Calculating a Broken Sternum Car Accident Settlement

A broken sternum can be one of the most painful and disruptive injuries after a car accident. Because the sternum sits at the center of your chest, this kind of fracture often affects your ability to breathe, sit up, sleep, and even perform simple daily tasks. If another driver’s negligence caused your injury, the law allows you to pursue compensation.

But the real question many injured people face is this: What will a broken sternum car accident settlement look like in California?

At Gonzalez & Jones, APC, we’ve helped injured Californians gain clarity, support, and compensation for more than 45 years. We know how a fractured sternum disrupts life and how to reflect that impact in a legal claim.

This article explains why averages differ, what factors influence value, and how an experienced California auto accident lawyer can provide a more accurate estimate.

For immediate assistance, please don’t hesitate to call our firm at (408) 848-2208 or send an online message today. We offer free, no-obligation consultations.

What Is the Average Payout for a Broken Sternum Case?

There is no exact average settlement for a fractured sternum. Personal injury compensation can’t be calculated by simply plugging your injury into a formula. Each broken sternum case is unique: The severity of the fracture, the crash itself, your treatment, and the disruption to your life all play a role. Even two people diagnosed with the same injury can have different recoveries and settlement values.

Some settlements fall into the low five figures for minor fractures and quick recoveries. Others, which involve surgery or long-term impairments, can reach six figures or more. That wide range is why averages don’t tell the full story.

For a real estimate of your settlement value, a lawyer must review your medical records, lost income, and the impact on your life. At Gonzalez & Jones, APC, we never use one-size-fits-all formulas. We focus on your case, your life, and your future.

What Are the Factors That Affect a Broken Sternum Car Accident Settlement?

While there’s no universal average, there are consistent factors that insurance companies, attorneys, and courts look at when determining the value of a broken sternum injury case.

Severity and Medical Treatment

A sternum fracture that heals with rest and simple care typically has a lower settlement value. However, if you require surgery, hospitalization, or specialist care, your damages may increase.

Medical Costs

Medical bills from the treatment of your fractured sternum are often the easiest part of your claim to value.

They usually include:

• Emergency room charges;
• Diagnostic imaging (X‑rays, CT scans, MRIs);
• Specialist consultations;
• Hospital room charges;
• Physical therapy or rehabilitation;
• Medications; and
• Durable medical equipment.

The more extensive and ongoing your care, the higher your likely compensation.

Time off Work and Income Loss

A fractured sternum can make it difficult (or even impossible) to work during recovery. Simple movements, such as lifting, twisting, or even sitting upright, may trigger sharp pain, especially during the first few weeks.

If your job involves physical labor or driving, you may be out for an extended period. Even office workers may need time off due to pain or mobility issues. Any missed wages, reduced hours, or long-term job limitations can significantly increase the value of your claim.

Pain and Suffering

A fractured sternum can make even simple movements painful. Breathing or turning may hurt. Ongoing discomfort, sleep disruption, emotional distress, and the general impact on your quality of life all contribute to the “pain and suffering” portion of your claim.

Other Injuries Sustained

The same impact that breaks the sternum can also cause additional injuries, like rib fractures, lung damage, or shoulder trauma, that increase the overall severity of your case.

These related injuries often result in longer recovery times, increased medical treatment, and higher compensation. Your settlement should reflect the full scope of harm caused by the accident, not just the sternum fracture itself.

Impact on Daily Activities

A fractured sternum can make everyday tasks feel impossible. Breathing deeply, bending over, lifting objects, driving, or even getting out of bed can become painful or restricted during the recovery process.

These limitations often interfere with work, family responsibilities, sleep, and independence, influencing how your injury affects your quality of life and, ultimately, your settlement value.

How a Lawyer Can Help You Accurately Value Your Broken Sternum Case

Valuing a fractured sternum claim isn’t applying a preset formula or comparing to another case. It takes a careful, case-specific review of how your injury affects your health, work, and daily life.

Insurance companies often take a narrow view of claims involving sternum fractures. They may focus on whether surgery was needed or how long you received treatment, while minimizing lingering pain, breathing difficulty, sleep disruption, or the emotional toll of a sudden, painful injury.

A lawyer’s role is to broaden that perspective and advocate for the full impact of your injury to be considered.

At Gonzalez & Jones, APC, we look beyond surface numbers and focus on how the injury has changed your life. That perspective enables us to provide clearer guidance on fair compensation for a fractured sternum and fight for an amount that reflects your actual experience.

FAQs

What Is a Broken Sternum?

A broken sternum is a fracture of the flat bone in your chest, usually caused by blunt trauma such as hitting the steering wheel or a forceful seatbelt impact during a collision.

Because the sternum protects vital organs, such as the heart and lungs, this injury is taken seriously and requires careful monitoring during recovery.

Can a Fractured Sternum Require Surgery?

Yes. While most fractured sternums heal with rest and time, severe cases with displaced bones or lung damage may need surgery to stabilize the chest wall. Surgery depends on the severity of the fracture, symptoms, and the injury’s impact on nearby structures.

How Long Do I Have to File a Claim in California?

In most personal injury cases in California, including fractured sternum claims, you have two years from the accident to file suit. Missing this window could mean losing your right to compensation, so speak to an attorney early.

Your Recovery Deserves a Real Evaluation

When you’re dealing with the physical and financial impact of a fractured sternum, you need a legal team that understands how to fully assess the value of your fractured sternum car accident compensation based on the specific ways the injury has affected your life.

At Gonzalez & Jones, APC, we’ve built our reputation by offering honest guidance, direct attorney access, and a truly hands-on approach. We’re a boutique firm that focuses on delivering high-quality results without treating our clients as mere case numbers.

Schedule your free case review online or call (408) 848-2208 today.

About the Author

Learn More About Zoi

Zoi is a Personal Injury Attorney, Partner of her family-owned law practice, Gonzalez & Jones, APC, and Consumer Attorneys of California Member. She is best known as a relentless advocate for her clients. Blending her years of experience, diligent preparation and dedication, and a hands-on, people-first approach, Zoi empowers injured and overwhelmed people to navigate their medical treatment, obtain an optimal settlement, and peacefully move on with their lives after an accident.