If you have suffered a broken wrist in an accident that wasn't your fault, contact us to find out how much compensation your claim could be worth.
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How much compensation for a broken wrist?
If you suffered a broken wrist due to someone else’s fault, a specialist solicitor could help you make a personal injury claim. This guide will explain when you can make a claim and how much compensation you could receive for a broken wrist.
A wrist fracture can be debilitating and affect your ability to work and carry out your daily activities. It can cause a lot of pain and discomfort, and it can also lead to financial losses. A compensation claim will address all these impacts, covering both past and future expenses.
Whether you were injured at work, in a road accident or while shopping, you can find out within minutes if you are entitled to compensation. Do not hesitate to call 0800 470 0472 today or use our online claim form to request a free case assessment.
Key points about broken wrist compensation
- Eligibility: You may be entitled to claim if you fractured your wrist in an accident caused by another party’s negligence, provided this can be proven.
- Common Accidents: Slips and trips, road collisions, and workplace falls often lead to broken wrist injuries.
- Time Limit: A claim must usually be made within 3 years of the injury date. For children, the time limit only begins once they turn 18.
- Compensation: Will depend on the severity of the fracture, recovery time, any long-term effects on wrist function, and impact on employment.
- No Win, No Fee: Your solicitor will handle the claim on a no win, no fee basis, so you’ll only pay a success fee if the claim is successful.
Table of Contents
What does a broken wrist compensation claim cover?
A broken wrist injury claim aims to compensate for the pain, suffering and financial losses incurred by the claimant. The goal is to restore them to the position they would have been in had the accident not occurred. This is done by covering two types of damages resulting from the injury:
General damages are part of the broken wrist compensation award that covers non-financial losses. These are more difficult to quantify because they do not have a specific financial value attached to them and could include:
- Physical pain and discomfort
- Emotional and psychological harm, such as anxiety and depression
- Loss of amenities, which refers to the loss of ability to enjoy hobbies and activities
- Scarring or disfigurement caused by the injury
- Ongoing pain and disability
- The reduced quality of life caused by the wrist fracture
Special damages are part of the compensation award that covers the financial losses resulting from the injury. These are easier to quantify and are based on tangible evidence, such as receipts and invoices. Special damages could include:
- Private medical treatments, such as surgeries, consultations and prescriptions
- The cost of physical therapy, rehabilitation and medical equipment
- Any lost wages due to time off work for treatment and recovery
- The impact on earning capacity, if the injury affects your ability to work
- Travel expenses for going to medical appointments
- The cost of care and assistance with daily tasks, even if provided by a loved one
Your solicitor will carefully consider your suffering and losses to help you seek a fair wrist injury compensation award.
How much compensation can I claim for a broken wrist?
The amount of compensation owed for a broken wrist claim is calculated on a case-by-case basis according to the specific losses incurred by each claimant.
Special damages are calculated by summing up your receipts, invoices and other financial documents.
General damages, on the other hand, are not easily quantified. They depend on the specific type of wrist fracture suffered and are assessed according to the Judicial College guidelines.
According to our personal injury compensation calculator, which is based on the latest guideline figures from the Judicial College (18th Edition), you could receive the following awards for a broken wrist, depending on its severity:
| Injury Type | Description | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Wrist Injuries | A minor wrist fracture or soft tissue damage recovering within a year | £4,700 - £6,300 |
| An uncomplicated Colles’ fracture of the wrist | In the region of £9,800 | |
| A wrist fracture or soft tissue injury taking more than a year to recover | £8,000 - £14,000 | |
| A wrist injury causing some permanent disability, such as ongoing pain and stiffness | £17,000 - £32,000 | |
| A serious wrist injury causing significant permanent disability, but with some useful movement remaining | £32,000 - £52,000 | |
| A severe wrist injury causing complete loss of wrist function | £63,000 - £79,000 |
Can I still make a claim if I was partially at fault for my wrist injury?
If you broke your wrist in an accident that was partially your fault, you are not necessarily disqualified from making a claim. However, if you win compensation, the amount awarded to you will be reduced in proportion to your degree of fault due to your contributory negligence.
For example, if your injury is valued at £20,000 and you are found to be 25% responsible for it, you would only receive £15,000. Your solicitor will help you negotiate a fair settlement that takes into account your degree of fault.
Examples of contributory negligence in broken wrist injury compensation claims include:
- Ignoring warning signs
- Running or acting recklessly in an area where it is unsafe to do so
- Ignoring safety procedures or established guidelines
- Misusing tools or equipment
- Failing to wear protective gear
- Crossing the street without looking for oncoming traffic
- Not wearing a seatbelt
What other factors will determine the value of my claim?
Besides the principle of contributory negligence, the compensation amount you can get for a broken wrist can be affected by many other factors. These include:
- The type of wrist injury you suffered – a simple break that does not require surgery will typically result in less compensation than a complex fracture;
- The accident that caused it – if the injury resulted from a hit-and-run or criminal assault, and you have to claim through the MIB or CICA, you could receive a lower payment;
- Whether you suffered complications or long-term effects – complications such as nerve damage, arthritis or chronic pain can substantially increase the value of your claim;
- The impact on your life – the more significant the disruption of your daily life, the higher the compensation;
- Your age – your age at the time of injury will also be considered when calculating the compensation for your broken wrist. Younger individuals may receive a higher payment to account for the prolonged impact of the injury on their lives.
