Common hip injuries and their causes
Hip fractures are most commonly associated with a fall on a hard surface after a slip or trip. They can also occur in heavy trauma incidents such as those seen in motorcycle and other road traffic accidents. There are almost 100,000 hip fractures recorded in the UK every year.
Similarly, hips can often dislocate after a fall from height or when dangerous machinery is used by untrained workers.
Muscle and ligament damage to the hip area can be caused by over stretching or lifting dangerously, particularly in environments where safe lifting techniques have not been taught.
Hip bursitis can be associated with a repetitive strain injury or as a result of a heavy impact to the hip.
Although hip injuries can happen to any person, some demographics are more susceptible to the risk of a fall or impact causing trauma to the hip. For those of old age or with pre-existing health conditions, a serious hip injury can occur even from an innocuous fall. In most cases where a younger person has suffered a hip injury, the cause of the injury rests with an obvious heavy trauma such as a road traffic accident or a fall from height.
Compensation amounts for hip and pelvic injuries
The most serious injuries to the hip or pelvis can be as devastating as a leg amputation, and can therefore attract high settlement values.
Remember, you can also claim for special damages, which include your expenses and care costs now and in the future, among other things. The figures below are for just the injury itself.
Severe hip injuries
Extensive fractures which result in a lack of bladder and bowel control, sexual dysfunction or deformity, can expect compensation amounts of between £60,000 and £110,000.
Slightly less severe hip injuries but which are similar to the above can expect £45,000 to £65,000. This drops to between £30,000 and £45,000 in the next bracket, where hip replacements are only partially successful and future surgery is likely.
Moderate hip injuries
This would cover significant injury to the hip or pelvis but without any major permanent disability or future risk. The top bracket here is £20,000 to £30,000.
In cases where a hip replacement or other surgery is successful (or likely to be in future), and any ongoing symptoms are minimal, compensation amounts range between £10,000 and £20,000.
Minor hip injuries
Lesser, though significant, injuries would include cases where there is little ongoing disability. Here the award would be between £3,000 and £10,000. For those who recover within two years, the amount would likely be under £6,000.
Soft tissue injuries to the hip can expect settlements of up to £3,000.
Proving liability in hip injury compensation claims
The liable party in any claim for compensation is the party responsible for the incident that lead to the injury.
In cases where a hip injury is sustained in an accident at work, whether as a result of a fall from height, a slip on a wet floor or due to faulty machinery, an employer would be liable if they have been negligent and failed to provide the correct training, adequate risk assessments or machinery maintenance. Such a claim would proceed using various legislation including the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
If a hip injury is sustained in a road traffic accident or motorcycle accident, the liability will rest with the driver responsible for causing the accident.
For a claim after a fall a solicitor will use the Occupier Liability Act 1957 to prove negligence against the relevant landowner or organisation.
If a hip injury is sustained as a result of a fall in supermarket or a shop, the business running the shop in question must be able to demonstrate that they have an adequate hazard identification inspection regime in place. They must ensure that any spills or hazards can be identified in a reasonable time frame and the risks of a customer or visitor slipping are minimised. If there has been a failure to apply such a procedure, proving negligence and succeeding with a hip injury compensation claim is likely to be possible.
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With expert knowledge across all claim sectors, Direct2Compensation know your rights and can quickly ascertain whether or not the cause of your hip injury will lead to a valid claim for hip injury compensation.
Our easy to understand claims process will give you the confidence to proceed with your claim, and our solicitors will work tirelessly to ensure you have the best possible chance of success.
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