Wrist Injury Claims

Anyone who has suffered a wrist injury through no fault of their own may be eligible to make a wrist injury compensation claim. This may be the case whether the damage was due to an accident at work, a road traffic accident, a slip or trip in a public place, or through an act of medical negligence. This compensation can help recover the costs of treatment and compensate for the potentially significant impact that the injury has had on your life.

Wrist injuries can be incredibly painful and debilitating, causing numerous obstacles to the ability to function in everyday tasks. The following guide explains the types of wrist injuries that solicitors commonly deal with, along with information regarding the impact that this can have on a person’s life.

If you want to make a wrist injury claim, a legal adviser can let you know whether your case has merit and what steps you should take to secure compensation. To receive a free consultation, you can call 0800 470 0474 or fill in our online claim form to receive a call back as soon as possible.

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Table of Contents

• Who can make a wrist injury claim?
• Types of wrist injuries
  • Wrist sprains and strains
  • Carpal damage
  • Radius fractures
  • Metacarpal fractures
• Potential impacts of a wrist injury
• Common causes of wrist injuries
• How much compensation can I claim for my wrist injury?
• How much will it cost to make a wrist injury claim?
• Is there a time limit to make a personal injury claim?
• Benefits of using a solicitor

Who can make a wrist injury claim?

Anyone who suffered a wrist injury due to someone else’s negligence may be eligible to claim wrist injury compensation. The easiest way to find out whether you could start legal proceedings is by having a free consultation with a legal adviser.

They will ask you several simple questions to determine whether you have a valid wrist injury claim, such as:

• What were the circumstances of your accident?
• Were there any witnesses to your accident?
• Do you have any photographs of the accident scene or your injuries?
• Did you seek medical care for your wrist injury?
• Did you inform the responsible party about your accident?
• How long ago did your accident take place?

If your case seems valid, your solicitor will help you gather evidence to show that another party is liable for your injury and that they owed you a duty of care. Establishing a duty of care can be done by referring to relevant legislation, such as:

• The Occupiers’ Liability Act 1984
• The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974
• The Highways Act 1980
• The Consumer Protection Act 1987

You could help strengthen your wrist injury claim by gathering as much of the following evidence as you can:

• Photographs of the accident scene and the exact cause of your injury, such as a faulty product or defective machinery;
• Pictures of any visible injuries to your wrist, such as bruises, burns or open wounds;
• Medical records detailing the type and extent of your injury and treatments you received;
• Contact details of witnesses to your accident who might later provide a statement;
• A copy of the accident report you should file if you have an accident at work or in a public place;
• Details of training records, what protective equipment you received and other relevant information if you suffered a wrist injury in the workplace;
• When available, CCTV or dash cam footage of your accident;
• Your notes regarding the circumstances of your accident and details of any other matters relevant to your wrist injury claim;
• Evidence of all the financial losses and expenses incurred, such as medical bills, transportation costs, property damage and pay slips.

To find out if you are eligible to claim wrist injury compensation, you can request a free consultation with a legal adviser by calling 0800 470 0474. Alternatively, you can enter your details to receive a call back.

Types of wrist injuries

The wrist is a complex joint with many components that may be injured in an accident, such as the wrist bones, ligaments, muscles and tendons. Wrist injuries may be relatively minor, with a full recovery being achieved within a couple of weeks. But a severe wrist injury can take months to heal and may leave a person with long-term or permanent complications.

To secure the highest level of compensation, your solicitor will strive to demonstrate the type of injury you have suffered and the extent of your symptoms. Some of the most common injuries leading to a wrist injury claim include the following:

Wrist sprains and strains

There are numerous wrist ligaments that play a vital role in the function and stability of the wrist joint. Any tears or swellings in the ligaments can have a severe impact on the mobility and functional capabilities of the wrist. Despite being one of the most common wrist injuries, sprains can prevent a person from being able to complete basic daily tasks and could severely inhibit working capabilities.

The wrist also contains several tendons that help bend and straighten it, as well as nerves, arteries and muscles. All of these components work together to make the wrist work properly, and damage caused to any part can have a debilitating impact on the use of the joint.

Strains occur when the tendons or muscles in the wrist are ripped or torn. Such injuries most often happen when the wrist is overstretched, such as when it is put under pressure following the attempt to soften a fall or protect the rest of the body from a force. Strains can be very painful and severely restrict the movement of the joint.

Carpal damage

There are eight small carpal bones that make up the wrist and connect the hand to the forearm. An injury to any of these bones can have a substantial impact on your ability to carry out daily tasks.

Some of these bones make the carpal tunnel, a narrow passageway on the palm side of the hand, through which the median nerve passes. This nerve provides movement and sensory feeling in the hand, wrist and forearm. It can be injured by repetitive movements and overuse, leading to carpal tunnel syndrome, a painful and debilitating condition.

Radius fractures

The radius is one of the two long bones that make up the forearm and connects to the wrist through the radiocarpal joint. A radius fracture is incredibly painful and can result in significant swelling, immobility of the hand and arm and severe discomfort. Radius fractures often lead to a person being unable to work, which may mean a loss of income as well as a potential effect on future career prospects.