How is a wrist fracture diagnosed and treated?
A broken wrist injury requires prompt medical attention for accurate diagnosis and adequate treatment. This will ensure your fracture heals correctly and will reduce the chances of suffering long-term effects such as pain, stiffness, and weakness.
The most common signs and symptoms of a broken wrist to look out for include:
- Sharp, intense pain that is made worse by movement
- Swelling and bruising around the wrist
- A visible deformity in the injured area
- Difficulty or inability to move the wrist or fingers
- Numbness or tingling in the hand or fingers
To diagnose your injury and provide the best treatment, your doctor will conduct a thorough physical exam and order imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans or an MRI scan. For further information, you can read the NHS guidance on broken wrists.
This will help them see the location and severity of the fracture and whether you also suffered damage to your ligaments and tendons. Treatment for a broken wrist depends on the severity and type of fracture and could involve:
- Manual rearrangement of the bones in their correct position;
- Immobilisation for several weeks using a splint or cast;
- Surgery using plates, screws or pins to realign the bones and keep them in place to heal;
- Physical therapy to restore strength, flexibility, and range of motion in the wrist.
How do I know if I can make a compensation claim for a broken wrist?
Wrist fractures are a common injury that can be due to various types of accidents, such as:
- Slips, trips and falls – falling onto an outstretched hand is the most common reason for claiming broken wrist compensation;
- Road traffic accidents – car, motorcycle or bicycle accidents often result in wrist injuries due to the impact of the collision;
- Sports – many sports involve a risk of falls or direct impact to the wrist, which can result in fractures;
- Criminal assaults – direct blows to the wrist, especially with a weapon, can cause a broken wrist during physical altercations.
If you broke your wrist and you believe someone else is at fault, you should get in touch with a specialist personal injury solicitor as soon as possible. They will offer you a free case assessment and will let you know within minutes if you can make a compensation claim.
Generally, you can make a broken wrist claim if:
- Another party owed you a legal duty of care;
- They breached this duty through wrongdoing or negligence;
- You broke your wrist as a direct result of their actions or inaction.
If you can proceed with a claim, your solicitor will guide and support you throughout the claims process. They will also help you gather all the evidence you need to support your claim, such as medical records, accident reports, CCTV footage and witness statements.
Can I make a claim for a broken wrist at work?
Whilst doing your job, your employer owes you a legal duty of care under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. They must take numerous measures to keep you safe from injuries, including:
- Ensure a safe working environment that is free of slip, trip and fall hazards;
- Make sure all equipment and machinery are regularly inspected and safe for use;
- Provide adequate training, instruction and information on how to do your job safely;
- Ensuring the safe handling, storage, and transport of articles and substances;
- When necessary, provide personal protective equipment (PPE) and make sure you use it correctly.
If you suffer a broken wrist due to your employer’s failure to comply with their duties, you may be eligible to make an accident at work claim. Seeking compensation is your legal right, and your employer should not dismiss you or demote you simply for doing so.
If your employer retaliated in any way, a specialist lawyer can advise you on whether you may be able to make a further claim at an employment tribunal, for example under unfair dismissal laws.
Can I claim for a broken wrist injury on behalf of my child?
If your child suffers a broken wrist due to someone else’s fault, you may be able to claim compensation for them. To claim on their behalf, the court must allow you to represent them as a litigation friend upon being satisfied that:
- You can make fair and competent decisions about the claim;
- There is no conflict of interest between you and the child.
As a litigation friend, you will have various responsibilities, as in any other personal injury claim. You must help your lawyer gather evidence, sign legal documents, pay any fees required by the court and make decisions about the case that are in the child’s best interests.
If you manage to secure compensation, the court will ensure that the amount awarded is fair. Once approved, the money will typically be held in a court bank account or a personal injury trust until the child reaches 18.
Time limits to claim compensation for a broken wrist
The standard time limit for claiming compensation for a wrist injury that wasn’t your fault is three years, starting from:
- The date of the accident that caused your broken wrist.
- The date your injury was diagnosed and linked to someone else’s fault if it developed over time or did not become immediately apparent (the date of knowledge).
There are a few exceptions to the three-year limitation period to start a claim:
- Child injury claims can be made by a parent or legal guardian at any time before the child turns 18. Afterwards, they have until 21 to claim compensation themselves.
- If the injured party cannot handle a claim due to a condition such as Down syndrome, dementia or a stroke, the time limit is suspended. A litigation friend can claim on their behalf at any time.
- There is a two-year time limit to claim compensation through the CICA following an injury caused by a criminal assault or another violent crime.
As with any other claim, the sooner you seek legal advice, the better. That will give your solicitor better access to evidence to help them build a strong case and secure compensation.
Can I claim on a No Win No Fee basis?
If you are eligible to make a claim for a broken wrist, the personal injury lawyers we partner with will offer you a 100% no win no fee service. This is a very common arrangement in many types of claims, and it means that:
- You do not have to pay them any legal fees upfront;
- If you win the case, your solicitor will take a pre-agreed percentage of your compensation for pain, suffering and past financial losses (capped at 25%) as their success fee;
- If you lose, you will not have to pay their legal fees.
To find out if you can start a claim and how much compensation you can get for a broken wrist, call 0800 470 0472 today or use our claim form to request a call back.
