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Original poster

My husband fell off a roof yesterday- broken pelvis

239 replies

SmileyClare · 25/05/2021 21:17

Dh fell from a roof yesterday at work and has terrible injuries. An unstable break in two places to his pelvis and a broken arm. At the moment he's on an orthopaedic ward and can't walk and is in agony.

He's expected to have surgery in a few days on his pelvis. I'm absolutely worried sick about how he'll cope with the recovery (expected 3 months), him not working (self employed builder) and whether he'll ever be the same again.
I don't earn much and, we have teenage children.

I'd love to hear some positive recovery stories from others who have experience of pelvic fractures or just some advice from anyone. I'm sick with worry.

OP posts:
QuestionableMouse · 25/05/2021 21:21

I'm so sorry. My friend had a rotational fall with a horse (horse flipped over a jump and landed on her) and she had similar injuries. It was a tough recovery but now a few years out her life is pretty much back to normal. She has a bit of a limp when tired but that's the worst lasting thing. She has a lot of hardware in her pelvis that may need revision down the line but day to day it doesn't really affect her.

Robostripes · 25/05/2021 21:23

Sorry to hear that OP, you must be very worried.

I have a friend who fell from a second floor balcony and smashed her pelvis. She made a full recovery within around 9 months, with a lot of physio. She had to wear a back brace for quite a long time I think. It very much depends on your DH’s injuries though.

Is it possible he may have a legal claim against anyone else who has a role in the accident happening? If so he might be able to recover his lost earnings.

Sundayspilot · 25/05/2021 21:29

I’m so sorry to hear about your husband’s accident. Years ago a friend sustained serious leg,pelvis, and spinal injuries after a fall from a hot air balloon. She recovered and lives fully independently but does have quite a bit of arthritis. I assume your husband does not have accident/injury insurance? Flowers

JustAnotherOldMan · 25/05/2021 21:40

Hello, sorry to hear about your husband’s injury.
My mother (80), had a fall in her kitchen March last year,( beginning of lockdown actually), fractured her pelvis, but didn’t have it plated, (stable).
She spent about 5 days in hospital (would have been longer, but due to COVID I moved into her house and get her discharged).,

You will need a bed downstairs as he probably won’t be able to make it upstairs, you need a commode, a walking frame, and a hospital style sitting chair, and high seat for the toilet, he will probably be sent home with some really strong opioid based pain killers and some really strong laxatives as well.
Hospital or LHA can probably provide everything but the bed.

After about 3 weeks y mum was mobile with a Walker / trolley, after about 6 weeks, a walking stick, after about 2 months you wouldn’t really notice.

The plates will probably stay in unless they hurt or the bone gets infection.
Hope this helps

Original poster
SmileyClare · 25/05/2021 21:41

Thanks for your replies and stories of recovery. It's just going to be a long hard slog getting back on his feet, judging by these accounts, three months recovery sounds quite optimistic Sad

He has admitted the accident was his fault. He "just hopped up on the roof to check something" (his words) without scaffolding using an extended ladder, so health and safety was breached and he doesn't have a leg to stand on (literally or legally) He's also self employed.

Thanks for your replies. Googling Pelvic surgery and Recovery is just overwhelming so it's nice to hear some real life accounts.

OP posts:
HomeSliceKnowsBest · 25/05/2021 21:42

So sorry OP Flowers.

Embracelife · 25/05/2021 21:43

Does he have personal injury insurance?
Hope he recovers

topwings · 25/05/2021 21:43

I have no experience with this type of injury but just wanted to wish him and your family well over the next few months.

Ponoka7 · 25/05/2021 21:45

My DH was hit by a car and had similar injuries. He fully recovered. It seemed like one thing after another because he had repeated chest infections because of lying on his back.
A friend fell off a roof. It was his smashed ankles that caused pain, not his pelvis and arm/wrist.
Both were on wards with people who had similar injuries and they all made good progress.

SoddingWeddings · 25/05/2021 21:47

Please contact the Lighthouse Club www.lighthouseclub.org/

They are a charitable that can help financially support your family while he's recuperating.

Was it his site? He may still have an insurance claim to make if not.

