What does a Fractured Sternum Feel Like?

A fractured sternum can bring sudden pain that catches you off guard. Even simple chest movements—breathing, coughing, or laughing—can make it worse. Since the sternum is a flat bone in the center of your chest, any strain in that area can feel sharp and overwhelming.

Simple movements like twisting, bending, or stretching can make a broken sternum even more painful. Self-care activities like dressing or breathing deeply may feel impossible. In severe cases, visible chest changes can make movement even harder, adding emotional strain to the physical pain.

If someone else caused your injury, you don’t have to deal with this alone. A Lafayette personal injury lawyer can help you understand your options and take steps toward getting the support you need. No one should have to suffer without help, especially when the injury wasn’t their fault.

How Can I Tell if My Sternum is Fractured?

Also known as a sternal fracture, a fractured sternum can be extremely painful and limiting. This type of injury often requires significant recovery time, as the sternum plays a key role in stabilizing the chest and upper body.

Symptoms of a sternal fracture can include:

• Sudden chest pain at the moment of injury
• Sharp, localized pain that worsens with movement
• Tenderness when touching the injury site
• Bruising that may take time to develop
• Shortness of breath, especially with deep breaths or movement

Ignoring these symptoms or trying to push through the pain can make things worse. Seeking medical care is important for proper healing and pain management. If the injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, a Lafayette car accident lawyer can help document your losses and pursue compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

What Causes a Sternal Fracture?

A sternal fracture occurs when significant force is applied to the chest, leading to pain, restricted movement, and a long healing process. Common causes include:

• Motor vehicle accidents: Impact with a steering wheel or seatbelt can cause severe chest trauma.
• Sports injuries: High-impact sports like football, hockey, or wrestling increase the risk of direct blows to the chest.
• Direct trauma: Falls, workplace accidents, or physical assaults can fracture the sternum.
• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR): Chest compressions, while life-saving, can sometimes lead to fractures.
• Severe coughing fits: In rare cases, excessive force from violent coughing can cause stress fractures in the sternum.

Regardless of the cause, a sternal fracture can make daily activities difficult and require ongoing medical care. Identifying what led to the injury is important for both treatment and potential legal action.

What Can I Expect When I Seek Medical Care?

If your sternum fracture happened in a car accident, you may have received emergency care at the scene or in a hospital. Since the sternum protects vital organs like the heart and lungs, doctors take these injuries seriously.

A proper diagnosis helps determine the severity of the fracture and rule out complications like internal injuries or infections. Medical professionals may use imaging tests to assess the damage and decide on the best treatment plan.

To diagnose a sternum fracture, doctors may perform:

• A physical exam to check for tenderness, swelling, and difficulty breathing
• X–rays to confirm the break and assess alignment
• CT scans for a more detailed view of the bones and surrounding structures
• Ultrasound to identify potential internal injuries or complications

Treatment depends on the severity of the sternum fracture. Most cases require medicine for pain, rest, and limited movement. Doctors may also check for chest infection if breathing becomes difficult or lung complications arise.

Surgery is rarely needed for a sternum fracture, but more severe cases may require additional monitoring. Proper treatment and careful recovery are key to preventing long-term complications and regaining mobility.

Will a Broken Sternum Keep Me from Working?

A sternum fracture can take ten or more weeks to heal, making work difficult or impossible during recovery. Severe pain from the injury can make even small movements challenging, and many jobs require physical activity that puts strain on the chest. Plenty of rest is often necessary to avoid worsening the injury.

Depending on the severity, medical treatment may include limited mobility, physical therapy, or prescription pain medicine to manage discomfort. If your job involves lifting, bending, or long periods of standing, returning too soon could delay healing or cause further complications. Many people in this situation face financial stress due to lost wages.

You don’t have to handle this alone. If someone else caused your injury, you may be entitled to recover lost income. A car accident attorney in Lafayette can help prove fault, document financial losses, and negotiate with insurance companies while you focus on recovery.

How Can I Prove the Cause of My Sternum Injury?

If someone else’s negligence caused your broken sternum, you may be entitled to compensation. Proving liability in a personal injury case requires establishing key legal elements:

• Duty of care: The other party had a legal responsibility to act safely.
• Breach of duty: They acted recklessly or carelessly, failing to uphold that responsibility.
• Causation: Their actions directly led to your injury.
• Financial damages: You suffered losses, such as medical bills or lost wages.

For example, in a car accident, a driver who was speeding or distracted may have caused a crash that resulted in your injury. A personal injury lawyer can gather police reports, medical records, and witness statements to support your claim.

With strong evidence, many cases reach an out-of-court settlement, helping injury victims recover compensation without going to trial.

What Other Expenses and Losses Can I Recover?

Medical bills are just one part of the financial burden an injury can bring. When someone else’s negligence causes harm, the costs often go far beyond doctor visits and hospital stays. You may also be entitled to compensation for:

• Lost wages: Income missed while recovering, including future lost earnings if you can’t return to work right away.
• Treatment–related travel expenses: Costs for getting to medical appointments, therapy, or specialist care.
• Property damage: Repair or replacement of personal belongings affected by the accident.
• Diminished property value: If your vehicle or other assets lose value due to the damage sustained.

Some losses can’t be measured in dollars alone. Injuries often come with emotional struggles, ongoing discomfort, and lasting changes to daily life. Non-economic damages may include:

• Lasting disability or disfigurement: Permanent physical changes that impact mobility, independence, or self-image
• Physical pain and suffering: Chronic discomfort, limited movement, or ongoing medical treatments
• Mental and emotional distress: Anxiety, depression, PTSD, or the emotional toll of adjusting to life after an injury

Proving these losses can be challenging, but legal support can make all the difference. A personal injury attorney will carefully assess every damage you’ve suffered, making sure nothing is overlooked.

Reach Out to a Lafayette Personal Injury Lawyer Today

Fractured sternums can make everyday life painful and overwhelming, from struggling with simple movements to dealing with costly medical care. No one should have to bear that burden alone, especially when someone else’s negligence caused the injury.

Laborde Earles has won over $1 billion for injury victims and can help you seek fair compensation. A Lafayette personal injury lawyer will handle the legal process while you focus on healing. Contact Laborde Earles today for a free consultation.