A dislocated shoulder is a very painful injury. Even after the shoulder has been ‘popped back’ into place, you may still find it difficult to use your arm for many days or weeks to come. As such you may need some time off work if you dislocate your shoulder and you may not be able to drive or carry out your usual tasks. If you’re looking to claim compensation for a dislocated shoulder, this guide should help. We’ll look at the scenarios that could allow you to claim and explain how much compensation for a dislocated shoulder could be awarded.

You can get free legal advice from a member of our team if you call to discuss your claim. We won’t pressure you and there’s no obligation to file a compensation claim but if your case appears strong enough, we could help. If one of our personal injury solicitors accepts your case, they’ll manage the whole process on a No Win No Fee basis. As a result, you’ll only need to pay for their work if you are compensated.

You’ll learn more about dislocated shoulder compensation claims throughout this guide but please feel free to call 0800 6524 881 if you’ve any questions.

What Is A Dislocated Shoulder?

A dislocated shoulder is where the humerus bone pops out of the shoulder socket. Because the shoulder is the most flexible joint in the body, dislocations are common and typically happen due to a sudden impact, fall, or forceful twisting of the arm. You can suffer complete or partial dislocations.

Common Symptoms Of A Dislocated Shoulder

Some of the common symptoms associated with dislocated shoulder injuries include:

• Intense levels of pain.
• Bruising and swelling.
• Difficulty using the arm or a reduced range of movement.
• Your shoulder looks out of place or deformed.

According to the NHS, your shoulder can be manipulated back into place in A&E but you may require a general anaesthetic in some cases. After your shoulder has been popped in, you’ll be asked to rest your arm and wear a sling for at least a week while the joint recovers. However, it can take up to 16 weeks to fully recover from a dislocated shoulder.

Complications of a dislocated shoulder can include damage to the tendons, nerves and muscles which might require additional surgery.

Am I Eligible To Claim Compensation For A Dislocated Shoulder?

Our solicitors assess every personal injury claim on their merits. So that they don’t waste anybody’s time, they’ll first check your eligibility to claim compensation for a dislocated shoulder by looking to see if:

• There was a legal duty of care owed to you by the defendant; and
• You were involved in an accident resulting from the defendant’s negligence; and
• You dislocated your shoulder as a direct result of that accident.

If you believe that your claim meets the criteria above, please speak to us to find out your options.

Common Accidents Leading To Shoulder Dislocations

If you wish to claim compensation for a shoulder dislocation, it must’ve been sustained in an accident caused by somebody else’s negligence. Some examples of the types of accidents that could lead to a claim include:

• If you dislocated your shoulder in a road traffic accident eg being knocked over or knocked off a bicycle.
• Where your shoulder popped out of place after a slip trip or fall caused by a trip hazard eg a wet floor, raised kerbstone, cables, or torn carpet.
• If your shoulder was dislocated in a sporting event because of an unsafe playing surface or damaged equipment.
• Where your shoulder was dislocated in an accident at work because your employer failed to train you properly, provide safe equipment or provide PPE.

This isn’t a comprehensive list of course but it should give you some idea of when a dislocated shoulder claim might be possible. If you would like to find out if you’re able to claim compensation for a dislocated shoulder, please get in touch.

How Much Compensation Will I Get For A Dislocated Shoulder?

As well as the physical suffering caused by a dislocated shoulder, you could receive a compensation payout to cover any mental harm as well as any costs linked to your injuries. Compensation for dislocated shoulder will usually be split into two heads of loss. They are:

General Damages For A Dislocated Shoulder

This part of your claim aims to compensate you for any physical main and discomfort caused by your shoulder injury. It also covers any psychological suffering including anxiety, depression and distress. Furthermore, general damages can cover any loss of enjoyment of your normal activities. However, for a dislocated shoulder that’s considered a serious injury, the guidelines from the Judicial College suggest compensation of £12,770 to £19,200.

You’ll receive a more personalised estimate if your claim is taken on as your solicitor will arrange an independent medical assessment to fully understand how you have suffered.

Special Damages For A Dislocated Shoulder

Your claim could also include compensation to cover any financial losses due to your dislocated shoulder such as:

• Medical expenses (including prescription fees or private hospital treatment).
• The time someone else spent caring for you.
• Travel expenses.
• Lost earnings. This could include an amount for future losses as well if your shoulder damage reduces your ability to work.
• Making changes to your car or home to help you cope with any long-term symptoms.
• Replacement costs for any personal property damaged in your accident.

If your claim is taken on by one of our solicitors, they’ll review the impact of your dislocated shoulder in detail to try and make sure no aspect of your suffering is missed and to try and secure the highest amount of compensation possible.

Evidence To Support A Dislocated Shoulder Compensation Claim

Most dislocated shoulder compensation claims are made against an insurance policy. If you’ve ever contacted your own insurers, you’ll know that they need to be convinced about why they should pay out. For personal injury claims, that means proving how you were injured, who was responsible and how your shoulder injury has affected you.

The types of evidence that could help include:

• A copy of an accident report form if you informed the company or organisation about your injury.
• Medical records, x-rays and treatment plans from the GP or hospital doctor who treated you.
• Photographs taken at the time of the accident to help prove the cause of your injury.
• Video footage of the accident if it was in view of a dashcam or CCTV camera.
• Witness statements can be collected by your solicitor to help prove your version of events.
• Financial records such as receipts, wage slips and bank statements to help recover any expenses linked to your dislocated shoulder.

It’s a good idea to have any evidence you’ve already collected available when you call us. Anything that’s still needed will be collected by your personal injury solicitor if your claim is accepted.

Time Limits For Claiming Dislocated Shoulder Compensation

You may have heard that there is a time limit for personal injury claims in the UK. This is true and, therefore, you’ll generally have 3 years to claim for a dislocated shoulder from the date you were injured. If the claim is being made for your child, their time limit won’t begin until their 18^th birthday. Before then, you can claim at any time by becoming a litigation friend.

Although you do have 3 years to claim compensation for a dislocated shoulder, it’s often easier to collect evidence the sooner you begin. Furthermore, you could benefit from physiotherapy or other treatments paid for before the claim has been settled if you begin the process early enough.

To check how long you’ve got to begin your claim, please contact one of our specialists today.

Starting The Dislocated Shoulder Compensation Claims Process

If you’ve decided to claim compensation for a dislocated shoulder, call us on 0800 6524 881 for a free consultation. During your call, we’ll provide no-obligation legal advice and review your chances of being compensated.

If one of our personal injury solicitors suspects that you have a fair chance of being awarded compensation, they’ll manage your claim on a No Win No Fee basis. If you are awarded compensation, a success fee will be deducted from it to cover your solicitor’s time and costs. If the claim fails, you won’t pay any legal fees at all.

We hope that this guide has shown how much compensation for a dislocated shoulder might be awarded, and please use our live chat system if there’s anything else you’d like to know.