Matthew Mincone | April 30, 2025 | Personal Injury
There are many jokes on television and in movies about broken tailbones. The reality is painful. A broken tailbone can cause severe pain. Sometimes, a person may require surgery and extensive therapy to recover.
What Are the Symptoms of a Broken Tailbone?
The tailbone (i.e., coccyx) is located at the bottom of the spine. It is made up of three to five small bones fused together. The tailbone is essential because it provides stability and support at the intersection of numerous tendons, ligaments, and muscles.
For the most part, the tailbone is ignored until it causes pain. Trauma to the tailbone can result in symptoms including:
- Pain that worsens when the person stands up
- Pain or numbness when sitting, especially for long periods
- Bruising and swelling around the base of the spine
- Pain and tenderness in the lower back
- Pain on the top of the buttocks
- Pain during sexual intercourse and/or bowel movements
A bruised tailbone could take weeks to heal. A broken or fractured tailbone could take much longer. A person may experience symptoms from a broken tailbone for months after the injury. Depending on the severity of the injury, a person may require surgery to repair the damage.
How Do Doctors Treat a Broken Tailbone?
Unfortunately, many cases are treated with time. To help the person deal with the pain and swelling, doctors may prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
A doctor may also tell the patient to use cold therapy to reduce swelling and heat to relax the muscles. Sitting on a “donut” pillow can also help reduce pain by removing pressure from the tailbone.
Broken tailbones that cause severe pain may result in a nerve block to reduce pain. Depending on the injury, physical therapy may also help a patient recover from a broken tailbone.
Common Causes of Broken Tailbones
A person may suffer a broken tailbone in one of many types of accidents or incidents. Common causes of broken tailbones include:
- Slips, trips, and falls
- Automobile accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Sports injuries
- Workplace accidents
- Assaults and violence
- Childbirth
- Repetitive activities like cycling
If you sustain an injury to your lower back, it is best to be checked by a physician. Pain may increase with time, or it could be immediate. Be mindful of the other symptoms of a broken tailbone that could indicate an injury.
Prompt medical care can help speed recovery. Medical records are also necessary if you file a personal injury claim for your injury.
Can I Recover Compensation for a Tailbone Injury?
A broken tailbone might not seem as severe as other injuries. However, you may incur thousands of dollars in medical bills to treat a broken tailbone. Depending on your job, you could be out of work for weeks or months while healing from your injury.
If another party caused your tailbone injury because of negligence, intentional torts, or other wrongdoing, you could be entitled to compensation for damages. Economic and non-economic damages can include:
- Medical expenses and bills
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life and quality of life
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Permanent impairment and disability
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Lost wages, earning capacity, and employment benefits
- Rehabilitative therapies
- Pain and suffering
The amount you receive for a claim depends on the severity of your injury, your damages, and other factors. If you are partially to blame for the accident that caused your injuries, contributory fault could reduce how much your case is worth.
What Should I Do if I’m Injured in an Accident?
Your steps after an accident can improve your chances of recovering a fair settlement for a personal injury claim. If you sustain an injury or are involved in an accident, steps to take include:
- Report traffic accidents by calling 911. If you are injured on another party’s property, report the injury to the property owner or other responsible party.
- Gather evidence by taking photographs of the accident scene and using your cell phone to make a video. Ask eyewitnesses for their contact information.
- Do not discuss the details of the accident with anyone other than a police officer. Provide the facts as you know them, but do not offer assumptions about fault.
- Seek immediate medical treatment for your injuries. Documenting your injuries is essential.
- Document your financial losses, pain, and suffering by keeping detailed records and copies of documents.
Prompt legal advice is also wise so that your attorney can get to work making your claim as strong as possible.
Contact the Tampa Personal Injury Lawyers at Mincone Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Tampa, FL, contact our skilled personal injury lawyers at Mincone Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation.
We proudly serve Hillsborough County and its surrounding areas:
Mincone Personal Injury Lawyers
1925 E 6th Ave Ste 10
Tampa, FL 33605
(813) 800-0810
Our firm is located near you. We have an office in Tampa
Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 27.9593512,-82.4369179
About The Author
Attorney Matthew Mincone is the founder of Mincone Personal Injury Lawyers. He earned his law degree while attending night programs in New York and is licensed to practice in Florida. With over 15 years of legal experience, Matthew focuses on personal injury cases, including motor vehicle accidents involving cars, commercial trucks, and motorcycles. His commitment to personally handling each case ensures clients receive dedicated representation. Click here to view some of the remarkable case results that Matthew has successfully achieved.
Location: Tampa, FL