Hardertobreathe · 25/05/2021 21:48

Would he be able to claim ESA? Such a worry, I hope his pain reduces once he’s had the surgery & that he makes a speedy recovery.

www.freeagent.com/guides/small-business/self-employed-sick-pay/

Sundayspilot · 25/05/2021 21:48

Hi OP,
Just realized part of my post didn’t copy and came through kinda jerky. The missing part said that intensive physiotherapy was instrumental in my friend’s recovery and return to function. In North America this kind of physio costs $$$ and families with no insurance typically hold fundraisers. Hopefully the UK is better funded. If you need something to occupy your mind it might help to investigate post recovery physio?

picturesandpickles · 25/05/2021 21:49

Flowers you must be really worried. Take very good care of yourself too as helping someone recover is very draining. Wish you all the best.

Original poster
SmileyClare · 25/05/2021 21:50

Thanks JustAnother Did your mum need an orthopaedic bed at home? That's useful information on what to expect when he returns home.

It all feels very daunting at the moment. I'm so concerned that he'll get depressed, not that he's suffered with it before but he just lives for his work and loves working on building sites. He's 52 so realistically I'm not sure if he'll ever return.

I think he's getting his pelvis pinned? It's very difficult to get through on the phone, the consultant was supposed to ring today to explain more but i haven't heard from him and can't visit now until Thursday. Thankfully covid restrictions have eased and he's allowed one visitor for an hour.

OP posts:
Aposterhasnoname · 25/05/2021 21:52

DD broke her pelvis in three places in a car crash ten years ago, had to have an external frame screwed in for nine weeks. The accident was in August and it took her till Christmas to be properly ok. She’s absolutely fine now though, racing round after her ten month old.

Original poster
SmileyClare · 25/05/2021 21:58

The links are useful thank you. I'm looking at Self employed sick pay which he should be entitled to if I can get unfit for work certificates from the hospital.

You've all been very kind. It's good to hear about full recoveries of family and friends, some awful accidents on this thread Flowers

OP posts:
Pinkywoo · 25/05/2021 21:59

His liability insurance may cover him for it (my DH is in the building trade), they normally have a personal injury section, it's worth giving them a call.

Aurorie11 · 25/05/2021 22:01

Friend of Dad’s, a roofer fell off a roof and broke his back - he was in his 60s at the time, he’s fine

GladAllOver · 25/05/2021 22:02

Sadly, no insurance will cover him for not taking proper safety measures.

Original poster
SmileyClare · 25/05/2021 22:05

He must have personal injury insurance? I'm pretty sure hes not allowed on site as a contractor without it.

I'll ask him about it. He does all the paperwork for his work and he has an accountant for his books. I really appreciate the advice. I'm still reeling I think and struggling to think practically.

OP posts:
Original poster
SmileyClare · 25/05/2021 22:08

@GladAllOver

Sadly, no insurance will cover him for not taking proper safety measures.
He knows he's an idiot for falling off the roof. He kept telling me over and over on the phone.
OP posts:
Neveragain990 · 25/05/2021 22:14

Stop googling. Take every hour as it comes. Mine fell and fractured his skull last year. Also self-employed. Horrific night of worry when I didn’t know how he was. I put on crap TV and went to bed. Try to minimise thinking. Focus on the kids. It will pass. Have faith. Pray. Meditate. Whatever you can do to quieten your mind. It will be ok. It will just be shit until it is. Best of luck.

JustAnotherOldMan · 25/05/2021 22:14

Hi,
No my Mum didn’t need an orthopaedic bed as her fracture was stable, She was only in Hospital about 4 days and could just about stand with a Walker went I took home, and they basically said it will take about 6/8 weeks for the fracture to heal

If you’re husband has been pinned/ plated they might keep in a bit longer especially if he has an external frame, but hospitals generally like to get people out ASAP

Hope this helps

SoddingWeddings · 25/05/2021 22:23

If he went up a ladder to look at something, as opposed to accessing the roof, that would still be a safe method of access btw.

Original poster
SmileyClare · 25/05/2021 22:24

That's helpful. The plan at the moment is for him to be in for 3 weeks because of the surgery, plates or frame I don't know.

Neveragain that's exactly how I feel. Really stressed, don't really know what's happening yet and also feel like sobbing on my bed like a baby. I just want someone to tell me it's going to be ok.
I hope your husband recovered.

OP posts: