Motor Vehicle/Pedestrian Accident in Boynton Beach, Florida Results in Severe Pain and Permanent Injuries
This motor vehicle/pedestrian accident occurred in the parking lot of a Catholic church in Boynton Beach, Florida as the victim in this case was walking through the parking lot on the way to her car. Unfortunately for the victim, the driver of an automobile in the parking lot was not paying attention and driving carelessly when he plowed into the rear of another vehicle, causing a chain reaction collision with two other vehicles, one of which eventually struck the victim, knocked her to the ground and ran over her right leg.
Due to the severity and extent of the impact of the vehicle with the victim, several church parishioners stood over her and began praying until the Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Department arrived to stabilize and transport her to the emergency room at Bethesda Memorial Hospital. The victim complained of severe pain in her right ankle and left shoulder. As a result, she underwent x-rays which revealed a fractured left clavicle as well as a transverse fracture involving the medial malleolus of the distal tibia of her right ankle. Unfortunately, after the x-rays were reviewed by an orthopedic surgeon, he gave the victim the shocking news that in all reasonable medical probability, her right ankle fracture would not heal with osseus union, putting her at risk for chronic pain and possible arthritis. As a result, the victim reluctantly agreed to surgery to avoid the risk of nerve/artery/tendon injury, stiffness, chronic pain, arthritis and instability.
On the day after her admission, the orthopedic surgeon performed an open reduction with internal fixation of the medial malleolus fracture of the right ankle which was done under general anesthesia and required an anteromedial J-incision to protect the saphenous vein. Subsequently, the fracture site was reduced under direct vision using a cannulated 4.5 x 50 mm screw which was securely fixed.
The victim was discharged from the hospital once arrangements were made to provide in home care. In addition, she was required to follow up with her primary care physician as well as her orthopedic surgeon, who confirmed an assessment of closed fracture of the mid-shaft left clavicle and right medial malleolus fracture as well as cervical disc injury, thoracic spondylosis with scoliosis and lateral collateral ligament strain/spain. In addition, she was prescribed physical therapy, which, as you might imagine, was quite extensive and painful.
Fortunately, her fractures eventually healed to the orthopedic surgeon’s satisfaction. However, her cervical spine pain and complaints remained persistent. As a result, an MRI of the cervical spine was performed and revealed that the victim was suffering from degenerative changes noted with reversal of the normal cervical lordosis which was obviously aggravated by the accident.