Wrist Injury Claims – How Much Compensation Am I Eligible To Claim?

Wrist injuries can range from sprains and strains to lacerations, breaks and fractures. Even a seemingly minor wrist injury can cause considerable pain, and many times that’s not even the worst part. Importantly, if you suffered an injured wrist due to somebody else’s negligence, you may be eligible to make a wrist injury claim for compensation.

In this guide to wrist injury compensation claims, we’ll explain how the claims process works, provide some example compensation amounts and look at what sorts of incidents you could be eligible to claim for. Also, we’ll show you the types of evidence you could use to help you prove who caused your accident, how it occurred, and what injuries you suffered.

If you’re ready to start a wrist injury claim today, please feel free to contact us right away on 0800 6524 881. Otherwise, please continue reading this guide to find out more about the process involved.

Am I Eligible To Make A Wrist Injury Compensation Claim?

To be eligible to claim compensation for an injured wrist, you’ll usually need evidence to show:

• You were owed a duty of care by the defendant.
• The defendant breached that duty by being negligent.
• You suffered a wrist injury as a result of that negligence.

For example, you may be eligible if you fractured your wrist after slipping on an unmarked wet floor, or if your wrist was injured in a cycling accident caused by a careless driver.

If you’re unsure whether you’re entitled to compensation for your wrist injury, call us for free advice.

Can I Claim Compensation For A Wrist Injury If It Was Partly My Fault?

Depending on the circumstances, you may still be able to claim compensation for a wrist injury even if you were partly at fault. However, your compensation could be reduced to reflect your share of responsibility. This is known as contributory negligence.

For example, you might suffer a fractured wrist from falling on a wet floor in a shop where no warning signs were displayed. However, if evidence showed that you were running at the time or not paying reasonable attention, you might be found partly responsible. If you were found to be 20% responsible for the accident, your compensation could be reduced by 20%.

If you’re unsure whether you could claim compensation for a wrist injury that was partly your fault, contact our claims advisors for free advice about your options.

Common Causes Of Wrist Injury Claims

There are many ways a wrist injury could happen. However, to make a compensation claim, you’ll need to show that your injury was caused by somebody else’s negligence rather than being a simple accident.

Some common examples of wrist injury claims include:

• Slips, trips and falls on hazards that should have been removed or made safe.
• Injuring your wrist in a road traffic accident caused by another driver, such as a car crash or motorcycle accident.
• Suffering a wrist injury at work because of unsafe machinery or a lack of suitable training.
• Developing a repetitive strain injury or carpal tunnel syndrome because your employer failed to assess or reduce the risks of repetitive work.
• Injuring your wrist in a gym accident because of unsafe gym equipment.
• A child injured their wrist in an accident at school after falling off a broken playground slide.

These are only a few examples. If you’re unsure whether your wrist injury was caused by negligence, our team can review what happened and explain whether you may be able to claim.

Common Types Of Injuries To Wrists

The following are all common wrist injuries that could be included in a compensation claim:

Whether your injury is included or not, we could support you when making a wrist injury compensation claim.

How Much Compensation Do You Get For A Wrist Injury?

There isn’t a fixed amount of compensation for a wrist injury, as each case is assessed individually. Instead, when calculating the amount of wrist injury compensation you should get, your solicitor will usually base the settlement on two heads of loss. These are:

• General damages. This covers any pain and suffering you’ve suffered.
• Special damages. Where you claim back any money lost or costs you’ve incurred because of your injuries. This element might include medical costs, lost earnings, care costs or travel costs.

To prove the extent of your injuries (for general damages), you will need a medical assessment. This is quite straightforward, and our solicitors can usually book your appointment locally for you.

Wrist Injury Compensation Amounts

To demonstrate what your wrist injury may be worth, we have supplied some example compensation amounts below.

