Have you suffered due to a delayed wrist fracture diagnosis? Was this caused by a breach of duty of care? Are you wondering whether you have grounds for a medical negligence claim? If so, please read on.
If you’ve sustained a wrist injury, it is important to seek medical attention. When you do so, you’re entitled to receive care of a minimum standard. The injury can hinder daily life and possible employability, plus it can cause physical and mental as well.
This guide will explore what could cause a delayed diagnosis and when you might be eligible to claim. We also explore potential compensation amounts and look at how our panel of expert solicitors can help you pursue compensation.
If you have suffered unnecessary harm due to medical negligence, then we encourage you to speak with our advisors as they can help to understand whether your claim is legitimate and provide free, relevant legal advice. They may also connect you with our panel of No Win No Fee solicitors. Speak with our advisors today by:
- Calling the number at the top of the screen
- Using our live chat feature
- Filling out our online form
Select A Section
- What Is A Delayed Wrist Fracture Diagnosis?
- Where Could A Delayed Wrist Fracture Diagnosis Happen?
- Am I Eligible To Claim For A Delayed Diagnosis?
- Delayed Wrist Fracture Diagnosis Claim Damages
- Begin Your Delayed Fracture Diagnosis Claim
What Is A Delayed Wrist Fracture Diagnosis?
A delayed wrist fracture diagnosis refers to a break in the wrist that was missed, misdiagnosed or where the diagnosis was delayed. If you have suffered due to this, then you may be able to make a claim provided you can provide proof that medical negligence caused you unnecessary harm. This could be a new injury or illness, or a worsening of the condition you’re already suffering from.
Medical negligence refers to a medical expert conducting themselves in a way that breaches the duty of care that they owe their patient. If a medical professional was negligent in their duty of care, delaying your diagnosis and harming you as a result, then this may be grounds for a claim.
Not all instances of harm when treating a medical condition will result from negligence. For example, if you suffer a wrist fracture and seek medical attention, you may need an operation where pins and plates are inserted into the site to hold them in position as they heal. Although this will cause you harm, it’s necessary for treating the condition and as a result you’d be unable to claim.
Wrist Fracture Diagnosis
The NHS suggest that if you suspect you have broken an arm or wrist then this should be treated as soon as possible. When you seek medical attention for wrist pain with a suspected fracture, then arm may be put in a sling to stop any broken bones from moving around. After this, an X-ray could be performed to confirm whether the bone is broken and, if so, how badly.
Contact our advisors for more information on claiming for harm caused by a delayed wrist fracture diagnosis resulting from medical negligence.
Where Could A Delayed Wrist Fracture Diagnosis Happen?
There are a number of different ways that a wrist fracture diagnosis could be delayed. They include:
- A GP misdiagnoses your condition as a bruise instead of a fracture. As a result, you’re given the wrong medication, and your initial condition is
- A hospital fails to give an x-ray scan of the injured area. As a result, the condition is missed.
- An X-ray is performed on the injured area. However, the doctor reading it misinterprets the results of the test and so makes an incorrect diagnosis.
Contact our advisors for information on how delays or misdiagnoses can happen, and when a claim for compensation could be justified.
Clinical And Medical Negligence Statistics
The NHS published in March 2022 their Thematic Review 2: Missed Fractures stating there were 28 cases of missed fractures in the upper limb, with 22 relating specifically to the wrist and hand. 4 of these fractures were to the scaphoid, a bone in the wrist, which often occurs when adolescents and young adults land on an outstretched hand.
Am I Eligible To Claim For A Delayed Diagnosis?
To understand if you are eligible to make a delayed wrist fracture diagnosis claim, it is important to understand whether the actions of a medical professional were negligent. This can be determined using the Bolam test.
The Bolam test involves a panel of medical professionals who are trained in the relevant field of medicine being asked whether the standard of care that was administered was of an acceptable level. If not, then it could be considered medical negligence.
