire an attorney. They can help you understand your rights and guide you through the process of pursuing your claim.
For more information, please contact the Stuart, Port St. Lucie, or Palm Beach Gardens personal injury law firm of Kibbey Wagner Injury & Car Accident Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today.
We proudly serve Martin County, St. Lucie County, Palm Beach County, and its surrounding areas in Florida:
Kibbey Wagner Injury & Car Accident Lawyers Stuart
73 SW Flagler Ave
Stuart, FL 34994
(772) 444-7000
Kibbey Wagner Injury & Car Accident Lawyers Port St. Lucie
1100 SW St. Lucie West Blvd. Ste 202
Port St Lucie, FL 34986
(772) 247-3374
Kibbey Wagner Injury & Car Accident Lawyers Palm Beach Gardens
300 Ave of the Champions Ste 170
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418
(561) 944-4000
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