While a fractured metacarpal might be classed as a minor injury, it can be quite debilitating as it will restrict how much you can use your hand. This can mean that using your phone, opening doors, typing and other daily activities become difficult. Things can be worse if you break a metacarpal in your dominant hand. Importantly, if your metacarpal fracture was caused by somebody else, you could claim compensation from them for your suffering.

In this guide, we’ll consider how much compensation for a fractured metacarpal could be awarded and how the claims process works.

In addition to this guide, you can get free advice about claiming compensation for a fractured metacarpal in a free consultation with a member of our team. You’re not obliged to make a claim but you will receive expert advice about your options during your call. If it appears that you have a good chance of being compensated, one of our personal injury solicitors could take on your claim. If they do, it will be managed on a No Win No Fee basis.

To speak to us right away, please call 0800 6524 881 today. Otherwise, please continue reading to find out more about fractured metacarpal compensation.

What Is A Metacarpal Bone?

The metacarpal is the long thin bone found between the wrist and phalanges in your fingers and thumbs. There are 5 on each hand. Fractures of the metacarpal can occur at the base, neck, head or body of the bone. It is fairly common for more than one metacarpal to be fractured at the same time. Also, a fractured metacarpal can result in damage to the ligaments, nerves, tendons and muscles in the hand. Such injuries can occur following a fall or when there is a direct blow to the hand.

Common Symptoms Of A Fractured Metacarpal

If you fracture a metacarpal bone, it could result in symptoms such as:

• Discolouration or bruising.
• Pain and tenderness.
• Swelling.
• A bump or deformity near the injury site.
• Difficulty using your hand for normal activities.

As not all symptoms might present when you fracture a metacarpal bone, it is best to seek medical advice from your GP or at A&E.

Generally, a fractured metacarpal will be left to heal on its own. To aid this healing, your fingers are likely to be strapped or splinted to keep them as straight as possible.

Am I Eligible To Claim Compensation For A Fractured Metacarpal?

Our solicitors aim to take on cases where the claimant has a reasonable chance of success. To assess your eligibility to claim compensation for a fractured metacarpal before taking on a claim, they will review whether:

• A legal duty of care can be established between the defendant and claimant; and
• The claimant was involved in an accident caused by the defendant’s negligence; and
• The claimant suffered one or more metacarpal fractures during the accident.

If you’re not sure if you are entitled to make a claim, please get in touch. One of our advisors will review your options and let you know their thoughts on the chances of being compensated.

Common Accidents Leading To Fractured Metacarpal Claims

You could claim compensation for a fractured metacarpal in the following situations:

• Slips, trips and falls caused by raised carpets, broken handrails or unrepaired potholes.
• Accidents at work caused by a lack of safety provisions or faulty machinery.
• Sporting incidents resulting from damaged equipment or poor playing surfaces.
• Road traffic accidents involving blunt force trauma to the hand.
• Physical altercations or assaults can also result in fractures of the metacarpals from self-defence.

Whatever type of accident has led to you fracturing your metacarpal, please get in touch and we’ll consider your case for free.

Can I Claim If My Child Fractured A Metacarpal?

Potentially yes, you could claim compensation if your child has broken a metacarpal in their hand because of somebody else’s negligence. For example, it might be possible to claim if they were hurt in a park or playground accident because of damaged safety tiles or faulty play structures or equipment. Similarly, you could claim compensation if they injured a hand at a sporting event because of a lack of supervision.

How Much Compensation For A Fractured Metacarpal?

While it would be easy to just tell the defendant’s insurers how much compensation for a fractured metacarpal you would be happy to accept to close your claim, the process is more involved than that. Instead, your solicitor will review exactly how you’ve been affected by your injury so that they can try to justify every pound of compensation you claim. To do so, they’ll use two heads of loss:

General Damages For A Fractured Metacarpal

General damages are claimed to cover the amount of physical pain and discomfort your injuries have caused. Also, they may include an element to cover loss of amenity. For example, damages could be claimed if your broken metacarpal means you can’t play the piano like you normally would. Finally, any mental harm could be covered in this part of the claim as well. However, the current guidelines suggest compensation of up to £4,750 for a minor fracture that’s generally healed within six months.

Generally, for a personal injury claim, the extent of your metacarpal fracture will need to be verified by an independent medical assessment. Our personal injury solicitors can usually arrange this for claimants to take place in a local setting.

Special Damages For A Fractured Metacarpal

On top of any compensation for your injuries, special damages are sometimes claimable to recover any expenses linked directly to your injuries. For example, if you win a fractured metacarpal compensation claim, you could be compensated for:

• Prescription fees and other medical costs.
• Lost income if you needed time off work.
• Travel costs eg those linked to medical appointments.
• Care and support costs to cover a family member’s time.
• Replacement costs for items damaged during your accident.
• Future loss of earnings eg if your metacarpal doesn’t fully heal and that means you’ll earn less because you needed to change jobs.

To try and ensure that any compensation you receive is fair, your solicitor will go through everything listed here in detail with you.

Evidence To Support A Fractured Metacarpal Compensation Claim

Even if the defendant was apologetic at the time of your accident, their insurance company is unlikely to take the same stance. Usually, they’ll refuse to pay compensation until your solicitor can convince them that a) your metacarpal was fractured, b) the defendant was liable for the accident and c) the extent of your suffering.

The way to do this is by providing as much evidence as is needed which might include:

• X-rays and medical notes to help confirm your diagnosis and the treatment you endured.
• Photographic evidence of the visible signs of injury plus any photographs taken at the accident scene.
• A copy of an accident report form if your metacarpal was fractured in a public place or whilst working.
• Footage of the accident if it was recorded on a mobile phone, dashcam or CCTV camera.
• Witness statements to help clarify how your metacarpal was fractured if there is any contest regarding liability.
• A personal statement could also be taken from you to explain how your fractured metacarpal has affected you.
• Bank statements, wage slips, receipts and other financial records to help claim back any linked expenses.

If your fractured metacarpal compensation claim is accepted by one of our solicitors, they’ll collect any evidence you’ve already secured and work hard to find any further information needed to support your claim.

Time Limits For Claiming Fractured Metacarpal Compensation

It is important that you don’t miss out on any compensation you might be due because you’ve left your claim too late. In the UK, compensation claims for a fractured metacarpal have a 3-year time limit that starts either from the date of your accident or the date your x-ray confirmed the fracture.

We usually suggest getting started as quickly as possible so that there’s enough time to find the evidence needed to support your claim. Also, the sooner you begin, the sooner you’ll receive your compensation payout if the claim is won.

If your child has fractured a metacarpal bone and you wish to claim compensation, there is essentially no initial time limit. You can begin the claims process at any time before they’re 18 years old. After that, if you haven’t claimed, your child will have 3 years to start their own claim.

Starting The Fractured Metacarpal Compensation Claims Process

If you believe that you’re entitled to compensation for a fractured metacarpal, call us on 0800 6524 881 to check your options. Whether you decide to claim or not, we’ll let you know about your chances of being compensated and provide free legal advice about your next steps.

Any claim that is taken on by one of our personal injury solicitors will be funded by a No Win No Fee agreement so legal fees are only payable for successful claims. As that will reduce your financial risk, you should find the process much less stressful than normal.

Please use our live chat feature if you’ve got any more questions about how much compensation for a fractured metacarpal you may be entitled to.