Metacarpal fractures

The metacarpal bones run from the wrist to the fingers and accommodate muscles, tendons and nerves that are crucial to the functionality of the hand. Metacarpal fractures commonly occur due to having a heavy object dropped onto the hand or using the hand to steady a fall and can significantly impact your ability to work and carry out daily tasks.

Metacarpals can also break if they are twisted, which is often how rugby or football players generally get this injury. It is also a common location for a boxer’s fracture that may occur when hitting an object with a closed fist. If your solicitor can demonstrate liability on the part of a third party, you are likely to be eligible to claim wrist injury compensation.

Potential impacts of a wrist injury

When making a claim, your solicitor will need to demonstrate the consequences that the injury has had on your life. The greater the negative impact suffered, the higher your compensation award will likely be if you make a successful wrist injury claim.

Some of the most common consequences of a wrist injury include the following:

• Inability to work due to pain or mobility restrictions which may result in a loss of earnings
• Difficulty performing typical daily tasks, including housework, shopping and driving
• Restricting the ability to care for children, such as lifting a child, changing nappies, etc.
• Ongoing need for treatment, including pain relief and physiotherapy
• Costs of therapy, both past, present and future
• Inability to pursue a hobby or engage in certain sporting activities
• The need to hire helpers to fulfil duties such as childcare or meal preparations during recovery
• Permanent nerve damage or mobility loss, which may mean the end of a particular career

Your solicitor will consider all the ways in which your wrist injury affected your life and make sure you are fully compensated for everything you have been through.

Common causes of wrist injuries

Wrist injuries are often caused by sudden trauma but can also be due to long-term problems like overuse and repetitive movements. The most common reasons leading to a wrist injury claim include the following:

Road traffic accidents

In road traffic accidents, wrist injuries are usually due to blunt trauma from the collision or flying debris, such as broken glass. Vulnerable road users like cyclists and motorcycle riders are especially susceptible to wrist trauma such as sprains, strains, abrasions or fractures.

If another person caused your accident by speeding or other types of negligent driving, you should be able to claim wrist injury compensation. You might also have a case against the local authorities if your injury was due to a poorly maintained road, pavement or cycle track.

Accidents at work

While in the workplace, your employer must follow strict guidelines dictated by UK legislation to protect your health and safety. This includes the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, the Manual Handling Regulations 1992 and the Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

Many accidents could lead to a wrist injury at work, including falls on the same level and from a height, machinery accidents or burns caused by hazardous substances. Other injuries like repetitive strain injury or carpal tunnel syndrome may develop over time due to repetitive tasks.

Sports injuries

When you suffer an injury during a sporting activity, you may believe it is your own fault, and there is no one to blame. However, in some situations, another person, such as a coach, event organiser or gym owner, may have breached their duty of care towards you by failing to take adequate protective measures.

For example, if you had an accident due to dangerous ground conditions, poor training or advice from a coach, lack of proper equipment or another breach of health and safety laws, you might be entitled to wrist injury compensation.

Slips, trips and falls

Slips and trips are some of the most common accidents that happen in public places, despite being mostly preventable. The main causes for these accidents include spillages, trailing cables, poor lighting and unmarked changes in floor level.

Falling on your wrist can cause bruises, abrasions, sprains and even severe fractures and dislocations. Under the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1984, landlords and business owners should have taken all reasonable measures to keep you safe while on their premises. If they have failed to do so, they might be liable to pay you wrist injury compensation.

Repetitive stress

Any activity involving repetitive motions can inflame the tissues around the wrist joint or cause stress fractures. Some examples include driving for long hours, typing on a computer or using repetitive machinery. The risk of injury increases when you do the same movement for hours on end without sufficient breaks and adequate protective measures.

Medical negligence

If a GP or another healthcare professional fails to properly manage an acute wrist injury, this may lead to long-term discomfort and disability. A wrist injury can also be misdiagnosed, leading to incorrect treatment and prolonged pain and recovery.

Claims for medical negligence are not always easy to prove, but your solicitor will work will medical experts to prove that you received substandard care and that this has caused you an avoidable wrist injury.

No matter how you suffered a wrist injury, if you believe it was due to another person’s negligence, you should seek the help of a professional solicitor. They will investigate your circumstances and let you know whether you might be entitled to claim wrist injury compensation.

How much compensation can I claim for my wrist injury?

It is difficult to say how much wrist injury compensation you might be entitled to receive from the outset. The compensation award will largely depend on the type of injury you suffered, its long-term consequences and how it affected your daily activities and ability to work.

