Fracture injuries at work – see if you can claim and how much

Broken or fractured bones are very common injuries for workers making a claim with us. As well as the pain involved, broken bones limit mobility, affect independence and often leave people struggling to work and maintain their lifestyle. Here we look at the different types of fracture, how to make a successful claim and the amount of compensation you can expect.

Table of contents

• The different types of fracture
• How to know if you have a valid claim
• Why claim?
• Compensation amounts
• How we can help you make a successful claim
• Comments – your questions answered

The different types of fracture

In the UK, we commonly use the words fracture and break to mean the same thing. Though in medical terms, they are all fractures of one kind or another. Usually a ‘break’ refers to a complete fracture all the way through a bone. Compensation amounts will reflect the type of fracture that has been sustained and its severity.

The main categories of fracture are complete, incomplete, compound and simple. Complete fractures refer to bones which snap into two or more part. Incomplete ones do not break all the way through. In a compound fracture, the bone breaks through the skin. In a simple fracture, the bone breaks but there is no open wound in the skin.

The location and the damage done to the bone and nearby tissue will determine how severe a fracture is. If not treated promptly the consequences can be serious, such as damage to blood vessels or nerves and infection of the bone or surrounding tissue. Recovery times vary depending on the patient and the type of fracture.

Accident at work claims involve a range of such injuries, from minor broken ankles and wrists to serious pelvis and spinal fractures.

How to know if you have a valid claim

Compensation claims for fractures suffered at work will only succeed if it can be shown the employer has been negligent. Therefore, you need to prove this was the case and that your injury was not your fault.

Good employers provide initial and ongoing training, always making sure staff have the right tools and know-how to work safely. However, many employers are not as helpful.

Some employers go as far as providing training, but fail to do enough to minimise and prevent nasty accidents and injuries. Some employers fail to provide the correct equipment, and/or a working environment that enables people to work safely. As a result, they are deemed negligent.

Common scenarios leading to compensation include:

• Employers failing to provide manual handling guidance or training
• Failing to provide staff with the correct personal protective equipment (gloves, hard hats, steel toe capped boots etc)
• Failing to ensure that staff are correctly qualified and trained to work
• Refusing or failing to provide the correct working equipment
• Failing to properly maintain and service equipment
• A working environment that prevents people from working and lifting safely

Injuries happen in all types of workplace, not just those that include an element of danger, such as factories or construction sites. Even office jobs can see employees suffer fractures. Importantly, any employee is entitled to make a claim for personal injury compensation, even temporary workers. If you are unsure if you have a valid claim, we can advise you on where you stand.

Why claim compensation after a fracture at work?

Bone fractures often leave people in a considerable amount of pain, unable to move freely or sleep comfortably. Furthermore, they may be unable to work and earn their regular salary.

Most fractures will heal after some weeks in a cast and a period of rest, while more severe compound, multiple or spiral fractures can require surgery to insert screws and pins. In the case of fractures to the spine, neck or pelvic region the severity of the injury could result in paralysis and psychological trauma.

Claiming personal injury compensation will help ease some of the problems you face. As well as winning a financial settlement, claiming with Direct2Compensation can also help you in other ways:

• Making a claim is your legal right, and fairly compensates you for injuries that were not your fault.
• A successful claim can help pay for private medical treatment and rehabilitation therapies to speed your recovery.
• It can cover costs now and in the future.

If your claim does not succeed it does not cost you anything. A successful claim will lead to a compensation settlement being made to you by your employer’s insurers. This will include a value for the injuries you have suffered and in addition, any medical treatment that you have required. It will also include any lost income and expenses now and in the future.

Specialist rehabilitation therapies

Your claim will succeed once your solicitor has obtained an admission of liability from your employer’s insurers. At this point, your solicitor can look to help you to recover more quickly through specialist rehabilitation therapies. In the case of a fracture, this would most likely involve physiotherapy. It is worth exploring your options, since any such treatment will be provided at the expense of the third party dealing with your claim.

Compensation amounts

Settlement figures vary depending on the severity of the injury and its effect on your life. There are guidelines issued by the courts, however, and the following will give you an idea of the amount of compensation you might expect for the injury itself. It does not include amounts for ‘special damages’ – lost earnings, expenses, treatment etc.

How Direct2Compensation can help with your claim

It is important to ensure there is a record of your injury in an accident book or elsewhere. If you haven’t done this already, don’t worry, we can help you to do so.

Direct2Compensation are experts in managing compensation claims, we know your rights and can therefore tell you if you are likely to succeed. We can advise you on important issues and give you a good understanding about how the no win no fee claims process works.

Direct2Compensation work with some of the best accident at work solicitors in the UK. With our easy to understand claims process and ability to handle your claim quickly, simply and transparently, there are many reasons that make us the right choice.

To find out more about your compensation rights or to start your injury claim today, call us on 01225 430285 or if you prefer, we can call you back. In just a few minutes on the telephone with you, we’ll obtain the initial information needed for our solicitors to commence a claim.

Direct2Compensation is a trading name of Southwest Signings Ltd.  Southwest Signings are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, Our authorisation number is 830395.  Details can be found on the Financial Conduct Authority financial services register.