Vertical · Broken arm · Updated 2026

Broken arm settlement calculator, hardware-aware

Broken arm settlement amounts run from $10,000 for hairline fractures with cast-only treatment to $300,000+ for compound fractures with surgical hardware. The threshold variable is whether open reduction with internal fixation (ORIF) was required.

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Injury type

Medical bills so far ($)

Estimated future medical ($)

Days of work missed

Daily wage ($)

Weeks of treatment: 12

Other party's fault: 100%

Your state (for legal context)

Your estimated settlement range

$31,200 – $43,200

Medical expenses: $8,000
Lost wages: $2,800
Pain & suffering: $20,000 – $32,000
With attorney (33% fee), your net:: $20,904 – $28,944
MULTIPLIER USED: 2.5x – 4.0x · MODERATE INJURY

This is an estimate based on typical multipliers, not a guarantee. Your attorney may calculate differently based on your specific facts.

Above $25K in your estimated range?Talk to a personal injury attorney before accepting any offer. Most work on contingency — no upfront cost if you don't win.

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Broken arm settlement amounts by fracture type

Broken arm cases are valued cleanly because X-ray imaging makes the diagnosis unambiguous and the orthopedic surgeon's operative report documents intervention. Settlements track the level of surgical complexity and whether complications like non-union or malunion emerged.

Pain & suffering portions of broken arm settlements. Medical bills (typically $5,000–$50,000+ for surgical cases) and lost wages add on top.
Injury / case type	Typical pain & suffering range	Source
Hairline fracture, cast only	$10,000 – $30,000	Martindale-Nolo
Clean fracture, closed reduction (manipulation)	$20,000 – $60,000	Jury Verdict Research
Single-bone fracture with ORIF (plate, screws)	$50,000 – $150,000	Jury Verdict Research
Compound (open) fracture with surgery	$80,000 – $250,000	Jury Verdict Research
Multiple arm fractures with surgery	$100,000 – $300,000	Jury Verdict Research
Distal radius (Colles') fracture with surgery	$60,000 – $200,000	Jury Verdict Research
Non-union or malunion requiring revision	$100,000 – $300,000	Jury Verdict Research
Permanent impairment rating + restriction	$150,000 – $400,000	Jury Verdict Research

ORIF: the threshold that triples the case

Open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) is surgical fracture repair using plates, screws, or rods. It transforms the case from a "closed treatment" claim to a "surgical injury" claim, and settlements roughly triple. A clean humerus fracture closed-reduced at $25,000 becomes the same humerus fracture with ORIF at $75,000+ on identical pain reports.

The reason is twofold. First, surgery is documented intervention — the adjuster software treats it as definitive evidence of severity. Second, ORIF cases carry higher residual risk: hardware can fail, non-union can develop, hardware removal may be required years later. The future medical exposure is real, and it shows in the settlement.

Wrist involvement changes the math

Distal radius fractures (Colles' fracture) and other wrist-area breaks settle higher than mid-shaft humerus or ulna fractures. The wrist's involvement in grip, manipulation, and fine motor skill means permanent restriction has bigger lifestyle impact. Settlement bands:

Distal radius fracture, cast only: $20,000–$50,000
Distal radius with closed reduction: $30,000–$80,000
Distal radius with ORIF (plate): $60,000–$200,000
Scaphoid fracture (carpal bone): $40,000–$150,000 — high non-union rate elevates these

Non-union and malunion: when complications double the case

Most arm fractures heal cleanly. About 5–10% develop complications: non-union (the fracture doesn't fully heal), malunion (heals in incorrect position), or hardware failure. Each of these typically doubles the settlement value because:

Revision surgery adds $30,000–$60,000 in additional medical bills
Documented permanent impairment rating becomes available
Recovery extends 12–24 additional months
Pain-and-suffering anchors at the higher band of the multiplier

If your orthopedic surgeon raises non-union concerns 3+ months post-injury, your case value is shifting upward. Don't settle until the complications stabilize.

Above $25K in your estimated range?Talk to a personal injury attorney before accepting any offer. Most work on contingency — no upfront cost if you don't win.

Find attorneys →

Q&A

Frequently asked questions

01 What is the average broken arm settlement amount?

Simple clean fracture with cast only: $10,000–$35,000. Fracture requiring closed reduction (manipulation): $20,000–$60,000. Fracture requiring open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) with hardware: $50,000–$150,000. Multiple arm fractures or compound fracture with surgery: $100,000–$300,000+. The threshold is whether surgical fixation with hardware was placed.

02 How long does a broken arm case take to settle?

Simple fractures settle in 6–12 months once the cast is off and follow-up imaging confirms healing. Surgical cases (ORIF, hardware) take 12–24 months because MMI requires hardware removal in some cases or stabilization in others. Cases with non-union or malunion complications extend further.

03 Does hand or wrist involvement increase a broken arm settlement?

Yes, significantly. Pure humerus fractures (upper arm) settle in standard ranges. Wrist fractures involving Colles' fracture or distal radius/ulna: $25,000–$80,000 without surgery, $60,000–$200,000 with surgery. Hand involvement (scaphoid, metacarpals): higher P&S because of permanent grip impact.

04 What if the broken arm caused permanent restriction?

Permanent impairment rating from the orthopedic surgeon transforms the case. An arm fracture with a 10% permanent partial disability rating typically doubles the settlement range. The treating physician needs to document specific range-of-motion restrictions and grip strength loss.