Scaphoid Fracture Compensation Amounts

If your scaphoid fracture was misdiagnosed within the last 3 years, we can advise you on your potential claim. Talk to us about scaphoid fracture compensation amounts, we are here to help you.

For a no-obligation, initial discussion about your circumstances and to find out whether you have a claim, please feel free to call us on 0333 358 3034 or get in touch online.

What is the scaphoid?

The scaphoid is a small bone on the thumb side of the wrist joint. It is commonly damaged when someone instinctively puts their hand out to protect themselves when trying to break a fall. Falling on an outspread hand puts incredible force on the wrist that can result in a fracture of the scaphoid bone.

There are two kinds of scaphoid fracture: non-displaced and displaced. Non-displaced fractures occur when the fragments of broken bone have not moved out of position. On the other hand, in a displaced scaphoid fracture, there is movement of the bone fragments.

Symptoms of a scaphoid fracture

If you are suffering from a scaphoid fracture, you may experience the following symptoms:

• Pain between the base of the thumb and the wrist
• Pain when trying to grip an object
• Swelling
• Pain when moving the thumb or wrist

Scaphoid injury diagnosis

Because the structure of the wrist is complex, even with an x-ray it can be difficult to identify a fracture of the scaphoid. Doctors or radiologists can miss a fracture if it is very small or if the position of the x-ray was incorrect. If they fail to diagnose your scaphoid injury, your injury may be diagnosed as a sprain.

However, if the pain persists or gets worse and a re-diagnosis determines that your injury is a scaphoid fracture, this could be considered to be negligence. In these circumstances, you may be able to make a claim for compensation.

Clinical negligence

All doctors, radiologists and other medical professionals have a duty of care towards their patients. They must treat patients to the best of their ability and take all due precautions in administering any medical treatment. If they fail to diagnose your scaphoid fracture, this is an example of clinical negligence and may lead to a claim for compensation.

If you have experienced negligence following the misdiagnosis or late diagnosis of your scaphoid injury, this can lead to:

• Development of arthritis in the wrist
• Prolonged pain
• Avascular necrosis
• Death of the bone due to a lack of blood supply
• Stiffness and poor mobility of the wrist
• Osteoarthritis

The pain in your wrist may make it difficult for you to perform day-to-day tasks at home or work. If you have to take time off from work, you might experience a loss of wages and other work-related benefits. What’s more, in serious cases, a failure to diagnose such an injury can lead to long-term disability affecting an individual’s ability to work in the future.

You might also have to pay for additional treatment or medication in relation to your injury. If it can be proved that you experienced prolonged pain, inconvenience and additional expense following the misdiagnosis of your scaphoid injury, you may be eligible to claim compensation.

In almost all personal injury cases, you have a 3-year window in which to make a claim. Because of this, it’s important that you seek legal advice as soon as possible.

AMOUNT OF COMPENSATION

All personal injury cases are unique and so the amount of compensation that is awarded in each case is also unique. The amount of compensation that is awarded is determined by looking at two distinct factors – general damages and special damages.

GENERAL DAMAGES

The pain and suffering that your injuries have caused is the main factor that is used to determine how much compensation you are owed.

SPECIAL DAMAGES

However, compensation also takes into account any financial losses that you might have suffered as a result of your injuries, such as a loss of earnings due to being unable to return to work.

How to claim

If you believe that you may have a claim you should contact us as soon as possible.  To learn more and find out if you have a valid claim for compensation, contact Jefferies today. Call us on 0333 358 3034 or complete our online form to arrange a call-back from a member of our friendly team.