You should also provide evidence to show that the treatment you received was negligent. Evidence in this kind of claim can include:
- Medical records. This could be particularly relevant if you have sought a second opinion from another medical professional. It will show any diagnosis that has been made and the treatment you receive.
- Witness details. If someone else witnessed the medical negligence, you can collect their contact details. If necessary, they may be called to make a statement at a later date.
- Financial evidence. A misdiagnosis caused by medical negligence could have a financial impact on you. For example, you may need to spend money on travel to and from medical appointments that you would not have had to attend if you’d gotten the right level of care.
Medical negligence can be a complex part of the law. Your case could benefit from the help of legal guidance from our panel of expert solicitors. For free, relevant legal advice, talk to our advisors today to find out whether your claim is legitimate.
Delayed Wrist Fracture Diagnosis Claim Damages
As part of a successful delayed wrist fracture diagnosis, you will receive compensation for general damages.
The Judicial College Guidelines (JCG) publishes potential compensation bracket amounts for general damages for the pain you experience as a result of your injury. Legal professionals use these guidelines to help them assign a value to general damages. The awarded amounts differ according to the type and severity of the injury.
Please see the below table for guideline compensation brackets. These were published in the 16th edition of the JCG in April 2022:
Injury Compensation Notes
Wrist injury (a) £47,620 to £59,860 The wrist has lost complete function and an arthrodesis has been performed.
Wrist injury (b) £24,500 to £39,170 Where the injured person is permanently disabled but has retained some useful movement.
Wrist injury (c) £12,590 to £24,500 The injured person is still permanently disabled with a degree of continuing pain and stiffness.
Wrist injury (d) £6,080 to £10,350 Recovery from fractures and soft tissue injuries is completed over a year with minor lasting symptoms.
Wrist injury (e) In the region of £7,430 Uncomplicated Colles' fracture.
Wrist injury (f) £3,530 to £4,740 Where a fracture has minor displacement or no displacement at all needing plaster or bandages until a full recovery is undertaken within or up to 12 months.
Less severe other arm injuries (c) £19,200 to £39,170 A near-full recovery will have taken place after a considerable period of disability.
Simple arm injuries (d) £6,610 to £19,200 Where the forearm has sustained a simple fracture.
Moderate hand injury (h) £5,720 to £13,280 Crush injuries, soft tissue damage and deep lacerations could be included in this bracket.
Minor hand injury (w) Up to £4,750 Fractures which generally heal within 6 months.
You may be eligible to receive special damages too. These damages cover costs incurred during your injury and the recovery period. It’s important to keep any receipts of expenses to use as evidence.
Some examples of special damages include:
- Loss of earnings and future income
- Travel to and from medical appointments
- Child care costs
For more information, our advisors are available to offer free legal advice for your delayed wrist fracture diagnosis. They can also give you a free assessment of how much medical negligence compensation you could be entitled to.
Begin Your Delayed Fracture Diagnosis Claim
If you want to pursue your delayed wrist fracture diagnosis claim, we suggest contacting our advisors today. They can determine the validity of your claim and may connect you to our panel of solicitors.
Our solicitors offer a type of No Win No Fee arrangement called a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA), which is an affordable option when claiming. A CFA lawyer has no immediate hiring costs that you need to pay and you do not pay any of their legal costs if your claim is unsuccessful.
A CFA lawyer takes their payments via a success fee. This fee is a small, capped percentage of your compensation that covers the costs that have accrued over the course of your claim.
If our panel of CFA lawyers can help you claim then contact our advisors today by:
- Calling the banner at the top of the screen
- Using our live chat feature
Resources
We have other guides you might find useful:
Missed Wrist Fracture Claims Guide
What Rights Do I Have If I Am Given The Wrong Medication?
Missed Forearm Fracture Claims Guide
And we have collected a few other helpful links:
The NHS Constitution for England
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Contact our advisors today for more information on claiming for a delayed wrist fracture diagnosis caused by medical negligence.
Writer Jack Ealing
Publisher Fern Stiles