Wrist Injury Claims

Claim Compensation for a Wrist Injury

Whether it’s a fracture, strain or ligament tear, wrist injuries are common and can be caused by a variety of accidents. Our lawyers can guide you through the process of making a Wrist Injury Claim.

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Introduction to Wrist Injury Claims

The wrist is a complex joint that connects the hand to the forearm. It comprises numerous small bones, ligaments, nerves, two major arteries—and myriad possibilities for injury.

Even minor injuries to the wrist can be painful and restricting. The wrist plays a critical role in our daily activities, and injuries can make it difficult to perform tasks you may take for granted such as dressing yourself or texting.

If you have injured your wrist in an accident that was not your fault, you may be entitled to compensation. This page will explain how to make a claim and what factors contribute to the amount of compensation you may receive.

Table of Contents

Can I claim compensation for a wrist injury?

You can make a claim if someone who had a duty of care towards you was negligent, and their actions caused your injuries.

Legally speaking, a duty of care means that someone has a responsibility to ensure your safety and wellbeing. This could be, for example:

  • An employer ensuring their employees have the necessary training and equipment to do their job safely.
  • A driver ensuring they are following traffic laws and being cautious on the road.
  • A property owner maintaining their premises to prevent someone slipping and falling.
  • A product manufacturer ensuring their products are safe for use.
  • A doctor providing an appropriate standard of medical care.

You do not need to worry about establishing a duty of care as your solicitor will handle this for you. They will also gather evidence to prove that the other party was negligent and that their negligence caused your wrist injury.

What are the common types of wrist injury?

Wrist injuries range from relatively minor bruises and sprains to serious fractures and ruptures that rarely heal without surgery. They fall into two categories: traumatic and non-traumatic.

Traumatic wrist injuries

Fractures: The most common wrist fractures are distal radius fractures, where the radius bone breaks at the wrist, and scaphoid fractures that affect one or more of the small bones of the wrist. These fractures are hard to heal due to the anatomy of the blood supply to the wrist, and can cause long-term pain and weakness.

Dislocation: When the bones of the wrist are forced out of their normal position, it is referred to as a dislocated wrist. This can occur in high-speed accidents or sports where there is significant force applied.

Ligament injuries: Ligaments in the wrist are responsible for full wrist wrist motion and for stabilising the joint. They can stretch or rupture in a fall or if the wrist is hyperextended or bent backwards. Ligament injuries can be very painful and may require surgery.

Non-traumatic wrist injuries

Carpal tunnel syndrome: Carpal tunnel syndrome is when there is pressure on the nerves in the wrist, causing pain, tingling and numbness. The NHS carries out 53,000 carpal release surgeries every year. Surgery is usually a last resort if splints, rest and painkillers are not effective.

Tendonitis: Inflammation of the tendons which attach muscles to the bones of the wrist can be caused by repetitive movements, such as typing or playing an instrument.

Arthritis: Arthritis causes swelling of the body’s joints. Since the wrist is a complex and highly used joint, it’s especially susceptible to arthritis due to a previous injury.

What are the common causes of wrist injuries?

Traumatic wrist injuries can occur in any accident that applies a lot of force to the hand or wrist. Common causes include:

Non-traumatic wrist injuries are typically caused by repetitive strain or overuse of the wrist. This can occur in a variety of work activities such as typing, lifting and moving heavy items, using hand tools, and playing musical instruments.

In some cases, medical negligence may lead to wrist injuries. You may have a claim against the NHS or a private doctor if, for example, a doctor fails to diagnose a broken wrist, or if a surgical error leads to complications.

How much compensation can I claim for a wrist injury?

There is no set amount of compensation you will receive for a wrist injury. The amount you can claim depends on the severity of your injury and how it has impacted your life.

Your solicitor will assess your case and use medical reports to determine the extent of your injury, any ongoing symptoms, and the likely prognosis. They will also consider any financial losses and expenses you have incurred.

Generally, your wrist injury compensation could include:

  • The pain and suffering your wrist injury has caused
  • Loss of amenity, which covers the impact on your ability to do things you enjoyed before the accident, such as hobbies or sports
  • The mental health effects of your injury
  • Any income you have lost due to time off work
  • Income you may lose in the future if you have a long-term disability
  • Medical and rehabilitation costs
  • The cost of any aids, such as carpal tunnel splints or voice recognition software
  • Travel expenses

Average wrist injury compensation payouts

There is a published set of guidelines that lawyers and the courts use to value a wrist injury compensation claim. The guidelines give a bracket of sums for the pain, suffering and loss of amenity caused by different types of wrist injury.

Injuries are classified as mild, moderate or severe. The following figures give you an idea of what your wrist injury claim may be worth:

  • Minor wrist injury e.g. a simple fracture recovering within one year – £3,530 to £4,740
  • Moderate wrist injury e.g. a complex fracture taking around a year to heal – £6,080 to £10,350
  • Severe wrist injury causing ongoing chronic pain and stiffness – £12,590 to £24,500
  • Severe wrist injury permanently harming the use and function of the wrist– £47,620 to £59,860

How long do I have to start a wrist injury claim?

When claiming compensation for a wrist injury, a three-year time limit will apply. The time begins from:

  • The date of the accident
  • The date your injuries were diagnosed. This may be relevant if you have only just discovered you have carpal tunnel syndrome, for example.

If the claimant is under 18 years of age at the time of the accident, they have until their 21st birthday to make a claim.

There is a lot of work to do to make a wrist injury claim. It is important to contact a solicitor as soon as possible so they have enough time to gather evidence and arrange for medical reports to build a strong case.

Why choose Osbornes Law?

Our multi-award-winning personal injury lawyers have secured millions of pounds of compensation for people just like you who were injured through no fault of their own. With specialists in all types of accidents and medical negligence cases, we can help you get the compensation you deserve.

Our team will explain the claims process in plain English and offer you support throughout your case. We can arrange home visits if you are unable to come into our London office.

We operate on a no-win-no-fee basis so there is no financial risk to you. You don’t pay any costs upfront, and we will only take a fee if your claim is successful.

What types of injuries can I claim for?

We have helped clients claim compensation for a wide range of injuries including:

Questions about Wrist Injury Claims

Can I claim compensation for a scaphoid fracture?

A scaphoid fracture is a break in one of the small bones in the hand close to the wrist. Scaphoid fractures often occur after a fall onto an outstretched hand. Symptoms of a scaphoid fracture typically include pain and tenderness in the area just below the base of the thumb.

If the fracture was the result of an accident that was someone else’s fault, such as a workplace accident, a slip, trip or fall in a public place, or a road traffic accident, you may have grounds for a claim.

 

How much compensation can I claim for a broken wrist?

Wrist injuries are classified as mild, moderate or severe. The following figures give you an idea of how much compensation can I claim for a broken wrist:

  • Minor wrist injury e.g. a simple fracture recovering within one year – £3,530 to £4,740
  • Moderate wrist injury e.g. a complex fracture taking around a year to heal – £6,080 to £10,350
  • Severe wrist injury causing ongoing chronic pain and stiffness – £12,590 to £24,500
  • Severe wrist injury permanently harming the use and function of the wrist– £47,620 to £59,860

Speak to us about a wrist injury

For a free initial conversation call 020 7485 8811

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