In every wrist injury claim, you can recover two types of damages:

General damages cover the physical injury you suffered and how it affected your personal life, including:

• Physical pain and suffering
• Reduced quality of life
• Mental and emotional distress
• Physical impairment
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Inability to pursue a hobby or engage in daily activities

Special damages cover the financial losses you incurred as a result of your accident, such as:

• Prescriptions and medical treatments
• Rehabilitation and physical therapy
• The cost of hiring help and assistance with daily tasks
• Travel expenses related to your injury
• Lost wages during recovery
• Loss of earning capacity if you cannot return to work or must take a lower-paying job
• Necessary adaptations to your home or vehicle to accommodate a disability

According to the guidelines issued by the Judicial College, you could receive the following awards in a wrist injury compensation claim:

• £2,810 – £3,790 for a minor wrist fracture or soft tissue injury
• £2,070 – £21,700 for carpal tunnel syndrome, depending on the severity
• £6,080 – £10,350 for a more severe fracture or soft tissue injury
• £10,040 – £31,220 for severe wrist injuries causing long-term pain or disability
• £37,960 – £59,860 for very severe injuries leading to complete loss of wrist function

You can find out more about your compensation prospects after speaking about your accident and injury with a legal adviser. For a free consultation, call 0800 470 0474 or enter your details to receive a call back.

How much will it cost to make a wrist injury claim?

If you have a valid reason for claiming wrist injury compensation, your solicitor will offer you a no win no fee agreement*. No win no fee offers some unique advantages which make it the most popular option for funding a wrist injury claim:

• You do not have to pay any initial fees to benefit from expert legal advice
• Your solicitor will help you gather evidence to support your wrist injury claim
• They will take care of the legal matters while you can focus on recovery
• Your solicitor will consider every aspect of your case to make sure you are fully compensated
• If your claim fails, you are not liable to pay a single penny to your solicitor

If your solicitor believes that you have a fair chance of winning compensation for your injury, they will take the risk of offering you a conditional fee agreement. This means that if your claim fails, they will not be able to recoup their costs, while you will not incur any out-of-pocket expenses.

To compensate for this risk, no win no fee solicitors take a success fee from the compensation award if your claim is successful. This fee is capped at 25% of general damages and past financial losses and is agreed upon before starting legal proceedings.

If you qualify for a no win no fee service, your solicitor will also help you take out an After the Event (ATE) insurance policy. This is usually purchased at the beginning of the claim and offers immunity against legal charges and expenses if your claim fails. The ATE insurance covers the following:

• The cost of the defendant’s solicitor
• Any fees requested by the court
• Barrister fees if your case goes to court
• The costs of copying and printing
• Medical reports
• Expert witness fees

If you win the claim, you will keep your compensation award minus the success fee and the cost of the ATE insurance premium. If you lose, you will not have to pay a single penny from your pocket.

To find out if you can claim wrist injury compensation on a no win no fee basis, call 0800 470 0474 or request a call back for a free case assessment.

Is there a time limit to make a personal injury claim?

As a general rule, there is a three-year time limit to begin a wrist injury claim, starting from either:

• The date of your accident
• The date you became aware of an injury, which is also known as the date of knowledge. This generally applies to injuries that develop over time, such as carpal tunnel or other conditions caused by repetitive stress.

The time limit for personal injury claims is set out by the Limitation Act 1980. Usually, if you do not take legal action within three years, your case will become statute-barred, and the court will no longer accept it, even if it has merit. However, the court can offer an extension of the limitation period if this is deemed fair and reasonable.

There are several exceptions concerning the time limit to start legal proceedings:

• For victims under 18, the three-year time limit starts to run once they legally become adults. Before that, a parent or another adult acting as their litigation friend can file a wrist injury claim at any time.
• If the claimant lacks the mental capacity to handle their case, the time limit is suspended and only begins if they regain mental capacity. This applies to victims who suffer from the following:
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder
  • Intellectual disabilities such as autism
  • Mental health disorders like schizophrenia
  • Neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease
  • Brain injuries or stroke
• If your injury occurred abroad, you might still be eligible for compensation, but the time limit can vary substantially from country to country and may be much shorter than three years.
• If you were injured while serving in the military, the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) has a seven-year time limit to claim compensation.
• Wrist injury claims arising from assaults and other violent crimes can be made through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) within two years of the incident and after reporting it to the police.

Regardless of your circumstances, you should never wait until the last moment to seek legal advice. Gathering evidence and building your case can be a lengthy process, and most solicitors will not accept a case that is approaching its claim limitation date.

Benefits of using a solicitor

The solicitors we work in partnership with are widely experienced in managing wrist injury compensation claims following all types of non-fault accidents. The aim is always to provide a friendly, professional service that helps to secure the maximum compensation possible for your injury.

If you have a valid claim and would like to proceed, your solicitor will offer you a no win, no fee service, which means there is no financial risk to you if you do not win your claim. Other benefits of using professional help to claim wrist injury compensation include:

• Someone will be with you every step of the way and help you make the right decisions for you and your family;
• It makes the whole claiming process much smoother, easier and faster and will ensure that you fully understand the legal terminology and avoid errors;
• They will be available whenever you need support and advice;
• Solicitors go through extensive training and have years of experience in litigation, so they will know how to proceed to get the best results;
• They can advise on whether to accept a settlement or take your wrist injury claim to court.

If you would like to receive a free consultation, which provides an excellent opportunity to answer any questions that you might have and to assess your eligibility to proceed with an accident claim, call free on 0800 470 0474 or fill out our simple online claim form.