• £58,110 to £73,050 compensation for very severe wrist injuries where there has been a complete loss of function.
• £29,900 to £47,810 compensation for a wrist fracture that has left the claimant with a significant and permanent disability, but the wrist still has some useful ability.
• £15,370 to £29,900 for less severe wrist injuries, such as a wrist fracture that has resulted in permanent disability such as some persisting pain.
• Up to £12,630 for wrist fractures and soft tissue injury where recovery is longer but is complete (or expected to be complete).
• £9,070 for an uncomplicated Colles’ fracture.
• £4,310 to £5,790 compensation for minor wrist fractures, such as a scaphoid fracture and soft tissue injuries that require bandages or plaster for some weeks, but a full recovery is expected within 12 months (give or take).

As these figures are not set in stone, please use them for reference only. If one of our personal injury solicitors agrees to represent you, they will provide a compensation estimate for you once your wrist injury has been fully assessed.

Contact our team if you’ve decided to proceed with a wrist injury claim and would like to know how much compensation you could be entitled to.

Evidence To Support A Wrist Injury Compensation Claim

In any type of personal injury claim, evidence is required to show who caused the accident, how it occurred and what level of injuries were sustained. Therefore, before looking at what accidents might lead to a wrist injury compensation claim, let’s look at the sort of evidence you could supply to support your case, for which our solicitors can help in obtaining:

• Accident report forms. Under RIDDOR, employers and businesses are legally obliged to record accidents that are reported to them. Your copy of the form might be evidence that proves the time, location, and date of your wrist injury happening.
• Medical records. These can be requested from the minor injuries unit or the A&E department that treated you.
• Witness details. Having witnesses to your accident can be a great way of proving what happened. Therefore, it’s a good idea to write down their contact details.
• Photographic evidence. After an accident, it is always a good idea to take pictures of the accident scene if it is safe to do so.
• CCTV footage. Where your accident is recorded by security cameras or dashcam units, you should request a copy ASAP before it is wiped.

Whilst time-consuming, the more evidence you can supply, the better your chances of receiving the compensation you might be due.

Time Limits For Claiming Wrist Injury Compensation

Importantly, wrist injury claims are typically time-limited. Although sometimes an exception might apply, in most cases, you will have 3 years to start your claim from the date of your accident. This time limit won’t usually apply if you decide to claim on behalf of your child, though. In these cases, you can claim at any point before the child becomes 18 years old as a litigation friend. The litigation friend process allows parents, guardians and some others to claim on behalf of a child. If a claim is not made before the child becomes an adult, their 3-year time limit will start on their 18^th birthday.

We’d suggest it is sensible to begin your wrist injury claim as soon as possible. While 3 years might seem like a long time, it can soon pass by. If you file your claim too late, you are likely to miss out on any compensation that might be due.

Do I Need A Solicitor To Make A Wrist Injury Compensation Claim?

There is no doubt that personal injury claims can be difficult. There can be a lot of evidence required, as well as complex and technical jargon to deal with. If you are unable to prove to the defendant’s insurer that they caused the injury to your wrist, your claim might be refused, and you won’t receive any compensation.

It is our opinion that claimants typically have a better chance of being compensated fairly if they have a personal injury solicitor working for them. They can use their legal acumen to present a clear and concise case to try to ensure you receive the maximum level of compensation possible. They can also shield you from the insurance company by dealing with all communication on your behalf and fighting your corner where necessary.

How Long Do Wrist Injury Compensation Claims Take?

The length of time it takes to receive compensation for a wrist injury claim can vary depending on several factors, such as:

• The type of wrist injury and how severe it is.
• The types and strength of evidence required.
• Whether liability has been disputed.
• The ease with which a payout amount can be agreed on.

Typically, straightforward wrist injury claims where liability is admitted may be settled in only a few months. However, more complex claims where liability is disputed or where the extent of the injury is unclear may take longer, sometimes even years.

It’s best to speak with a personal injury solicitor who has experience in dealing with wrist injury compensation claims to get a better idea of how long your specific case may take.

Starting The Wrist Injury Claims Process

To discuss a potential claim with us today, call 0800 6524 881. Your claim will be reviewed for free, and you’ll be given legal advice about your options. If the case appears to have strong grounds, we could connect you with a No Win No Fee solicitor from our team and start the wrist injury claims process right away.