Fractured Scaphoid
Misdiagnosis Claims

If a fractured scaphoid misdiagnosis has set you back, we'll help you move forward

A misdiagnosed fractured scaphoid can lead to improper healing and loss of wrist function, with compensation claims typically including the cost of reconstructive surgery and long-term rehabilitation.

If your life, or the life of a loved one, has been affected by a fractured scaphoid misdiagnosis, we can help. If your injuries were caused by the negligence of a doctor, nurse, midwife or other medical professional, you may be entitled to claim compensation.

You can make a No Win, No Fee compensation claim with the help and support of a specialist clinical negligence solicitor.

Nearly 1 in 30 scaphoid fractures are missed - you are not alone

Bone fractures are serious injuries, and should be treated as a major trauma. Despite this, the medical profession is frequently negligent when diagnosing bone fractures.

In a study of fresh scaphoid fracture casualty admissions, 3% of were missed by the casualty officer (rcem.ac.uk).

If you need information on breaks and fractures, visit: nhs.uk.

How much compensation can I claim for fractured scaphoid misdiagnosis?

The compensation you're eligible to claim for fractured scaphoid misdiagnosis depends on:

• the extent of your injury,
• how your injury interferes with your daily activities and job,
• any economic losses or costs you?ve incurred due to your injury.

General damages are awarded for pain, suffering and loss of amenity (PSLA). Awards for general damages are set by the Judicial College (judiciary.uk) and published in their guidelines for personal injury awards.

Special damages are for financial losses and expenses you have incurred because of your accident. In addition to paying for loss of earnings (including future earnings loss and retraining costs), special damages can cover any care costs and medical procedures you need, such as surgical repair, pain medication and physical therapy.

Read more:

A complete list of recoverable losses in a personal injury claim

How is compensation calculated if I have multiple injuries?

Average fractured scaphoid misdiagnosis compensation payouts

The following fractured scaphoid misdiagnosis payouts refer to the Guidelines for the Assessment of General Damages in Personal Injury Cases, 17th Edition by the Judicial College (oup.com).

These tables are used by solicitors or by the courts as a starting point when calculating your compensation.

Please note: these average figures represent general damages only, and do not include any element of special damages (e.g. lost wages).

Wrist injury

Do I have a fractured scaphoid misdiagnosis claim?

You have the right to claim compensation for fractured scaphoid misdiagnosis, if:

• you were injured within the last 3 years, and;
• someone else was at fault, and;
• they owed you a legal duty of care.

Use our injury claim calculator to find out if you can claim. Alternatively, you can speak to a claims advisor on 0800 376 1001 and find out if you have a claim in minutes.

How long do I have to claim fractured scaphoid misdiagnosis compensation?

For a fractured scaphoid misdiagnosis claim, you usually have 3 years to make a claim from the date you became aware of the negligent treatment (date of knowledge).

If you are under 18, a parent, guardian or adult 'litigation friend' can make a claim on your behalf. Once you turn 18, you have until your 21st birthday to start a clinical negligence claim.

Why are scaphoid injuries so frequently missed?

Anyone who has experienced a break will know just how painful they can be. If not dealt with correctly, fractures can worsen and painful complication can occur such as arthritis and infections

A&E departments have state of the art X-ray technology at their disposal to help them identify breaks and fractures. Once diagnosed doctors will then stabilise the injury so that the bones can heal.

The scaphoid is one of your hand's smaller bones, located just under the thumb and forming part of your wrist. This little piece of bone is protected by surrounding tissues, but a high impact injury such as a fall can cause a fracture. Goalkeepers are especially prone to this injury.

Scaphoid fractures are often unidentifiable on an X-ray until a week or so after the injury, due to swelling around the bone. As a result, they can go undetected if proper A&E procedures are not followed.

If a scaphoid break is suspected, medical staff should take the following action:

• Give the wrist a full examination and locate the pain site
• X-ray the injury from all angles
• Place the wrist and thumb in a secure splint
• Repeat X-rays within two weeks of the injury

It is critical that the above procedure is followed in the event of a scaphoid break to avoid further complications like persistent pain and arthritis.

For further information, visit: suspected scaphoid fracture (nhs.uk).

Scaphoid injuries can affect your ability to work

Scaphoid injuries can significantly impact your work life, potentially requiring time off or, in some cases, leading to an inability to continue in your current job.

These injuries may require corrective surgery, and failure to properly diagnose and treat a scaphoid fracture could constitute medical negligence. If you believe your scaphoid injury was improperly managed and has caused ongoing issues, consulting with an experienced solicitor is essential. You may be entitled to compensation for lost earnings and additional expenses incurred due to the injury.

For more information or discuss a medical negligence claim, call on 0800 376 1001.

Fractured scaphoid clinical negligence claims

Fractured scaphoid misdiagnosis claims are usually made on the grounds of clinical negligence. Click the icon below to find out more about the process.

Medical negligence Other accidents

Author:
Gaynor Haliday, Legal researcher

About the author

Gaynor Haliday is an experienced legal researcher and published author. She has had numerous articles published in the press and is a legal industry commentator.